News
US-China Trade War: the US Continues To Fuel The Rivalry By Blacklisting 28 More Chinese Companies
In the wake of the US-China trade war that has seen such technology companies as Huawei, Google, Hikvision, Megvii Technology, Tesla, iFlytek Co, NVIDIA, SenseTime, Dahua Technology, Intel Corp alongside a host of others experiencing a breach in trade due to the international trade restrictions.
And even though the trend of events that follows afterward may be detrimental to both nations on a long term basis including the global economy at large. The governments of the two largest economies in the world seem to be adamant towards admonishing the trade rift between them.
In furtherance, Donald Trump’s administration seems to be at the forefront of fueling the trade dispute since it bears the burden of initiating the tariff that started the trade war. In a press release on Monday, President Donald Trump accused Hong Kong of getting involved in anti-human practices against the Muslim community – particularly the Uighurs and other minority Muslims. By means of illegal surveillance feeds from top surveillance hardware companies as Hikvision and Dahua Technology, China was able to detain over a million Muslims.
In light of this, Trump claims that the events in Xinjiang could pose a threat to countries involved in trade with the aforementioned companies, therefore the 28 list ban. Furthermore, the US imposed restrictions on China to the tune of over $360 billion in tariff on Chinese commodities as well as various other constraints on Chinese investments in the United States. With talks about limiting exportation services to China if they are not forthcoming, Trump added that;
“I think they’re coming to make a deal, It’s got to be a fair deal.”
In the ensuing trade-war, the US State Department also issued a visa embargo on some Chinese officials that Washinton termed as ‘committing acts that are unacceptable’. Following the course of these happenings, the US went on to amend the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). By increasing the number of Chinese entities banned from engaging in whatever form of trade with any company registered in the US as of Tuesday, 8th October. Hence the entity list was updated with 28 Chinese companies in addition to the six companies already present on the list.
Accordingly, Ted Bauman – An Economist and Expert Analyst at Banyan Hill Publishing, pinpoints these moves as a strategy employed by the US bureau towards subjecting the Chinese Government to utter pressure on multiple levels. From Bauman’s point of view, this comes as a notice to the upcoming trade talks between the two nations in Washington later this week. In addition, he added that the Chinese Government is ready and prepared to stretch the trade wars to greater lengths, asserting that;
“The latest blacklist announcement is consistent with the Trump administration’s strategy of seeking new sources of leverage in the ongoing trade negotiation. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this announcement came hard on the heels of leaked reports that they are considering limiting U.S. investor capital flows to Chinese companies. It’s as if the administration has realized that the Chinese are not going to back down in the face of increased U.S. tariffs, so they are casting around for other ways to threaten the Chinese.”
This new development has discouraged the trust that once existed in the trading sector on a global scale. Given that it has the potential to trim company return margins in both nations. As it subsequently encourages the Chinese Government to deter funding of Chinese companies by US Investors.
Even though the US seems to be nonchalant towards a conclusive detente, it is evident that the economic state of the country has been posed with more threatening effects than that of the Chinese. And as such the Xi Jinping administration recently aired its indifference with regards to the trade talks as it is not phased by whatever the outcome may be.
Bitcoin
Central African Republic Becomes First African Country To Adopt Bitcoin As Legal Tender
The new bill provides a framework for use of cryptocurrencies in smart contracts, payments systems, online trade, and all electronic transactions alongside the CFA franc currency.
Bitcoin continued to garner attention globally as a national legal tender with Central African Republic becoming the latest suitor. President Faustin-Archange Touadéra signed the bill into law on Wednesday and his chief of staff Obed Namsio hailed the move as one that could forever change the economic fabric of a country that has been embroiled in rebel violence for many years now.
Namsio said the bill was supported by the president because it would improve the citizens’ status. He added it would open up new economic opportunities for the landlocked country. The new bill provides a framework for use of cryptocurrencies in smart contracts, payments systems, online trade, and all electronic transactions alongside the CFA franc currency.
“This move places the Central African Republic on the map of the world’s boldest and most visionary countries,” he said.
Traders will also be capable of paying taxes with crypto and the finance minister Gourna Zacko who introduced the bill, believes it will ease cross-border transfers that have become increasingly difficult to do. These transfers will now become very cheap. Citizens will also be capable of undertaking legal financial transactions in the mainstream financial realms using crypto, and without necessarily going through middlemen banks. Cryptocurrency exchanges will not be taxed.
The bill has clauses that prescribe up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of between 100 million to 1 billion CFA francs for anyone who breaks the crypto law.
With a per capita income of only 750 USD per year, the country is one of the poorest in the region and world as a result of years of conflicts and war. This is despite having a vast amount of gold and diamond reserves.
The country would, however, have to pursue an aggressive Internet coverage agenda to make this plan effective. It currently has an Internet penetration rate of just 7.1 percent and 355,000 Internet users out of a total population of 4.97 million people.
It is not clear if and how the new move would help alleviate the country’s ailing inflation or GDP. Inflation has increased from 2.7 percent in 2019 to 3.3 in 2021. The country’s GDP also flipped to the negative last year at -0.6 from a 3.1 in 2019. Despite relying heavily on agriculture and mining, illegal gold and diamond exports undermine government revenue. The country is also embroiled in bad political and economic decisions, conflicts, and insecurity.
The bill that governs use of cryptocurrency as legal tender in the country was unanimously adopted by the parliament last week. However, the move was not approved by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) which governs the Central African CFA franc regional currency used by the country and about 14 others. The franc is tied to the Euro and largely controlled by the West. Two ministers said the move to adopt Bitcoin as a national currency was a serious offense.
The move was also criticized by former Prime Minister Martin Ziguele who said it was not a priority for the country, and that it was undermining the CFA franc. The decision could also be challenged in court by some legislators.
Cryptocurrency
Cardano’s Charles Hoskinson wants to work with Elon Musk to develop a decentralized social media platform
The Founder of Cardano (ADA) has invited Tesla owner and billionaire, Elon Musk, to work with him in developing the first decentralized social media platform. Charles Hoskinson, who also doubles up as the CEO of Input-Output Global is offering to help Elon Musk achieve his goal of free speech on social media.
The news follows Elon Musk’s acquisition of a stake in Twitter last week. The Billionaire bought 9.2% of Twitter, estimated at $2.89 Billion, and was even offered a seat on the micro-blogging site’s board. However, after deliberations, Elon passed on the offer since it would bar him from owning beyond a certain threshold of Twitter’s shares.
Free speech advocate
Elon Musk is on record for being a passionate supporter of free speech and open internet policies. He has in the past openly accused Twitter of muzzling free speech and open internet use. He recently held a poll that indicated that most users would prefer an edit button on Twitter and said that if he is not allowed to acquire the platform, he would have to reconsider his position as a major shareholder of Twitter.
To actualize this cause, he has offered to acquire the platform for a reported fee of $43 Billion in cash. This intended acquisition has left his critics and supporters talking and would go a long way in helping him bring much-needed changes to Twitter. His intention has however come under fire with his critics, including Dogecoin co-founder, Jackson Palmer saying that Elon Musk is planning a hostile takeover of Twitter.
Hoskinson’s offer to Elon Musk
Upon seeing the opposition against Elon Musk’s plan, Hoskinson wooed Elon to join him in creating a decentralized social media platform. He tweeted:
“@Elon if Twitter rejects your offer, then hit me up. Happy to build a decentralized one.”
This offer follows Elon Musk’s Twitter poll where he sought the opinion of his 80 million followers about a decentralized social media platform. He posited that were he to be barred from acquiring Twitter, he would establish his decentralized platform that would be founded on free speech and open internet.
Elon Musk’s campaign for free speech and open internet has not been welcomed by all. Some of his critics have argued that coating his move with good intentions, his true intention is to get revenge against the SEC for muzzling his Twitter activities.
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