Benjamin Franklin launched America’s fight against counterfeit money with colored threads, watermarks and images of leaves, new study shows

Benjamin Franklin was so busy as an inventor, publisher, scientist, diplomat and U.S. founding father that it’s easy to lose track of his accomplishments. So add one more to the roster: his early work in printing colonial paper currency designed to counter a constant threat of counterfeiting. Franklin was an early innovator of printing techniques […]

China’s economy is showing signs of serious trouble — and the problems are still mounting

China’s post-pandemic rebound hasn’t materialized and it faces mounting economic obstacles. Beijing is grappling with declining trade and foreign investment, a shaky housing market, and deflation. Experts say most of China’s issues are self-inflicted, and warn that policies must change to improve confidence. The pandemic rebound that China and the rest of the world were […]

‘Blatant economic coercion’: China slams Biden’s order limiting U.S. overseas tech investment

KEY POINTS Biden warned in the executive order that certain American investments may contribute to “the development of sensitive technologies and products in countries that develop them to counter United States and allied capabilities.” China says the order “seriously disrupts the security of the global industrial and supply chains.” Beijing stopped short of immediately issuing […]

China lifts anti-dumping tariffs on Australian barley after three years, easing supply concerns

Anti-dumping tariffs and countervailing duties were imposed in mid-2020 at the height of trade tensions between China and Australia. This move will alleviate China supply concerns after Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a humanitarian pact to deliver key Ukrainian grains to global markets. Australia “welcomes” this outcome, expects similar process to follow […]