The ‌Trump administration will announce a 15% tariff and a series of price floors on ​products made from polysilicon, the key raw ​material used in solar panels and semiconductors, ⁠reports Reuters. The ​move aims to protect US polysilicon factories from ​growing Chinese ambitions in the chip supply chain.

The announcement by US President Donald Trump is expected to include minimum ​import prices on polysilicon, wafers, cells and ​modules, or solar panels, and a 15% tariff on the ‌polysilicon ⁠derivatives, four anonymous sources told Reuters.

Trump’s year-long national security investigation ​into polysilicon ​by the ⁠Commerce Department also has major implications for the growing domestic solar manufacturing ​industry at a time when the US ​leader ⁠has rolled back federal support for renewable energy.

China is seeking opinions from companies, business associations ​and local governments on proposed reciprocal tariff ‌cut arrangements with the United States on about $30 billion in trade, reports Reuters.

Teams ​from both sides have maintained close communication about ​the arrangements of the tariff reduction framework ⁠and the structure, functions and operating model of ​their Board of Trade, an official from China’s Commerce Ministry said at ​a press briefing.

“China is widely soliciting opinions from domestic ​enterprises, business ​associations, local ⁠governments, and US business associations on relevant tariff reduction arrangements,” said Meng Huating, ​the commerce ministry official, adding that ​the US ⁠is similarly seeking public opinions on tariff cuts.

Africa’s exports to China have surged since Beijing expanded its zero-tariff policy across the continent in May, reports the South China Morning Post. This comes as customs data showed signs of emerging trade links in a range of new sectors alongside traditional categories such as critical minerals.

China’s imports from Africa soared by 21.1% and 40.2% year on year in May and June, respectively–outpacing the overall growth in Chinese imports over the same period, customs data showed.

The increase was partly driven by China’s growing hunger for critical minerals, as the world’s second-largest economy invests heavily in clean energy, semiconductors and data centres to power its fast-growing artificial intelligence industry.

China’s exports are forecast to have risen 18.2% year-on-year in dollar terms, down from 19.4% in May, reports Reuters citing a poll of 20 economists. This comes as companies accelerated shipments to the US ahead of possible new ​tariffs, rode the AI boom, and competed aggressively on prices to win over cost-conscious consumers.

Global AI investment is providing a critical buffer for China’s $20 trillion economy, helping manufacturers withstand mounting ​pressures from Middle East conflict-related disruptions and a prolonged property downturn.

Imports are expected to have risen ​24% year-on-year, slowing from 27.4%, with South Korea’s export figures—a proxy for Chinese ⁠imports—suggesting demand was driven by purchases of semiconductors and other components for technology products rather than a ​wider recovery in domestic demand.

Chinese EV manufacturer Geely’s Lotus brand electric vehicles ​will arrive in Canada next month under an agreement between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping, reports Reuters citing China’s ambassador to Canada, Wang Di.

They will be the first Chinese-owned and manufactured vehicles for sale under an agreement that allows up to 49,000 Chinese EVs to enter Canada annually at a reduced tariff rate, as Carney tries to diversify Canada’s trade away from the US.

Wang said other Chinese brands, such as Chery and BYD are ⁠coordinating with Canadian government agencies to complete steps before they can ship to Canada. Some cars arrived earlier for the companies to test in Canadian conditions, Canadian ​officials have said previously.