The United States has been the world’s biggest importer of Chinese lithium-ion batteries for the fifth year in a row, making up a quarter of China’s overall exports of more than $61 billion last year, Chinese customs data showed. The trade data was better than expected as the strong growth of battery energy storage systems more than offset the effects of the drop in electric vehicle battery exports, after the US government has imposed a 25% tariff on Chinese EV batteries since last September. China’s total export value declined by 6% year-on-year, with the industry grappling with a lithium price slump over the past two years, according to figures published by the General Administration of Customs (GAC) earlier this month. Still, China shipped more than 3.9 billion Li-ion batteries in 2024, which include those for EVs and energy storage systems, representing an increase of 8.1% from a year ago. [Caixin]
California woman jailed for 41 months for ‘birth tourism’ scheme to bring pregnant Chinese women to US– timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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A California woman, Phoebe Dong, was sentenced on Monday to 41 months in federal prison for her role in operating a “birth tourism” scheme that assisted pregnant Chinese women in travelling to the United States to give birth, thereby securing American citizenship for their children. Dong and her husband, Michael Liu, were convicted in September of conspiracy and money laundering through their company, USA Happy Baby.
The sentencing comes amid heightened national attention on birthright citizenship, following President Donald Trump’s recent executive order aiming to narrow its definition—a move currently blocked by a federal judge.
Dong and Liu’s company reportedly assisted over 100 pregnant Chinese women between 2012 and 2015, charging up to $40,000 for services that included coaching on how to deceive US immigration authorities, such as advising clients to wear loose clothing to conceal pregnancies.