President DJT, also known as Trump, stated that a large number of supertankers are currently in a state of complete idleness, rapidly sailing towards the United States. Among them are even a few of the largest supertankers in the world. Their main mission is to transport the highest quality and sweetest oil and natural gas resources in the world. He further emphasized that the oil reserves owned by the United States are richer than the combined reserves of the next two largest oil economies, and they are also superior in quality. The U.S. is now fully prepared to await the arrival of these vessels and will ensure efficient and rapid business turnover.
In the face of the upcoming US-Iran negotiations, there is great concern from the outside world regarding various core issues. Both sides need to resolve seven highly challenging problems at the negotiating table, covering deeply complex areas such as war compensation, uranium enrichment restrictions, and jurisdiction over key straits.
In terms of economic compensation and the lifting of sanctions, it is expected that Iran will demand full compensation for all losses caused by the six-week war, while the United States has not yet commented on this potential claim. Meanwhile, Tehran is keen for Washington to unfreeze its overseas assets and completely lift sanctions that have severely impacted its domestic economy for years. In response, Washington's stance is that as long as Iran is willing to make substantial concessions on its missile program and nuclear plans, the US is willing to consider significantly relaxing these sanctions.
However, the nuclear program and military capabilities are precisely the areas where the two sides have the most serious disagreements. Iran hopes to obtain permission for uranium enrichment in future agreements, but the US has long ruled out this possibility, with President Trump firmly emphasizing that there is no room for negotiation on this issue. In terms of conventional military power, both the US and Israel hope to significantly weaken Iran's missile capabilities, while Tehran remains adamant, insisting that its powerful missile arsenal is absolutely off the table for negotiations.
The calming of regional conflicts and the withdrawal of foreign troops are also core focuses of these negotiations. Since the outbreak of conflicts in March, Israel has launched multiple strikes against the Iran-backed Hezbollah forces, resulting in nearly two thousand deaths to date. Against this backdrop, Iran hopes for a ceasefire in Lebanon and insists that this is closely related to the current negotiations. However, both Israel and the US have clearly stated that the situation in Lebanon is not within the scope of this ceasefire discussion. Furthermore, Iran has also expressed hope for the US to withdraw all combat troops from the region to calm the fires of various fronts, promising not to launch aggressive actions in the future. Trump responded that the US will maintain its military presence in the Middle East until both sides reach a formal peace agreement, while warning that if Iran refuses to cooperate, the existing conflicts could face a significant risk of escalation.
Finally, the jurisdiction over the Strait of Hormuz is also a matter of great concern for all parties. Iran hopes that its control over the strait will be recognized and plans to exercise power through tolls and control of ship passage, which undoubtedly implies a significant shift in the power dynamics of the region. In stark contrast, the US insists that the waters must remain completely open to tankers and all other vessels, firmly opposing any restrictions, including tolls.
Recently, Vance met with envoy Steve Wittkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in Islamabad. Meanwhile, according to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, Iran sent a large 71-member delegation to participate in this engagement. The delegation is headed by Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who has a background as a veteran of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and other senior officials accompanying him include Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati.
Regarding this consultation, the Iranian delegation made its position clear before and after arriving in Pakistan. According to reports from the semi-official Fars News Agency, Ghalibaf stated during an interview in Islamabad that Iran came with goodwill, but there is a lack of trust between the two sides. He emphasized that in the upcoming negotiations, as long as the U.S. shows readiness to reach a genuine agreement and effectively safeguard the rights of the Iranian people, the U.S. will see that Iran is also willing to facilitate an agreement. Additionally, before arriving in Pakistan, Ghalibaf also suggested on social media that a ceasefire in Lebanon is one of the measures that must be implemented before the negotiations begin. He also demanded the release of Iran's frozen assets but did not provide more details on this matter.
Before the formal talks began, the U.S. also intended to exert greater pressure on Iran. U.S. President Trump stated plainly in a social media update on Friday that Iran's only remaining trump card is to use international waterways for short-term extortion, which actually refers to Iran's substantive blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Later on Friday evening, this U.S. leader revealed to the media that he expects the strait to reopen soon and warned that if it does not reopen as scheduled, he may resume military action. As the U.S. representative, Vance also made it clear to the media before his trip that Trump had set clear guidelines for this meeting. He not only called on Iran to take the negotiations seriously but also solemnly warned Tehran not to try to play us.
The current external environment undoubtedly complicates the talks in Islamabad. Although the Middle East region has generally maintained a ceasefire, tankers and other vessels still struggle to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and the ongoing conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah add uncertainty to the negotiations. As for the specific timetable for this round of dialogue, neither side has publicly announced it, and how long the talks will last remains unknown. What is certain is that the future discussion agenda will be extremely rich, with core topics focusing on the fate of Iran's uranium stockpiles and missile production, U.S. sanctions imposed on Iran, and the broader military presence of the U.S. in the Middle East.
People may be aware that due to the impact of sanctions, the market transaction price of Iranian oil is usually lower than that of Brent crude oil, and the Chinese independent refiners, known as tea kettle refineries, have always been its main buyers. However, informed sources have revealed that a batch of Iranian crude oil is currently floating in the waters around China, expected to be delivered within this month, and the trade of this batch shows some market dynamics that differ from the past.
According to sources in the trading sector, at the beginning of this week, at least two refining companies in Dongying City, Shandong Province, a core hub of the independent refining industry, purchased a batch of Iranian light crude oil. Notably, the transaction price this time was higher than Brent crude oil on the Intercontinental Exchange by $1.50 to $2 per barrel. Looking back, before the relevant conflict broke out, the premium for Iranian light crude oil was $10 per barrel.
Regarding this rare market situation, one informed source shared his views. He stated that, in his judgment, this is the first time since 2022 that small investors are willing to purchase Iranian oil at a price higher than Brent crude oil.
The highly anticipated multilateral talks are about to commence in Islamabad. According to the preliminary schedule, delegations from all parties are expected to arrive in Islamabad on Friday, April 10. Considering the three-hour time difference, this corresponds to the entire day of April 10 in Beijing time. The first round of formal talks is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM local time in Islamabad on Saturday, April 11, which is 1:00 PM on April 11 in Beijing time. The entire negotiation period is planned to last from April 11 to April 24; in Beijing time, this translates to from April 11 at 1:00 PM to April 24 at 11:59 PM.
In this negotiation, the United States and Iran will engage in direct dialogue as the main negotiating parties. The U.S. delegation is expected to consist of between 18 and 23 members, generally referred to as about 20 people, led personally by Vice President JD Vance. The core team from the U.S. includes Vance himself, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. Correspondingly, Iran has sent a delegation consisting of 15 to 20 members, with an overall size of about 18, co-led by Speaker Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian.
The role and participation of the Israeli delegation are somewhat different. This team consists of approximately 8 to 12 members, roughly around 10, led by a special envoy from the Prime Minister and ministerial officials. During the meeting, the Israeli representatives will participate as observers, sitting at different tables from the other parties. They will not engage in direct dialogue with the Iranian delegation but will maintain information synchronization only with the U.S. team.
It is noteworthy that the smooth commencement of these talks largely depends on Vice President Vance's schedule. If Vance ultimately fails to attend, this multilateral negotiation may very well not be initiated. According to a report from CBS News, Iran lacks trust in previous U.S. representatives like Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, thus they are more inclined to communicate and negotiate directly with Vance himself.
Industry rumors suggest that Liang Wenfeng has internally revealed that DeepSeek V4 will be launched in late April.
Recently, the domestic artificial intelligence chip market has experienced a price increase of about 20%, and the focus of this wave is the highly anticipated new generation flagship model of DeepSeek. According to reports from Sina Technology citing foreign media, in order to welcome the arrival of the new model, domestic tech giants like Alibaba, Tencent, and ByteDance have already pre-ordered hundreds of thousands of new generation AI computing power chips. These leading companies plan to integrate the brand new DeepSeek model into their own cloud service platforms and deeply integrate it with their existing various AI products.
This rush for computing power is closely related to a statement made by DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng. Multiple insiders have confirmed to the media that Liang Wenfeng provided a clear timeline during a recent internal communication, stating that DeepSeek V4 will officially be released to the public in late April. In fact, many industry insiders have already sensed the signals that the new model is about to be launched. Recently, DeepSeek's web version quietly introduced two new interactive features: Quick Mode and Expert Mode. These two modes have been specifically optimized for concise and efficient searches and for handling long and complex problems, directly sparking enthusiastic discussions about the imminent launch of version V4.
Based on the current relevant information, the upcoming DeepSeek V4 is expected to perform quite impressively in terms of technical indicators. The new model not only has a trillion parameter scale but also features a context window in the millions. More significantly, the V4 version will achieve deep compatibility with domestic computing power chips like Huawei Ascend for the first time. In the industry’s view, this move marks a crucial step for China's AI industry in exploring a path of de-CUDA development. It is worth noting that, as of the time of publication, DeepSeek has not yet made an official response to the aforementioned rumors and leaks.
Recent market news indicates that Lumentum's business development is attracting attention. According to relevant reports, the company currently estimates that its planned capacity for 2028 is expected to be sold out completely within the next two short quarters.
According to an official statement issued by Mercedes-Benz on Thursday, the brand's core automotive business had a total global sales of 419,400 vehicles in the first quarter, representing a 6% decrease compared to the same period last year.
This data reflects significant differences across various regional markets. Specifically, the performance in the U.S. and European markets was quite good, with sales growing by 20% and 7% respectively. Unfortunately, the strong momentum in the U.S. and Europe failed to offset a staggering 27% drop in sales in the Chinese market.
The ongoing weakness in the Chinese market poses considerable challenges for this German luxury car manufacturer. In the current high-end automotive sector, Mercedes-Benz is embroiled in an exceptionally fierce price war with its competitors, including BMW, against local Chinese brands. To regain market share, Mercedes is working hard on a comprehensive upgrade and adjustment of its model lineup, a process that places enormous pressure on the company. At the same time, the official forecast indicates that brand sales will face a decline in early 2026.
According to Bloomberg's report, due to the global energy shock triggered by the Iran war, the public's enthusiasm for electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles has been reignited. This trend is fully reflected in the data released by the China Passenger Car Association on Thursday. In March of this year, the total overseas shipment of Chinese cars reached 349,000 units, a significant increase of 140% compared to the same period last year. During this process, the monthly export scale of Chinese hybrid and electric vehicles achieved more than double growth, successfully setting a new historical record.
In terms of specific company performance, BYD, currently the largest electric vehicle manufacturer in the world, accounted for about one-third of the total shipment volume. Meanwhile, Geely and Chery also followed closely behind, with these three companies collectively securing the top three spots on the export list.
Recently, fuel prices have been rising continuously due to the impact of the Iran war, prompting more people to choose electric or hybrid models to cope with the risks of significant fluctuations in fuel prices. In just the past month, car sales showrooms across various regions in Asia welcomed a large influx of customers, with strong market demand. Although it remains to be seen how much this energy shock will ultimately drive the entire new energy vehicle industry, statistics released by the UK earlier this month have confirmed this trend, with electric vehicle sales in March also reaching a historical peak.
Cui Dongshu, Secretary-General of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, shared his views at a recent briefing. He believes that the current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz provides Chinese car companies with an opportunity to quickly enhance their influence in the global market. He also specifically recalled history, pointing out that when the oil crisis broke out in the 1970s, Japanese automobile manufacturers seized a similar historical opportunity by fully transitioning to manufacturing energy-efficient models, achieving a successful transformation and upgrade.
Tesla's global power battery supplier camp has expanded again, with Xinwanda successfully standing out and officially becoming the fifth partner of the company worldwide. The core business responsible for this is Xinwanda Power, a subsidiary of Xinwanda focused on the power battery field, which has smoothly integrated into Tesla's global supply chain system.
According to industry chain insiders who have been in contact with the project, the substantial supply has actually "already shipped for a while." This batch of cooperative battery products is mainly produced and dispatched by Xinwanda's factory located in Yiwu, Zhejiang, and then uniformly transported to Tesla's Shanghai factory, where they are ultimately assembled onto vehicles planned for overseas markets.
What stands out is that both parties have adopted a brand new model in the collaboration of power batteries. Tesla has changed its previous practice and decided to directly purchase basic battery cells from Xinwanda, then allowing its own team to complete the subsequent module and PACK, which is the battery pack, manufacturing. Compared to the earlier habit of directly purchasing finished modules from CATL, this change in procurement strategy is undoubtedly an innovative step taken by Tesla in exploring the application of square batteries. (Jinshi Data APP)
Currently, Pakistan is assessing the feasibility of establishing a ceasefire agreement with Yemen and Lebanon. This matter has been scheduled for discussion at an upcoming meeting, and we will also take proactive steps to ensure that the issue can be satisfactorily resolved.
According to news obtained locally on April 8, U.S. President Trump revealed to the outside world that the United States and Iran are preparing for direct contact. Currently, the two countries have successfully reached a two-week ceasefire agreement, based on which both sides expect to soon hold face-to-face meetings in Islamabad, Pakistan, with the aim of jointly promoting a long-term agreement.
Regarding the specific schedule for these consultations, Trump stated that they are expected to officially start as early as this week. As for the composition of the U.S. delegation, it is expected to include important figures such as U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs David Schenker and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. At the same time, he specifically mentioned that, mainly based on cautious considerations regarding security risks, U.S. Vice President Pence is unlikely to attend this exchange activity.
If Israel continues to strike Lebanon, Iran may consider withdrawing from the ceasefire agreement
On the 8th local time, the latest news came from Iran. According to an insider familiar with the situation, if Israel continues to ignore the ceasefire arrangements and persist in attacking Lebanon, Iran will seriously consider withdrawing from the agreement.
The informant explained the current background situation to the public. In a previously established two-week ceasefire plan, the United States had promised to halt all hostilities on all fronts, which naturally includes stopping military strikes against Lebanon. However, it is regrettable that from early that morning, Israel openly violated this agreement and launched extremely brutal attacks on Lebanon.
In addition to considering withdrawing from the ceasefire agreement, the insider also disclosed the latest movements of the Iranian military. In response to Israel's aggression against Lebanon that day, the Iranian armed forces are actively working on confirming retaliatory targets as a response to this incident.
According to the latest news released by the Financial Times of the UK, Iran has currently made a demand, claiming that during the ceasefire period, a toll should be charged to all passing ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
On Wednesday, Taiwan's opposition leader Zheng Liwen commemorated Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat-sen at Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum in Nanjing, accusing Japan of 'imperialist forces' splitting mainland China and Taiwan.
In a speech made after Kuomintang Chairman Zheng Wenqiang laid a wreath at the statue of China's modern founding leader, Zheng Wenqiang stated that after China was defeated in the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895, Taiwan became a Japanese colony during a period of national weakness.
She said that after the Xinhai Revolution in 1911 overthrew the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the people of Taiwan were 'full of enthusiasm,' and intellectuals hoped that 'a revived China could one day recover Taiwan and end Japan's colonial rule.'
Cheng added that the suffering of China in the last century was also caused by internal conflicts.
'Until today, the differences between the two sides of the strait are still rooted in the trauma caused by the first Sino-Japanese War 130 years ago—a wound that still hasn't healed across the Taiwan Strait,' she said.
'China's suffering not only derives from external imperialist forces but also from internal divisions and conflicts that led to mutual destruction, while ordinary people bore the brunt of the consequences.'
This visit was filled with historical symbolism. Before laying the wreath, she led a delegation of 14 members, under tight security measures, up the long stone steps of Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum along a carefully arranged ceremony.
While speaking to the crowd at the adjacent Boai Square, she was visibly emotional.
Her visit to the mainland comes at a time of intense debate on how Taiwan, this self-governing island, should understand its history and how Taipei should handle its relationship with Beijing, while balancing its relationship with Washington.
Ms. Zheng also emphasized the transformation of mainland China in her speech, stating that its development 'has exceeded everyone's expectations.' At the same time, the Kuomintang has built Taiwan into 'a society characterized by democracy, freedom, the rule of law, and common prosperity.'
She also cited the importance that Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping places on environmental protection and afforestation, expressing hope to 'sow the seeds of peace' for the people across the strait and beyond.
This echoes the message conveyed at a banquet held in Nanjing the previous day. The banquet, hosted by Song Tao, the head of Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office, emphasized the importance of the '1992 Consensus' and the stance against Taiwan independence.
On Tuesday, Kuomintang leader Cheng Liwen raised a toast with Song Tao, head of China's National Taiwan Affairs Office, at a banquet in Nanjing. Photo: AP
The 1992 Consensus refers to the verbal understanding reached in 1992 between the then-ruling Kuomintang and Beijing, with both sides agreeing on 'one China,' but differing on the interpretation of 'one China.'
Ms. Cheng stated at the banquet that her visit demonstrates that political differences 'do not necessarily lead to conflict,' and that both sides 'are not destined for war.'
She asserted that the Kuomintang and the Communist Party have the 'capability, determination, and wisdom' to peacefully resolve issues while reiterating that the 1992 Consensus remains an important foundation for contact between the two sides.
She stated that Taiwan should not become a 'pawn' in geopolitical competition, nor should it become a 'discarded pawn,' pointing out that the choice proposed by the Kuomintang is 'war and peace' and 'destruction and prosperity.'
During his speech at the banquet, Song referred to this visit as a 'significant event' for the relations between the two parties and the cross-strait relations, stating that both sides share a 'common responsibility' towards the Chinese nation.
He reiterated Beijing's position that the 1992 Consensus is the cornerstone for peaceful development across the strait and warned that abandoning this framework would lead to instability.
Mr. Song stated that 'both sides have the ability and wisdom to handle their own affairs,' echoing Beijing's long-standing position that cross-strait issues should be resolved without external interference.
He also criticized the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan, accusing it of seeking independence with the support of external forces.
Zheng's visit has drawn criticism from Taipei.
Taiwan's National Security Bureau Director Tsai Ming-yen stated that Beijing continues to pursue a 'dual-track pressure strategy of peace and war,' combining 'military intimidation and gray zone tactics with cross-strait exchanges aimed at shaping public opinion.'
He also indicated that these strategies aim to deepen divisions within Taiwan, partly by promoting pro-Beijing rhetoric against Taiwan's procurement of American weapons. Furthermore, these strategies aim to undermine Taipei's cooperation with Washington, creating an illusion that the Taiwanese public still largely supports peaceful unification.
Additionally, DPP Legislative Yuan Caucus Leader Chuang Ru-hsiung expressed that Zheng's repeated emphasis on the '1992 Consensus' is 'deeply concerning,' as he believes that accepting this consensus equates to recognizing Beijing's 'One Country, Two Systems' framework applied to Hong Kong and Macau.
He stated that the majority of the Taiwanese public do not believe that the 1992 Consensus can allow them to determine their own future and added that Taiwan's fate cannot be decided by political parties or Beijing.
Beijing defended this visit, with Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian stating that 'both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China,' and that cross-strait relations are 'a family affair.'
She stated that Beijing is willing to cooperate with all political parties in Taiwan (including the Kuomintang) on the basis of the 1992 Consensus to promote peaceful development and improve people's livelihoods.
Ms. Zhu refuted the DPP's criticisms as politically motivated and lacking public support. She added that Mr. Zheng's visit aligns with the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, which supports exchanges and cooperation, and will help advance cross-strait relations.
Cheng Zhengxi's six-day visit began on Tuesday in Shanghai and is expected to meet with Xi Jinping in Beijing later this week, although the mainland authorities have not yet officially confirmed this.
Beijing views Taiwan as part of China and will use force to unify if necessary. The United States, like most countries, does not recognize Taiwan as an independent state. However, the U.S. opposes any attempts to seize this self-governing island by force and is committed to providing it with defensive weapons.
Iranian Speaker Ghalibaf will lead a delegation to Pakistan to attend the US-Iran negotiations
According to reports from the Comprehensive Financial News and CCTV on April 8, based on information that emerged on April 8 local time in Iran, the Speaker of the Iranian Islamic Parliament, Ghalibaf, is about to lead a delegation to the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, to participate in the negotiations between Iran and the US scheduled for the 10th.
Just before this itinerary was announced, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz confirmed a significant development to the outside world. He confirmed that Iran and the United States, along with their respective allies, have successfully reached a consensus, agreeing to implement an immediate ceasefire at all locations, including Lebanon and other areas, with this decision taking effect immediately.
To consolidate this momentum for peace, Shahbaz sincerely invited the delegations from both Iran and the US to gather in Islamabad on the 10th for further in-depth discussions. The core objective of this dialogue is to promote both sides reaching a final agreement that can resolve all disputes.
According to reports from Reuters and Bloomberg, automaker Stellantis is currently in preliminary discussions with its Chinese partner Zhejiang Li Yue Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. to assess the feasibility of launching electric vehicle manufacturing operations in Canada. The current round of negotiations is focused on reactivating Stellantis's idle assembly plant located in Brampton, Ontario.
Looking back at the cooperation history between the two companies, Stellantis invested $1.6 billion in 2023 to successfully acquire a 21% stake in Leapmotor. Subsequently, to further deepen their partnership, they jointly established a joint venture named Leapmotor International, in which Stellantis holds a 51% stake in the venture.
Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, Afghanistan and Pakistan, both Muslim countries, have fallen into the deadliest conflict. In order to properly end this situation, both sides chose to hold a new round of consultations and talks in China.
According to a report by Reuters, regarding the current oil transport dilemma in the Strait of Hormuz, French Navy Commander Admiral Nicolas Vaujour pointed out at the "War and Peace" security conference held in Paris on Wednesday that in order to restore normal navigation in the waters, China will eventually need to take a more direct approach. He believes that the number of ships currently able to pass through the strait may be far from sufficient.
The admiral stated that although there has not yet been any observed intervention by the Chinese Navy in the reopening of the strait, high-level political dialogue is underway between China and Iran, aimed at ensuring a certain number of ships can pass safely. However, Vaujour does not believe that the current level of communication is enough to restore traffic to its usual normal levels. Therefore, he emphasized that in the face of the ongoing closure of the strait, China may have to join the relevant discussions more directly and express its dissatisfaction with the continued closure of the strait.
When discussing France's response measures, Vaujour revealed that France is actively promoting preliminary political consultations among some countries, with the aim of discussing specific conditions that could lead to long-term stable opening of the strait.
He also pointed out that the final reopening of the strait cannot be achieved without military oversight and guarantees. To this end, relevant departments are conducting reference studies based on the past EU-led security mission in the strait. In addition, the military is closely assessing whether there are mines laid in the waters and whether it is necessary to formally initiate mine clearance operations.
Vaujour finally emphasized that this is clearly not just a challenge that France alone needs to face; it also involves the vital interests of all partners, Gulf countries, the United States, and other European countries. He stated that although there is currently no conclusive evidence indicating mine-laying activities, once such actions are confirmed, they will undoubtedly take immediate action to address and resolve this security risk.
The Nikkei 225 Index closed down 1276.41 points on Thursday, a decrease of 2.38%, closing at 52463.27 points. The South Korean KOSPI Index closed down 244.91 points, a decrease of 4.47%, closing at 5233.79 points. (Jinshi Data APP)
Login to explore more contents
Join global crypto users on Binance Square
⚡️ Get latest and useful information about crypto.