The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States and the Philippines have reached an agreement to jointly establish an AI-driven manufacturing hub on Luzon Island, and will provide US companies with access to critical minerals.Jacob Helberg, US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, said the Philippines has resources including nickel, copper, chromite and cobalt. These resources will be available for US companies operating locally and will also be exported to the United States. The Philippines will provide a 1,618-hectare land parcel to the United States, which will use the site free of charge and manage it as a special economic zone. It will enjoy diplomatic immunity. The initial lease term will be two years, with an option to renew for 99 years.Related NewsLoan Prime Rate 1Y for April 2026 in China is 3.00%, unchanged from its last period. The forecast was 3.0%.Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, stated that China opposes any country establishing exclusive trade blocs that disrupt the international trade order. Liu said China has long played an important and constructive role in maintaining the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains. (mn/w)
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