China

China’s Ministry of Finance has revised consumption tax regulations for luxury vehicles priced at 900,000 yuan (approximately $125,000 USD) or higher, impacting both traditional and electric vehicles. The new rules take effect on July 20th, 2025, prompting a surge in demand for high-end cars, particularly brands like Porsche. Dealerships report tight inventory and a buying frenzy as consumers rush to purchase vehicles before the tax hike, potentially saving thousands of yuan.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met with China’s Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, signaling Nvidia’s continued commitment to the Chinese market despite geopolitical tensions. Wang affirmed China’s openness to foreign investment and encouraged Nvidia to provide reliable products. Huang emphasized the attractiveness of the Chinese market and Nvidia’s intent to deepen AI cooperation. The meeting highlights Nvidia’s balancing act between US restrictions and China’s commercial potential. Huang has stressed the importance of the Chinese market and existing fruitful relationships.

Xpeng Motors CEO He Xiaopeng believes China and the US are leading the autonomous driving race. While currently at a similar Level 2-4, China’s faster momentum in technology, market acceptance, and regulation could allow it to surpass the US, particularly in L2 and L3 applications. He Xiaopeng’s comments follow Tesla’s demonstration of a “fully autonomous delivery” using a Model Y, which Elon Musk hailed as “true self-driving,” showcasing Level 4 capabilities.

China is lowering the luxury car tax threshold from 1.3 million to 900,000 yuan, effective July 20, 2025. This policy shift mainly impacts traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, which dominate the ultra-luxury segment. In H1 2025, ultra-luxury vehicle sales declined 49% YoY. Mercedes-Benz (48% market share) and Land Rover (23%) are most affected. The policy targets cars priced between 1.017 and 1.469 million yuan, representing a small portion of total luxury car sales. Some domestic automakers are entering this market segment.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang visited China, praising its AI development and hinting at a shift in Nvidia’s strategy amid US chip restrictions. While downplaying GPU criticality, Nvidia aims to promote its new China-specific B30 chip and robotic technologies. Huang’s remarks suggest a willingness to tolerate CUDA compatibility from competitors, reflecting concerns about losing market share to domestic AI chip makers like Huawei and Cambricon, and a desire to maintain influence through its CUDA ecosystem, even with potential hardware revenue losses.

As of July 1, 2025, China has updated its minimum wage standards, varying across provinces and municipalities. Most regions use a tiered system. Shanghai leads with a monthly minimum wage of RMB 2,740, and Beijing with an hourly rate of RMB 26.4. Minimum wage adjustments directly affect income distribution and improve employee benefits like overtime pay and social security contribution bases, benefiting the broader workforce.

NVIDIA’s H20 series AI chips have U.S. approval for reintroduction to China alongside a new RTX Pro GPU for the Chinese market. Morgan Stanley sees this as a positive catalyst for BAT, anticipating increased capital expenditure for AI, cloud services, and e-commerce enhancements. Chinese firms like Tencent and ByteDance are placing orders, requiring U.S. government approval. The move aims to counter Huawei’s dominance in the Chinese market by providing an alternative, potentially limiting Huawei’s global competitiveness despite its technological advancements.

Meituan’s local commerce CEO, Wang Putao, addressed concerns about China’s food delivery “war,” acknowledging user anxieties and merchant fatigue caused by intense competition and subsidies. He suggested a return to “rational business judgment” as a path to resolution. Wang outlined potential war-ending scenarios, including annexation, stalemate, or external intervention. Industry insiders view the delivery battle as a platform competition for instant retail dominance, but the long-term sustainability of heavy subsidization is questioned. The benefits for riders and consumers are likely temporary.

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NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang addressed the China International Supply Chain Expo in Mandarin, marking his first public speech in the language. He discussed NVIDIA’s history, its pivotal role in AI development through GPUs and accelerated computing, and its partnerships with Chinese companies. Huang highlighted the transformative impact of AI, particularly in China, across various industries and its contribution to open-source models. He emphasized AI’s role as future infrastructure, driving a new industrial revolution and growth opportunities for China’s supply chain. He also switched from a Tang suit to his signature leather jacket during the event.