International News 25 March 2025
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China Becomes Richer! Discovers 1,000 Tons of Gold Reserves Worth IDR 1,371 Trillion
China has announced the discovery of a large gold reserve in Hunan Province, valued at approximately $82.9 billion. This discovery not only strengthens China's domestic mining sector but also has significant implications for the international gold market. The Hunan Geological Academy successfully identified more than 40 gold veins at a depth of over 2,000 meters in Pingjiang County. Initial exploration has uncovered 300.2 tons of gold in the core area, with the highest grade recorded at 138 grams per metric ton. Additionally, projections suggest there are more than 1,000 tons of gold reserves at depths exceeding 3,000 meters. This discovery highlights the potential of this region as a center for high-quality gold resources, offering promising prospects for future exploration and production. China is already the world's largest gold producer, but its gold consumption has surpassed its production levels.
U.S. Copper Imports Surge Amid Tariff Threats, World Faces Supply Shortage Risk
Mercuria, a global commodities trading company, forecasts that a large amount of copper, around 500,000 tons, is heading to the United States. This volume is significantly higher than the usual monthly imports of about 70,000 tons. The surge in imports is believed to be a response to the potential imposition of tariffs. If this large influx of copper reaches the U.S., it could lead to a substantial rise in copper prices and potentially cause a copper supply shortage for major consumers like China and the rest of the world. Kostas Bintas, former deputy head of metals at commodities giant Trafigura Group, warned about the potential implications of this. U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent investigation into new copper import tariffs aims to revive domestic copper production, as the metal is crucial for electric vehicles, military hardware, semiconductors, and various consumer goods. Goldman Sachs had previously claimed that U.S. net copper imports could increase by 50% to 100% in the coming months due to higher U.S. prices, even before the proposed tariffs are implemented.
Vandalism Terror Haunts! Tesla Car Owners Rush to Sell Their Vehicles
The increase in vandalism against Tesla vehicles and official dealerships has created a dilemma for their owners, leading many to consider selling their vehicles. Reports of vandalism such as spray painting, keying, burning, and shooting have risen, raising concerns about personal safety. The Trump administration has taken a strong stance against the perpetrators, but owners are unsure whether to stay and risk becoming the next victim or to sell their Teslas. Data shows a significant surge in the number of Teslas being traded for other vehicles, with Tesla models from 2017 or newer accounting for 1.4% of total vehicle trade-ins in March 2025, compared to 0.4% in March 2024. Former investor Joanne Wilson, who runs a cannabis dispensary, wrote in a blog post that other Tesla owners share similar intentions, citing concerns over Elon Musk's disregard for humanity and the unconventional design of the Cybertruck.