TBPN China’s acquisition spree, TikTok reaches U.S survival deal, Tech Giants hit by spying | Diet TBPN
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Jan 24, 2026 A fast rundown of China’s import patterns, luxury spending shifts, and its strategy of buying legacy brands. Big moves in U.S. manufacturing and a massive Anduril campus plan get attention. The TikTok survival deal and how content and control might change are unpacked. Alleged corporate spying, quantum threats to crypto, and platform pivots like Substack TV and Vimeo layoffs round out the tech news.
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Chips Are China's Biggest Import
- China imports far more semiconductors than any other product, making chips its largest trade deficit since 2005.
- In 2020 China imported $350 billion in semiconductors, exceeding its crude oil import value that year.
Domestic Luxury Is Rising In China
- Luxury goods remain a major Chinese import but domestic luxury brands are rapidly eating market share.
- European conglomerate imports fell ~20% in 2024 as local brands like Laopu Gold rose.
Buying Brands Beats Building Them
- Chinese manufacturers buy established foreign brands to capture heritage while leveraging cheaper manufacturing.
- Sony sold 51% of its TV business to TCL, keeping the Sony brand while moving panel tech to TCL.
