Macroeconomics

1. [Government Investment] my country has for the first time clarified the layout and investment direction of government investment funds. The National Development and Reform Commission and three other departments jointly issued the "Working Methods on Strengthening the Layout Planning and Investment Guidance of Government Investment Funds," requiring funds to support major strategies, key areas, and weak links where the market cannot effectively allocate resources, promote the deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation, and focus on cultivating emerging pillar industries.  Funds are prohibited from investing in restricted, eliminated, and policy-prohibited industrial sectors.

2. [Automobiles] The Ministry of Commerce reported on the progress of consultations on the EU-China electric vehicle case, stating that the EU will issue a "Guidance Document on Submitting Price Commitment Applications," and confirmed that it will adhere to the principle of non-discrimination, applying the same legal standards to each price commitment application in accordance with relevant WTO rules, and evaluating them in an objective and fair manner. The China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products issued a statement saying that it will encourage and support the companies involved to fully utilize the results of the consultations and strive to protect their export rights to the EU through price commitment applications.

3. [US Tariffs] On January 12, local time, Trump posted on social media that, effective immediately, any country conducting business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will be subject to a 25% tariff on any business activities with the United States.

Plastics and Rubber

1. [PE] On January 12th, Shandong Wanhua Chemical's full-density plant switched production to 7050 on January 10th; the low-pressure plant was shut down for maintenance on September 14th, 2025, and is expected to restart in January 2026; the 250,000-ton LDPE plant is producing 2420H. LLDPE 7042 in East China was quoted at 6,900 RMB/ton, an increase of 100 RMB/ton; LLDPE 7050 in East China was quoted at 6,950 RMB/ton, an increase of 100 RMB/ton; LDPE 2420H in East China (including pallet) was quoted at 8,815 RMB/ton, an increase of 100 RMB/ton.

2. [BR] Daqing Petrochemical's 160,000-ton/year high-cis butadiene rubber plant has a planned production volume of approximately 12,600 tons in January 2026.

Sichuan Petrochemical's 150,000-ton/year high-cis butadiene rubber plant has a planned production volume of approximately 11,500 tons in January 2026.

Yangzi Petrochemical's 100,000-ton/year butadiene rubber plant has a planned production volume of 8,300 tons in January 2026.

Qilu Petrochemical's 80,000-ton/year high-cis butadiene rubber plant has a planned production volume of approximately 6,500 tons in January 2026.

Yanshan Petrochemical's 120,000-ton/year high-cis butadiene rubber plant is operating normally, with a planned production volume of 6,200 tons in January 2026.

Jinzhou Petrochemical's 30,000-ton/year high-cis butadiene rubber plant has a planned production volume of approximately 2,500 tons in January 2026.

Maoming Petrochemical's 100,000-ton/year high-cis butadiene rubber plant is operating on two lines, with a planned production volume of 800 tons in January 2026.

3. [NBR] On January 12th, Lanzhou Petrochemical increased its listed price for nitrile rubber: Lanzhou Petrochemical's N41E nitrile rubber in Northwest, North China, and East China regions was quoted at 16,100 RMB/ton, an increase of 500 RMB/ton. 4. [Natural Rubber] On January 12th, the natural rubber raw material market in Thailand showed stable to upward trends: Smoked sheet rubber was quoted at 61.30 Thai baht/kg, remaining stable; latex was quoted at 57.00 Thai baht/kg, an increase of 1.00 Thai baht/kg; and cup lump rubber was quoted at 53.50 Thai baht/kg, remaining stable.

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