China has recently accelerated its de-dollarization efforts by dumping approximately $22.7 to $23 billion worth of US dollars and Treasury bonds, significantly reducing its holdings from a peak of about $1.35 trillion in 2012-2013 to around $750-800 billion in 2024, the lowest since 2009. This move is part of a broader strategy by China to reduce reliance on the US dollar amid escalating trade tensions and tariff wars with the United States, particularly following increased US tariffs on Chinese goods and China’s retaliatory tariffs.

China’s sale of US Treasuries is seen as a calculated risk aimed at weakening the US economy and dollar, as China is the second-largest holder of US debt after Japan. By unloading these assets, China could potentially drive up US borrowing costs and destabilize global markets. However, experts caution that dumping large amounts of US debt could also hurt China’s own economy by devaluing its dollar assets and strengthening the yuan, which might make Chinese exports more expensive and less competitive.

The US Federal Reserve could counteract the impact of China’s bond sell-off through quantitative easing, but ongoing tariff fluctuations complicate economic policy decisions. This financial maneuver by China is part of a long-term strategy to chip away at the dominance of the US dollar in global trade, including efforts to boost alternative currencies and increase currency swaps with other countries.

In summary, China has indeed been dumping US dollars and Treasury bonds as a strategic response to US tariffs and to advance its de-dollarization agenda, marking a significant shift in global economic dynamics.

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Los Angeles’ film and TV industry is facing an existential threat as production levels plummet to historic lows, raising urgent questions about Hollywood’s ability to compete with rival regions. According to FilmLA’s latest report, on-location shoot days in the first quarter of 2025 fell by 22.4% year-over-year, with television production crashing 30.5% and feature films down 28.9%. The data underscores a stark reality: California is losing its grip as the global capital of entertainment.

The Numbers Behind the Decline

• Television’s collapse: TV dramas fell 38.9%, comedies dropped 29.9%, and pilots—a critical pipeline for new shows—plummeted 80.3% to just 13 shoot days, the lowest ever recorded.
• Feature films: At 451 shoot days, feature production hit levels not seen since the pandemic.
• Commercials: The “least bad” category still slipped 2.1%, reflecting broader industry caution.

Why Hollywood Is Losing Ground

1. Tax Incentives Gap: States like Georgia and New Mexico—and countries like the UK and Canada—offer significantly larger rebates. California’s $330M annual tax credit program pales next to rivals, prompting Gov. Newsom to propose doubling it to $750M.
2. Global Production Slump: Studios are cutting costs amid streaming profitability pressures and post-strike belt-tightening.
3. Infrastructure Challenges: Soundstage occupancy in LA fell to 63% in 2024 as productions migrate to cheaper, tax-subsidized facilities elsewhere.

The Human Cost

The downturn has displaced thousands of crew members, with industry veterans warning of a “brain drain” as workers flee for opportunities in Atlanta, Toronto, or London. “We’re losing our talent base,” said Oscar-winning documentarian Peter Rotter. “They have to feed their families”.

Can California Fight Back?

Lawmakers are scrambling to pass Newsom’s expanded tax credit, which would make half-hour comedies eligible and prioritize projects with long-term studio leases. But critics argue the plan may be too little, too late. “We’ve been losing market share for years,” said California Film Commission’s Colleen Bell. “These times require bold moves”.

Wildfires: A Temporary Distraction

While January’s fires displaced crews and destroyed homes, FilmLA found they had minimal long-term impact—affected areas accounted for just 1.3% of regional filming over four years. The real crisis is systemic, not situational.

The Bottom Line: Hollywood’s crown is slipping. Without aggressive policy changes, LA risks becoming a relic as productions flock to greener pastures—and take the city’s cultural identity with them.

“California can’t afford to surrender any more work to its competitors,” FilmLA warned5. The question is whether lawmakers will listen before the credits roll on LA’s era as the entertainment capital.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life

China has ordered its airlines to stop accepting Boeing jet deliveries and suspend purchases of U.S.-made aircraft parts, marking a significant escalation in its trade retaliation against the Trump administration’s tariffs. The directive, reported by Bloomberg and confirmed by multiple sources, comes after China imposed 125% tariffs on U.S. goods over the weekend—a direct response to President Donald Trump’s 145% tariffs on Chinese imports.

The Immediate Impact on Boeing

• Delivery freeze: Chinese carriers, including China Southern Airlines and Air China, were set to receive 10 Boeing 737 MAX jets in the coming weeks, but those deliveries are now suspended.
• Parts embargo: Airlines must also halt purchases of U.S.-sourced aircraft components, which could disrupt maintenance and fleet expansion plans.
• Stock decline: Boeing shares fell 3% in pre-market trading following the news, though losses moderated to 1% later in the day as analysts noted the company’s ability to reroute jets to other markets like India.

Why China Targeted Boeing

As America’s largest exporter, Boeing represents a strategic pressure point in the U.S.-China trade relationship. The company had planned to deliver 29 aircraft to Chinese airlines in 2025, with China projected to account for 20% of global jet demand over the next two decades. The halt deals a symbolic blow to U.S. manufacturing dominance while bolstering China’s push to develop its own aviation sector through state-backed COMAC.

Broader Trade War Dynamics

• Tariff math: China’s 125% tariff would double the cost of a Boeing 737 MAX (list price: ~$120M), making purchases economically unfeasible for airlines.
• Retaliatory cycle: The move follows Trump’s expansion of tariffs to 145% on Chinese goods, which he defended on Truth Social by accusing Beijing of “reneging” on a Boeing deal.
• Global fallout: Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary warned of potential delays in Boeing deliveries if tariffs persist, highlighting ripple effects beyond China.

Can China Sustain the Ban?

Analysts question Beijing’s capacity to maintain the embargo long-term:

• COMAC limitations: China’s homegrown C919 jet relies on U.S.-made parts, including engines from GE and avionics from Collins Aerospace, complicating efforts to bypass American suppliers.
• Airbus constraints: The European manufacturer lacks sufficient production capacity to absorb China’s demand, with a backlog of 8,600 planes globally.
• Domestic pressure: Chinese airlines leasing Boeing jets now face soaring costs, prompting Beijing to explore financial relief measures.

The Path Ahead

Bank of America’s Ronald Epstein called the halt “unsustainable” but warned it could hand Airbus a structural advantage in China if unresolved5. Meanwhile, Boeing’s production backlog provides short-term insulation, with analysts noting jets destined for China can be redirected to carriers like Air India.

Bottom line: The aircraft freeze underscores how trade wars risk destabilizing global supply chains, with aviation—a sector built on international cooperation—caught in the crosshairs. As Xi Jinping called for “safeguarding multilateral trade,” the Boeing blockade reveals just how fractured that system has become.

“Boeing is the U.S.’s largest exporter. When considering trade balances, the Trump administration can’t ignore this,”Epstein emphasized. The question now is whether Washington will recalibrate its strategy before the damage becomes irreversible.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life