In a notice on fiscal-financial coordination to boost domestic demand, China’s Ministry of Finance said newly originated credit-card installment products — special-purpose installments, consumer installments and cash-advance installments — will be eligible for the personal consumer loan fiscal interest-subsidy program with a subsidy of 1 percentage point annualized. The notice also said newly issued working-capital loans to eligible small, micro and private enterprises will be covered by the SME

Aug 21 — According to CNBC, US Treasury Secretary Bessent said the US will impose the toughest economic sanctions on Iran. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China had responded yesterday and reiterated it opposes illegal unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law or UN Security Council authorization, urging parties to take responsible measures and resolve the issue through political and diplomatic channels.

Germany's Economy Ministry said gas storage of 60–70% at the start of winter, together with additional import capacity, would typically suffice to meet average winter demand, implying limited buffer against supply disruptions for Europe's largest energy consumer. The ministry added the government is able and will act if energy security is threatened. Disruptions to gas flows from the Middle East this year and a reduced incentive for utilities and traders to stockpile have left Europe struggling to refill reserves. EU storage is just above 61% — the lowest for the season since records began in 2009 — while Germany's facilities are around 50% full.