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This is the world in brief from The Economist.

Our top stories.

Tech stocks fell for a second day as investors' concerns about AI disrupting work

mingled with worries about chipmakers.

America's NASDAQ index dropped by 1.5%. Shares in advanced

micro devices, a big chipmaker, plunged 17% after it warned that demand would grow more slowly

than expected. Meanwhile, Alphabet, Google's parent company, said it would invest up to $185 billion

on capital expenditure this year, far exceeding analysts' estimates. Donald Trump said China agreed to

buy more soyobins from America following a, quote, thorough phone call with Xi Jinping.

China previously slashed orders in response to American tariffs. Mr. Trump, who is due to visit

China in April, said the call included discussions about Taiwan. China, which does not recognize Taiwan's sovereignty,

urged America to handle arms sales to the island with, quote, prudence.

Eli Lilly, an American pharmaceutical giant, posted strong earnings for 2025 and forecast robust growth in 2026,

buoyed by soaring demand for its weight loss drug, Zepbound and diabetes treatment,

Manjaro.

By contrast, its European rival, Novo Nordisk, warned sales and profits would fall this year as competition

intensifies and American policy makers push down prices. Its shares plunged almost 20%.

...