Archive for the ‘Countries’ Category

The United Kingdom and Switzerland are set to reinforce their financial ties with a post-Brexit agreement, aimed at deepening connections between the City of London and the Swiss banking system.   Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will sign the mutual recognition agreement during his visit to Berne, marking a significant step in bringing together Europe’s largest financial […]

In a significant diplomatic development, South Korea and Japan are set to engage in high-level economic talks for the first time in eight years, highlighting a positive shift in their relations. This move comes as both nations increasingly find themselves aligned on shared geopolitical concerns.   The talks, initially initiated in 1999, had been stalled […]

News, Trade Policy, United States

December 20, 2023

In a recent development, the Biden administration is reportedly in discussions regarding an increase in tariffs on certain Chinese goods, particularly electric vehicles (EVs), according to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal.   China’s export of vehicles has been on the rise in recent years, driven by excess production capacity and a slowdown in […]

International Trade, News, United States

December 18, 2023

Gina M. Raimondo, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, held a significant meeting with Brazil’s Vice President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, Geraldo Alckmin, during her inaugural official visit to Brazil. This meeting serves to further bolster the bilateral and commercial relations between the United States and Brazil.   Building upon the meetings between […]

News, Trade Policy, United States

December 18, 2023

In a bid to address concerns over increased reliance on China, Senator Joe Manchin, Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is calling for Congress to vote on reversing recent Treasury Department guidance related to electric vehicle (EV) tax credits. This guidance, issued earlier this month, has the potential to make it easier […]

International Trade, Japan, News

December 17, 2023

Leaders from Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in Tokyo for a special summit on Sunday, marking the 50th anniversary of official Japan-ASEAN ties. The summit adopted a joint vision highlighting security and economic cooperation while upholding the rule of law, especially in the context of rising tensions in regional waters […]

  In a significant diplomatic move, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced his upcoming visit to Sydney on Wednesday to meet with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This visit underscores the commitment of both nations to enhancing their security and economic cooperation.   Luxon, who took office as prime minister earlier this month, […]

International Trade, Japan, Malaysia, News

December 16, 2023

In a significant move aimed at enhancing regional security and cooperation, Japan and Malaysia have officially sealed a security assistance deal, underlining their commitment to bolstering maritime security in the face of evolving challenges, including regional dynamics related to China.   On Saturday, the foreign ministers of Japan and Malaysia signed the agreement, which includes […]

Australia, International Trade, News

December 16, 2023

Australia’s government expressed confidence on Sunday that the punitive tariffs imposed by China on Australian wine in 2021 would be removed early next year, providing a significant boost to Australian winemakers.   Trade Minister Don Farrell conveyed his optimism in an interview with Sky News television, stating, “I would be very confident that early in […]

Indonesia, International Trade, Japan, News

December 16, 2023

In a significant development aimed at fostering stronger economic ties, Indonesia and Japan have successfully concluded negotiations on protocols to enhance their bilateral economic agreements, as announced by Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Saturday.   Under these agreements, Japan has committed to granting greater market access to Indonesian products. This includes the removal of […]

Economic Development, Indonesia, News

December 14, 2023

Indonesia’s trade surplus is anticipated to shrink in November as exports are poised to contract once again, while imports are expected to show slight growth, according to a recent Reuters poll conducted with 20 economists between December 8 and December 14.   The poll projects a trade surplus of $3.05 billion for November, down from […]

China, Geopolitics, News, United States

December 14, 2023

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has outlined her key priorities for managing U.S.-China relations in the coming year, which include plans for a second visit to China and efforts to accelerate collaboration on climate risks and financial markets.   In remarks prepared for a dinner hosted by the U.S.-China Business Council, Yellen emphasized that the […]

Economic Development, Kuwait, News

December 14, 2023

The Regional Trade and Public Health Workshop held in Kuwait from December 10 to 14 brought together 28 senior officials specializing in health, intellectual property, and trade from WTO Arab and Middle East member countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The workshop, hosted by the International Monetary Fund Middle East Center for Economics and […]

Europe, News, Trade Policy

December 13, 2023

The Directorate-General for Trade (DG Trade) of the European Union (EU) has announced a significant expansion of its online Trade Assistant for Services and Investment. This expansion now encompasses a hundred service sectors and includes four key trading partners of the EU: Canada, Japan, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.   EU-based businesses can now access […]

Economic Development, News, Thailand

December 13, 2023

The World Bank has revised its economic growth outlook for Thailand, projecting a growth rate of 2.5% for the year 2023, with expectations of an acceleration to 3.2% in 2024. This adjustment comes amid a recovery in tourism, robust exports, and sustained private consumption.   The growth forecasts for both 2023 and 2024 have been […]