Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Europe, International Trade, News

October 30, 2023

The European Union (EU) has unveiled an ambitious plan to provide a substantial investment of 6 billion euros ($6.4 billion) to support the Western Balkan countries in their quest for reforms and eventual integration into the EU. This development was announced by Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, during her visit […]

Europe, News, Supply Chain

October 30, 2023

European gas markets experienced a significant surge in prices, with the Dutch TTF gas futures index rising by nearly 7% to reach €54 per megawatt-hour. This substantial increase marks the highest level since mid-February and has raised concerns regarding supply stability.   The catalyst for this price hike comes as Egypt reported a complete halt […]

News, Supply Chain

October 29, 2023

Trade and economy officials from the Group of Seven (G-7) wealthy democracies reaffirmed their commitment on Sunday to collaborate in ensuring the smooth functioning of supply chains for essential goods such as energy and food, despite prevailing global uncertainties.   In a joint statement, these nations pledged to uphold “a free and fair-trading system based […]

Economic Development, News, Taiwan

October 27, 2023

In a recent poll conducted by Reuters, economic experts have forecasted a notable uptick in Taiwan’s economic growth for the third quarter of the year. This optimistic outlook is primarily attributed to resilient domestic consumption and a tentative rebound in exports, marking a positive shift for Taiwan’s trade-dependent economy.   According to the survey of […]

China, News, Supply Chain

October 27, 2023

Beijing’s recent move to impose export restrictions on graphite has raised significant concerns within the global electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain. While China has stated that these restrictions are not specific to any particular sector, industry experts and insiders have highlighted potential challenges, especially for foreign manufacturers of EV battery components who have not […]

News, Trade Policy

October 26, 2023

World Trade Organization (WTO) members are actively considering reform proposals aimed at addressing concerns raised by the United States, with some calling this effort the “last chance” to rejuvenate the WTO’s capacity to resolve trade disputes effectively.   The draft reform proposals, revealed exclusively to Reuters, represent a significant endeavor to mend the WTO’s beleaguered […]

Ireland, News, Trade Policy, United States

October 26, 2023

A U.S. business delegation, dispatched to Northern Ireland by President Joe Biden, has embarked on a mission to uncover the economic potential brought about by the region’s unique post-Brexit trade arrangements. These arrangements, established under the Windsor Framework Agreement, grant Northern Ireland dual access to both the United Kingdom and the European Union goods markets. […]

In a recent development, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has taken a step that could potentially result in a ban on the import of Apple Watches, as it found that these devices infringe on the patent rights of medical technology firm Masimo. This decision stems from an earlier ruling in January where a judge […]

In a concerted effort to safeguard sensitive technologies from unauthorized access, the European Commission has taken significant steps to improve the coordination of export controls at the EU level. This initiative aims to prevent critical technologies from falling into the wrong hands.   A significant milestone was achieved with the publication of the first compilation […]

South Korea’s economy has surpassed expectations in the third quarter, with growth primarily driven by exports. This robust performance reinforces the argument for the central bank to maintain its current interest rates in the coming months.   According to data from the Bank of Korea, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded by 0.6% in the July-September […]

Germany, News, Trade Policy

October 25, 2023

In a recent development, Süss MicroTec, a leading German chip-making equipment supplier, has revised its sales forecasts downwards for the second time in just three months. The company attributes this revision to heightened government controls affecting exports to China, which have created significant disruptions in its operations and financial outlook. Consequently, the news sent shockwaves […]

  In a notable change of approach, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai has decided to withdraw longstanding U.S. digital trade demands in World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations. The move is aimed at providing Congress with more flexibility to regulate large technology companies effectively. The proposals, initially put forth by the Trump administration in 2019, had […]

China, Colombia, International Trade, News

October 25, 2023

In a significant diplomatic development, China has elevated its relations with Colombia to a strategic partnership, marking a deepening of its engagement with one of the United States’ oldest allies in the region. This move underscores China’s ongoing efforts to expand its influence and solidify its presence in Latin America. The decision to upgrade their […]

News, Trade Policy, United States

October 24, 2023

Following the recent relaxation of U.S. energy sanctions on Venezuela, global energy traders are swiftly entering negotiations to purchase Venezuela’s crude and fuel oil stocks. Sanctions in place since 2019 had largely restricted Venezuela’s state-run oil company, PDVSA, from exporting its products to desired markets. However, the six-month relaxation of these measures has opened the […]

International Trade, News

October 24, 2023

In a two-day gathering, senior trade officials at the WTO have provided positive signals that negotiators in Geneva are poised to achieve significant outcomes at the upcoming 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) scheduled for early next year. The meeting, chaired by WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and General Council Chair Ambassador Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme of Botswana, was […]