Vietnam’s government has approved a five-year pilot program for a regulated crypto trading market, a move experts say reflects the country’s cautious embrace of fintech and its ambition to shape international governance standards in the sector. Adopted under Resolution No. 05/2025/NQ-CP, the initiative establishes strict oversight aimed at protecting the rights and interests of both domestic and foreign participants while mitigating risks tied to digital assets. Colonel Dr. Hoang Van Thuc, director of the Academy of Cryptography Techniques and senior advisor to the Vietnam Blockchain and Digital Asset Association, described the pilot as a demonstration of “smart risk governance.” He…

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday urged EU member states to adopt new sanctions targeting Russia’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, its shadow fleet of oil tankers, and key energy companies, as part of continued pressure over Moscow’s war in Ukraine. “It is time to turn off the tap on LNG,” von der Leyen said in a video statement outlining the proposals, calling on the 27 member states to “quickly endorse” the measures. “We want Russia to leave the battlefield and come to the negotiation table, and this is the way to give peace a real chance,”…

Canada and Mexico have signed a comprehensive strategic partnership aimed at strengthening economic and security cooperation as both countries prepare for what is expected to be a challenging renegotiation of their trilateral trade agreement with the United States. The pact was signed in Mexico City on Thursday by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. It includes plans to develop key infrastructure such as ports, rail, and energy corridors, while also tackling crime, supporting environmental protection, and boosting bilateral trade. “Today, we’re beginning a new era of elevated co-operation with a comprehensive strategic partnership,” Carney said at…

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has begun enforcing its historic Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, targeting billions in harmful subsidies that drive overfishing. The accord, widely described as a milestone for global trade and environmental governance, prohibits government support for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as subsidies that drive the over-exploitation of fish stocks and unregulated fishing on the high seas. “Today we have shown that trade can serve both people and planet,” WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said at a special General Council meeting in Geneva. Calling the agreement “a landmark for global trade governance,” she stressed that multilateral…

Hong Kong is moving to expand its role in the global gold trade, with plans to increase storage capacity and deepen ties with mainland China as Beijing pushes for greater influence in international commodity markets. In his annual policy address on Wednesday, Chief Executive John Lee outlined measures to re-establish the city as a major bullion hub. The plan includes raising Hong Kong’s storage capacity to more than 2,000 tons within three years and creating a central clearing platform for gold. The strategy, which replaces earlier gradual proposals, aims to attract traders, expand refining activity, and reinforce the city’s role…

Global trade could expand by 34–37% by 2040 if governments adopt the right policies to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) for productivity gains and lower trade costs, according to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) World Trade Report 2025, released on Wednesday. The report, titled “Making Trade and AI Work Together to the Benefit of All”, cautioned that non-tariff measures, including antidumping duties and export restrictions on AI-enabling goods such as semiconductors, may hinder the global spread of AI technologies. “For AI and trade to contribute to inclusive growth, policies need to be in place to bridge the digital divide, invest in…

India and the U.S. have agreed to accelerate efforts toward a mutually beneficial trade pact, reviving negotiations that had stalled in recent years. Officials from both sides met in New Delhi on Tuesday, with discussions led by Brendan Lynch, the chief negotiator for the U.S., and Rajesh Agarwal, special secretary in India’s department of commerce. The meeting focused on resuming talks where they had left off, with both governments committing to pushing forward with the aim of concluding a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) at the earliest. “It was decided to intensify efforts to achieve the early conclusion of a mutually…

Vietnam is urging businesses and government bodies to leverage free trade agreements, diversify markets, and accelerate green and digital transformation to sustainable export momentum and secure the year’s growth targets. Authorities also emphasized the need to strengthen resilience against global volatility. In the first eight months of 2025, the country’s total trade value reached nearly $600 billion, a 16.3% year-on-year increase. Exports rose 14.8% to $306 billion, already surpassing the annual target. The trade surplus of nearly $14 billion has played a key role in stabilizing the macroeconomy. Experts view the results as remarkable, especially against the backdrop of continued…

The United Kingdom and the United States have unveiled a sweeping set of nuclear power deals aimed at accelerating advanced reactor deployment and cutting dependence on Russian nuclear fuel supplies. The agreements, part of what officials have described as a ‘nuclear renaissance,’ will be formally signed during President Donald Trump’s state visit to London this week, the British Embassy in Washington confirmed. Built under a new framework, the initiative is expected to deliver faster safety approvals, streamlined regulatory cooperation, and billions of dollars in private sector investment. Branded as the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy, the program is intended…

The global arms trade remains a defining factor in geopolitics, shaping power balances and international relations. Although the volume of major international arms transfers between 2020 and 2024 was 0.6% lower than in 2015–19, a handful of countries continue to dominate the export market. Their roles offer crucial insight into shifting alliances and global security strategies. The United States is the undisputed leader, accounting for 43% of global arms exports from 2020 to 2024, according to the March 2025 report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Its dominance is driven by a vast defence industry and a wide…