Author: Editorial Desk

The United States has sharply reduced proposed tariffs on Italian pasta following a trade policy review, easing what had briefly threatened to become a costly dispute for producers, importers, and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic. Italian pasta, long associated with tradition and everyday comfort, was drawn into trade tensions after U.S. authorities accused 13 Italian producers of selling pasta in the American market at unfairly low prices. Such practices, known as dumping under trade law, can justify heavy penalties if proven. Initial proposals under the Trump administration set tariffs as high as 91.74%. When combined with existing European…

Egyptian trade and financial authorities have moved in parallel to reinforce export-led logistics flows through coordinated export policy measures, signaling a broader strategy to anchor regional trade, compliance, and value chains within the country. This week, the Egyptian Commercial Service held talks with the Egyptian Exporters Association (Expolink) to expand cooperation aimed at strengthening Egyptian exports in global markets. The discussions, led by ECS head Abdel Aziz El-Sherif and Expolink chairman Mohamed Qassem, focused on linking exporters more effectively with overseas commercial offices, trade missions, and market-entry frameworks. El-Sherif said the coming period will see intensified cooperation through targeted action…

India’s cross-border ecommerce ecosystem is set for further easing, with the government exploring policy changes aimed at helping micro, small, and medium enterprises expand overseas sales through digital channels. Officials said the upcoming Union Budget could include measures to simplify cross-border ecommerce, particularly for MSMEs. Among the proposals under discussion are relaxations in rules governing the return of exported goods and an increase in the value limit for e-commerce exports through courier channels. The current cap of ₹10 lakh per consignment may be raised to align with the ₹25 lakh ceiling permitted by the Reserve Bank of India for cross-border…

The World Bank has called on developing countries to take a more active and strategic role in shaping global trade standards, warning that the rapid expansion of international rules is increasingly favoring advanced economies and large multinational corporations. In its World Development Report 2025, the World Bank argues that standards governing areas such as food safety, labelling, digital technologies, environmental compliance, and telecommunications have evolved into a form of economic infrastructure that is as critical to development as transport networks, ports, and power systems. While these standards have helped reduce transaction costs, harmonize markets, and expand global trade, the report…

Australia has expressed disappointment over China’s decision to impose new tariffs on beef imports, a move that industry representatives warn could significantly disrupt bilateral trade worth more than AU$1 billion. China has announced additional tariffs of up to 55% on beef imports from countries including Australia, Brazil, and the United States when shipments exceed specified quotas. The measures will apply for the next three years. Beijing also said it would suspend part of its free trade agreement with Australia that covers beef exports. Responding to the decision, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said Canberra had made its position clear to…

India on Thursday formally assumed the rotating chairmanship of the BRICS grouping for 2026. The move positions New Delhi to advance inclusive development and strengthen the Global South’s role in international economic governance at a time of heightened global trade tensions triggered by U.S. tariff actions. The BRICS bloc was originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and has expanded over the past two years to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. While the BRICS website lists Saudi Arabia as the 11th member, some reports indicate that Riyadh has not yet formally completed…

Vietnam is stepping up efforts to expand exports to the global Halal market as businesses seek to diversify destinations amid rising trade uncertainties and tighter regulations in traditional markets. Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have been actively promoting trade links with Halal markets, which serve an estimated 2.2 billion Muslim consumers worldwide, with a strong focus on the Middle East. The push comes as highly open economies such as Vietnam face increasing pressure from tariff disputes and growing protectionism, while exports to established markets, including the United States, European Union, and Japan, are becoming more challenging due to stricter…

Global table grape markets are entering a period of structural adjustment as expanding acreage, uneven production trends, and faster trade flows reshape supply and demand dynamics, with Asia emerging as the primary engine of growth. Industry data indicate that countries accounting for more than 60% of global table grape acreage are expected to expand their planted area by 3 to 4% year-on-year in the MY25 provisional season. Growth is being led by China, the United States, and India, while most other producing nations are expected to post only marginal increases or remain stable. India reached record-high acreage levels in MY24…

The trade halt resulting from the suspension of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan for nearly two and a half months has delivered a far heavier economic blow to Kabul than to Islamabad, with Afghan export losses running several times higher, according to trade data and industry estimates. The disruption followed a deterioration in relations over security concerns. Pakistan closed its border in October, and Afghanistan suspended trade ties in early November. Since October 10, 2025, Afghanistan’s export losses are estimated at about 10% of its total exports, compared with roughly 0.6% for Pakistan. The disparity reflects deep asymmetries in…

Thailand’s agriculture and food sector is facing a structural shift in global trade, as carbon footprint rapidly replaces price as a key benchmark for international buyers. Industry leaders warn that without urgent national action, Thai agricultural exports risk losing access to premium markets within the next few years. Speaking at the 2025 annual meeting of Thailand’s Network for Sustainable Production and Consumption, Pornsil Patcharintanakul, president of the Thai Feed Mill Association, said Thailand’s traditional success model in agriculture was built on volume and competitive pricing. That model, he said, no longer reflects the realities of today’s trade environment. Global buyers…