Author: Editorial Desk

Kuwait and China have formalized a new agreement to advance the development of the Mina Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port in northern Kuwait, deepening bilateral cooperation under Kuwait’s economic transformation agenda and China’s global infrastructure strategy. The port project is a core component of Kuwait Vision 2035 and aligns with China’s Belt and Road Initiative. It forms part of Kuwait’s broader effort to diversify its economy and reduce long-term reliance on oil by strengthening logistics, manufacturing, and trade-linked industries. On December 22, Kuwait’s Ministry of Public Works signed contracts covering engineering, supply, and construction with China Communications Construction Company. The port development…

Thailand’s Bhumjaithai Party on Wednesday unveiled a new trade policy platform, ‘Trade Plus–Thailand Plus,’ aimed at strengthening the country’s role in global supply chains while supporting farmers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and selected industries. Speaking at a party policy briefing ahead of the election campaign, Suphajee Suthumpun, a member of the party’s trade and economic team, said the initiative is designed to upgrade Thailand’s economic structure by embedding it more deeply into international trade networks. She said Thailand must carefully manage its position amid rising geopolitical pressures and a more fragmented global order. Suphajee argued that Thailand should avoid aligning…

South Africa, the world’s second-largest exporter of oranges, is seeing renewed momentum in Asia as rising incomes and shifting consumer preferences drive demand for fresh and nutritious produce, including South African citrus. Between 2003 and 2025, exports to Asian markets expanded steadily, reinforcing the country’s position as a key global supplier. China has emerged as the largest Asian destination for South African oranges, with imports rising almost fivefold over the past five years to about 64,052 tons in 2024. Strong growth has also been recorded in India and Indonesia, where South Africa has strengthened its market presence despite intense competition…

India has kept dairy products outside the scope of the free trade agreement concluded with New Zealand on Monday, ensuring that items such as milk, cream, whey, yoghurt, and cheese will not receive duty-free access to the Indian market. New Zealand exporters, however, will be permitted duty-free access for select dairy and food ingredients intended exclusively for re-export under the pact. The decision reflects the long-standing political sensitivity surrounding dairy liberalization in India, where the sector supports nearly 80 million farmers. The government has consistently said it will not open the market in ways that could undermine domestic livelihoods. A…

Malaysia’s exports are projected to expand at a faster pace, supported by stronger electrical and electronics shipments, wider market penetration, and rising re-exports, according to a research note from MBSB Research. The outlook suggests these drivers should cushion the impact of higher U.S. tariffs and limit a sharper slowdown in external trade. Exports are forecast to grow 6.0% in 2025, slightly above the estimated 5.8% expansion in 2024. Imports surged 15.8% year-on-year in November, the fastest increase since April 2025, driven by a rise in capital goods purchases tied to demand for non-transport equipment. The firm revised its import growth…

Myanmar’s garment industry is under heightened global scrutiny as labor and human rights violations escalate with little accountability since the February 2021 military coup. Rights groups say weakened labor governance, military repression, and factory-level abuses are reinforcing one another, deepening risks across the sector. Research by the Business and Human Rights Center recorded 665 cases involving garment workers between March 2021 and October 2024. The findings point to systemic violations rather than isolated incidents, signalling a near-collapse of labor protections in a key apparel-exporting country. Reported abuses include forced overtime, unsafe work sites, wage deductions, retaliation against union activity, and…

Singapore will soon begin importing chilled pork from China, marking the first time the city-state will receive such supplies, according to officials and a Hunan-based exporter. This development expands bilateral food trade, more than a year after Singapore resumed frozen pork imports from China. Frozen imports had been suspended since 2018, when African swine fever prompted bans across several countries. Peng Huifeng, deputy general manager of Hunan Huale Foodstuff, said the first chilled pork shipments are expected to arrive in Singapore in a little over a month. Huale is based in Hanshou County, Changde City, in central China’s Hunan Province.…

Saudi Arabia has proposed hosting the World Trade Organization’s 15th Ministerial Conference in Riyadh in 2028, continuing its effort to elevate its global economic profile and position itself as a hub for trade diplomacy. The proposal appeared on the agenda of the WTO General Council meeting in Geneva on December 16–17 and follows Commerce Minister Majid Al-Qasabi’s initial announcement in October. Al-Qasabi said hosting the gathering would signal the kingdom’s commitment to the multilateral trading system and offer an opportunity to advance WTO reform. A final decision will likely be taken by consensus ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference, scheduled…

Taiwan has launched a formal trade challenge against Canada at the World Trade Organization, alleging that Ottawa’s recent steel import curbs violate WTO rules. Taiwan’s Office of Trade Negotiation confirmed the move, saying a request for consultations was submitted Monday and circulated to WTO members Thursday. Taiwan argues that Canada breached trade commitments by imposing tariff-rate quotas on certain steel products, a 50% surtax on some steel imports, and a 25% global tariff on selected steel-derivative goods beginning in June. According to AFP, the measures were introduced alongside similar import safeguards adopted by Canada’s allies, including Mexico and the European…

The European Union has delayed signing a major free-trade pact with South American countries after farmer protests and renewed opposition from France and Italy threw the agreement into doubt. The EU-Mercosur deal, which has been under negotiation for 26 years, was expected to be signed in Brazil this weekend, but European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho confirmed the signature has been postponed until January. Supporters of the deal warn that the delay risks damaging the EU’s global trade credibility at a time of heightened commercial tensions with China and the United States. Once ratified, the agreement would cover a market of…