The United States has urged Pakistan to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers affecting American exports and companies, as both countries pursue deeper trade ties. The call came from Reva Gupta, spokesperson at the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi, during ongoing bilateral negotiations between the two nations. The discussions follow recent U.S. tariff actions under President Donald Trump, with Pakistan facing a potential 29% duty on its exports to the U.S., currently under a 90-day suspension. The tariff threat stems from a $3 billion trade surplus Pakistan holds with the United States. “In our bilateral engagements with Pakistan, we always message…

Concerns are growing that a dispute over how two African development banks are treated in debt talks could make trade finance harder to get and more expensive across the continent The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Trade and Development Bank (TDB) are currently entangled in negotiations over whether they should receive preferential creditor treatment during debt restructuring processes in Ghana, Malawi, and Zambia. Both institutions are owed substantial amounts—Afreximbank is owed $750 million by Ghana, $454 million by Malawi, and $45 million by Zambia, while TDB is owed $555 million by Zambia and $323 million by Malawi, according to…

Several major trade hubs across China are expanding international shipping routes to diversify overseas markets and bolster the nation’s position in global trade. Shenzhen, a leading economic center in South China’s Guangdong Province, has unveiled a new development plan aimed at enhancing its services and digital trade capabilities. The plan includes 20 policy measures focused on four key areas: improving the flow of trade resources, advancing digital trade innovation, upgrading service trade quality, and reinforcing support systems. A major highlight of the plan is the expansion of maritime routes to Europe, Oceania, and Africa, with increased frequency in cross-border e-commerce…

India has urged the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to take concrete action against non-tariff barriers and trade distortions caused by non-market economies, while also calling for the restoration of a robust dispute settlement system. The appeal was made by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during a gathering of ministers from 25 WTO member nations on the sidelines of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris. Goyal emphasized the need for a fair and predictable global trade environment, advocating for a consensus-based approach and special provisions for developing and least-developed countries. He stressed that the WTO must prioritize already mandated…

The World Trade Center (WTC), Abuja, has unveiled a dedicated export launch pad to enhance Nigeria’s trade competitiveness and support small and medium-scale enterprises in accessing global markets. Unveiled by WTC Abuja Vice President Ahmed Adelaja following a webinar on ‘Navigating Global Uncertainties and Breaking Barriers to Growth,’ the launch pad serves as the centre’s flagship business accelerator. Adelaja described it as a strategic response to persistent challenges limiting Nigeria’s participation in global trade and aligned with national and continental development goals, including Nigeria’s economic diversification plan and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The new initiative will offer services such…

Hong Kong stocks surged on Tuesday, with the benchmark Hang Seng Index nearing a two-month high amid optimism over potential high-level trade discussions between the United States and China. The Hang Seng Index rose 1.5% to close at 23,512.49, the highest since March 19, while the Hang Seng Tech Index gained 1.1%. Investor sentiment was driven by the possibility of direct talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt indicated on Monday that a conversation between the two leaders was “likely” to take place this week, though no further details were provided.…

Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is set to meet with U.S. officials in Paris on Tuesday to secure the UK’s exemption from steep U.S. steel tariffs, amid growing uncertainty over former President Donald Trump’s trade policies. Earlier this month, the UK and the U.S. announced a trade agreement that was expected to shield British steel from new levies. However, the deal has not yet been implemented, and key details remain under negotiation. Reynolds is scheduled to discuss the deal’s execution with Jamieson Greer, U.S. Trade Representative, during their Paris meeting. The talks come at a critical time, following a turbulent week…

The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), through its Office of Commercial Affairs in Hanoi, has reported promising signs of recovery in Vietnam’s automotive market during the early months of 2025, marked by rising auto sales and improving consumer confidence. According to data from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA), vehicle sales in April 2025 reached 29,585 units. While this represented a 7% dip compared to March, it reflected a 21% year-on-year increase, indicating a positive growth trajectory. Passenger vehicles continued to dominate the market in April with 20,766 units sold, followed by commercial vehicles at 8,619 units. Notably, special-purpose…

Thailand is preparing to expand its chicken exports following a temporary poultry ban on Brazil by China and the European Union, triggered by a confirmed outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at a Brazilian farm. Brazil, the world’s leading poultry exporter, shipped over 793,000 tons of chicken to China and the EU last year, nearly 15% of its total poultry exports, according to the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein Exporters. With both markets halting imports as a precautionary measure, Thailand sees a strategic opportunity to fill the supply gap. Somchuan Ratanamangkalanont, Director General of Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development,…

Britain’s steel sector is facing renewed turmoil as the United States prepares to raise tariffs on UK steel imports from 25% to 50% starting Wednesday, despite a recent announcement of a deal intended to eliminate such duties. The tariff increase, replacing measures introduced by President Donald Trump earlier this year, comes amid delays in finalizing the UK-U.S. agreement, announced on 8 May by the UK Prime Minister. With the deal still pending implementation, British steel exports to the U.S., the UK’s second-largest steel market, remain vulnerable. UK Steel, the industry’s trade body, has warned that the sudden escalation in tariffs…