Author: Editorial Desk

Automakers are increasingly tapping the Hong Kong Stock Exchange through initial public offerings (IPOs), seeking fresh capital to accelerate new energy vehicle (NEV) development, expand overseas production, and strengthen their position in the rapidly evolving smart mobility sector. Leading this wave is Chery Automobile, which made a strong market debut on Thursday. The Anhui-based automaker raised HK$9.1 billion ($1.16 billion) in the city’s largest automotive IPO of 2025. Its shares closed at HK$34.16, about 11% higher than the IPO price of HK$30.75. Chery’s robust performance reflects its rising global stature. In 2024, the company sold 2.3 million vehicles, ranking second…

Washington’s intensified drive to expand American oil sales to allies is raising concerns over long-term energy stability, according to a report from the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) released Sunday. World Bank data shows that in 2024, the United States exported $298 billion worth of petroleum while importing $246 billion. Despite this trade surplus, the U.S. ran a $60 billion deficit in crude oil, underlining its dependence on foreign supplies and challenging claims of self-sufficiency. Under President Donald Trump, energy has been deployed as a tool of trade diplomacy. Countries have been pressed to sign long-term agreements for U.S. crude,…

Nations belonging to the BRICS bloc have raised alarm over the growing imposition of steep tariffs and non-tariff barriers, warning that such restrictive practices threaten to disrupt global trade and marginalize the Global South. The concerns were expressed in a joint statement issued after the annual meeting of BRICS foreign ministers, held on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York on Friday. The session was chaired by India, which will assume the BRICS chairship in 2026. In their communiqué, the ministers expressed concern over the ‘indiscriminate rising of tariffs and non-tariff measures, or protectionism,’ particularly when…

The government of India is considering changes to foreign direct investment (FDI) regulations for e-commerce to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) tap global markets. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has proposed an inventory-based e-commerce export model that would allow designated third-party entities to hold stock and manage backend processes on behalf of MSMEs. Currently, India prohibits inventory-led e-commerce under FDI rules, but the DGFT has suggested an exemption for this export-only framework. A draft proposal reviewed by TNIE notes that fewer than 10% of MSMEs selling online domestically are engaged in cross-border e-commerce, largely due to…

The European Commission is preparing to impose tariffs of between 25% and 50% on imports of Chinese steel and related products within weeks, according to a report by German business daily Handelsblatt. The measures come as Brussels looks to design a new long-term framework for managing steel imports once existing safeguard rules expire in mid-2026, a deadline the Commission has acknowledged cannot be extended under World Trade Organization rules. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament earlier this month that a new mechanism would be introduced to curb imports, citing global overcapacity and pressure on profit margins…

United States President Donald Trump announced on Thursday (Sep 25) a new round of tariffs covering pharmaceuticals, heavy-duty trucks, home renovation materials, and furniture, measures he said were aimed at bolstering American manufacturing and protecting national security. From October 1, branded or patented pharmaceuticals will face a 100% tariff unless the manufacturer is building production facilities in the U.S. In a separate statement, Trump confirmed a 25% tariff on heavy trucks imported from outside the country, describing the move as essential for ‘national security purposes’ and to shield domestic producers, including Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, and Mack Trucks. The administration also…

Vietnam is implementing comprehensive export measures to protect and expand its sector as the country navigates global trade uncertainties. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, through Directive 29/CT-TTg issued on September 23, outlined strategies to diversify foreign markets and sustain growth momentum. As of September 15, Vietnam’s total trade turnover was estimated at $673.21 billion, up 17.2% year-on-year. Exports rose 15.8% to $325.26 billion, while imports increased 18.8% to $311.95 billion. Despite these gains, the Prime Minister cautioned that ongoing global challenges, including geopolitical conflicts, strategic competition, and reciprocal tariffs from major economies, pose significant risks to the country’s export performance.…

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), in coordination with eight other government departments, announced a set of measures on Wednesday aimed at strengthening the nation’s services export sector, according to the Xinhua News Agency. The announcement followed the conclusion of the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), held in Beijing from September 12 to 14, where officials highlighted the role of services in driving high-level opening-up and fostering new growth momentum in foreign trade. The newly introduced 13-point framework provides support through financial tools, tax incentives, credit services, visa facilitation, and international data flow management. Local governments have…

Global maritime trade is bracing for a period of fragile growth, rising costs, and heightened uncertainty, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warned on Wednesday. According to the Review of Maritime Transport 2025, launched in Geneva, seaborne trade volumes are projected to increase by just 0.5% in 2025, marking the slowest pace in years. The slowdown reflects the combined impact of geopolitical tensions, new trade barriers, and climate challenges that are reshaping routes and driving up expenses. “The transitions ahead – to zero carbon, to digital systems, to new trade routes – must be just transitions,” said…

Morocco’s Economic, Social, and Environmental Council (CESE) has presented its assessment of the potential impact of the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on the country’s export sector. The opinion was shared during a session held in Rabat on Wednesday, bringing together representatives from ministries, public institutions, international and national organizations, civil society, and CESE members. The meeting was attended by CESE Secretary General Younes Benakki, Moncef Ziani, chair of the permanent commission on economic affairs and strategic projects, and rapporteur Amine Mounir Alaoui. CESE President Abdelkader Amara highlighted that the Council’s opinion was prepared through a participatory process,…