Author: Editorial Desk

Thailand must strengthen its role as a ‘trusted partner’ in an increasingly polarized global environment, where trade strategy and foreign policy need to move in step to manage geopolitical and economic shifts, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said on Monday. Speaking at an international seminar organized by the International Institute for Trade and Development at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Suphajee warned that Thailand can no longer operate in isolation as global trade patterns undergo rapid transformation. Addressing more than 150 participants, she said trust has become the most valuable currency in modern trade, adding that sustainable partnerships depend on credibility…

Chinese President Xi Jinping has signalled a stronger policy focus on domestic demand as China confronts mounting global trade pressures and questions over the sustainability of export-led growth. Speaking during the December Central Economic Work Conference, Xi called for consumption and investment to become the main engines of economic expansion, reflecting a strategic adjustment as external markets grow more uncertain. His remarks highlighted the need to strengthen internal economic resilience at a time when rising protectionism and intensified competition are reshaping global trade dynamics. China’s economy expanded by about 5% last year, supported in part by a record trade surplus…

New global trade restrictions on sharks and rays mark a significant political step for conservation, but fresh research warns that tighter regulations alone are unlikely to halt overfishing or reverse population declines. More than one-third of sharks and rays are now threatened with extinction, largely due to targeted fishing for fins, meat, gills, and liver oil, as well as bycatch from wider commercial fishing. At a wildlife trade conference in Uzbekistan in late 2025, governments introduced stronger international trade limits covering more than 70 species, including whale sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks, wedgefish, devil rays, and gulper sharks. The measures were…

Ukraine is working to restore poultry exports to Moldova after a temporary import suspension, with both sides engaging in talks aimed at resolving technical concerns and reopening trade flows. The issue was discussed during an online meeting between Ukrainian officials and representatives from Moldova’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry and the National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA). Ukraine’s Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, Oleksiy Sobolev, described Moldova as a key market, noting that Ukrainian poultry exports to the country reached 18,400 metric tons worth $32.7 million in 2025. He said the temporary ban needs to be addressed quickly…

World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has urged China to rebalance its economic strategy away from heavy reliance on exports, warning that the country’s record trade surplus risks fuelling new waves of global protectionism. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Feb 13, she said the export-driven model that supported China’s rapid expansion for decades may no longer be viable in a changing global trade environment. Okonjo-Iweala noted that China’s $1.2 trillion trade surplus last year was unlikely to remain sustainable, arguing that global markets cannot indefinitely absorb such large imbalances. She said Beijing had benefited greatly from the…

Valentine’s Day, widely associated with romance and gifting, has also become one of the most commercially significant periods for Kenya’s floriculture industry, reinforcing the country’s status as a global leader in flower exports. The season represents a major revenue opportunity, with demand surging far beyond normal trading levels and placing intense pressure on production planning, logistics, quality control, and regulatory compliance across the supply chain. Industry players begin preparing months in advance. Growers, exporters, logistics firms, regulators, and government agencies coordinate production cycles, certification processes, freight scheduling, and cold-chain management. This structured approach ensures that flowers reach international markets within…

Ukraine has granted its first wartime licenses allowing domestic producers to pursue arms exports abroad, marking a policy shift designed to attract investment and expand weapons manufacturing capacity as the country’s defense industry continues to grow. According to Reuters, Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, said the country’s defense-industrial base now has an annual production capacity exceeding $55 billion. While specific companies were not disclosed, a source familiar with the matter said dozens of export applications had been approved. Officials said sectors such as unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic warfare, and reconnaissance technologies are already producing more…

Global agricultural markets delivered mixed signals last week as corn export demand strengthened, soybean sales weakened, and livestock shipments remained steady, while Brazil continued to expand its influence across key commodity sectors. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. corn export sales reached about 81.5 million bushels, nearly doubling from the previous week, with Japan, South Korea, Colombia, Mexico, and Taiwan leading purchases. Shipments totaled 59.6 million bushels, reflecting sustained global demand for feed grains. Wheat sales were recorded at 17.9 million bushels, with exports of 21.3 million bushels driven by buyers including the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Mexico. Soybean…

The International Group has launched a new business unit, International Aerospace & Defence Alloys, aimed at strengthening supply chains for aerospace and defence programs by focusing on high-integrity alloy solutions. The new division separates the group’s aerospace and defence capabilities from its energy products operations, creating a dedicated commercial structure designed to meet the compliance, approvals, and customer interface requirements of the sector. While operating as a distinct entity, the business will continue to leverage the group’s integrated manufacturing and testing base in Sheffield. The launch comes at a time when defence budgets are expanding across major markets, and material…

The Georgia Ports Authority has welcomed the announcement of a new trade agreement between the United States and India, saying the pact is expected to strengthen commercial ties and drive higher cargo volumes through its terminals. GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch described the development as positive for exporters, consumers, and port customers, noting that India has long been viewed as a critical growth market for the authority’s U.S. East Coast gateway operations. He said the agreement could gradually translate into increased container traffic for Georgia’s ports. The authority reported that it handled 22% of India’s containerized trade moving through…