Author: Editorial Desk

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has voiced serious concerns over the impact of newly imposed US tariffs on South African exports, highlighting the potential fallout if South Africa loses its benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Addressing the National Assembly on Thursday, Steenhuisen said his department is proactively seeking to widen market access by strengthening existing trade agreements with partners such as the European Union, Japan, and China. “We are really taking full advantage of the full variety of goods that are there as some of the products that would probably see some curtailment in the United States…

Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has expressed the country’s eagerness to strengthen its business ties with the United States, while also seeking ways to address the existing Pak-U.S. trade imbalance. Speaking at a news briefing at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, following his visit to the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, Aurangzeb revealed that Pakistan has asked China to augment its currency swap line by an additional 10 billion yuan (approximately $1.4 billion). Pakistan currently maintains a 30 billion yuan swap line with China, and the minister stated, “From our perspective, getting…

Oracle, the enterprise software company, has introduced new trade management features within its Oracle Fusion Cloud Supply Chain & Manufacturing (SCM) platform to support organizations navigating increasingly complex global trade dynamics. These enhancements, now available through Oracle Fusion Cloud Global Trade Management, aim to help businesses better manage tariffs, international trade agreements, and cross-border supply chain operations. Chris Leone, Executive Vice President of Applications Development at Oracle, highlighted the urgent need for adaptive tools amid evolving trade policies. “Supply chain leaders are rising to the moment by seeking new ways to manage their business with global trade agreements and international…

India is actively considering a complete trade ban on Pakistan following the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam, in a move that could mark a major escalation in bilateral tensions. The proposed trade freeze is seen as part of a broader strategy to exert economic pressure on Islamabad. According to sources involved in the process, the decision, if implemented, would significantly impact Pakistan’s economy, which relies on Indian imports of key goods, including pharmaceuticals, fruits, vegetables, organic chemicals, and sugar. India is also evaluating the use of third-country mechanisms and diplomatic channels to further restrict trade flows and intensify the economic…

The European Union is preparing to propose export restrictions on all eel species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a move that could significantly impact global supply chains, especially Japan’s, EU sources revealed on Wednesday. If adopted at the upcoming CITES conference of the parties in Uzbekistan later this year, the proposal would place species such as the Japanese eel under Appendix II of the treaty, requiring export permits from originating countries. The European eel has already been subject to such controls since 2007 following an EU-led initiative to curb overexploitation.…

Indonesia remains confident in meeting its 2025 national export growth despite the escalating trade tensions between the United States and China. The government has set an export goal of $294.45 billion (Rp4,981.26 trillion), reflecting a 7.1% increase over the previous year, and aims to stay on course despite recent challenges. Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono, Director General of International Trade Negotiation at the Trade Ministry, acknowledged the impact of the ongoing trade war and the newly imposed 10% U.S. tariff on Indonesian imports. He emphasised that while the environment is difficult, the government and private sector are approaching the situation with determination.…

Thailand’s rice export sector has suffered a sharp setback, with first-quarter exports dropping by 30% compared to the same period last year. This downturn has allowed Vietnam to surpass Thailand as the world’s second-largest rice exporter, intensifying concerns among Thai industry stakeholders. According to Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, the country exported 2.1 million tons of milled rice in the first quarter of this year—a notable decline. The drop was primarily driven by a 53% plunge in white rice shipments, partly due to India’s re-entry into the market and reduced import demand from key buyers…

India, the world’s second-largest producer of crude steel, has introduced a 12% temporary tariff on certain steel imports, locally referred to as a safeguard duty, to contain a surge in cheap shipments, mainly from China. The influx of Chinese steel in recent years has forced some Indian mills to scale down operations and consider job cuts, prompting India to join a growing list of countries seeking to protect their local industries. According to an official order from the Ministry of Finance, the duty will be in effect for 200 days starting Monday, unless revoked, superseded, or amended earlier. This marks…

Syrian authorities announced on Sunday that a wheat shipment had arrived at the Mediterranean port of Latakia, marking the first such delivery since the December ouster of former ruler Bashar al-Assad. In a statement, the Syrian Authority for Land and Sea Ports confirmed that “The first ship carrying wheat since the fall of the former regime arrived today at Latakia port, carrying 6,600 tons of wheat.” The source of the wheat was not explicitly mentioned; however, the authority released an image of the vessel, the Pola Marina, which Marine Traffic records show as a Russian-flagged ship that departed from Rostov-on-Don…

Bangladesh is among the world’s top ten mango producers but remains a small player in the global mango export trade. Exporters mainly blame high air freight costs for this gap. These elevated costs—nearly double those faced by competitors—have steadily priced Bangladeshi mangoes out of major markets in Europe and the Middle East. Recent bilateral discussions have revived optimism, with Bangladeshi exporters now eyeing China as a potential major market. Experts believe that, if quality standards are met, China could offer a significant opportunity, helped by considerably lower freight costs compared to other destinations. Exporters highlight that high air shipment rates—Tk350–380…