Author: Editorial Desk

The U.S. government is actively seeking egg imports from Europe and other regions to combat a severe domestic shortage that has driven egg prices in grocery stores to record highs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reached out to several European nations, including Germany, Italy, Poland, and Sweden, to address the supply deficit affected by a widespread outbreak of avian influenza. However, the effort faces multiple hurdles, primarily stemming from differences in food safety standards and the limited availability of surplus eggs in Europe due to their own bird flu outbreaks and increased local demand ahead of Easter. A…

The United States has halted its financial contributions to the World Trade Organization (WTO), marking a major change in its approach to global trade and further distancing itself from international institutions seen as incompatible with the Trump administration’s ‘America First’ agenda. According to sources in Washington, the decision forms part of a wider government initiative to cut public spending and aligns with President Donald Trump’s increasingly protectionist economic stance. The move coincides with a forthcoming 25% tariff on imported cars not manufactured within the US, scheduled to take effect on Wednesday, April 2. Described by the White House as ‘liberation…

China and the European Union should deepen their trade ties by promoting open markets and reinforcing a rules-based global trading system, Arancha González, Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs at Sciences Po and former Foreign Minister of Spain, said during the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, Hainan Province. Her remarks come as the new US administration adopts increasingly protectionist measures, including a recent decision to impose 25% tariffs on all imported vehicles, a move that has heightened global trade tensions. Despite the challenging backdrop, González emphasised the potential for China and the EU to…

Vietnam and Peru have agreed to maximise the benefits of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to enhance bilateral trade and investment. The decision was made during the third session of the Vietnam–Peru Intergovernmental Committee, held virtually on March 27 and co-chaired by Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Phan Thi Thang, and Peru’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luis Enrique Chávez Basagoitia. In her remarks, Deputy Minister Thang highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation amidst global economic uncertainties. She reaffirmed Vietnam’s view of Peru as a key partner in Latin America and expressed readiness to…

U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on all imported cars not produced in the United States, a move that is expected to significantly impact South Korean automotive exports. Speaking from the Oval Office on the 26th (local time), President Trump signed an executive order formalising the decision. “What we will do is impose a 25% tariff on all cars not produced in the United States,” he said, adding that the measure is expected to bring in $100 billion in revenue. This decision follows a similar tariff hike on imported steel and aluminum, which took effect on the…

The Australian federal government has allocated $6.8 million in its 2025-26 budget to protect the nation’s agricultural exports as the sector braces for one of its most productive years amid growing global trade uncertainty and the threat of US tariffs. The funding aims to maintain international market access and support Australia’s role in contributing to global fair trade standards. It comes as key export sectors — particularly red meat and wine — face potential tariff impositions by US President Donald Trump, according to several independent agricultural outlooks. Budget documents revealed that the total production value of agriculture, fisheries, and forestry…

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that starting April 2, a 25% tariff will be imposed on all imports from any country that purchases oil or gas from Venezuela — a move aimed at punishing nations engaging economically with a government Trump described as “very hostile” to the United States. The measure, which comes despite the US itself continuing to import Venezuelan oil, is expected to deeply affect countries such as China, India, Spain, Russia, Singapore, and Vietnam — all recipients of Venezuelan crude. According to a 2024 report from the US Energy Information Administration, China alone accounted for…

India is set to uphold its one-million-ton sugar export quota for the current season, easing global concerns about potential export restrictions that recently drove up international prices. Despite a decline in production, the world’s second-largest sugar producer will retain sufficient stockpiles through the season-ending 30 September, the source noted, requesting anonymity due to the confidential nature of the information. Domestic supplies are reportedly adequate to meet demand for over two months until the next crushing season begins. India’s sugar exports for MY 2024/25 are projected at 3.7 MMT, as the government is expected to uphold export restrictions to prioritize domestic…

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva began a four-day state visit to Japan on Monday, accompanied by a delegation of around 100 business leaders. The visit comes as both countries seek to deepen trade ties amid rising U.S. protectionism, particularly following recent tariff hikes imposed by President Donald Trump on steel and other imports. During his trip, Lula is expected to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to explore opportunities for cooperation, including the joint development of biofuels ahead of the COP30 UN climate summit, which Brazil will host in the Amazon region this November. High on the agenda…

The European Commission has dismissed allegations of tax fraud in Moroccan tomato exports to the European Union, affirming that the imports comply with existing trade agreements. The clarification came after European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen responded to a written inquiry by Spanish Member of the European Parliament Carmen Crespo. Crespo had raised concerns about Morocco allegedly exceeding its duty-free tomato export quota under the EU-Morocco Association Agreement. “These imports comply with the terms of the 2012 Association Agreement,” Hansen stated. He explained that Moroccan tomatoes entering the EU above the agreed quota are permitted as long as the applicable…