Taiwan has decided to extend visa-free policy for Filipino tourists, prolonging the policy for another year until 2026, according to Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung. He made the declaration at the Philippine Independence Day celebration on Friday, organized by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taipei. The extension enables Filipino travelers to enter Taiwan without a visa for short stays of up to 14 days. However, the benefit is exclusively for ordinary passport holders and does not extend to those with diplomatic, official, or service passports. The renewal aligns with Taiwan’s New Southbound policy to enhance…

Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture declared on Friday that the EU’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) has granted approval for Taiwan to resume mango and guava exports to all 27 EU member states. The ministry stated that the approval enables the exports of these fruits to all EU member states after successfully meeting stringent sanitary requirements to prevent the spread of fruit fly-hosting produce. Taiwan is classified as a quarantine pest zone for oriental fruit flies and melon flies, restricting the direct export of host fruits such as mangoes and guavas to the EU. According to Taiwan’s Animal…

Jera, Japan’s leading power generation company, declared on Thursday that it will increase imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States. The move aligns with Tokyo’s ongoing efforts to secure a trade agreement with Washington. Jera has committed to purchasing up to 5.5 million metric tons of U.S. liquefied natural gas annually under 20-year contracts. Jera stated that the agreements support its long-term strategy to establish a diverse and resilient LNG procurement portfolio, ensuring stable and secure energy for Japan and Asia. The company confirmed signing supply deals with four U.S. gas projects located in Texas and Louisiana.…

President Donald Trump approved a resolution on Thursday overturning California’s groundbreaking regulation prohibiting the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. California’s vehicle regulations, widely adopted by other states due to its significant car market, were designed to encourage electric vehicle adoption and reduce gas emissions to address climate change. The ban on gas-powered cars was scheduled to take effect in 2035. California swiftly responded by declaring a legal challenge, with the state’s attorney general addressing the lawsuit in a news conference before Trump’s signing ceremony concluded at the White House. Additionally, Trump signed three resolutions revoking California’s plan to…

Ghana has secured a groundbreaking 0% tariff on all its exports to China, a development poised to reshape the nation’s economic future and trade relations. The agreement was established after high-level diplomatic discussions between Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, in Changsha, China, alongside the ongoing China-Africa summit. Minister Ablakwa revealed the agreement on Thursday through a social media post. “China has offered 0% tariff on all exports from Ghana,” the Minister stated. “This 0% tariff on 100% of goods from Ghana and other African countries will bolster trade, create jobs, and produce…

In a move to boost India’s textile exports, the country’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has formed a new task force to address major challenges in the sector. “The primary objective of setting up the Textiles Task Force is to create a unified platform for addressing critical issues concerning the textile sector by involving all relevant stakeholders,” the commerce and industry ministry said in a statement. The task force held its first meeting on Tuesday, chaired by outgoing Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal, with representatives from the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Textiles, and Directorate General of Foreign Trade, as well…

Türkiye will manufacture and export 48 domestically developed Kaan fighter jets to Indonesia as part of a newly established defense agreement. On Wednesday, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared that Türkiye has finalized a defense agreement with Indonesia to supply 48 Kaan fighter jets marking the first export deal for the domestically developed aircraft, which is still in its development phase. “Indonesia’s local capabilities will also be utilized in the production of Kaan,” Erdoğan wrote on X. The agreement was finalized at the Indo Defence 2025 exhibition in Jakarta, with participation from Turkish defense firms. The Turkish president did not…

Zimbabwe, Africa’s leading lithium producer, declared on Tuesday that it will prohibit the export of lithium concentrate starting in January 2027 to strengthen domestic refining capabilities and increase revenue from the value-added mineral. At a post-cabinet media briefing, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando stated that Zimbabwe is developing the capability to produce battery-grade lithium with support from two major Chinese-invested firms, Bikita Minerals and Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe. “Because of the processing capacity which is now being developed in the country, the export of all lithium concentrates will be banned from January 2027,” the minister said. The value-added facilities…

China’s Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday stated that the anti-dumping investigation into pork and related products from the European Union will be extended. Citing the complexity of the case, the officials have extended the anti-dumping investigation into pork and pig by-products until December 16, in accordance with relevant regulations. China launched the anti-dumping investigation in June 2024, after receiving an application from the China Animal Agriculture Association, representing the domestic industry. Initially set to conclude by June 2025, the one-year investigation has now been extended for six months under exceptional circumstances. The Ministry of Commerce’s latest statement coincides with heightened…

Malaysia and Poland aim to bolster their partnership across various sectors, including defense, food technology, trade and investment, digital innovation, renewable energy, and green hydrogen. At a joint press conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that both leaders had engaged in deep discussions to strengthen cooperation in defense. The talks also covered key sectors, including food technology, digital innovation, renewable energy, and the halal industry. Andrzej Duda arrived in Malaysia on Monday for a three-day official visit focused on deepening bilateral ties and broadening cooperation efforts. Anwar Ibrahim also noted that Malaysia’s…