Author: News Desk

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has pledged to support the importation of renewable energy technologies, aiming to enhance accessibility and promote sustainable energy solutions in the country. Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adeniyi conveyed the message at the NCS Trade Facilitation Consultative Forum, held in Lagos on Monday. The forum focuses on ‘trade facilitation measures for renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies.’ Represented by Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs for Tariff and Trade Facilitation, Caroline Niagwan, Adeniyi emphasized that the commitment entails implementing fiscal policies to encourage a transition away from fossil fuel reliance, with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by…

U.S. authorities have refused entry to at least 15 mango shipments from India at multiple airports, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta, citing documentation issues. The USDA notified impacted exporters that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) refused entry due to an improperly issued PPQ203-a phytosanitary certificate. The notice specified that the shipments had to be either re-exported or destroyed, emphasizing that the U.S. government would not bear the costs of any corrective actions. The estimated financial loss amounts to $500,000, with industry experts highlighting the severe impact of the setback. They emphasize that the United States remains India’s most…

China has pledged to promote its investors in establishing electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing Plants in Nigeria. Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, underscored the importance of stronger collaboration between China and Nigeria to harness Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, particularly through the establishment of electric vehicle factories. During a courtesy visit to Dr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, over the weekend, Dunhai acknowledged Nigeria’s abundant natural resources and its strategic significance in China’s foreign policy. The ambassador highlighted that Chinese investors setting up EV factories would strengthen cooperation between China and Nigeria, particularly in the solid minerals sector. Reflecting…

China imposed tariffs of up to 75% of anti-dumping duties on plastic imports from the United States, the European Union, Taiwan, and Japan on Monday after an investigation into suspected dumping, according to the country’s commerce ministry. The newly imposed tariffs apply to imports of polyformaldehyde copolymer, a widely used plastic found in automotive components, medical equipment, and household appliances. The decision follows a Chinese investigation initiated in May 2024, shortly after the U.S. increased tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, computer chips, and other imports. It comes just days after Washington and Beijing reached a 90-day truce to reduce punitive…

China and the European Union have halted chicken meat imports from Brazil, the world’s largest exporter, following a confirmed bird flu outbreak at a farm in the South American nation, officials declared Friday. “To respect the agreements made with China and the European Union, exports are restricted” from Brazil as a whole — in China’s case for 60 days, Brazil’s agriculture ministry said in a statement, according to AFP. The ministry has confirmed an outbreak of a new strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at a farm in Montenegro, in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul.…

Singapore is in negotiations with the United States to potentially obtain preferential or zero tariffs on its pharmaceutical exports, as stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong on Friday. At a briefing on the government’s task force addressing the effects of U.S. tariffs, he informed reporters that the United States has expressed willingness to negotiate concessions for Singaporean goods. The shift follows Washington’s deliberation on broadening sectoral tariffs to encompass pharmaceutical products. Gan disclosed that the United States had invited Singapore to discuss potential concessions on pharmaceutical exports, placing Singapore among the select nations excluded from…

The European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade has sanctioned a 50% tariff hike on specific agricultural goods from Russia and Belarus that had previously been exempt from customs duties. As stated on the European Parliament’s website on May 15, the initiative seeks to lessen the EU’s reliance on Russia and Belarus. The revised tariffs will be imposed on items such as sugar, vinegar, flour, and animal feed. The EU also intends to introduce a 6.5% tariff on fertilizers from both countries. Additionally, a fixed charge of €40–45 ($45–50) per ton will be implemented in 2025–2026, with the duty expected to…

The Indonesian government declared it plans to export rice and provide donations to countries, citing its abundant domestic stockpile. A senior Agriculture Ministry official stated on Thursday that Indonesia intends to export at least 2,000 tons of non-premium rice to Malaysia every month as its national stockpile approaches 4 million tons. The export plan is now in the administrative preparation phase, marking a significant transformation in its rice policy from a long-time importer to an emerging global exporter. During a visit to Karawang, West Java, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono stated that discussions with Malaysian counterparts and potential buyers have…

The U.S. administration has escalated its measures against Huawei, issuing worldwide warnings on Tuesday that utilizing the Chinese tech giant’s AI chips may result in criminal penalties under U.S. export control regulations. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has stated that utilizing Huawei Ascend chipsets globally violates U.S. export control regulations. Bloomberg reported that the move will further complicate Huawei’s ability to produce advanced semiconductors for artificial intelligence and smartphones. As reported by Business Standard, the BIS clarified that the Ascend chips were likely developed using specific U.S. software or technology or manufactured with semiconductor…

China has halted imports of beef and related products from South Africa due to ongoing foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks in Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa. The Red Meat Industry Services in South Africa (RMIS) has raised serious concerns about the economic impact of the ban, highlighting its wide-reaching effects on the red meat supply chain, from producers and feedlots to abattoirs and exporters. Despite the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between South Africa and China in September 2024 to strengthen bilateral trade and improve FMD prevention and control, China still enforced the ban. The agreement…