China Cannot Escape the Energy Shock
China is grappling with a global energy shock that has widened the price gap between its domestic fuel and the higher rates in neighboring Hong Kong. The disparity, driven by lingering subsidies and import dependence, prompts Hong Kong motorists to cross the 55‑km Zhuhai bridge for cheaper petrol. This behavior underscores the fragility of China’s energy security and the pressure on policymakers to balance affordability with sustainability. Beijing is responding by accelerating renewable projects and reforming fuel taxes to curb arbitrage and reduce oil reliance.
House Subcommittee Hearing Focuses on WTO Reform as U.S. Agriculture Continues to Face Trade Challenges
The House Ways and Means trade subcommittee held a hearing on March 17 to examine WTO reform amid persistent challenges for U.S. agriculture. Chairman Adrian Smith urged the organization to address non‑tariff barriers that now limit market access. Former Trump...
Nissan Joins Toyota, Honda in Plans to Export U.S. Cars to Japan
Nissan announced it will begin exporting the Murano SUV, built in Smyrna, Tennessee, to Japan early next year, marking the first American‑made Nissan sold in Japan since the 1990s. The move follows recent regulatory changes that allow U.S.‑produced vehicles to...
U.S. Exploring Venezuelan Fertilizer Purchases
The U.S. Treasury is expanding sanction waivers to allow imports of Venezuelan fertilizer as part of a broader effort to curb soaring input costs for American farmers. The move follows comments from Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins that the administration is...
Trump’s Tariffs Have Cost Automakers Over $35 Billion So Far: Report
President Donald Trump’s import tariffs have imposed more than $35.4 billion in costs on automakers during the past year, according to Automotive News analysis. Japanese giant Toyota bears the heaviest burden at roughly $9.1 billion, while other foreign brands such as BMW,...
External Debt Relatively Manageable Compared to Previous Balance of Payments Crises
India’s external debt hovered at $746 billion by September 2025, translating to a 19% debt‑to‑GDP ratio—well below the peaks of the FY91 and FY13 crises. The debt‑service ratio remains modest at 6% of export earnings, while foreign‑exchange reserves cover 94% of total...
UK Steel Decoilers Bracing for 50pc Quota Cut
The UK Department for Business and Trade is poised to slash tariff‑rate quotas for steel imports by up to 50%, targeting hot‑rolled coil (HRC) and hot‑dip galvanized (HDG) products. Argus estimates the cuts would create annual shortfalls of roughly 488,000 t...
Major U.S. Ports Navigate Uncertainty as War with Iran Threatens Global S...
U.S. container ports are bolstering security and coping with sharply higher bunker‑fuel costs as the Iran‑Israel conflict escalates. While the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, shippers are rerouting around the chokepoint, extending voyage times and raising freight expenses. Major...
Rising Crude Prices May Push US Towards Recession, Warns Moody's Chief Economist Mark Zandi
Moody's chief economist Mark Zandi warned that a 49% chance of a U.S. recession looms within the next year as crude oil prices surge amid the U.S.-Iran conflict. Brent crude jumped nearly 40% in March, reaching $119.50 per barrel, while...
Beijing’s Real Problem With Trump’s China Summit Delay
President Donald Trump hinted at delaying his state visit to Beijing unless China helped reopen the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a brief media frenzy. Beijing’s foreign ministry responded calmly, accepting the postponement without framing it as U.S. pressure and emphasizing...
USITC Advances 4 Trade Cases with Implications for Packaging
The U.S. International Trade Commission has advanced four packaging‑related trade cases this year, adding to a December antidumping ruling on thermo‑formed molded‑fiber products from China and Vietnam. The new investigations target polypropylene corrugated boxes from China, PET film from China,...
The Tariff Mirage: Why Steel Prices Are Higher than They Should Be
U.S. steel prices remain elevated because tariff uncertainty adds a risk premium that outpaces weak demand and softening industrial indicators. Reduced imports have pushed buyers toward higher‑cost domestic mills, providing short‑term price support despite limited capacity. Ongoing legal challenges to...
Brazil Steps Up Bond Market Intervention as Oil Upends Rates
Brazil's National Treasury announced an expanded bond market intervention after a sharp rise in oil prices lifted inflation expectations and pushed sovereign yields upward. The authority increased direct purchases and offered additional liquidity to stabilize benchmark rates and limit volatility....
Navigating Demographic Headwinds in Croatia
Croatia has posted strong, resilient GDP growth over the past decade, outpacing OECD and euro‑area averages. However, a rapidly shrinking and ageing population threatens that momentum, with the working‑age cohort projected to fall 25% between 2024 and 2050. OECD modelling...
Tony Elumelu to Spearhead Macron's New France-Africa Initiative
French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Nigerian billionaire Tony Elumelu to head the newly created Africa‑France Impact Coalition, a forum designed to deepen private‑sector collaboration between France and Africa. The coalition will be highlighted at the France‑Africa summit in Nairobi...
Gold, Silver Rates Today: Comex Gold Gains $47/Oz; Silver Rallies $2 as US Dollar Eases From 10-Month High
Gold rose to $5,049 per ounce and silver to $82.76 per ounce on 17 March as the U.S. dollar eased from a 10‑month high. The rally was fueled by the weaker dollar, central‑bank meeting anticipation, and a concurrent jump in crude‑oil...
Brian Dooley to Lead New Ports of Indiana International Trade Office
Ports of Indiana announced the launch of its first overseas trade office in Ireland, appointing maritime veteran Brian Dooley to lead the European Trade Office based in Cork and Kildare. The office aims to develop a direct Europe‑Indiana container service...
China, Russia Discuss Boosting Transport Links as Middle East Conflict Disrupts Shipping
Amid heightened Middle East conflict disrupting traditional maritime corridors, China and Russia convened the inaugural China‑Russia Logistics Business Forum in Moscow to explore deeper logistics cooperation. The dialogue emphasized expanding the Arctic Northern Sea Route, leveraging ports such as Arkhangelsk...
The Indonesia-US Agreement: A ‘Reciprocal’ Trade Deal That Isn’t
The Indonesia‑U.S. Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), signed in February 2026, obliges Indonesia to eliminate tariffs on 99 percent of American goods, purchase billions in U.S. energy and aircraft, and surrender digital‑tax authority, while the United States faces a 19 percent tariff on...
Uganda: Copper Is the New Oil, but Will Uganda Be Norway or Nigeria?
Global demand for copper and other transition metals is set to triple by 2030, prompting a scramble for new sources. Uganda’s dormant Kilembe copper mine and newly identified mineral belts could supply millions of tonnes of copper and rare‑earth elements....
Canada Initiates Safeguard Inquiry Into Imports of Canned and Frozen Vegetables, Considers Future Investigation Into Wood Products
Canada’s finance ministry has instructed the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) to launch a safeguard inquiry into imports of certain canned and frozen vegetables, covering tariff headings 7.10 and 20.05. The tribunal has 180 days, with a recommendation due by...
India’s Tea Imports Doubled in 2024-25
India’s tea imports surged to 50.14 million kg in fiscal 2024‑25, exactly twice the 25.21 million kg recorded in 2023‑24. The first ten months of 2025‑26 already show 33.55 million kg imported, underscoring a sustained upward trend. In response, the Tea Board issued strict labeling and...
Import Tariffs: Turning Up the Heat on Tariff Evasion
The U.S. is shifting trade enforcement toward economic security, targeting import‑tariff evasion with a new Trade Fraud Task Force and expanded DOJ whistleblower incentives. In 2025 CBP collected a record $200 billion in tariffs, prompting $2 million funding for the task force...
Indian Textile and Apparel Exports See Marginal Decrease in April ’25-February ’26
Indian textile exports fell 2.1% YoY to $18.36 bn in April ’25‑February ’26, while apparel exports edged up 0.5% to $14.53 bn. Combined, the sector’s total exports slipped 1% to $32.89 bn versus the previous year. February 2026 showed a sharper apparel decline...
India to Defer US Trade Pact Signing Pending New Tariff Framework, Says Commerce Secretary
India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal announced that the country will postpone signing the bilateral trade agreement with the United States until Washington finalizes a revised tariff framework. The delay follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision that invalidated several Trump-era tariff...
China Funds 9 Border Posts for Tajikistan as Frontier Violence Escalates
China has pledged a non‑repayable $61 million grant to build nine border posts along Tajikistan’s Afghan frontier, covering 17,109 sq m of observation posts and headquarters. The project follows a series of lethal attacks on Chinese workers in late 2025, which heightened Beijing’s security...
Iran’s Hormuz Stranglehold Upends Markets and Geopolitics
Iran’s renewed aggression in the Strait of Hormuz triggered a sharp rebound in Brent crude, pushing prices above $103 a barrel, and sent U.S. diesel to a multi‑year high of $5 per gallon. Tehran’s threats to halt oil shipments through...
Oil Shock: Panel Urges Finance Ministry to Craft Strategic Energy Mitigation Framework
India’s parliamentary panel urged the Department of Economic Affairs to develop a strategic energy mitigation framework to shield the economy from oil price volatility. The report highlighted the need for a coordinated national strategy on critical minerals, calling for diversified...
Attacks on UAE Energy Assets Increase as War Broadens
Iran and its proxies have intensified drone and missile strikes on UAE energy infrastructure, targeting both downstream storage hubs and upstream production sites. A fire at Fujairah port halted oil loading and forced berths to close, while a drone hit...
Kuwait Returns To The Global Debt Market
Kuwait re‑entered the international sovereign market in September 2024, issuing an $11.25 billion eurobond – its first external debt sale since 2017. The issuance was enabled by a new debt law approved in March 2025 that authorises up to KD30 billion (≈$97 billion)...
USTR Investigates 60 Economies over Forced Labour Enforcement
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has opened Section 301 investigations into forced‑labour practices in roughly 60 economies, including China, the EU, India, Japan and others. The probes will assess whether these countries’ measures are unreasonable, discriminatory, or burden U.S. commerce. USTR...
South Korea Caps Fuel Exports to Safeguard Supply
South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy imposed mandatory caps on refined fuel exports, limiting shipments to 100 % of the monthly 2025 volumes and introducing wholesale price ceilings for gasoline, diesel and kerosene. The measures, effective 13 March, aim to...
Jorgovanka Tabaković: Industrial Policy Supporting Serbia's Long-Term Economic Growth
Governor Jorgovanka Tabaković used the 33rd Kopaonik Business Forum to underline Serbia’s industrial re‑industrialisation agenda while highlighting the National Bank’s macro‑economic results. She reported 2025 inflation at 2.7%, a stable dinar, record‑high foreign‑exchange and gold reserves, and a €48 bn export...
Thailand Offers Iran Food for Plastic Pellets, Fertiliser
Thailand’s commerce ministry is negotiating a barter arrangement with Iran and other Middle‑East nations, offering processed food and raw materials in exchange for safe passage of Thai vessels carrying plastic pellets and fertiliser. Minister Suphajee Suthumpun warned that Thailand’s domestic...
Alberto Naudon: Chile's Economic Outlook
Alberto Naudón highlighted that Chile’s 2025 economy outperformed expectations, with non‑mining growth near 3% and gross fixed capital formation rising about 7%. Inflation accelerated early in the year but fell faster than projected, positioning headline inflation around 3.5% and core...
What the Supreme Court’s Tariff Ruling Means for Luxury Imports
The Supreme Court invalidated the Trump administration’s executive‑order tariffs on foreign goods, reaffirming that Congress alone controls commerce regulation. The ruling does not eliminate presidential tariff authority, as statutes like the Trade Act’s Section 301 and Section 122 still grant limited powers....
RBA Rate Hike Announced, Experts Fear Impact on Retail
Russia Has Taken 12 Settlements in Ukraine
Russia’s military announced the capture of twelve settlements in Ukraine during the first two weeks of March, extending its foothold along both the eastern and southern fronts. The advances were highlighted by General Valery Gerasimov during a frontline visit. Kyiv’s...
Xi Pushes Belt and Road Initiative Port Alliance Amid Iran War, Panama Canal Dispute
Chinese President Xi Jinping announced plans to establish an international port alliance under the Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to link key maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Panama Canal. The proposal comes as China faces...
Global Funds Look to Malaysia as Iran War Shakes up Asian Assets
Global funds are turning to Malaysia as the Iran‑Russia conflict rattles Asian markets. The country’s political stability, current‑account surplus and status as one of the few net oil exporters in the region have limited equity outflows, keeping the KLCI near‑flat...
Trump Seeks to Delay China Summit Due to Iran War
U.S. President Donald Trump announced he will push back the high‑profile summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping by roughly a month, moving it from the end of March to early May. The delay is attributed to the escalating war in...
South Korea and Japan Bear Brunt of Global Stock Sell-Offs Amid Oil Shock
South Korea and Japan have led global equity sell‑offs after the US‑Israel‑Iran conflict drove oil prices above $100 a barrel. The Kospi plunged 12% and the Nikkei slid nearly 9% since February 28, outpacing declines in Europe and the United States....
Redfin Economists’ Weekly Take: Rates Will Jump Around As Markets Weigh Iran War and Fed Outlook
Redfin economists expect mortgage rates to keep oscillating as the Iran‑Israel conflict pushes energy prices higher and markets brace for the Federal Reserve’s second‑to‑last FOMC meeting this week. Mortgage rates have climbed from roughly 6.0% to 6.36%, while the ten‑year...
How Governments Globally Are Shielding Consumers From War Fuel Shocks
Governments across Asia and Europe are rolling out fuel subsidies, price caps, and emergency stock releases to blunt the surge in energy and food costs triggered by the US‑Israeli war on Iran. The conflict has cut roughly one‑fifth of global...
The Iran War Is Roiling Commodities Far Beyond Oil
Since the third Gulf war erupted three weeks ago, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has immobilized roughly 10‑15 % of global oil supply, pushing Brent crude above $106 a barrel. President Donald Trump has ordered the largest-ever strategic reserve...
Moody’s Says a Recession Will Be Hard to Avoid if Oil Prices Stay Elevated for Even a Few More Weeks
Moody’s chief economist Mark Zandi warned that a sustained oil‑price spike—driven by the Iran conflict and a closed Strait of Hormuz—could push the U.S. into a recession. Moody’s machine‑learning recession model, which previously indicated a 49% chance, is expected to...
Pulse Sales to Middle East Markets Are ‘Frozen’
Canadian pulse exporters say sales to the Middle East have effectively frozen due to the Iran‑related conflict. Shipping lines are diverting cargo, imposing surcharges up to $2,000 per container and rerouting fees, making deliveries unsafe and uneconomical. The MENA region,...
Iran and U.S. Have Been in Direct Contact in Recent Days, Sources Say
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff reactivated a direct texting channel with Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi amid the two‑week war. The exchange, focused on ending hostilities, marks the first known direct contact between the parties since the conflict began. Iran’s foreign...
Trans-Pacific Contract Talks Accelerating After Walmart Signs
Walmart has finalized its 2026‑27 trans‑Pacific shipping contracts with six major carriers, prompting container lines to resume stalled negotiations. The war in the Middle East had paused talks, but carriers now urge importers to lock in space allocations before the...
Reconstructing Gaza Starts with Giving Palestinians Financial Agency
The article argues that any credible reconstruction of Gaza must first secure financial agency for Palestinians, who currently rely on Israeli banks and indemnity waivers to access cash and digital payments. Recent moves by Israel’s finance ministry threaten to cancel...