Author: Editorial Desk

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Argentina are strengthening economic ties by exploring new investment opportunities across key sectors. The Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Gerardo Werthein, met with Emirati officials from the Ministry of Economy to discuss ways to enhance bilateral trade and investment. Argentina has recently introduced the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI), a framework designed to attract foreign capital into sectors such as steel, infrastructure, energy, and technology. The initiative aims to create a world-class investment environment by offering regulatory stability, tax incentives, and long-term predictability for international investors. During the discussions, UAE…

China will impose additional tariffs on certain US imports, set to take effect from February 10, in response to the United States’ latest tariff measures. Simultaneously, Beijing has filed a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO) challenging Washington’s recent tariff hikes, which came into effect on February 4. The Customs Tariff Commission of China’s State Council stated on Tuesday that a 15 percent tariff will be imposed on imported coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US. Additionally, crude oil, agricultural machinery, large-displacement automobiles, and pickup trucks will be subject to a 10 percent tariff. The move follows…

A coalition of over 160 NGOs, trade unions, and civil society organizations has urged the European Commission to impose a ban on all trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. In a letter addressed to the European Commission President on Tuesday, the signatories called for immediate action to prohibit trade with illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories occupied by Israel since 1967. The initiative, launched by Human Rights Watch, emphasizes the need for the EU to ‘comply with international law’ and ‘end Europe’s support for illegal settlement activity and related abuses.’ While products from…

Newfoundland and Labrador’s fishing industry leaders seek urgent talks with officials to help the fishery sector survive Trump’s new tariffs. Jeff Loder, head of the Association of Seafood Producers, described the tariffs as arguably the most serious threat to the Newfoundland and Labrador fishery since the cod moratorium. The sentiment was echoed by Dwan Street, president of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) union, who urged immediate discussions. Loder and Street sat together at a joint press conference on Monday, underscoring the severity of the situation and expressing solidarity. The tariffs, enacted by an executive order on Saturday, impose…

Oil is poised to regain its position as Brazil’s leading export commodity in 2025, according to the Brazilian Institute of Petroleum and Gas (IBP). The oil exports surpassed soybeans in 2024, maintaining its dominance among Brazil’s key exports, and is expected to continue its strong performance this year, IBP President Roberto Ardenghy stated. Data from the Foreign Trade Secretariat of Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services (MDIC), compiled by IBP, indicates that Brazil’s oil exports totaled $44.8 billion in 2024, marking a 5.4% increase from $42.5 billion in 2023. Export volumes also grew significantly, reaching 640 million barrels…

The Federal Government of Nigeria remains committed to balancing trade through policies that support local production while managing imports, according to the Minister of State for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Senator John Enoh. Speaking at the 2025 Renewed Hope Global Virtual Town Hall Conference, Enoh highlighted the importance of assessing Nigeria’s balance of trade—whether in surplus or deficit—when shaping economic policies. He acknowledged concerns about Nigeria’s import dependence and stressed the need to enhance domestic production to reduce reliance on foreign goods. “The real issue is not just the volume of imports but the fact that we are not producing…

Canada is imposing retaliatory tariffs against the United States, signaling the onset of a trade war between the neighboring nations. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced tariffs of 25% on $155 billion Canadian dollars’ ($106.6 billion; £86 billion) worth of American goods, affecting a wide range of products, including beer, wine, household appliances, and sporting goods. The decision mirrors the 25% tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on Canadian and Mexican imports, alongside an additional 10% duty on Chinese goods, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Trudeau, emphasizing his commitment to defending Canadian interests, stated, “We don’t want…

The Indian government has unveiled a new initiative under the FY25 Budget to position India as a global hub for toy manufacturing. The scheme, unveiled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday, will focus on cluster development, skill enhancement, and a robust manufacturing ecosystem to produce high-quality, innovative, and sustainable toys under the ‘Made in India’ brand. “Building on the National Action Plan for Toys, we will implement a scheme to make India a global hub for toys,” Sitharaman stated during her budget speech. India’s toy exports declined from $177 million in 2021-22 to $152 million in 2023-24, primarily due…

China will take necessary measures to protect its legitimate interests following Japan’s decision of new export bans, including sanctions on over a dozen Chinese companies. In a statement on Friday, China’s Ministry of Commerce condemned what it described as the misuse of national security concerns to justify export controls aimed at curbing the country’s semiconductor industry. “For some time, certain countries have broadened the concept of national security and abused export controls to suppress China’s semiconductor industry,” the ministry said. “China reserves the right to take necessary measures and will firmly safeguard its legitimate interests.” The response came after Tokyo…

The 2024-25 Economic Survey has highlighted the urgent need to improve India’s textile exports, setting an ambitious target of reaching $150 billion by 2030, up from $34 billion in 2023. The report calls for structural reforms to improve the sector’s competitiveness, including developing localized value chains, reducing regulatory hurdles, and prioritizing man-made fiber (MMF) over traditional cotton textiles. The survey points to India’s lagging global market share—currently at 2% compared to China’s 30% and Vietnam’s 7%—as a key concern. One of the major challenges identified is the fragmented nature of India’s textile supply chain. Unlike China and Vietnam, which have…