Trade Information

The global trade friction landscape remains severe, with the index for January 2025 recorded at 106, reflecting a YoY increase of 8.3% and a month-over-month (MoM) rise of 1.8% in trade friction-related measures.

Recently, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) announced that it would maintain its current interest rate levels while closely monitoring the policy moves of major economies, including the United States, before cautiously deciding on further rate hikes.

In the first two months of 2025, China's total PTA exports reached 654,900 tons, with key export destinations concentrated in neighboring Asian markets such as Oman, Vietnam, Egypt, and Pakistan.

On March 26, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation at the White House announcing a 25% tariff on imported automobiles, effective April 3.

On March 26, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order at the White House, announcing a 25% tariff on all imported cars. The measure will take effect on April 2.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Central African Republic (CAR) have signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The White House's statement said that starting from April 2nd, the United States may impose a 25% tariff on all goods imported from any country that directly or indirectly imports Venezuelan oil.

Recently, Covestro announced that it has successfully completed the modernization of its TDI (toluene diisocyanate) plant in Dormagen and officially put the plant into operation.

The Indonesian government has decided to officially join the New Development Bank (NDB) in order to strengthen cooperation with developing countries and multilateral institutions and drive national development transformation.

Recently, Vietnam submitted Notification G/TBT/N/VNM/339, planning to amend the Food Safety Law.

Recently, Chinese titanium dioxide (TiO₂) producers, including Shandong Dongjia and Ningbo Xinfu, announced price hikes, raising domestic prices by RMB 500/ton and international prices by USD 70/ton.

On March 14, 2025, the European Commission announced the launch of an anti-dumping investigation into adipic acid originating from China.

Recent financial reports from major European corporations reveal significant profit declines across various industries, driven by rising production costs, weak market demand, and uncertainties stemming from changes in U.S. trade policies.

The Russian Federation has recently introduced amendments to the Consumer Protection Law, establishing new compliance disclosure requirements for e-commerce platforms.

As of the end of 2024, approximately 20 out of Africa's 54 countries had signed BITs, totaling 1,050 treaties, of which 556 are in force (about 53%).

Draft versions of the plan reviewed by EU Dynamics indicate that Europe's steel and copper production can largely meet domestic demand, whereas aluminum and nickel production fall significantly short.

According to recent reports, Hongbaoli's epoxy propane (PO) technological upgrade project - adopting the cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) process - is progressing rapidly and is expected to enter trial production by the end of the year.

The *New York Times* recently published an article highlighting the impact of retaliatory tariffs imposed by other countries on the United States, warning that nearly 8 million American jobs could be affected

On March 17, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) revised its global economic growth forecast for 2025 downward from 3.3% to 3.1%.

The Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam has recently issued Circular No. 19/2024/TT-BTTTT, officially enacting the National Technical Regulation on Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for Handheld and Wearable Wireless Devices.

On March 12, the European Commission announced retaliatory tariffs on €26 billion ($28.3 billion) worth of U.S. goods, citing unjustified U.S. tariffs on EU steel and aluminum imports.

Thailand is accelerating negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Gulf countries to enhance trade, tourism, and investment ties.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently issued certification requirements for imported vegan food.

During Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov's recent state visit to China, the two countries signed a Joint Statement on Launching Negotiations for the China-Kyrgyzstan Service Trade and Investment Agreement.

According to Law No. 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance, foreign halal products imported into Indonesia must comply with the same regulations as domestic products.

China and Ukraine recently signed two protocols in Kyiv, opening the Chinese market to Ukrainian peas and wild aquatic products.

China will impose additional tariffs on certain imports originating from Canada, effective March 20, 2025.

This revision represents a pragmatic approach by the Indian government to balance domestic and international interests while enhancing quality control.

The U.S. unilateral tariff increase on Chinese goods is a blatant violation of the Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) principle under the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The European Commission recently announced that it has received formal applications from 24 non-OECD countries seeking inclusion on the list of nations permitted to import non-hazardous waste from the EU.