News
Germany criticizes US orders on trade deficits
US President Donald Trump’s executive orders on trade deficits and import duty evasion are a sign that Washington plans to move away from free trade and international agreements, German Economy Minister Brigitte Zypries said on Saturday. Trump instructed his administration on March 31 to study the causes ...
Alternative to TPP shows no sign of activity: analysts
While Prime Minister Hun Sen has publicly expressed his distaste for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which was dealt a critical blow by US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the agreement, economists say there has been little visible progress in cementing a ...
Oil imports lift US trade deficit
The US trade deficit jumped to a near five-year high in January as rising oil prices helped to push up the import bill, pointing to slower economic growth in the first quarter and posing a challenge for the Trump administration. President Donald Trump took office ...
Australia to reshape foreign policy, trade
Australia will call home all of its overseas ambassadors for a meeting, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said on March 2, as it reshapes its foreign policy to balance ties with long-time ally the United States and China, its largest trading partner. It is the first ...
Trade pacts urged to ease impact from protectionism
Thailand should work towards a swift finalisation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to offset the prospect of protectionism in global trade, the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce says. With the policies of President Donald Trump’s administration in the United States seen likely to ...
ASEAN’s 50th year agenda: beyond the South China Sea?
This week’s smooth, relatively uneventful retreat by ASEAN’s foreign ministers appears to have put the grouping’s agenda on track for its 50th year, choosing to focus beyond the South China Sea disputes and set the stage for an April leaders’ summit that will put the ...
Energy giant PTT upbeat on Trump's oil pipeline plan revival
U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to revive plans for the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline could spur Thai energy giant PTT to resume development of an oil sands project in the Canadian province of Alberta, the state-owned company’s chief executive said Wednesday. Just after taking ...
US turbulence should steer clear of Vietnam trade
Bilateral trade and investment from the US into Vietnam are expected not to see drastic changes under US President Donald Trump. Michael Sieburg, associate partner at Asia-Pacific marketing strategy consulting firm Solidiance, talked to VIR’s Hong Anh about the impact of the American withdrawal from the ...
Japan cold to China in TPP
Japan is cold to the notion of inviting China to join a pan-Pacific trade pact abandoned by US President Donald Trump, fearing such a step would boost Beijing’s clout and water down what was meant to be the “gold standard” for rules of trade. Nor are ...
China warned of risk to banks from One Belt, One Road initiative
Beijing’s plan to invest almost $1tn in infrastructure in some of the world’s poorest countries is raising concerns of risks for the Chinese banks backing the projects. Turmoil in countries such as Venezuela, where China has lent $65bn during the past decade, has led to ...