Global Trade News

The U.S. has become the first country to export 10 million metric tonnes (mmt) of liquefied natural gas in a single month, according to preliminary data from financial firm LSEG.The U.S. exported a record 10.1 mmt of the liquid fuel in October, up from a revised figure of 9.1 mmt in September, LSEG data showed.Already the world's largest LNG exporter, the U.S. has been ramping up sales with four record-setting months in 2025. The surge was led by the start-up of Venture Global's Plaquemines export plant and the ramp-up of Cheniere's Corpus Christi Stage 3 project…

Facing deepening fractures in the global trade order, Asia-Pacific leaders adopted a joint declaration that emphasized the need for resilience and shared benefits in trade at the end of the annual APEC summit on Saturday.The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting, hosted by South Korea this year, unfolded under the shadow of rising geopolitical tensions and aggressive economic strategies - ranging from U.S. tariffs to China's export controls - that have pressured global trade.Ahead of the gathering, U.S.

Speakers at the 2025 WISTA AGM and Conference, held in Barcelona October 22-24, shared their thoughts on collaboration across maritime, trade, and logistics as a key to achieving goals on equality, gender diversity and decarbonization.The event, the largest staged by the association in its more than 50-year history, brought together over 400 maritime professionals and leaders from around the world.In her keynote speech, WISTA International President, Elpi Petraki stressed that…

A trade group representing the aluminum industry called on Tuesday for a ban on U.S. exports of used beverage cans to China to support American production of cars, fighter jets, tanks and satellites.The Aluminum Association said the United States consumes between 5 million to 6 million metric tons of aluminum scrap annually while exporting more than 2 million tons. The group called for an immediate ban on used beverage container exports outside of North America on national security grounds, saying much of U.S.

Global markets are getting too comfortable with risks like trade wars, geopolitical tensions and yawning government deficits, which, combined with already overpriced assets, increase the chance of a "disorderly" market correction, the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday.Underscoring the IMF's warning, President Donald Trump's revived threats on Friday to hike tariffs on China stoked investor fears of a major asset price correction. The comments sparked a sell-off in U.S.

Canada's merchandise trade deficit widened in August to C$6.32 billion ($4.53 billion), its second highest on record, as exports both to the U.S. and the rest of the world fell, data showed on Tuesday.The August data had been expected to show a more permanent impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada, after exports increased earlier in the year to beat the tariffs and then dropped off sharply.Total exports dropped by 3% in August from July while imports increased 0.9%, Statistics Canada said.

U.S. LNG exports hit a record in September at 9.4 million metric tons, beating their previous record of 9.3 million MT in August, according to preliminary data from financial firm LSEG.The increase was fueled by strong sales to Europe and Asia, and came despite unplanned shutdowns at the country's largest facility, Cheniere Energy's Sabine Pass plant in Texas, and a planned outage at Berkshire Hathaway's Cove Point plant, according to LSEG data.The U.S. is the world's largest LNG exporter and the level of its exports can influence global markets.Europe remains the favored destination for U.S.

The EU has proposed a new strategic agenda to raise bilateral relations with India.The European Commission and the High Representative adopted a Joint Communication outlining a ‘New Strategic EU-India Agenda' marking a significant milestone in EU-India relations.This initiative, announced by President von der Leyen in her Political Guidelines for 2024-2029, aims to deepen, broaden, and better coordinate bilateral cooperation, enhance prosperity and security for both partners and…

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, participated in the China–ASEAN Industry Ministerial Roundtable Meeting on the sidelines of the China–ASEAN Expo, on September 17 in China, highlighting ASEAN’s robust economic progress and changing trade patterns.He underscored the strategic role of the industrial sector in driving regional integration and growth and reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to advancing industrial cooperation through the ASEAN Industrial Project-Based Initiative (AIPBI).

Geopolitical conflicts and shifting trade patterns are redefining risks and opportunities for the marine insurance sector.Opening this year’s International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) conference in Singapore, IUMI President Frédéric Denèfle warned that marine insurers are facing significant change as the world approaches the end of an era of seamless globalisation.Denèfle reflected on the deepening shifts in global trade — a theme he has raised in previous IUMI conferences but says has now reached a critical turning point:“The end of globalisation is fast approaching,” he said.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump will hold their first summit meeting on August 25 in Washington to discuss strengthening the countries' alliance and economic security partnership, Lee's office said on Tuesday.Lee, who was elected president in a snap election in June, has made it a top priority to help his export-dependent country navigate the dramatic changes in the global trading environment triggered by Trump's tariff policies."The two leaders…

South Korea and Vietnam's leaders pledged to deepen economic cooperation on Monday as their export-dependent countries try to shore up longstanding supply chains as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs shake up global trade.There was no public discussion of the levies - 15% on South Korean products going to the U.S.

Latest data from Xeneta, an ocean and air freight intelligence platform, shows average spot rates from China to the US West Coast are down 59% since June 1, 2025, at USD 2 268 per FEU (40ft container). Rates have also plummeted into the US East Coast, down 43% to USD 3 796 per FEU in the same period.Average spot rates from North Europe to US East Coast are USD 2 000 per FEU, down a gentler 5% since June 1, 2025, but a more considerable 25% compared to January 1 of this year.“US…

Global current account balances widened sharply in 2024, reversing a narrowing under way since the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday, warning that tariffs were not the answer.In its annual External Sector Report, which assesses imbalances in the 30 largest economies, the IMF noted that external surpluses or deficits were not necessarily a problem, but could cause risks if they became excessive.It said prolonged domestic imbalances…

Danske Commodities CEO Helle Ostergaard Kristiansen will step down to become head of the gas and power unit of parent group Equinor, the trading house said on Tuesday.Danske Commodities' Chief Financial Officer Jakob Sorensen, who joined the company 20 years ago as a power trader, will take over as new CEO as of September 1, it said in a statement.Kristiansen replaces Helge Haugane who in April was named head of a new Equinor business area formed by the group's power assets.Danske Commodities, which specialises in power and gas trading, is active in more than 40 countries, including Australia,

Vietnam and the United States made progress during a third round of trade negotiations last week, but critical issues remain unresolved, requiring further analysis and continued dialogue, Vietnam's trade ministry said on Sunday.The talks, in Washington, D.C. from June 9-12, were held as a pause on 46% "reciprocal" tariffs on Vietnamese exports approaches expiration in early July, adding pressure on both sides to reach a compromise.Vietnam's trade surplus with the United States surged to $12.2 billion in May…

New orders for key U.S.-manufactured capital goods plunged by the most in six months in April amid mounting uncertainty over the economy because of tariffs, suggesting business spending on equipment weakened at the start of the second quarter.The report from the Commerce Department on Tuesday also showed shipments of these goods falling last month. Economists said President Donald Trump's flip-flopping on import duties was making it difficult for businesses to plan ahead. That…

The Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN on Tuesday announced an ambitious strategic plan that includes harmonising trade standards and greater financial integration in an effort to collectively become the world's fourth-largest economy.The five-year, 41-page plan for the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, released during a leaders' summit in Malaysia, calls for increased regional trade, freer movement of businesses and people, enhanced transparency and regulatory practices and sustainable mining…

As trade negotiations between the United States and China inch closer to resolution, stakeholders across multiple industries are holding their breath. For many, the focus is on tariffs, supply chains, and global competition. But for the long-neglected U.S. maritime sector, these talks may represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to not only regain relevance, but to reassert strategic and economic independence on the high seas.Once a dominant global maritime power, the United States today operates a commercial fleet of fewer than 80 ocean-going vessels under the U.S. flag engaged in international trade — a startling figure compared to China’s rapidly expanding commercial fleet of over 5,500 ships.

Beijing increased its tariffs on U.S. imports to 125% on Friday, hitting back against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to hike duties on Chinese goods and raising the stakes in a trade war that threatens to up-end global supply chains.China's retaliation intensified the economic turmoil unleashed by Trump's tariffs, with markets tumbling further and foreign leaders puzzling how to respond to the biggest disruption to the world trade order in decades."Recession risk is much…

The European Union will pause its first countermeasures against U.S. tariffs after President Donald Trump temporarily lowered the hefty duties he had just imposed on dozens of countries, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday.The bloc was due to launch counter-tariffs on about 21 billion euros ($23.25 billion) of U.S. imports from next Tuesday in response to Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium. It is still assessing how to respond to U.S. car tariffs and the broader 10% levies still in place."We want to give negotiations a chance," von der Leyen said on X.

CK Hutchison Holdings sold its controlling interest in two major Panama Canal ports to a U.S. led consortium for $22.8billion. BlackRock Inc. Global Infrastructure Partners and Terminal Investment Limited will receive a 90% stake of the Panama Ports Company that operates the Balboa & Cristobal Ports.The sale comes after President Donald Trump expressed concerns about China's influence on key infrastructure in the canal. Trump publicly criticized a Hong Kong based company's control over these ports…

When President Donald Trump sat down to lunch with his Japanese counterpart this month, talk turned quickly to how Tokyo could help realize a decades-old proposal to unlock gas in Alaska and ship it to U.S. allies in Asia.Trump and his energy tsar Doug Burgum framed the venture as a way for Japan to replace Middle East energy shipments and address its trade imbalance with the U.S., according to two officials briefed on the closed-door talks.Japanese premier Shigeru Ishiba - eager to ensure a positive first meeting and stave off damaging U.S.