Category: International Business and Trade

Energy PolicyInternational Business and Trade

US Considers Strategic Stakes in Rare Earth Companies to Counter China Export Controls

The Trump administration is reportedly considering taking strategic stakes in rare earth companies and establishing price floors to counter China’s export restrictions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent characterized Beijing’s actions as a “global supply chain power grab” that requires coordinated response with allies.

US Treasury Signals Strategic Investment Shift

The United States is reportedly considering taking more direct stakes in rare earth companies and other strategic sectors to counter China’s export restrictions, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The administration’s potential move toward strategic investments represents a significant shift in industrial policy aimed at protecting national security interests.

by Nathan Cole
BusinessInternational Business and Trade

Shein Reports Revenue Growth Amid Profit Decline and Trump Tariff Uncertainty

Fast-fashion giant Shein reported 20% revenue growth reaching $37bn while profits fell 13% to $1.5bn. The company warns of increasing uncertainties from evolving US tariff policies and faces allegations of aggressive tax avoidance through international corporate structures.

Revenue Growth Contrasts with Profit Decline

Fast-fashion retailer Shein has reportedly achieved significant revenue growth while facing profit challenges, according to newly released accounts. The Singapore-based company recorded a 20% increase in global revenues to $37bn, but pre-tax profits fell by 13% to $1.5bn last year from $1.3bn in 2023. Sources indicate that increased selling and marketing costs contributed to the profit decline even before the impact of recent changes to tariff policies.

by Elisa Romero
Energy PolicyInternational Business and Trade

Global Markets Brace for Renewed Trade War Volatility as Economic Uncertainty Returns

After a period of relative calm, businesses are bracing for increased economic uncertainty and financial market volatility. The temporary lull in trade tensions appears to be ending as key deadlines approach and postponed economic data threatens to hit markets simultaneously.

End of the ‘Phoney Trade War’ Period

After months of relative calm during the Northern summer, businesses worldwide are reportedly preparing for increased economic uncertainty and financial market volatility as trade tensions reemerge. According to Reuters analysis, the recent period may have represented a “phoney trade war” similar to the eight-month period of minimal military activity after World War Two began in 1939.

by Nathan Cole
Healthcare TechnologyInternational Business and Trade

US Drug Supply Faces Critical China Dependency, New Analysis Reveals

A comprehensive analysis reveals America’s deep dependence on China for pharmaceutical raw materials, with nearly 700 medications using chemicals exclusively sourced from Chinese suppliers. Experts warn this reliance could jeopardize patient access to essential medicines during trade disputes or global health crises.

Widespread Pharmaceutical Dependence on Chinese Chemicals

America’s drug supply chain faces significant vulnerability due to heavy reliance on Chinese-produced raw materials, according to a new analysis from U.S. Pharmacopeia. The report indicates that nearly 700 medications approved for use in the United States depend on chemical substances exclusively manufactured in China, raising concerns about supply stability amid escalating geopolitical tensions.

by Elisa Romero
Economy and TradingInternational Business and Trade

Fed’s Powell Signals Dovish Stance Amid Trade Tensions, Markets React to Conflicting Signals

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell suggested the central bank may prioritize employment concerns over inflation, boosting market optimism. However, President Trump’s renewed trade threats against China regarding soybean exports quickly dampened investor sentiment, creating mixed market reactions globally.

Federal Reserve Signals Potential Policy Shift

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell indicated yesterday that the central bank is closely monitoring economic indicators through alternative sources amid government data delays, according to his speech at the National Association for Business Economics conference in Philadelphia. The report states that Powell suggested the economic outlook remains largely unchanged since the last Federal Open Market Committee meeting, but with notable shifts in employment conditions.

by Elisa Romero
International Business and TradeSemiconductors

ASML Addresses 2026 Growth Concerns Amid China Sales Warning

Dutch semiconductor giant ASML is working to calm investor fears about 2026 growth while simultaneously warning of significant sales declines in China. The company’s guidance comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and export restrictions affecting the global chip industry.

ASML Holding, the Dutch semiconductor equipment manufacturer that recently became Europe’s most valuable listed company, is navigating a complex landscape of growth assurances and market warnings. The company has moved to reassure investors that 2026 total net sales won’t fall below 2025 levels, while simultaneously cautioning about significant sales declines in China for the coming year.

ASML’s Strategic Positioning Amid Market Uncertainty

by Nathan Cole