Category: International Business and Trade

Energy PolicyInternational Business and Trade

EU Nations Debate €2.5 Trillion Public Procurement Shield for Domestic Firms

European Union member states are preparing for intense negotiations over whether to grant preferential treatment to domestic firms in public contracts worth approximately €2.5 trillion annually. The debate, reportedly led by France, comes as the bloc seeks to counter protectionist trade policies from the United States and China’s strategic use of critical supply chain dependencies.

EU Procurement Battle Looms Over Domestic Preference Rules

European Union countries will begin debating next week how much preferential treatment to give domestic firms bidding for public contracts worth about €2.5 trillion ($2.9 trillion) annually, according to reports from officials familiar with the matter. The massive procurement market represents approximately 15% of the European Union‘s total economic output, making the outcome of these discussions critically important for both European businesses and international trade relations.

by Aaron Blake
Energy PolicyInternational Business and Trade

China’s Rare Earth Export Restrictions Threaten Global Auto Industry Supply Chains

Automotive industry groups are sounding alarms as China implements stricter export controls on rare earth elements. The restrictions threaten to disrupt global supply chains for electric vehicles and automotive electronics at a critical juncture.

The global automotive industry faces mounting supply chain pressures as China implements expanded export restrictions on rare earth elements and related technologies. The Chinese government’s latest regulatory moves have triggered widespread concern among manufacturers, particularly in the electric vehicle sector where these critical materials are essential for batteries, motors, and electronic components.

China’s Export Control Expansion

by Aaron Blake
Economy and TradingInternational Business and Trade

Dollar Steadies Amid US-China Trade Tensions, Political Shifts in France and Japan

** The dollar index edged higher as investors weighed tempered trade war fears and political developments in France and Japan. Cryptocurrencies and gold also saw notable movements amid holiday-thinned liquidity. **CONTENT:**

The U.S. dollar found its footing in early trading on Monday, recovering from a selloff as market participants assessed the latest escalation in U.S.-China trade tensions alongside political shifts in Europe and Asia. Investors appeared hopeful that Washington might soften its stance after President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs, while holidays in the U.S. and Japan contributed to thinner liquidity and heightened volatility across currencies and assets.

by Aaron Blake
Energy PolicyInternational Business and Trade

Supreme Court Tariff Case: Economic Disruption Fears May Uphold Trump’s Trade Policy

The Supreme Court faces a pivotal decision on Trump’s tariffs that could reshape global trade. With billions collected and economic stability at risk, justices confront whether “unscrambling eggs” would prove too disruptive.

When the Supreme Court of the United States hears arguments challenging former President Donald Trump‘s sweeping tariff policy, the justices confront more than just constitutional questions—they face the practical reality of economic policy that has already transformed global commerce. The case represents a defining moment for businesses navigating trade uncertainty, with the Court’s decision potentially validating or invalidating one of the most aggressive uses of executive trade authority in American history.

The Economic Stakes of Unwinding Billions in Tariffs

by Gabriel Novak
Energy PolicyInternational Business and Trade

Trump-China Trade War Risks Major Stock Market Correction, Morgan Stanley Warns

Morgan Stanley’s chief equity strategist Mike Wilson warns U.S. stocks face a “larger than expected correction” if Trump and China don’t resolve trade tensions. The S&P 500 could decline 10-15% as trade policy uncertainty drives volatility. Semiconductor and China-exposed stocks are particularly vulnerable.

A leading Wall Street analyst is warning that U.S. stocks face a “larger than expected correction” if President Donald Trump and China fail to resolve their escalating trade tensions. Mike Wilson, chief U.S. equity strategist at Morgan Stanley, issued the bearish forecast Monday as renewed trade war threats jeopardize the fragile bull market that began earlier this year.

Trade Tensions Threaten Market Stability

by Gabriel Novak