Wishlist
0in cart

Your cart (0 items)

Continue Shopping
Home / Articles posted by Masood Ahmad

Archives

05/07/2025 0

Japan–US Trade Talks: A Step Toward Reconciliation or the Onset of a New Economic Clash?


Recent developments in Japan–US trade relations have placed both nations at a critical juncture. According to the Japanese government, its chief tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, held in-depth discussions with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. These talks come just days before the expiration of the temporary 24% retaliatory tariff, scheduled to end on July 9, with both countries racing against time to strike a mutually acceptable deal.

This situation raises several important questions: Can both sides strike a balance between their respective trade interests? Or will the United States—particularly under the direction of former President Donald Trump—continue to pressure Japan under the "America First" banner?

Trump's recent demand that Japan increase its imports of American rice challenges not only Japan’s agricultural policy but also threatens the livelihood of its local farming

Read more
05/07/2025 0

OPEC+ Boosts Oil Production: A Strategic Move Amid Global Economic Recovery and Energy Politics



In a significant policy shift, OPEC+ has announced an increase of 548,000 barrels per day (bpd) in oil production for August 2025. This decision comes at a time when global energy inventories are tightening, and the world economy appears to be regaining momentum. While the move may appear to be a response to supply-demand imbalances, it also carries deep political, economic, and strategic implications.



Global Energy Demand and OPEC+’s Role

OPEC+ has long positioned itself as a stabilizer of the global oil market, yet its decisions are often influenced more by economic interests and political pressures than by market fundamentals alone. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the alliance drastically reduced output to support prices. Now, as economies reopen and energy demand surges, OPEC+ is seeking to reclaim market share and

Read more
05/07/2025 0

China’s EV Rivalry Puts Thailand’s Local Production Strategy at Risk



Thailand has been positioning itself as Southeast Asia’s electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing hub, setting ambitious targets to make 30% of its auto production electric by 2030. With generous government incentives and clear rules — such as the “import one, build one” policy — the country attracted billions in investment, particularly from Chinese EV companies.

However, China’s internal EV price war is now testing the limits of Thailand’s strategy. While large Chinese brands like BYD have dominated Thailand’s EV market, holding almost 50% share, smaller players like Neta have failed to deliver on local production commitments.

Neta, a Chinese EV startup that entered Thailand in 2022, was unable to meet the government's requirement to start domestic production on time. As a result, Thai authorities revoked its tax incentives. The situation worsened

Read more
05/07/2025 0

Trump’s Tariff Letters: A New Front in Global Trade Tensions?

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that he has signed tariff-related letters to 12 countries, which are set to be sent out on Monday, July 7, 2025. This move has raised eyebrows across international markets and diplomatic circles, sparking questions about whether this is yet another chapter in Trump's aggressive "America First" trade policy — or the beginning of a new wave of global trade friction.

Trump’s Trade Strategy: Protectionism Reloaded

Trump has consistently championed a protectionist trade agenda, grounded in the idea that the U.S. has been taken advantage of in global trade. His administration previously imposed heavy tariffs on countries like China, Mexico, and the EU, arguing that such measures were necessary to protect

Read more
05/07/2025 0

TikTok and the U.S.: A New Turn in a Political Tug of War?





Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently stated that the United States and TikTok are “pretty much” at a deal. This statement comes at a time when the debate over banning TikTok in the U.S. had intensified due to national security concerns. Trump's remarks signal a possible new direction — one that seeks compromise instead of confrontation.



Background

TikTok, owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, has long been under scrutiny by the U.S. government. Lawmakers and intelligence officials have repeatedly raised alarms, claiming the app could be used to share data from American users with the Chinese government — posing a threat to national security. These fears have led to multiple legislative and executive attempts to ban or force the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations.


Trump's Latest Stance

Trump’s recent softening tone

Read more
05/07/2025 0

LNG Prices Drop in Asia — A Commentary on Weak Demand and Surging Supply



The global energy market has always danced to the rhythm of demand and supply, and recent developments in Asia’s LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) sector are a prime example of this delicate balance. Spot LNG prices across the Asian market have seen a notable decline, driven by two powerful forces: weak regional demand and an increase in global supply.


Weak Demand — Asia’s Shifting Energy Appetite

One of the key reasons for the drop in prices is the muted demand from major Asian economies. Countries like China, South Korea, and India have already stockpiled substantial LNG reserves over the past few months. With inventories running high and industrial activity slowing in some regions, the urgency to buy more gas has significantly reduced.

In China, the world’s largest LNG importer, domestic output and

Read more
04/07/2025 0

US Tariff Deadline and the TSX Index: A Climate of Uncertainty in Global Trade



The S&P/TSX Composite Index, Canada’s benchmark stock market index, showed a slight uptick recently—just as the world turns its attention toward a critical date: July 9, 2025. This marks the end of the 90-day grace period granted by the U.S. government on tariffs, and it may become a pivotal moment for the future of global trade.

Rising Trade Uncertainty

U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled that this temporary relief will not be extended. That means, unless key trade partners—including Canada—meet specific U.S. demands, new and potentially harsh tariffs will be imposed starting July 9. While this might sound like a technical matter, it has real-world consequences for businesses, supply chains, and financial markets worldwide. Investors are cautious, and markets are reacting with understandable hesitation.

Minor Gains in TSX: Temporary Relief or

Read more
04/07/2025 0

The Fall of the South African Rand: A Signal of Global Economic Shifts Amid U.S. Policy Moves



Emerging economies around the world are no longer solely defined by their domestic policies; they now dance to the rhythm set by major global powers. The recent depreciation of the South African rand is a prime example of how deeply U.S. fiscal and trade policies can ripple through international markets.

Rand’s Decline: A Temporary Shock or a Warning Sign?

The 0.6% drop in the rand’s value against the U.S. dollar is not just a number—it’s a reflection of growing uncertainty. For a country like South Africa, heavily reliant on exports, any instability in the global demand or market access—especially from the U.S.—translates directly into currency weakness.

The U.S. Tax & Spending Bill and Tariff Threats: Global Implications

The U.S. House of Representatives has recently passed a major tax cut and

Read more
04/07/2025 0

India’s Crackdown on Jane Street: A Bold Move for Market Integrity or Too Late to Matter?

In a dramatic and unprecedented move, India’s market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has barred U.S.-based quantitative trading giant Jane Street from accessing its securities markets. This is not just an isolated action against one firm—it represents a broader assertion of regulatory authority and a critical test of market transparency in India’s fast-growing financial sector.

The Allegations: Manipulation in Plain Sight

According to SEBI, Jane Street allegedly manipulated India’s major stock indexes—Bank Nifty and Nifty 50—to generate unlawful gains through options trading. This alleged “intra-day index manipulation” and “marking the close” strategy allowed the firm to influence price movements to its benefit, misleading the market and causing losses to smaller retail investors who were

Read more
04/07/2025 0

Copper’s Weekly Climb: A Sign of Market Optimism or a Pre-Tariff Panic?

Copper, often dubbed the "barometer of the global economy," has shown a notable upward trend this week. Prices on both the London Metal Exchange (LME) and the Shanghai Futures Exchange have posted modest gains, driven by a combination of economic signals and geopolitical speculation. But are these gains a reflection of genuine market optimism, or are traders bracing for impact from looming U.S. tariffs?

A Closer Look at the Numbers

Benchmark three-month copper on the LME rose around 0.8% this week, hovering near $9,825 per ton. In Shanghai, the metal gained over 1%, signaling a synchronized response across major markets. This performance would usually be cause for cheer among industrialists and investors—but the underlying reasons paint a more

Read more
Main Menu
Wishlist
0in cart

Your cart (0 items)

Continue Shopping
Back to Top

Search For Products

Popular
Product has been added to your cart