#supply chains
articles
Allianz Trade: Germany's Large Corporate Insolvencies Keep Rising, Autos Hit Hardest
Large insolvencies in Germany rose 10% in H1 2026 to 33, after 2025's 94 was the highest since records began. Automotive...
US-Canada Tariff Walls Reshape Critical Metals: The Reversal Behind the Steel and Aluminum Pop
New 50% US tariffs and Canada's Sept. 8 retaliation briefly lifted steel and materials ETFs, but analysts warn the rally...
Why Vietnam Is Emerging as the West's Rare Earth Alternative to China
Vietnam holds 22 million tonnes of rare earth reserves and plans to scale from just over 4,000 tonnes processed today to...
China Tests Arctic Container Route to Europe as Red Sea Risks Persist
A Chinese container ship is using the Arctic route to reach Germany, cutting sailing time but shifting supply-chain expo...
Trump Hits Some Drones With 100% Tariffs and Orders US Production Push
From Sept. 3, larger or thermal-capable drones face 100% US tariffs; smaller models get 25%, while ally-made systems rat...
DB Cargo Plans to Reactivate Retired Freight Wagons as Rhine Low Water Cuts Shipping
Germany's rail freight operator says up to 900 parked wagons could be brought back — 300 immediately — to help replace R...
Why Cobalt, Lithium and Rare Earths Are Now Strategic Investment Terrain
Automotive, aerospace, renewables, electronics and defence all depend on cobalt, lithium, tin and rare earths; the inves...
US Critical-Minerals Push: 28-Day Permits, $40bn in Deals and a Stalled Senate Bill
A White House roundtable, emergency permitting and a stalled Senate bill frame America's race to shorten mine approvals,...
German Inflation Hits 2.8% as Fuel and Heating Oil Prices Jump
German inflation rose to 2.8% in July as fuel and heating oil prices surged after a temporary tax cut ended. Economists ...
Low Water Forces Berlin, Brandenburg and Thuringia to Lift Sunday Truck Bans
Berlin, Brandenburg and Thuringia temporarily allow Sunday truck shipments until 31 August as Rhine, Elbe and Danube low...
Russia's Parallel Imports Steady at $1.7 Billion a Month, List Unchanged — Official
Deputy Trade Minister Roman Chekushov says monthly parallel imports into Russia have stabilized at $1.7 billion, with no...
China Retaliates Against Washington With Drone Export Controls and Bans on Six US Entities
Beijing adds export licensing for drones to the US, blacklists six American entities and tightens certification rules — ...
Japan and Mexico Agree to Launch High-Level Economic Dialogue This Fiscal Year
Foreign Minister Motegi and Mexico's economy secretary agreed to hold the first Japan-Mexico High-Level Economic Dialogu...
German SMEs Warn Forced China Decoupling Would Trade One Risk for Another
IfM researchers say Mittelstand firms already assess China risks carefully; EU rules forcing supplier switches could cre...
China Vows Response as US Expands Forced-Labor Import Ban to 187 Firms
Washington adds 43 Chinese companies to its forced-labor import blacklist, prompting Chinese retaliation threats ahead o...
Queensland Launches $146m Critical Minerals Plan to Counter China’s Dominance
The Australian state’s four-year strategy aims to accelerate extraction, processing and export of rare earths and other ...
AI Goods Trade Soars 40% as Global Commerce Defies Middle East Conflict
WTO data shows global merchandise trade grew 3.2% in Q1 2026, propelled by a 40%+ surge in AI-enabling goods that offset...
Oman Leads Regional Diplomacy to Ease Tensions Around Strait of Hormuz
Oman’s foreign minister held phone talks with counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt and Iran, focusing on...
Trump's 10-12.5% Tariffs on 60 Nations Over Forced Labour Spark Global Backlash
Washington imposes fresh 10-12.5% duties on 60 economies citing forced labour, triggering angry rebukes from allies and ...
China Calls for EU Dialogue, Rejects Blame for Trade Imbalances
Beijing's top diplomat says Europe's economic woes don't stem from China, urging cooperation after France and Germany vo...
U.S.-Mexico Trade Talks Advance as Canada Tariffs Deepen North American Rift
Washington and Mexico City push to revamp the USMCA while Ottawa faces fresh duties; the outcome will reshape $1.6 trill...