Global Scans · Trade · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Global trade policies could be upended with a new President in the White House, Brexit, a potential break-up of the European Union and China reacting to these changes in profound ways.

• [New] The shift towards protectionist trade policies in the US under the Trump administration could create uncertainty for Guatemala's trade and investment climate, particularly in the manufacturing sector. Coface
• [New] The upturn in key sales markets, such as neighboring European countries, will support German foreign trade. Kiel Institute
• [New] China will postpone for 90 days the addition of US firms it had targeted in April to trade and investment restriction lists. The Guardian
• [New] China's commerce ministry, in a statement on early Tuesday, said it will suspend additional tariffs on US goods for 90 more days, after Trump signed an executive order extending the tariff truce. The Guardian
• [New] Coal trade volumes, which rose steadily in recent years, are projected to contract in 2025 for the first time since the 2020 Covid-related downturn. IEA
• [New] Ukraine might import 5 billion cubic meters of gas from Europe in 2025. Caspian Policy Center
• [New] Other nations, such as Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, are facing much higher tariffs, with certain products expected to be taxed at rates between 35% and 50%. BeeOnTrade
• [New] Countries like the EU and Japan have reached agreements that establish a 15% baseline tariff-higher than pre-2025 levels, but far lower than the threatened 30%. BeeOnTrade
• [New] The U.S. will charge a 15% tariff on Japanese exports to the U.S. in exchange for a $550 billion investment in the United States. RVIA
• [New] The United States and Pakistan have finalized a trade and energy pact that could reshape both nations' approach to energy cooperation and strategic alignment. oilprice.com
• [New] U.S. import tariffs could increase domestic factory costs by 2% to 4.5% on average. JD Supra
• [New] Detroit automakers are expected to renew their focus on high-margin gas-powered SUVs and pickup trucks, amid tariff costs and a regulatory rollback that has eliminated fuel economy and emissions fines. JD Supra
• [New] As the major automaker with the most significant U.S. vehicle manufacturing footprint, Ford expects to be at a competitive disadvantage due to the impact of U.S. tariffs on imported parts. JD Supra
• [New] Assuming China's currency depreciates along with a further shift of Chinese exports to the U.S. through other countries, the impact of additional tariffs could be negligible. Schwab Brokerage
• [New] The USDA pegged 2025/2026 global corn ending stocks higher than the average trade expectation. Successful Farming
• [New] Strong AI-related bookings in advanced packaging could lead to upward revisions, while macro uncertainty and export restrictions in China remain potential headwinds. The Futurum Group
• [New] Global trade tensions - such as U.S. tariffs - could introduce volatility, necessitating flexibility in portfolio management. Ainvest
• [New] With the immediate threat of a trade embargo between the U.S. and China deferred, energy markets have recalibrated to focus on OPEC + supply adjustments and global demand forecasts. Ainvest
• [New] In 2025, investors will be able to trade digitalized real-world assets, such as real estate, climate, artwork, and commodities, and in the case of tokenized assets trade them, directly within blockchain-based platforms. NASSCOM | The Official Community of Indian IT Industry
• [New] The higher tariffs will reduce China's competitiveness and prompt global buyers to seek alternative suppliers, both reducing demand and redirecting trade flows. ESCAP
• President Trump has threatened to place new tariffs on countries that keep buying Russian oil, including India and China, as a way to pressure Russia to seek a ceasefire in Ukraine. Schwab Brokerage
• Surge in Secondhand Clothing Sales: Advancements in artificial intelligence and potential U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods are projected to boost global secondhand clothing sales by 11% in 2025, reaching $227 billion. best colorful socks

Last updated: 14 August 2025