Gone are the days of free trade in commodities. Barriers and hoarding are the features of today’s markets. https://t.co/MRxNTNSpnG ...

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended higher on Wednesday, extending their previous day's rally, on optimism over the India-EU landmark free trade agreement.Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/ReutersThe 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 487.20 points or 0.60 per cent to settle at 82,344.68.During the day, it soared 646.49 points or 0.78 per cent to 82,503.97.The 50-share NSE Nifty surged 167.35 points or 0.66 per cent to end at 25,342.75.From the 30-Sensex firms, Bharat Electronics surged nearly 9 per cent post ...

Trade tops the agenda as the European Union and India concluded a free-trade agreement after almost two decades of negotiations. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen called it 'the mother of all deals.' The pact is expected to eliminate tariffs on over 90 percent of EU goods. Elsewhere, Gold continued its record rally above $5000. Amundi CIO Vincent Mortier said the yellow metal can keep rallying as increasing US isolation from other nations convinces many investors to cut holdings of d ...

The European Union and India concluded a free-trade agreement after almost two decades of negotiations, part of an effort to deepen economic ties that has gained momentum due to the Trump administration’s aggressive tariff policies. “We have concluded the mother of all deals,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday in a social-media post. The head of the EU executive, who was in New Delhi to mark the moment with European Council President Antonio Costa, added that the accord “create ...

BREAKING:🇪🇺🇮🇳 The European Union and India have officially announced a free trade deal. https://t.co/eMtARfAjzS ...

Group 1 - David Kotok co-founded Cumberland Advisors in 1973 and served as its Chief Investment Officer until December 2024 [1] - He has contributed to major financial publications and media outlets, enhancing his visibility in the financial market [1] - Kotok has authored or co-authored five books, with the latest set to release in 2025 [1] Group 2 - He holds multiple degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, including a B.S. in economics and an M.S. in organizational dynamics [1] - Kotok has been involved in global economic dialogue through the Global Interdependence Center, aiming to improve international cooperation [1] - He has received the Global Citizen Award for his contributions to global dialogue and free trade [1] Group 3 - His roles have included serving on various advisory boards and economic councils, indicating a strong influence in economic policy discussions [1] - Kotok has held positions in state authorities, showcasing his involvement in regional economic development [1] - His experience spans multiple continents, reflecting a broad understanding of global economic interdependence [1]

Core Insights - The services sector of the economy expanded at its fastest pace in December, marking its 10th month of growth in the last 12 months, while the manufacturing sector continued to struggle, slowing down for the 10th consecutive month [2][4][9] Group 1: Economic Performance - The services sector constitutes 73% of the economy as measured by Gross Domestic Product, compared to manufacturing's 9% share, indicating the services sector's dominance in economic activity [5] - Employment in the services sector expanded in December for the first time since May, contrasting with manufacturing, which has lost an average of 9,600 jobs per month since April [6] Group 2: Impact of Tariffs - Tariffs imposed last year aimed to protect U.S. manufacturing but have instead led to increased costs, reduced demand, and job losses in the manufacturing sector [3][9] - Managers in various industries, including chemicals and food services, reported that tariffs have raised prices and created uncertainty, negatively impacting their operations [5][8] Group 3: Economic Outlook - Despite the struggles in manufacturing, the overall economy appears to be growing at a solid pace, supported by the resilience of the services sector [10] - The continued expansion in services suggests that the economy is still on a growth trajectory, even if it did not end the year on a high note [10]

Core Points - China has launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), enhancing free trade and business-friendly measures [1][3] - The Hainan FTP is now designated as a special customs supervision zone, marking a significant development in its evolution [3][4] - The share of zero-tariff products in the Hainan FTP has increased from 21% to 74%, expanding the list of zero-tariff items from 1,900 to over 6,600 [5][6] Summary by Sections Free Trade and Business Environment - The new customs arrangements allow foreign companies to benefit from a business environment aligned with international standards, lower tax and production costs, and broader access to service sectors [4] - Hainan is positioned as a platform for foreign companies to access the vast Chinese mainland market [4] Customs Operations - The special customs system includes "freer access at the first line" for trade between Hainan and areas outside China's customs borders, and "regulated access at the second line" for goods moving from Hainan to the mainland [5] - Zero-tariff goods processed in Hainan can be sold to the mainland duty-free if local processing adds 30% or more in value [6] Historical Context and Development Goals - Hainan has evolved from an underdeveloped frontier outpost to China's largest special economic zone since 1988, with over 9,600 foreign-invested enterprises established since 2020 [7] - The launch date of December 18 aligns with the anniversary of a significant CPC meeting in 1978, marking the beginning of China's reform and opening-up era [8]

For the first time in decades, German businesses and politicians are questioning the unfettered free trade that turned the country into an industrial powerhouse https://t.co/4lBSx1We4G ...

Group 1 - Nvidia's H200 chips are a significant technological advantage for the U.S., raising concerns about selling them to China, which is seen as a competitor [3][5] - The editorial suggests that selling Nvidia chips to China could reduce the availability of computing resources for U.S. firms, particularly startups [6] - The notion that restricting sales to China would protect U.S. technology overlooks the reality that technology is often revealed through sales and competition [5][8] Group 2 - The argument that Nvidia's sales to China could harm U.S. innovation is compared to the music industry, where the best projects should be prioritized over the origin of the creators [6][7] - The collaboration between U.S. and Chinese companies in AI is viewed as beneficial for global progress, suggesting that trade can enhance safety and prosperity [8] - The editorial's stance against free trade contradicts its historical advocacy for open markets, raising questions about its consistency [8]