Core Viewpoint - The pressure from the U.S. tariff measures has accelerated the willingness and demand for India and the EU to expedite free trade negotiations, with a goal to reach an agreement by the end of the year [1][4]. Group 1: Trade Negotiation Progress - India and the EU are expected to hold at least 10 meetings in the coming months to negotiate a free trade agreement [1][4]. - The EU has become one of India's most important trading partners, with bilateral trade in goods projected to reach $137.5 billion in the fiscal year 2024-2025, surpassing the $132 billion trade between India and the U.S. [2]. - Approximately 6,000 European companies operate in India, supporting 2 million direct jobs and 6 million indirect jobs [2]. Group 2: Historical Context - Negotiations for the bilateral free trade agreement began in 2007 but faced delays due to significant differences in economic structures and core demands [2]. - Talks were stalled in 2013 over tariff disagreements on products like automobiles and wine, but were resumed in 2022 with new topics such as geographical indications and investment protection [2]. Group 3: Current Negotiation Challenges - Key areas of disagreement include market access for agricultural and dairy products, rules of origin, food safety standards, and labor and environmental obligations [6][7]. - India is cautious about opening sensitive markets, particularly in agriculture, and seeks to exclude products like rice, sugar, and dairy from negotiations [6]. - The EU demands India to lower tariffs and non-tariff barriers, particularly for automobiles and medical devices, while also emphasizing high standards for intellectual property protection and sustainable development [7]. Group 4: Impact of U.S. Tariffs - The U.S. has imposed significant tariffs on Indian exports, with rates reaching up to 50%, creating direct pressure on India [3][4]. - The EU is also affected by U.S. tariffs, particularly on steel and aluminum, which has intensified the urgency for India and the EU to finalize their trade agreement [3][4]. Group 5: Future Considerations - The implementation of the EU's carbon border tax, effective January 1, 2026, poses a significant challenge for India, as it will affect high carbon emission products exported to the EU, potentially increasing costs and reducing competitiveness [7]. - The U.S. is closely monitoring the India-EU negotiations and may influence the process by leveraging its trade relations with both parties [8].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the basic chemical industry [4] Core Viewpoints - The exit of overseas bulk chemicals is expected to accelerate the growth of China's fine chemicals [6][21] - China's petrochemical capacity has rapidly increased since 2018, surpassing the US in refining capacity in 2023, leading to a stronger competitive position compared to Europe and Northeast Asia [15][6] - The reduction in imports of phenol and the expansion of downstream products like PC and epoxy resins in China have significantly decreased overseas demand for phenol, creating opportunities for domestic fine chemical companies [15][6] Summary by Sections 1. Impact of Overseas Bulk Chemical Exit - The exit of European bulk chemical capacity is driven by the rapid enhancement of China's chemical industry competitiveness [10] - China's share in bulk chemicals has been increasing, with significant capital expenditure leading to output growth [10][18] - The exit of marginal capacity in Europe and Japan is expected to accelerate supply-demand balance restoration in the industry [23][24] 2. Opportunities for Domestic Fine Chemicals - China's technological breakthroughs and industry chain expansion are forcing European upstream bulk chemicals to exit [25] - The trend of European chemical industry exit is unlikely to reverse, providing growth opportunities for China's fine chemical enterprises [25][39] - The exit of bulk chemicals will lead to supply issues in fine chemical products, prompting demand for stable suppliers from China [39][44] 3. Investment Recommendations - Recommended companies include: - Huangma Technology (603181, Buy): A leader in specialty polyether with a total capacity of approximately 225,000 tons and new projects adding 330,000 tons [47] - Changqing Technology (603125, Not Rated): A leader in specialty monomers with a projected capacity increase from 35,000 tons to 90,500 tons by the end of 2024 [47] - Lianlong (300596, Buy): A leader in polymer materials with a focus on anti-aging agents and lubricant additives [47]

Core Viewpoint - The economist urges the Thai government to adopt a phased strategy to mitigate the impact of the newly implemented 19% U.S. tariffs, highlighting the need for structural reforms to address deeper economic vulnerabilities [1] Group 1: Immediate Response - The tariffs should not only be seen as a threat but as an opportunity to reposition the economy for long-term resilience [1] - A proposed emergency fund should provide low-interest loans and liquidity support to affected exporters, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises [1] Group 2: Mid-term Strategy - The mid-term plan (6-18 months) should focus on supply chain restructuring, reducing external dependencies, and promoting industries aligned with sustainability goals [1] - New investment incentives must comply with global standards, such as ESG criteria and carbon border taxes [1] - Emphasis on enhancing workforce skills and integrating digital tools like artificial intelligence and big data is necessary [1] Group 3: Long-term Vision - In the long term (1.5-5 years), Thailand needs to transition from a low-cost manufacturing base to a regional hub for high-value services and innovation [1] - Significant investments in research and development, specialized development, and upstream technology are required [1] - Establishing a Thailand-U.S. economic dialogue platform and actively participating in multilateral forums is recommended to avoid future trade frictions [1]

Group 1 - The European Union has reached an agreement to exempt 90% of companies from carbon border taxes [1]