Risk events

Philippine president backs defence chief over China sanctions

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has broken his silence on China’s sanctions against his defence chief, in remarks seen as a closing of ranks that could complicate diplomacy between Manila and Beijing in the near term. Observers say the president’s public backing of outspoken Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro amounts to a “good cop, bad cop” approach that signals Manila’s resolve and may strengthen defence cooperation with its allies. Speaking to reporters in Vancouver over the...

NATO summit: “We will lift the sanctions” – Trump open to selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey

Trump raves about the good relationship with Erdogan and is apparently traveling to the NATO summit in Ankara just for his sake. The friendship could soon pay off for the Turkish president.

India Could Return To Iranian Crude If U.S. Extends Sanctions Waiver

Indian state-held refiners are considering buying Iranian crude oil if the United States extends the waiver on Iran’s oil sales beyond August or further eases restrictions on that trade. As part of the 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran, the United States in mid-June authorized the production, delivery, and sale of crude oil, petrochemical products, and refined oil products of Iranian origin through August 21, 2026. The temporary U.S. waiver has opened the door for Iranian oil sales

F-35 for Turkey? Trump says ‘certainly, we’ll consider’ reversing ban

“We’re going to be taking the sanctions off,” the president said. “We’re going to be taking the sanctions off. It’s time to do that. Ok? We don’t want to sanction friends. It’s very simple.”

Why Iran may find it difficult to clear its oil inventories even after sanctions relief

Iran may face challenges in clearing oil inventories even after restrictions have been lifted, amid oil supplies elsewhere while China becomes less enthusiastic

Chinese AI chip start-up exits stealth mode, bets on 3D stacking to bypass US controls

A Chinese artificial intelligence chip start-up led by industry veteran Wei Shaojun has emerged from stealth mode, joining giants like Huawei Technologies in betting on 3D stacking to bypass US tech export controls. Dongfang Suanxin, a company headed by Wei, who is also vice-president of the China Semiconductor Industry Association, has stepped into the spotlight by launching a corporate website and social media account, positioning itself as a new but formidable player in China’s AI computing..

Dip in U.S. LNG Imports to EU Spells Trouble for Trade Deal

For two years, the European Union has been the biggest regional buyer of U.S. liquefied natural gas. Sanctions on Russia, including a ban on LNG purchased from 2027, have prompted the pivot, actively encouraged by the second Trump administration. But last month, Europe shunned American liquefied gas because it was too expensive. This will be a problem for the trade deal that just went into effect. Last July, President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed a t

Singapore seizes US$42.4 million bungalow linked to Nvidia chip fraud

Singapore authorities have seized a so-called Good Class Bungalow (GCB) valued at around S$55 million (US$42.4 million) and around S$1 million (US$770,000) of funds in connection with a fraud conspiracy, the police said on Wednesday. The case has been linked to the movement of Nvidia chips in contravention of US export controls. GCBs are among the most prestigious type of housing in Singapore, with authorities imposing key planning constraints. It is understood that the seized GCB is located at.

CNBC Daily Open: Anthropic unbound, Trump's finances and crude realities

AI giant Anthropic has been cleared to redeploy models after the Trump administration lifts export controls.

Anthropic says Trump admin has lifted export controls on Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5

The U.S. Department of Commerce lifted the export controls on Anthropic's Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models

India’s Russian Oil Boom Outlives the Hormuz Shock

Indian crude imports set several records in June. Total inflows reached about 5 million b/d, the highest level ever recorded for the month. Of that, 2.6 million b/d came from Russia, equivalent to 54% of India’s total crude imports and a historic record for Russian-Indian trade. Russian supplies, which had fallen to around 1.1 million b/d in February under sanctions pressure from Washington, more than doubled within four months and became a key pillar of India’s energy-security strategy. India’s

US, China should de-escalate from tit-for-tat actions, US lawmaker says

US Senator Steve Daines has urged Washington and Beijing to avoid escalating tensions through tit-for-tat actions, citing China’s recent export controls against American rare earth firms and the Pentagon’s decision to blacklist several Chinese technology companies. “These are unfortunate developments,” the Republican Senator from Montana said on Monday. Daines is a member of two of the most powerful committees in the US Senate: the Foreign Relations and Finance Committees. “The escalation on...

On July 1st: More pressure, more sanctions - citizens' money becomes basic security

The reform of citizens' money will not result in major savings. Instead, long-term unemployed people will be penalized more heavily starting this week.

Trade: EU and China start trade talks – “Results by October”

The EU wants to persuade China to make concessions in the trade dispute with the prospect of a free trade agreement. Progress on market access and export controls should be made by autumn.

EU sets October deadline for ‘tangible results’ on China imbalances after key trade talks

In a bid to cool searing trade tensions, the European Union and China have launched a new ministerial-level platform for solving grievances, with Brussels insisting that disputes over trade imbalances, export controls and intellectual property must deliver “tangible results” by October. On Monday, in the middle of marathon talks in the Belgian capital, the sides issued a rare joint statement, in which they announced four initial workstreams, focused on trade and investment balancing, export...

Pakistan Plans to Boost LPG Imports and Mulls Cheaper Oil Supply from Iran

Pakistan will raise its imports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Iran and considers the idea of importing cheaper crude oil from the Islamic Republic, Pakistani Minister of Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, has said. Pakistan, which is a key mediator in the U.S.-Iran negotiations, has kept close relations with Iran throughout the latest Middle East crisis, and has relied on negotiating directly with Iran safe passage of LNG carriers from Qatar bound for Pakistan during the crisis. Now that the

Trade dispute: China expands export controls against Japanese companies

The relationship between China and Japan has been extremely tense for months. Beijing reacts with further export controls. What is the dispute about?

The World Is Racing to Develop New Nuclear Fuels

In the age of the nuclear renaissance, several countries are strategising to significantly increase their nuclear energy capacity over the coming decades, as part of efforts to diversify their energy mix and boost long-term energy security. However, securing fuel to power operations has been complicated, particularly following the introduction of sanctions on Russian energy products. Now, alternative uranium fuels offer promise for the nuclear energy industry. Nuclear fission, used in all existi

Oil tanker: Russian shadow fleet? France stops oil tankers

France's navy has stopped an oil tanker coming from Russia near Sicily. President Macron sees the operation as a clear signal against circumventing sanctions.

Iran scrambles to move estimated $8.5bn in oil as US eases sanctions

Trump offers Iran an economic lifeline — with strings

Iran has seen a speedy rebound in oil exports after the US-Iran deal granted immediate waivers on US sanctions. Relief on frozen assets and a $300 billion reconstruction fund now hinge on Tehran meeting key conditions.

US targets Cuba mining sector in move with implications for China-linked supply chains

The Trump administration expanded its sanctions campaign against Cuba on Tuesday, targeting a state-owned mining company and other key economic entities in a move that comes as Washington seeks to build alternative supply chains for critical minerals and reduce reliance on geopolitical rivals. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against five entities and one individual, including state-owned mining company GeoMinera, which oversees foreign-backed mining ventures and manages...

Iran Moves to Tap Key Asian Markets as U.S. Waives Oil Sanctions

Iran is pitching its oil to Asian buyers outside China, contacting India, South Korea, and Japan, as the United States issued a temporary two-month waiver allowing Iranian oil sales, including in U.S. dollars, until August 21. As part of the 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iran, the United States on Sunday authorized the production, delivery, and sale of crude oil, petrochemical products, and refined oil products of Iranian origin through August 21, 2026. Representatives of the Nationa

Iran Quickly Pursues Top Oil Importers after US Waiver

Iran is racing to court some of Asia's largest oil buyers as a 60-day U.S. sanctions waiver takes effect.

Oil Prices Continue to Slide as Peace Talks Progress

Crude oil prices extended their decline today, with Brent crude sliding to $77.51 per barrel at the time of writing, and West Texas Intermediate at $73.62 per barrel, on reports that the United States and Iran were making progress in their peace talks. The latest updates from the negotiations table include a report that the United States will waive sanctions on Iran’s oil industry for the 60-day duration of the cessation of hostilities agreed earlier this month. The two parties also agreed on a

US-China rare earth clash 2.0? Fragile truce tested as tit-for-tat moves return

Beijing’s latest restrictions on US rare earth companies, imposed in response to the Pentagon’s designation of leading Chinese firms, are testing the durability of the fragile US-China truce, analysts said. China’s export controls, targeting 10 US entities including national giants MP Materials and USA Rare Earth, mark one of the most significant escalations since Washington and Beijing reached a temporary truce last October in Busan – an understanding that was reaffirmed during the recent...

Iran Gets Oil Trading Respite from US

The Treasury Department issued a temporary, 60-day license allowing Iran to sell some of its energy exports through August 21, a sweeping change after years of increasingly punitive economic sanctions.

U.S. oil prices fall below $74 a barrel on 60-day pause on Iranian oil sanctions

Oil prices fall on hopes that more Iranian crude will hit the global market as supplies near critically low levels.

How can a person coming from a sanctioned country invest for their retirement abroad?

I realize this may be a difficult question without further details, but I'm hoping someone with experience in cross-border investing or changing residency status might be able to share some insights. How are long-term investment accounts typically affected when an investor's legal residence status changes? For example, if someone is investing through a brokerage in their country of residence and later loses the right to reside there (due to a job change, visa expiration, relocation, etc.), what

China rejects trade criticism after Merz backs global yuan action

China pushed back against criticisms of its trade practices after the German chancellor became the latest world leader to voice complaints amid surging trade imbalances. “China never actively pursues a trade surplus,” Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang said on Monday at the opening of a supply-chain expo in Beijing. “The greatest obstacle to China increasing its imports does not lie within itself, but rather with certain countries that abuse export controls.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday..

Trade dispute with the USA: China hits back after US sanctions

The USA and China are once again imposing sanctions on each other. Beijing is now targeting America's hope for rare earths.

Why Wong-Putin meet doesn’t mean Singapore’s going soft on Russia

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s trip to Russia as part of an Asean delegation to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin despite the city state’s ongoing sanctions against Moscow was a pragmatic move, analysts said. They pointed to considerations such as the island republic’s role as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year, on top of the region’s search for energy security. Wong met Putin in Kazan for the first time on the sidelines of the Asean-Russia Commemorative.

China hits dozens of US companies with export controls, procurement bans

When the US comes for Cuba, what can Vietnam do?

The Trump administration’s indictment of former Cuban president Raul Castro and sanctions on his successor, Miguel Diaz-Canel, suggest Washington now views regime change in Havana as a viable policy objective. This adds to Cuba’s mounting woes. The fall of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro in January severed the subsidised oil lifeline that had long kept the island nation afloat, plunging Cuba into its worst socio-economic crisis since the 1990s. For most countries, this is a distant problem. For...

Customs procedures: new US trouble for the German pharmaceutical industry?

The US government is examining whether German laws aimed at reducing drug costs place an unfair burden on America. New sanctions are on the horizon.

Why the US-Iran deal may fail to revive shipping through the Strait of Hormuz

As US President Donald Trump moves to reopen the Strait of Hormuz through a peace deal with Iran, major shipping companies such as Maersk are likely to stop short of resuming normal operations in the near term amid lingering concerns about the waterway’s security and the durability of the agreement, according to observers. Some industry insiders said the deal’s impact on the global shipping industry would hinge on whether the United States extended sanctions relief beyond the initial agreement,.

Coal prices soar on Indonesia export controls, China mine disaster

Chinese chip-equipment maker CFMEE targets US$410 million in Hong Kong IPO

Chinese lithography and integrated circuit manufacturer Circuit Fabology Microelectronics Equipment (CFMEE) is set to launch a Hong Kong listing next week, as China continues its drive for semiconductor self-sufficiency amid US sanctions. The company, based in Hefei, Anhui province, said on Wednesday that it would offer more than 12.8 million H shares globally at a price range of HK$240.09 to HK$252.73 apiece, raising up to HK$3.2 billion (US$410 million). The offer period will run until next...

G7 summit: G7 states want to tighten sanctions on Russia

The G7 states promise further help to Ukraine and are planning new sanctions against Russia. Weapons deliveries and anti-aircraft defense are also to be expanded.

China vows new legal shield that could counter US sanctions and protect finance

China has vowed to strengthen legal protections against unilateral sanctions, according to Vice-Premier He Lifeng, as Beijing moves to build a robust legal shield for its financial system and companies facing rising geopolitical risks. Addressing the Lujiazui Forum in Shanghai on Wednesday, He said China would incorporate blocking and countermeasure provisions into upcoming financial legislation and expand legal tools to counter what it considers to be improper extraterritorial sanctions. “We...

Top meeting in Évian: G7 states announce new sanctions against Russia

More weapons, stricter sanctions: The G7 is putting additional pressure on Russia. Chancellor Merz sees a “day of hope” for Ukraine.

How the Commerce crackdown on Anthropic could impact the Pentagon: Experts

By imposing export controls on the bug-hunting AI Mythos/Fable 5, the Commerce Department has complicated the Pentagon’s already fraught relationship with Anthropic.

World leaders welcome U.S.-Iran deal as Europe signals sanctions relief, urges Hormuz reopening

The agreement came after more than three months of stop-start negotiations and bouts of fighting since late February, roiling global energy and commodities markets.

Diplomacy: Zelenskyy announces trips to G7, EU and NATO summits

Kyiv hopes for progress in concluding an agreement. At three summits of heads of state and government, Zelensky wants to push for more money and tougher sanctions against Russia.

UK Sets January 2027 Deadline for Ban on Fuel Made From Russian Crude

The UK has finally put a date on the sanctions loophole it said it would close a while ago. The British government said Friday that imports of diesel and jet fuel refined from Russian crude in third countries will be banned no later than January 1, 2027, closing one of the remaining routes by which Russian oil products can still find their way into the UK market. The move builds on sanctions announced in May that prohibit the import of refined oil made from Russian crude, even if that refining o

US strike kills leader of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, White House says

Venezuela’s information ministry said that during the operation there were clashes with members of criminal groups, in which the leader was neutralized.

Do China’s export curbs on tungsten threaten Japan’s AI chip supply chain?

Two major Japanese chemical manufacturers could halt production of a gas crucial to AI chipmaking starting next month, as supply tightens and prices surge amid Beijing’s export controls on tungsten. The price of tungsten hexafluoride has jumped more than 200 per cent year on year because of supply bottlenecks, coupled with rising chip demand, market data showed. The gas is a critical precursor in the semiconductor industry, where it is used to develop the microscopic connections inside advanced.

New EU sanctions package: Russia sanctions: Germany is threatened with a fish stick crisis

Is there a risk of a fish stick crisis in Germany due to EU sanctions on Russia? Stricter import rules could affect not only manufacturers, but also consumers directly in the supermarket.

India Accuses West of Double Standards Over U.S. Russia Oil Sanctions

The on-and-off U.S. sanctions on Russian oil and the flipping U.S. position regarding India’s oil purchases from Russia highlight the double standards of the Western nations, Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday. India turned en masse to Russian oil in 2022, when the U.S. and the EU imposed sanctions on Moscow due to the invasion of Ukraine. Four years later, India is a major buyer of Russia’s crude and Russia is India’s single-largest oil supplier. “At that time, the US specifica

Proposed Iran-U.S. deal would reopen Hormuz strait and lift oil sanctions, Iran state media says

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened as soon as a deal is signed.