USMCA review and tariff risk

The July 1 USMCA review is clouded by Washington’s tariff-first posture and reported withdrawal talk. Even partial rollbacks remain uncertain. Expect higher compliance costs, volatile rules-of-origin, and elevated hedging needs for North American supply chains and investors.

Export-led model and trade backlash

IMF warns China’s record goods surplus ($1.2T) and subsidies (~4% of GDP) create global spillovers and overcapacity concerns. Expect more anti-dumping probes, tariffs, and local-content rules targeting Chinese EVs, solar and industrial goods, complicating market access strategies.

EU-Nachhaltigkeitsregeln und Lieferkettenpflichten

Die Umsetzung/Überarbeitung von EU-CSDDD/„Omnibus“-Paketen und die Verzahnung mit deutschen Sorgfaltspflichten verschieben Compliance-Anforderungen. Fokus auf Tier‑1‑Lieferanten, Haftungsfragen und Berichtspflichten verändern Vertragsgestaltung, Auditprogramme und Lieferantenauswahl; Reputations- und Bußgeldrisiken bleiben.

Strategic U.S. investment mandate

Seoul is fast‑tracking a special act to operationalize a $350bn U.S. investment pledge, including a state-run investment vehicle. Capital allocation, project selection (including energy), and conditionality will influence Korean corporates’ balance sheets and partner opportunities for foreign suppliers.

Energy security and LNG dependence

Taiwan’s heavy reliance on imported fuels makes LNG procurement, terminal resilience, and grid stability strategic business variables. Cross-strait disruptions could quickly constrain power supply for fabs and data centers; policy debate over new nuclear options signals potential regulatory and investment shifts.

Trade–security linkage in nuclear submarines

Tariff friction is delaying alliance follow-on talks on nuclear-powered submarines, enrichment, and spent-fuel reprocessing. Because trade and security are being negotiated in parallel, businesses face headline risk around dual-use controls, licensing timelines, and defense-adjacent supply chains.

Consolidation and cross-border M&A wave

A growing pipeline of regional-bank mergers and portfolio shrinkage is reshaping local banking competition. Consolidation can reduce relationship lending, alter treasury-service pricing, and force corporates to re-paper facilities—creating execution risk for acquisitions, capex projects, and vendor financing.

US Tariffs and Deal Execution

Washington is threatening to restore tariffs up to 25% unless Seoul passes implementing legislation for a $350bn U.S. investment package, while also expanding demands on non-tariff barriers. This raises cost, compliance, and planning uncertainty for exporters and investors.

Carbon border and ETS policy shifts

Changes to UK carbon pricing and the forthcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism raise exposure for heavy industry, particularly steel, with some estimates of carbon costs rising toward £250m by 2031 and higher later. Import competitiveness, pricing, and procurement strategies will shift.

Tariff regime reset, ongoing uncertainty

Supreme Court invalidated broad IEEPA-based ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, but the White House is implementing a time-limited Section 122 global tariff (10–15% for 150 days) and signaling new Section 301/232 actions. Import pricing, contracts, and compliance remain volatile.

Secondary sanctions and “tariff sanctions”

The U.S. is expanding extraterritorial pressure via secondary sanctions and even tariff penalties tied to dealings with sanctioned states (notably Iran). Firms trading through third countries face higher legal exposure, payment friction, disrupted shipping, and forced counterparties screening.

Параллельный импорт и серые каналы

Поставки санкционных товаров продолжаются через третьи страны. Пример: десятки тысяч авто западных брендов поступают через Китай как «нулевой пробег, б/у», обходя ограничения; в 2025 почти половина ~130 тыс. таких продаж в РФ была произведена в Китае. Комплаенс усложняется.

Tech controls and AI supply chains

Evolving U.S. export controls on advanced AI chips and tools create uncertainty for Thailand’s electronics exports, data-center investment and re-export trade through regional hubs. Multinationals should review end-use/end-user controls, supplier traceability, and technology localization plans.

Cross-strait grey-zone shipping risk

China’s high-tempo drills and coast-guard presence increasingly resemble a “quarantine” playbook, designed to raise insurers’ war-risk premiums and disrupt port operations without open conflict. Any sustained escalation would threaten Taiwan Strait routings, energy imports, and just-in-time supply chains.

AI hardware export surge and tariffs

High-end AI chips and servers are driving trade imbalances and policy attention; the U.S. deficit with Taiwan hit about US$126.9B in Jan–Nov 2025, largely from AI chip imports. Expect tighter reporting, security reviews, and shifting tariff exposure across AI stacks.

Infrastructure push and budget timing

Major parties and business groups emphasize infrastructure—rail, airports, grids, water systems and data centers—as the main path to durable growth. However, government formation and budget disbursement timing can delay tenders, impacting EPC pipelines, industrial estate absorption, and logistics upgrades.

Natural gas exports and regional deals

Israeli gas flows to Egypt have risen with pipelines reportedly at full capacity, supporting regional power and LNG dynamics. Export reliability and pricing depend on security and contract reforms in Egypt, influencing energy-intensive industries and investment in infrastructure.

Weak growth, high leverage constraints

Thailand’s macro backdrop remains soft: IMF/AMRO/World Bank sources point to ~1.6–1.9% 2026 growth after ~2% in 2025, with heavy household debt and limited policy space. Demand uncertainty affects retail, autos, credit availability, and capex timing.

Climate and cotton supply vulnerability

Cotton output recovery to about 5m bales still leaves Pakistan importing $2–3bn annually, pressuring FX and textile margins. Heat, erratic rainfall and pests threaten yields. Apparel supply chains face higher input volatility and potential delivery risks in peak seasons.

Control a transbordo y China

EE. UU. presiona por frenar el ‘transshipment’ de bienes chinos vía México. México impuso aranceles de hasta 50% a autos y otros productos asiáticos, pero mantiene diálogo con China. Empresas deben reforzar trazabilidad de origen, compliance aduanero y evaluación de proveedores.

Macrostimulus, FX and policy uncertainty

With 2026 growth likely ~4.5–5% and deflation concerns, policy may tilt toward consumption support, fiscal easing and managed yuan flexibility. Businesses should plan for sudden stimulus-driven sector boosts, regulatory fine-tuning, and FX hedging needs for RMB revenues and costs.

Internal unrest and operational disruption

January 2026 protests and a severe crackdown—reported 6,506 deaths and extended internet shutdowns—underscore heightened domestic instability. For business, the risk is workforce disruption, sudden regulatory/security restrictions, communications outages, and reputational exposure for partners operating locally or sourcing from Iran.

Black Sea corridor shipping fragility

Ukraine’s export corridor via Odesa/Chornomorsk/Pivdennyi remains operational but under persistent missile, drone and mine threats. Attacks on ports and vessels raise insurance premiums, constrain vessel availability, and can cut export earnings—NBU flagged ~US$1bn Q1 hit—tightening FX liquidity for importers.

Freight logistics and port capacity

Transnet’s reform programme is moving into executed private-sector participation deals, including Durban Pier 2 upgrades, Richards Bay and Ngqura terminal projects, and open-access rail with 11 train operators targeting operations from FY2027. Improved corridors materially affect exporters’ costs and reliability.

China–US strategic competition spillovers

Indonesia’s nickel dominance (>60% of global mine supply) is now central to US–China rivalry. US access initiatives and Indonesia’s tightening control could prompt China to adjust investment/technology transfers. Multinationals should stress-test supply chains for retaliation and geopolitical compliance risk.

UK–EU border friction persists

Post-Brexit trade remains burdened by customs/SPS checks and ongoing regulatory divergence. Businesses report costly documentation and shifting procedures; agri-food and pharma face particular compliance complexity. This raises lead times, inventory needs and the value of EU-based distribution footprints.

Labour constraints and mobilisation effects

Ongoing mobilisation and wartime displacement tighten labour supply and raise wage and retention pressures, especially in construction, logistics, and manufacturing. Companies should plan for training pipelines, cross-border staffing, and continuity arrangements to manage productivity and safety risks.

Rusya yaptırımları uyum baskısı

Türkiye, Rus petrol ürünlerinde büyük alıcı; STAR rafinerisi Rus payını azaltıp alternatif kaynak arıyor. AB/ABD yaptırımları ve “yeniden ihracat” denetimleri sıkılaşıyor. Bankacılık işlemleri, sigorta/denizcilik hizmetleri ve tedarikçi taraması daha riskli hale geliyor.

US–China trade realignment pressure

South Africa is navigating rising US trade frictions, including 30% tariffs on some exports and lingering sanctions risk, while deepening China ties via a framework/early-harvest deal promising duty-free access. Firms should plan for rules-of-origin, retaliation and market diversification.

CFIUS and data-driven deal risk

Foreign acquisitions involving sensitive data and systemic assets face heightened CFIUS exposure, as seen in potential scrutiny of ETS/TOEFL due to personal data concentration and institutional role. Cross-border investors should plan for mitigation, deal delays, and valuation haircuts.

China trade controls and escalation

Washington is preparing fresh Section 301 investigations into Chinese strategic sectors (EV batteries, rare earths, advanced AI chips) alongside existing high China tariff ranges and technology restrictions. Expect renewed compliance burdens, supplier diversification, and heightened disruption risk for electronics, energy transition, and defense-adjacent supply chains.

Logistics upgrades and multimodal corridors

Dedicated Freight Corridors, Gati Shakti cargo terminals, port connectivity and new national waterways aim to reduce transit times and logistics costs. Firms can redesign distribution networks, but should factor land acquisition delays, last-mile bottlenecks, and regulatory fragmentation.

Labor reclassification and cost risk

A labor-law package aims to extend protections to roughly 5.7–8.6 million freelancers and platform workers via “presumed worker status,” shifting proof burdens to employers. Businesses may face higher labor costs, disputes, and operational redesign toward automation and subcontracting changes.

Critical minerals export leverage

Beijing’s dominance—about 70% of rare-earth mining and ~90% processing—keeps global manufacturers exposed to licensing delays or sudden controls. Western allies are organizing price floors and stockpiles to de-risk, raising sourcing costs and compliance burdens for China-linked inputs.

Municipal heat-planning deadlines

The rollout of kommunale Wärmeplanung creates a municipality-by-municipality timeline that gates when stricter heating requirements bite. Uneven local plans reshape market access for district heating, heat pumps, and hybrids, complicating nationwide go‑to‑market strategies and project financing.

Digital platform regulation intensifies

Germany’s cartel office fined Amazon about €59m and restricted marketplace pricing mechanisms; Amazon’s marketplace represents ~60% of its German sales. Tighter enforcement reshapes online pricing, seller margins, platform contracts and compliance for international e‑commerce firms.