Trade

Concern about a recession, rising competition with China, runaway inflation, and decoupling economically in an increasingly divided world dominated the week.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos was filled with optimism about a return to economic growth, but many remain skeptical.

The World Economic Forum, known as Davos for the Swiss town that hosts it, will focus this year on climate change, global stability and economic headwinds.

The U.S. and Taiwan are holding the first formal negotiations toward a trade agreement between the two countries that has drawn the ire of the Chinese government.

The governments of the U.S. and Japan formed a task force to eliminate the use of forced labor and protect human rights in international supply chains.

Like inflation, prices are unlikely to fall to pre-pandemic levels as global economy, and international trade face recessionary pressures and converging crises.

A report by the Rhodium Group estimates that a blockade of Taiwan by China could cause a "catastrophic" disruption of more than $2 trillion in global economic activity.

After Europe struck back with protectionism of its own, the US is lowering barriers to keep allies happy as it uses the Inflation Act to decouple from China.

The EU believes Exxon and Chevron capitalized on an energy crisis and should be fined. The companies, want the money to invest in energy infrastructure.

As Finland looks to distance itself from Russia and join NATO, it sees energy security as an important step and LNG capacity is crucial to independence.

The EU puts legislation in place to counter the Inflation Reduction Act's subsidies; marks the beginning of a potential trade war with both the US and China.

Microsoft challenged the Federal Trade Commission's attempt to block the software giant's acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc. for $68.7 billion.

As countries turn away from Russia after it invaded Ukraine, the US has become more attractive. This new demand could push US energy production higher.

China filed a dispute at the World Trade Organization against the U.S. over export controls on advanced semiconductors and computer chips.

The Chinese government is shifting back to growth mode, as a rapid deterioration in economic conditions prompts alarmed officials to turn more of their focus to development after years of criticizing cadres who gave priority to growth at the expense of social stability and fiscal prudence.

The WTO's rejection of former President Trump's tariffs on imports of aluminum and steel has prompted pushback from the Biden administration and the U.S. steel industry.

The Inflation Reduction Act has riled European and Asian partners, who worry it violates principles of free trade agreed to under the World Trade Organization

President Biden on Friday signed bipartisan legislation approved by Congress to prevent a railroad strike that could have crippled the U.S. economy.

China needs to "recalibrate" its zero-COVID approach if it wants to keep the world's second largest economy on track as the Yuan plummets and a recession looms warned an IMF official.

China is the world’s biggest trader and the top market for its Asian neighbors. Restrictions that hamper activity at Chinese ports can disrupt global trade.