The USTR says it will take countermeasures if the EU restricts U.S. service/tech providers. The EU uses discriminatory measures against U.S. firms, while the U.S. lists 9 EU companies as targets. The EU enforced digital acts on U.S. tech firms this year; the U.S. accuses unfairness and threatens tariffs, EU calls it extortion. On Dec 5, EU fined X 120M euros, Trump threatened tariffs on EU/Canada.

On December 16, Xinhua reported the US government suspended the US-UK Technology Prosperity Agreement (signed in September) over dissatisfaction with UK's food, industrial product standards and digital regulation policies to pressure the UK; the agreement focuses on AI, quantum computing and civil nuclear energy cooperation.

On December 15th local time in New York, the 80th UN General Assembly approved the United Nations Convention on Negotiable Documents, authorizing Ghana to hold a 2026 signing ceremony. Proposed by China in 2019, the convention addresses cross-border transport documents' property rights, supports financing, eases enterprise pressure, and boosts global trade.

On Dec 12, 2025, Vietnam's Trade Defense Bureau plans to initiate an interim review of the anti-dumping case on Chinese tables, chairs and accessories; stakeholders submit applications by Jan 11, 2026. Previous 2023 final ruling imposed duties on Chinese products, terminated Malaysia's investigation.

On Dec 15, 2025, Mexican Ministry of Economy announced initiating anti-dumping investigation into US-origin pig legs/shoulders (pierna y espaldilla de cerdo). Dumping period: 2024; injury period: 2022-2024. Involved products: pork legs/shoulders (boned/boneless, fresh/refrigerated/frozen) with TIGIE tax numbers 0203.12.01 etc. Effective next day.

The IMF released an India economic assessment showing strong performance but short-term risks. It notes 6.5% FY2024-25 growth, 7.8% Q1 FY2025-26 GDP growth, falling inflation, and strengthened financial resilience. GST reform boosts potential growth, with key risks including geo-economic fragmentation and climate change.

On November 28, 2025, South Korea issued Announcement No. 2025-46 imposing temporary anti-dumping duties on Thai fiberboard (≤5mm) with rates 11.92% (Panel Plus) and 19.43% (others), valid until March 27, 2026; initiated investigation on May 7, 2025.

EU plans to officially impose CBAM (carbon tariffs) on Jan 1, 2026, expanding scope from upstream raw materials to downstream products. Aimed at addressing carbon leakage, it may impact global trade, exacerbate trade protectionism risks, and affect developing countries. Developed and developing nations should cooperate under common but differentiated responsibilities.

Data from the US Department of Commerce shows the US September goods and services trade deficit was $52.8 billion, down 10.96% from August's revised $59.3 billion; exports rose 3% to $289.3 billion, imports up 0.6% to $342.1 billion; first three quarters deficit up 17.2% year-on-year to $112.6 billion.

On December 5, 2025, South Korea imposed anti-dumping duties on Thai particle boards (excluding surface coated ones) with different rates for various producers, valid for 5 years. The case involved prior investigations and rulings from 2024 to 2025.

UNCTAD's Dec 9, 2025 report states global trade will grow in H2 2025, exceeding $35T annually. Q3 2025 trade rose 2.5%, with East Asia and South-South trade strong. "Friendly/nearshore outsourcing" trends strengthen, reshaping patterns. 2026 growth to slow due to economic, debt, trade cost factors.

On Dec 5, 2025, Argentina's Ministry of Economy issued Announcement No.1944, initiating anti-dumping sunset review and situation change investigation on non-embedded household electric ovens (18-60L) from China (tax number 8516.60.00) applied by CAFAVEP, Axel SA & Visuar SA. Dumping period: Oct 2024-Sep 2025; injury period: Jan 2022-Sep 2025. No anti-dumping duties temporarily. Stakeholders submit questionnaires within 30 days.

US government's tariff policy on Chinese container cranes disrupts its port modernization; operators delay upgrades due to tariff risks, high alternative costs, and US lack of domestic crane manufacturing.

On December 2, 2025, WTO Committee on Safeguards released Indonesia's safeguard notification for specific LLDPE imports. Indonesia made a positive final ruling, recommending three-stage safeguard taxes. It covers LLDPE with specific gravity <0.94 (non-liquid/paste/powder), involving tax codes ex3901.10.92 and ex3901.40.00. The investigation period is July 2021-June 2024, with prior investigation and scope expansion noted.

German ruling coalition (Union + SPD) agreed on three reforms (new social security fund, active pension, transport infrastructure) to boost economic recovery. Germany’s economy shrank two years due to challenges (energy prices, weak exports); forecasts see 0.2% 2025 growth, 1.3% 2026.

During the 2025 Johannesburg G20 Summit, India and Canada restarted CEPA negotiations targeting $50 billion bilateral trade by 2030. Talks resumed amid US tariff pressure, after a 2023 diplomatic dispute paused them. Bilateral trade grew from C$4.2b (2009) to ~C$31b (2024), with Canada’s PM planning a 2026 India visit to boost trade.

On April 18, 2025, Onesta IP filed a 337 investigation (337-TA-1450) with US ITC against certain integrated circuits and related products, alleging patent infringement. US ITC later partially terminated some patent claims investigations multiple times due to applicant withdrawal, latest ruling on Dec 3, 2025 not reviewing the Sept 25 preliminary ruling.

The US ITC issued multiple rulings on 337 investigation (337-TA-1424) into certain flash spun nonwoven materials & downstream products, covering preliminary decision reviews, adding defendants, terminating cases, and claims of trade secret theft, trademark infringement involving Chinese/US firms.

The US ITC initiated a Section 337 investigation (337-TA-1430) on certain urine splash guards in Jan 2025. It issued rulings on various dates: terminating cases against some Chinese defendants via settlement, ordering exclusion/prohibition for others, and a partial review notice on Dec 3, 2025.

A December 1 survey by the American Institute of Supply Management shows US manufacturing PMI fell from 48.7 (Oct) to 48.2 (Nov), below market expectation 49, due to tariff policies and federal government shutdown, shrinking for 9 consecutive months.