Addressing global trade risks through strategic finance
Manage global trade risks through financial planning. Use hedging, diversification and flexible strategies to protect your business from economic uncertainty. Also read: Supply Chain Finance: Unleashing Liquidity in Global Trade Businesses are no longer limited to local markets. International trade has become the cornerstone of global commerce, providing tremendous opportunities for growth and expansion. However, this global landscape also comes with a range of financial risks, such as currency fluctuations, political instability and unforeseen geopolitical events. As businesses expand into foreign markets, addressing these risks is critical to protecting profits and ensuring long-term success. In this article, we explore how businesses involved in international trade can manage financial risks through smart investment strategies and financial planning. From hedging against currency fluctuations to dealing with geopolitical uncertainty, there are effective ways to reduce risk and ensure your business has a more stable financial future. Understand the risks of global trade Participation in global trade brings opportunities for growth, but it also…
How technology is changing the future of the technology industry
Skilled trades programs take an average of two years or more and lead students to high-paying jobs, job security, generous benefits and, ultimately, the chance to become their own boss. These benefits, combined with new cutting-edge technologies, are driving a new wave of individuals into the field. Also read: How e-commerce is driving new trends in global trade and logistics Trade school enrollment increases 16% The numbers continued to rise last year as people looked for careers that offered job security and didn't require student loans. Most centers offer certification at a fraction of the cost of traditional four-year college tuition. Training centers are now bursting with innovation and energy, moving away from outdated assumptions about “secondary” career paths. Furthermore, with recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI), they remain a safer option. Artificial intelligence is expected to eventually replace large numbers of white-collar workers, while technical careers remain a hands-on occupation. No AI program can weld pipes in the snow,…
EIN vs. VAT: Understanding international differences
Tax processing for international businesses can be a complex process, especially when you need to use identifiers from multiple countries. Two important tax identifiers that appear frequently global business discussion are the employer identification number (EIN) and value-added tax (VAT) number. While both are important, they serve different purposes and operate in different jurisdictions. This article will detail what EINs and VATs are, why businesses may need them, and how they are used in cross-border transactions. What is an EIN? An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number issued by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify a business for tax purposes. Often compared to a Social Security number, but for businesses, an EIN is critical for tax reporting, payroll management, opening business bank accounts, and establishing business credit in the United States. Who needs an EIN? In the United States, businesses that employ employees, operate as a corporation or partnership, or file certain tax returns are…
10 Best Websites to Find International Buyers Online
To expand your business and achieve new levels of success, or to stay one step ahead of your existing competitors, you can expand globally with international buyers and exporters interested in trading with you. Also Read: Top 10 Online B2B Marketplaces of 2025 Finding buyers internationally can seem challenging due to the large number of competitors. However, if you get the right guidance, you can meet many genuine buyers and exporters who will introduce your business to their market and audience, making it global. We offer the world's top 10 B2B marketplaces through which you can connect with genuine international buyers and exporters for your business. 10 Best B2B Platforms to Find International Buyers for Exports Below is a list of top B2B marketplaces looking for international buyers and exporters to successfully grow your business: B2B platform Specification Rating (out of 5 points) Alibaba The world's largest B2B marketplace connecting various industries. 4.8 tradewheel.com A rapidly developing B2B platform with…
Harbor Manatee resumes delivering fuel to hurricane-hit areas
SeaPort Manatee has restarted fuel distribution operations to provide much-needed resources to Southwest and Central Florida following the October 9 landfall of Hurricane Milton. Also Read: Southeastern US ports reopen as Hurricane Milton recovery progresses Manatee County Port Authority Chairman Kevin Van Ostenbridge announced on Sunday, Oct. 13, that “through a coordinated effort with Manatee County, state and federal agencies, and industry partners, the fuel distribution activities It will be back to normal starting this morning.” As power is restored to the port, limited landside cargo operations have resumed. In accordance with guidance from the U.S. Coast Guard, waterside activities are limited to daylight hours and vessel movement is limited to one-way traffic within the waterway. “The Manatee Seaport is critical to supplying fuel to gas stations throughout the region,” said Carlos Buqueras, the port’s executive director. “Restoring supply is especially important given that our region has been hit by two consecutive hurricanes.” As a strategic gateway where Tampa Bay…
EXIM Bank approves over $1 billion in deals to boost
"These transformative exports fuel growth in the U.S. economy, strengthen our economy and national security, and improve our quality of life." The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) recently approved five major transactions worth more than $1 billion designed to support U.S. exports and secure approximately 4,000 U.S. jobs. The Board's approval of these agreements is consistent with the Export-Import Bank's mission to support U.S. businesses and meet charter requirements. Key deals include Boeing committing $225 million in aircraft exports to Royal Air Maroc, providing 1,100 jobs in South Carolina and Ohio. Another major deal is Korean Air's commitment to export aircraft to South Korea for $637 million, which is expected to provide about 3,000 jobs in four U.S. states. The board also proposed a non-binding resolution to enhance financing of critical minerals and rare earths in response to growing interest in Congress. This is consistent with the U.S. Export-Import Bank's China and Transformative Exports Program, which also provided…
USTR Finalizes List of Products Subject to Section 301 Sanctions
September 13, 2024, United States Trade Representative (USTR) Announce After completing a four-year statutory review in May 2024, the United States has finalized changes to its Section 301 trade actions. postalOn May 22, 2024, the Office of the United States Trade Representative published a draft list of imports for which Section 301 tariff rates are proposed to be increased. The USTR proposal aims to target "certain products from China in strategic sectors," including lithium-ion batteries, electric vehicles, solar energy, steel and aluminum, semiconductors, medical devices, and shipping. The USTR also proposed limited Section 301 tariff exemptions for imported equipment used in U.S. manufacturing activities and 19 exemptions for solar panel manufacturing equipment. Also read: USTR raises tariffs on French and German aircraft parts and some wines and distilled spirits After announcing the proposed Section 301 tariff increase, the Office of the United States Trade Representative ask Comments are sought on whether the proposed list adequately covers each targeted product and…
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security issued new guidance to combat Russian money transfer risks and
Recently, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) released New guidance Provide further assistance to exporters and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security to combat third-party transfers to Russia. Specifically, BIS’s recent guidance outlines the various mechanisms it uses—in addition to its usual public screening lists (IE, The Unverified List, Entity List, Military End-User List, and Denied Persons List) — notify companies and universities of parties that present a risk of transfer to Russia. According to BIS, it has obtained information supporting the notifications described below from a variety of sources, including information from the export community, government data, news reports, and other open-source resources. Specific mechanisms BIS uses to prevent exporters from unknowingly exporting items to relevant parties include: 1. "Supplier List" Letter Identify parties that present diversion risks and are not on the public screening lists but have been determined by BIS to be exporting or facilitating transactions to destinations…
Global merchandise trade rebounds in Q3 2024, but geopolitical
According to the latest Goods Trade Barometer report from the World Trade Organization (WTO), global merchandise trade continued to recover in the third quarter of 2024. This marks a rebound in global merchandise trade from its sluggish performance in 2023, with trade growth averaging 0.7% quarter-on-quarter over the past two quarters, or 2.7% annualized. This is very consistent with the WTO's earlier forecast of a 2.6% increase in trade this year. Also read: WTO Director-General warns of rising protectionism and its threat to global trade The WTO noted that trade growth starts to pick up in late 2023 and gains momentum in the first half of 2024, growing 1% in the first quarter and 1.4% year-on-year. The recovery comes after a period of weak demand due to high inflation and high interest rates in major markets. However, the report highlighted that trade growth was uneven across regions. Europe’s performance lagged behind expectations, while other regions performed stronger than expected. The…
How can traders improve their ability to focus?
For traders, maintaining sharp focus and clear thinking is essential to making fast and effective decisions. Whether you are trading stocks, forex, or cryptocurrencies, the ability to focus in volatile market conditions can be the difference between success and missed opportunities. Improving focus can be achieved through lifestyle adjustments, strategic habits, and (for some) exploring alternative methods. Below is a comprehensive guide on how traders can improve their focus and performance. Also read: LLC vs. Sole Proprietorship: A Key Decision for Traders 1. Prioritize sleep and rest Sufficient sleep is Cognitive functionIncluding attention, memory and decision-making ability. Lack of sleep can lead to decreased concentration and increased stress, which can negatively affect trading performance. Tips for better sleep: Create a daily habit: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Limit screen time: Reduce screen time at least an hour before bedtime, as blue light can affect sleep quality. Create a relaxing environment:…
Malaysia’s diplomatic, commercial and national enthusiasm is evident
Malaysia celebrates its 67th anniversaryday On August 30, Malaysia celebrated its independence from British colonial rule at the historic Bowling Green Park in New York City. A diverse crowd of Malaysians, businesspeople, the international consular corps and New York City officials attended the flag-raising ceremony amid a national celebration. But the event also provided a chance for some to privately discuss opportunities for American businesses in Malaysia. Also read: New York State Senator delivers Malaysia's 66th National Day proclamation The presence of Christina Chelliah, first runner-up of the 2002 Miss Universe Malaysia pageant, added glamour to the event, with some attendees flocking to take pictures with her. Chelliah, wearing a tiara, told Global Trade Magazine She is a lawyer by profession and has worked in New York. “I love showcasing my country’s rich culture while emphasizing our country’s potential as a modern and prosperous economy that can be a strong partner for the United States,” she said. Appointed as Malaysia's…
“Tariffs are on the table regardless of U.S. importers
In an era of rapidly changing global trade conditions and increasing geopolitical uncertainty, U.S. importers and businesses face complex decisions about their manufacturing strategies. Ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China, coupled with the likelihood of tariffs regardless of the election outcome, have prompted many companies to reevaluate their reliance on Chinese manufacturing. However, the decision to onshore, nearshore, or reshore operations is not an easy one, as evidenced by Foxconn’s decision to invest $137.5 million in China by July 2024. Foxconn will establish a new headquarters in Zhengzhou, China. Also read: Top 25 container ports in the United States To navigate this challenging environment, companies must conduct a comprehensive analysis that spans multiple functions. The first step in this analysis is a thorough cost assessment. Labor costs, In the past, this has often been the main driver for offshoring, but it must be examined carefully. Companies need to compare not only current wage rates, but also long-term…
BRICS embrace economic independence, marginalize US
The BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) are gradually moving away from their reliance on the U.S. dollar in international trade, according to Sameep Shastri, vice president of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce. Shastri discussed the shift in a recent interview, highlighting the group’s growing preference for using national currencies for trade, such as the Russian ruble, Indian rupee and Chinese yuan. Also read: How the US dollar dominates the global trading space Shastri pointed out that this trend is part of the BRICS's broader strategy of economic self-reliance, challenging the long-term dominance of Western economies. "We should not rely on a single currency," Shastri said, stressing that the BRICS countries need to strengthen their own currencies and economies. The BRICS group, which expanded earlier this year to include Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia, is increasingly positioning itself as a counterweight to Western economic powers. Shastri pointed to the significant influence of…
WTO chief Okonjo-Iweala warns of rising protectionism
World Trade Organization (WTO) President Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warned on Tuesday that the state of global trade is worrying, highlighting rising protectionism amid geopolitical tensions and the climate crisis. Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the future of trade in services, digitalization and the green economy at the launch of the WTO's annual report. See also: WTO Secretary-General Okonjo-Iweala stresses important role of Aid for Trade in empowering developing economies “These are difficult times for global trade. Against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions and the climate crisis, we are seeing a rise in protectionism and unilateral policy measures,” she said. “After years of talk of decoupling, trade may be starting to fracture along geopolitical lines.” Despite these challenges, Okonjo-Iweala noted that digitalization could generate growth and jobs, and she also highlighted the role of trade in strengthening global food security and driving progress towards net-zero emissions. The WTO annual report reviews the organization's activities in 2023 and early 2024. The 13th Ministerial Conference held in…
Explore the latest exhibition information and industry trends at ASAP Expo Magazine. Your one-stop platform, bringing together global exhibition highlights, industry trends and in-depth analysis, to help companies accurately connect with the market and seize business opportunities.
