trade protectionism

MNC in the News-2019-02-01

A German Chamber of Commerce in China (AHK) survey makes clear German companies are concerned by China’s slow progress in resolving persistent problems facing foreign direct investment (FDI). European Commission considering taking action to prevent EU businesses from using 5G mobile networks provided by any country or company suspected of using its equipment for spying or sabotage. In 2018, Chinese firms were the biggest buyers of overseas mining assets, especially minerals needed for clean energy technologies and electric car batteries. French President Emmanuel Macron tells Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe he is worried about Carlos Ghosn’s jail conditions and suggests Tokyo intervene in the selection of Nissan’s new chairman. Japanese lawmakers call for Japanese government to take a stronger stance against South Korea on historical disputes pertaining to Japanese companies. Seoul will focus on attracting foreign companies with high-end technologies by offering better incentives and fewer regulations. Rising trade barriers and a poor local economic situation are pushing an increasing number of Korean manufacturers abroad.

Wong MNC Center Co-Organizes and Co-Sponsors Conference entitled “Coping with Global Backlash”

The Mr. & Mrs. S.H. Wong Center for the Study of Multinational Corporations (Wong MNC Center) is co-organizing and co-sponsoring the “Coping with Global Backlash” Conference at the University of California Berkeley (UC Berkeley) in October 2018. The two-day event, which runs from October 18 to 19, is hosted by the UC Berkeley Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Study Center (BASC), Center for Long Term Cybersecurity, Clausen Center, and IEAS, which also are event co-organizers and co-sponsors.

Mr. Naoyuki Haraoka's picture

Pondering National Security Concerns as a Basis for Trade and Investment Barriers

Mr. Naoyuki Haraoka
Posted: Jun 20, 2018

In March, United States (US) President Donald Trump decided to raise tariffs on steel by 25 percent and on aluminum by 10 percent for national security reasons. This raised concerns about possible retaliation by US trading partners that might lead to a damaging cycle of trade actions that shrank world trade and spurred a global depression. US national security economic-related worries pertain not only to trade but also to foreign direct investment (FDI), especially high-tech FDI, because an increasing number of civilian technologies can be adapted for military use.