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MNCs in the News-2020 December

China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) release revised 2020 catalog of encouraged industries for foreign direct investment (FDI). China’s NDRC issues rules relating to FDI national security reviews. China’s Standing Committee of National People’s Congress considering amendment to criminal law that would increase prison terms for intellectual property rights (IPR) crimes. Chinese outward FDI (OFDI) in Latin America in 2020 a bright spot versus Chinese OFDI (COFDI) in other regions like Europe. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses at news briefing that FDI in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and CPEC has not declined with many projects showing good results despite Covid-19. United States (US) Congress to provide billions of dollars to fund removal of ZTE and Huawei equipment from US telecommunication carriers’ systems. Japan not succeeding in attracting foreign financial firms due to tax, red tape, language barriers, and other factors. Japan 5G players gain potential new openings due to global crackdown on Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE. United Kingdom (UK) and European Union (EU) post-Brexit deal may not prevent Japanese carmakers from leaving the UK. Japanese group to supply $1.8 billion for coal-fired power plant in Vietnam despite complaints about the environmental impact of the plant. Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) will administer a survey to Google Play Store users to accelerate its review of Google’s plan to increase application transactions to 30 percent. Hyundai Heavy Industries Holdings receives Chinese government approval for its $1.8 billion acquisition of Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering. Korea electric vehicle (EV) battery makers move to diversify away from China, turning to other countries and local firms for raw materials and components. LG Group has signed a major investment deal with Indonesia that would facilitate its access to EV battery raw materials and product.

MNCs in the News-2020 May

China’s recently issued Guideline regarding its economy contains numerous favorable, albeit general, offerings for foreign direct investment (FDI). To retaliate against United States (US) exports controls against Huawei, China readies itself to add US companies to an “unreliable entity list” which may subject them to various sanctions. US Chamber of Commerce decries potentially excessive measures by US government to move supply chains away from China. United Kingdom looks to reduce Huawei involvement in its 5G network with Huawei potentially being removed from all telecommunications infrastructure by 2023. Chinese contractors plan to make substantial progress on Indonesia’s Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail over the balance of 2020. US pressure influences Israel to reject Hong Kong firm’s bid on strategically located, large-scale desalination plant. Japan categorizes firms into three groups as part of its effort to clarify what review processes apply to FDI pursuant to its Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act. New Japanese law requires technology companies operating e-commerce websites and apps to submit annual reports, notifications of contract changes, and establish complaint processes. In quest for supply chain resiliency, Japan will provide subsides to encourage Japanese firms to return to Japan or move to Southeast Asia. Realized inward FDI into Korea in the first quarter 2020 plunges over similar period last year due to shorter worker hours, higher minimum wages, and other factors. South Korean parliament passes legislation that likely forces content providers to share network costs with local internet service providers. US support for the Economic Prosperity Network raises fears among Korean companies they will be pushed to shift FDI to the US. Korean firm to make huge investment in UAE pipeline as part of its consortium’s winning bid.

MNCs in the News-2020-04-24

According to China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), more than 1000 companies including many from the United States (US), Germany, and Japan have registered from the 2020 November China International Import Expo. MOFCOM reports that China’s non-financial outward foreign direct investment (FDI) declined less than 1 percent year-over-year when compared to the 1st quarter of 2019. Many interpreted a recent India notification indicating special government scrutiny of FDI from bordering countries as directed against China as a time when Indian companies might be vulnerable. Canyon Bridge, the Chinese owner of the United Kingdom (UK)’s semiconductor designer Imagination Technologies, says the company’s headquarters will stay in the UK. Japan will add the medical sector to the list of sectors where FDI is subject to review pursuant to the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Control Law. Japan’s NEC wins major deal to supply observation satellite to Vietnam. Korea’s Fair Trade Commission needs more time to review Delivery Hero’s deal to acquire Woowa Brothers due to concerns about the anti-competitive effects of the deal. Korea’s GS Engineering & Construction concludes a roughly $450 million deal with the Singapore’s Land Transport Authority to build an Integrated Train Testing Center.

MNCs in the News-2020-04-10

United States (US) financial giant JPMorgan strikes terms for taking 100 percent stake in its Shanghai mutual fund joint venture (JV). US trade bodies write to US Department of Commerce head to warn about adverse effects of contemplated changes to US export controls of semiconductors and semiconductor equipment to China, stressing for the first time the importance of chips in healthcare equipment. Reported attempted Board coup at United Kingdom (UK) graphic chipmaker Imagination Technologies blocked by UK government. China rejects reported charge that it was donating masks to France on the condition Huawei could participate in France’s 5G network. Japan prepares massive supplemental budget to facilitate Japanese firms leaving China for Japan or Southeast Asia. Indonesia’s partial lockdown in Jakarta drives Japanese firms to temporary shutter their factories there. Korean regulatory authorities will conduct a comprehensive review of Germany’s Delivery Hero’s acquisition of Woowa Brothers, the operator of food delivery app Baemin. India’s Mahindra & Mahindra says it will not inject fresh funding into SsangYong Motor.

MNCs in the News-2020-02-07

China’s Ministry of Commerce pushes Chinese Chambers of Commerce to provide force majeure certificates to Chinese firms struggling to meet their contractual obligations due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus crisis. Wuhan Institute of Virology move to apply for a patent to use United States (US) firm Gilead’s remdesivir to treat pneumonia like symptoms raises intellectual property issues. Huawei’s Chief Representative to European Union (EU) institutions says the firm will build 5G manufacturing bases in Europe. US Attorney General Bill Barr advocates US and its allies taking controlling stakes in Nokia, Ericsson, or both to fend off Huawei 5G challenge. Japan’s Ministry of Defense reveals two new Japanese defense-related companies that suffered cyberattacks, without stating if classified information was leaked. Japanese company plans to cope with Brexit subject to change depending upon trade negotiations between the United Kingdom (UK) and the EU. Japan files petition with the World Trade Organization to challenge planned merger between Hyundai Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. Panama re-awards Metro Line 3 to Korean consortium, rejecting challenges from Chinese firms and a consortium with a Chinese company.

MNCs in the News-2020-01-17

China’s tax system has been improving and there are hopes this will boost inward foreign direct investment (FDI). Goldman Sachs contemplates major expansion of employees in mainland China if China’s financial sector opening continues and it can take full ownership of its securities joint venture (JV). JPMorgan moves to increase its ownership of its fund management business in China because of China’s financial sector opening and the attractive opportunities present in the sector. United States (US) pressures on the United Kingdom (UK) to shun Huawei’s presence in its 5G telecommunications system lead UK Prime Minister to query what are the alternatives. Lawsuit by various US states threatens to upend merger of Sprint, in which Japan’s Softbank has a huge stake, and T-Mobile. Softbank proposes huge investment in Indonesia’s planned move of its capital from Jakarta. Korea’s Fair Trade Commission action forces Netflix to revise some clauses in its customer agreements. Korea’s Samsung acquires TeleWorld Solutions, a US-based telecom firm, which may open 5G opportunities in the US.

MNCs in the News-2019-06-28

President Donald Trump’s tough stance on intellectual property rights (IPR) violations seems to be driving China to treat foreign IPR more respectfully. At the Osaka G20 Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping announces several measures China will undertake to open its market further to foreign direct investment (FDI) and improve IPR protection. This past week witnessed the creation of the Belt and Road Economic Information Partnership (BREIP). Two major BRI projects in Africa end. At the Osaka G20 summit, participating countries embrace Japan’s international principles for quality infrastructure. Japan tells two leading candidates for the British Prime Ministership it does not want a “no deal Brexit.” As part of its downstream growth and diversification strategy, Saudi Aramco and its affiliates have signed a dozen accords with South Korean companies covering sectors areas like shipbuilding, engine manufacturing, and petrochemicals. A consortium involving Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KNHP) and KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering (KPS) signs a five-year maintenance service deal for the Barakah nuclear power plant, but fails to garner responsibilities for maintenance services, nuclear scientists, and engineers.

MNCs in the News-2019-05-24

China’s Cyberspace Administration releases draft document stating, “operators of the country’s critical information infrastructure…will be required to take into account national security risk when purchasing foreign products and services.” A recent European Union (EU) Chamber of Commerce in China survey suggests the problem of forced technology transfers in China has worsened. The US is considering cutting off the flow of American technology to five other Chinese firms putatively because of these companies’ role in supporting Beijing’s actions in Xinjiang. With the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aiming to become a major China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner, China’s East Hope Group conglomerate contemplates $10 billion port investment there. China’s chargé d'affaires in London warns if Huawei banned from Britain’s 5G network there might be “substantial” repercussions for Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United Kingdom (UK). The Japan unit of US e-commerce giant Amazon has decided to stop direct sales of all Huawei products through its online store. Mizuho Financial Group Inc. said it will tighten standards for lending to coal-fired power plants with high emissions of CO2. Renault Samsung workers in Korea reject draft wage and bargaining agreement which may lead to an “indefinite all-out strike” that drives the joint venture’s upcoming XM3 production to Spain. Iraq’s Ministry of Petroleum awards Korea’s Hyundai Engineering and Construction a $2.45 billion contract to build a seawater supply facility in Iraq.

MNCs in the News-2019-04-26

United States (US) Trade Representative (USTR) criticizes China’s intellectual property (IP) protections and calls for stronger IP safeguards. China pledges the journey along its Belt and Road (BRI) will only get better. Survey shows new European Union (EU) foreign direct investment (FDI) screening laws make Chinese companies feel the EU is discriminating against them. United Kingdom (UK) reportedly dials into China’s Huawei participating in its 5G network activities. Eager to keep Italy from moving too close to Beijing, Japan calls for deeper economic (and military) cooperation during top leader summit. Korea charged up about lack of level playing field relating to electric vehicle subsidies. Korean petrochemical firms will be hit by the upcoming end to the US policy of granting waivers to countries importing Iranian crude oil.

MNCs in the News-2018-12-14

Inward foreign direct investment (FDI) into China for the first 11 months of 2018 year-over-year relatively stable. Beijing stops requiring its local governments to support the Made in China 2025 policy. European Union Ambassador to China calls on China to stop requiring companies to transfer technology for market access. Apple considers moving some production out of China due to possibility of increased tariffs on its China-produced smartphones and laptops. 2018 proves a tough year for Chinese outward FDI (OFDI) in the oil sector. Huawei accepts various UK technical requirements “to address risks in its equipment and software.” Following a Japanese government’s decision that effectively excluded China’s Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp. from public procurement, Japan’s three major mobile phone carriers Softbank Corp., NTT Docomo Inc., and KDDI Corp. plan to stop using various products from these companies. Japanese expert panel calls on Tokyo to take measures to protect the usage of consumer data. Korea Electric Power Corp. report on Northeast Asia power grid notes it would face serious challenges because of sanctions on North Korea. Beginning July 2019, Korea will impose a value-added tax on a wider range of services provided by global technology giants to level the playing field for Korean firms.

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