US

MNCs in the News-2019-01-18

China Ministry of Commerce report shows anemic increase in inward foreign direct investment (FDI) flows in 2018 year-over-year (YOY), though strong growth in manufacturing inward FDI (IFDI) in 2018 YOY. Foreign automaker optimism about the China market increases due to the calming of the United States (US)-China trade war. JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s 2019 global M&A outlook report predicts Chinese companies will continue to look for overseas mergers and acquisitions (M&As), partly because of readily-available capital. Paitron Services and the China Overseas Development Association report Chinese outward FDI (OFDI) now riskier because of growing tensions with the US and threats posed by terrorist groups. During a recent visit to Israel, US Deputy Secretary warned Jerusalem bilateral intelligence sharing could be at risk if the latter did not implement tougher screening of Chinese investments. Hitachi Ltd. board decision to suspend plans to build two nuclear reactors in the United Kingdom (UK) flow from financial issues not the political turmoil flowing from Brexit. South Korea will pursue closer ties with United Arab Emirates in the energy sector. Seoul High Court upholds ruling ordering Japanese machinery maker Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp. to pay compensation to Korean forced laborers.

MNCs in the News-2019-01-11

During a meeting with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stated his country welcomes investments from foreign firms and is open to deepening cooperation with them. An official from the Beijing Central Business District (CBD), which is undertaking steps to attract higher quality firms, touts foreign direct investment (FDI)’s contribution to CBD. Chinese merger & acquisition (M&A) activity in the US in 2018 plummets. Rising Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) scrutiny of foreign attempts to purchase minority stakes in American companies has fueled a major drop in Chinese venture funding of United States (US) start-ups. Chinese FDI pours into Latin America as US presence wanes and Latin American technology firms thirst for funding. South Korea President Moon Jae-in accuses Tokyo of politicizing recent court decisions over wartime labor. Meeting with his British counterpart, Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo urges the United Kingdom (UK) to avoid a no-deal Brexit. During his New Year Press conference last week, South Korean President Moon reiterated his support for economic cooperation between the two Koreas and called for a lifting of economic sanctions. State-run Korea National Oil Corp. (KNOC) moves to liquidate overseas resources development projects that generated huge losses for the firm in 2017.

MNCs in the News-2019-01-04

Foreign companies remain cautious about increasing their foreign direct investment (FDI) in China because of the risk of trade war escalation. Multinational corporations (MNCs) in China worry not only about trade war’s impact on sales, but pressures to relocate their factories. China’s National People’s Congress reviews draft law than seems to more aggressively protect foreign investor interests than a previous version. Survey reveals US businesses finding trade war leading them to face increased Chinese non-tariff barriers. China’s State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission and the Chinese Academy of Social Science have produced a report that central State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are delivering equal employment benefits to Chinese and locals. Attorneys representing former South Korean forced laborers for Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal file for the seizure of Nippon Steel assets in Korea. South Korean government will tighten rules on the acquisition of Korean companies by foreign firms to limit technology leaks. Seoul to designate OLED equipment and chemical sector as “national core technologies” to gain influence over their sale and export.

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.

MNCs in the News-2018-12-07

China says will lift all barriers to foreign direct investment (FDI) not included on the negative list and launch a special inspection to ensure foreign investors are treated fairly. China is advancing its promise to open its financial sector as evidenced by its approval of Swiss UBS Group’s control of a local joint venture (JV). Tesla has opened the bidding to build its “gigafactory” in Shanghai that will help it avoid Chinese tariffs on imported US-built cars. Sensitive to rising national security concerns, British telecom firm BT Group has blocked Huawei from supplying equipment for its core 5G technology. Diverging from other countries, Portugal allowed its major network provider to sign a contract with Huawei. Japan and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. are contemplating abandoning a nuclear project in Turkey due to ballooning costs. Tokyo will issue guidelines for the acquisition of telecommunications equipment by central government ministries and the Self-Defense Forces that implicitly relate to Chinese makers. South Korean and Chinese officials hold investment promotion meeting in Beijing to seek ways to lower trade barriers and boost bilateral investment. Korean delegations makes urgent visit to the United Arab Emirates to dispel worries of Korea’s possible loss of the exclusive right to operate the Barakah nuclear power plant.

MNCs in the News-2018-11-30

China moving to improve the business environment for foreign companies, especially in Free Trade Zones (FTZs). China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announces that it will permit foreign banks in China to apply for approval for a quota increase in their medium to long-term foreign debt for 2019. Per Donald Trump, the United States may take a bite out of Apple products coming from China which previously have escaped a special 10 percent tariffs on Chinese goods. China’ Huawei finds Kiwis not so soft after New Zealand’s intelligence agency blocks it supplying 5G mobile network equipment to the major domestic telecom provider. Maldives’ new finance minister criticizes true price of Chinese projects, which has led to the Maldives returning to an “India First” policy. Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries ordered by South Korea’s Supreme Court to pay USD $365,500 in damages to two groups of South Koreans for forced wartime labor. In post-Carlos Ghosn arrest meeting, France suggests to Japanese official “the head of the Renault-Nissan alliance should be from the French automaker.” European firms with business in South Korea push Seoul to upgrade the country’s business regulations to reach international standards. At the 6th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Connectivity Forum, South Korea’s secretary-general of the ASEAN-Korea Centre states Korea is looking to improve relations with ASEAN countries especially in infrastructure area.

MNCs in the News-2018-11-23

China working to improve opportunities for foreign players in its insurance sector. Shanghai looks to improve services for foreign companies which have a major presence in the city and are a major contributor to its economic successes. European Union moves forward on inward foreign direct investment (FDI) screening mechanism that is not directed at, but has a lot to do with China. Pursuant to Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA) the United States (US) Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS) will now screen much smaller deals in various sectors newly deemed critical, greatly affecting Chinese deals. Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte’s move towards China does not seem to have paid off in terms of increased Chinese outward FDI (OFDI) and infrastructure in the Philippines. US prosecutors investigating Mitsubishi UFJ (MUFJ) for potentially allowing North Korea to launder money. To push forward infrastructure projects, Japanese Prime Minister advisor meets with Filipino officials soon after visit of Chinese President. South Korean manufacturers turn attention from China to Vietnam which offers a better policy, tax, and labor cost environment. South Korea’s POSCO Engineering & Construction Co.-led consortium wins major power plant contract in Malaysia.

MNCs in the News-2018-11-16

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) reported October inward foreign direct investment (FDI) flows reflected a 7.3 percent rise over the previous year. MOFCOM looks to aid Chinese private companies invest overseas albeit in an “orderly,” guided way. German officials are pressing their government to hang up on Chinese corporate participation in the country’s early 2019 5G spectrum auction. American Enterprise Institute report suggests Belt and Road Initiative investment by Chinese companies is losing steam. Tokyo reassures Japanese businesses of its opposition to any actions requiring Japanese companies to pay compensation to forced laborers, saying the matter was settled in 1965. Japan succeeds in getting member countries of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to adopt new guidelines relating to the quality of infrastructure development and investment. Korean price rigging conspiracy at US military bases in Korea fuels massive USD $200 million in criminal and civil penalties. South Korean legislatures considers broadened value-added tax on global information and communication technology companies to create a level playing field for Korean firms.

MNCs in the News-2018-11-09

The head of China’s State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission recently announced China welcomes foreign direct investment (FDI) in China’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs). At World Internet Conference, China restates its familiar call for “cyberspace sovereignty,” but most focused on absences of key Chinese political leaders and high-level business representatives. Lego scores another victory in China in its efforts to protect its intellectual property rights (IPR). Australia blocks Hong Kong CK Group’s USD $9.4 billion bid for APA Group gas pipeline operator due to national security concerns. In the wake of Australia’s recent rejection of CK’s acquisition APA group, its foreign minister went to Beijing to reaffirm Australian’s receptivity toward Chinese inward FDI (IFDI). Brexit and United Kingdom (UK) FDI review reforms have raised Chinese anxieties about potentially adverse implications for its FDI in UK leading UK to state it intends to continue welcoming Chinese IFDI. Despite growing criticism over its passivity regarding the Rohingya issue, Japan continues to support Myanmar infrastructure development, fearing isolation will only drive Naypyidaw towards Beijing. Japan bolsters its investment and infrastructure corporation with the Philippines while elevating strategic partnership. Korea has denied Tokyo’s World Trade Organization filing that it breached international trade rules by providing subsidies to Korean shipbuilders.

MNCs in the News-2018-11-02

Shanghai moves to make life easier for foreign direct investment (FDI) as anxieties grow that FDI may leave. Germany’s Federation of Germany Industries’ position paper calls for German businesses in China to limit their dependence on China. Australia’s exclusion of firms with government ties from its new 5G network mean no involvement by Huawei, leading to Chinese government criticisms. Chile signs on to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. During an official meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, Tokyo pledged USD $2.8 billion in new loans for seven projects in India including the construction of a high-speed shinkansen system and roads. Recent South Korea Supreme Court ruling that Japan’s Nippon Steel must pay compensation to Korean World War II forced laborers leaves roughly 70 Japanese firms facing similar cases on edge. Samsung pledges to increase its contribution to Vietnam while Vietnam pledges to keep improving business environment for the firm.

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