JV

China cannot rely on United States (US) business community in China to pressure Washington to temper the current trade war. Foreign companies’ desire to take full control of their securities and financial management companies in China may be impeded by the US-China trade war. US-China trade war forces foreign companies in China at the lower-end of the value added chain to consider all kinds of new strategies. Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2018 rises by 14.1 percent in dollar terms over the same seven month period in 2017. Nissan to deepen its China ties due to uncertainties in the US as well as in Europe relating to Brexit. Daiwa Securities will move to set up majority owned securities unit in China due to the revision of foreign ownership stake limits. South Korea to investigate foreign companies over their practices to protect customer data. South Korea Innovation begins construction of electric vehicle battery factory that will be the first JV involving a Chinese automaker and a foreign battery maker.

Foreign car makers hope China will speed up the auto reform parts that they desire. Puma hopping to consider other production venues if United States (US) imposes tariffs on shoes and apparel made in China. India does not offer support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) at recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting. Toyota to sell Chinese partner’s electric vehicle in China to pave way for introducing own models next year. Itochu pulling out of Turkish nuclear power plant project due to surge in safety-related costs. General Motors reaches last minute deal with labor union and South Korean government to save Korean operations. State-owned Korea National Oil Corporation looking to sell Canadian Harvest oil field to repay debts incurred by its Canadian subsidiary. Opponent of incumbent Malaysian Prime Minister vows to reconsider Chinese contracts if elected. KWAP may consider stake in IAG if Prudential cannot met Malaysian central bank mandate that foreign insurers reduce ownership stakes to 70 percent.

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) reports that foreign direct investment flows into China topped USD $22.5 billion in the first two months of 2016. Bristol-Myers Squibb moves to deal with fallout of US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act settlement relating to its China joint venture. Chrysler to recall nearly 21,000 vehicles in China that have an oil pipe defect. Chinese outward foreign direct investment (COFDI) soars YOY with smaller and private enterprises becoming more important proportionally. Statistics for 2015 show strength of COFDI in Europe. China sees room for more COFDI in Russian agriculture as well as agricultural cooperation. Some believe COFDI in the US has the potential to influence voting patterns in some localities. Chicago Transit Authority awards CSR Sifang America a USD $1.3 billion railcar supply order. Mitsubishi partners with Korean firm on government awarded coal-fired power plant project in Vietnam. Foreign businesses in Korea voice concern about the discretionary legal and regulatory environment and call for greater stability. Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with Italy’s SIMEST that will facilitate more Italian investment in Korea. Korea and Egypt expand their bilateral cooperation increase infrastructure and cooperation opportunities for Korean firms in Egypt. The liberalization of Indonesia’s cinema sector draws increases foreign investor interest in cinema screen construction in the country. The Thai Business Development Department (TBDD) and Franchise License Association (FLA) will cooperate to assist franchise business operators conduct business in ASEAN countries, China, and Japan. State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor welcomes foreign construction companies to participate in government investment projects provided they find a Thai partner and obey Thai rules and regulations.

China’s General Administration of Quality, Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine announces recall of more than 10,000 Mercedes cars due to airbag defects. China moves to develop “Made in China” drugs. China’s rising overseas economic presence reflected in its negotiations with Djibouti to build a logistics hub. Top Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) leader highlights potential for further Chinese investment in Africa. At the latest China-Africa Cooperation Summit, Xi Jinping oversees expansion of Chinese economic cooperation with South Africa and other African countries. Ambitious $50 billion Nicaragua canal plan delayed by at least one year, intensifying doubts about its viability. Sino-Russian joint venture (JV) set up to build rail equipment for Moscow-Kazan high-speed rail line. Xiamen University to invest in campus in Malaysia that will support the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative. Bank of China facing $50,000/day fine under US District Court contempt order. Nissan moves to limit French government and Renault interference in Nissan-Renault alliance. Japan agrees to provide funding to Indonesia for various mass transit and power projects. Japanese firm lands power deals with Botswana. British firms eager to exploit public-private partnership opportunities in Thailand. Thai Prime Minister emphasizes need for Thai-China railway to move forward. Indonesian government seems reluctant to start early negotiations with Freeport-McMoRan about the Grasberg mine. Vietnam reports significant increase in foreign direct investment inflows up to November 2015.