Li Keqiang

MNCs in the News-2020-03-13

China’s State Council identifies measures to encourage greater foreign direct investment (FDI) into China. Shanghai continues to attract inward FDI and seeks to reach new heights in 2020. China’s TikTok to establish center in United States (US) to assuage worries that user data is being transmitted back to China. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tells US Congressional committee that the US is working with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to ensure their funds are not used to repay Belt and Road Initiative debts. Japan will not allow investors filing applications under its new FDI review system to submit notice online or in English. Japanese Ministry of Finance data shows Japan’s overseas investment earnings rose steadily in January 2019, offsetting deficits in other areas. Hyundai Heavy Industries’ acquisition of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering encountered another obstacle with the European Commission delaying its decision on the merger until the summer. Korea’s Samsung facing hindrances to its efforts to boost production at some of its Vietnam factories due to Vietnam’s restrictions on Korean travelers resulting from the coronavirus.

MNCs in the News-2019-09-13

Despite the United States (US)-China trade war, renowned economist highlights that US firms continue to remain in China because of the attractiveness of China as well as limits associated with the alternatives. During a meeting with a Japanese business delegation, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang welcomes more Japanese foreign direct investment (FDI) in China. Although it decreased compared to 2017, Chinese outward FDI in 2018 was the second highest globally after Japan. China is moving to expand “internet plus healthcare” cooperation with BRI countries generally and BRI countries specifically. Japan’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating whether BMW’s Japan subsidiary abused its market power to punish dealers that failed to meet sales quotas. Japan’s trade minister notes South Korea’s filing of a World Trade Organization (WTO) complaint will not affect Japan’s export control measures and that it will decide later if it wants consultations. Korean employer and business groups express worries about government plan to ratify parts of International Labor Organization (ILO) convention which they fear will make Korean labor unions more powerful. Head of LG Chem opines that his company’s lawsuit against SK Innovation in the US does not undermine the national interest.

MNCs in the News-2019-07-05

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang announces China plans to create a better environment for foreign direct investment (FDI) in China. China’s financial opening leads various foreign investors to move to take control of their China joint ventures (JVs). Chinese outbound mergers and acquisitions (M&A) volume for the first six months of 2019 is the lowest since 2013. During a visit to China, Turkey’s President works to attract Chinese FDI and take advantage of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). With the activities of information technology giants gaining increased Japanese government scrutiny, the Japan unit of Facebook joins Keidanren. Japan’s export curbs on semiconductor materials bound for South Korea due to their dispute over forced labor compensation could pressure Samsung and the broader Korean economy. Japanese export controls on high-tech materials and chemicals used in South Korean semiconductor and smartphone manufacturing will stress Korean companies already feeling market and trade pressures. After a gathering between United States (US) President Donald Trump and the heads of major South Korean business groups, some Korean firms stated they would boost their US investments.

MNCs in the News-2019-06-21

China Premier Li Keqiang works to lure foreign direct investment (FDI) during the Global CEO Council in Beijing. In 2018, the deal value of European mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in China soared by 856 percent to USD $9.94 billion. European Union (EU)-China talks on a Comprehensive Agreement on Investment and China’s negative list show better progress than expected. Brazilian Vice President welcomes Chinese FDI in infrastructure as long as it creates jobs and respects Brazilian rules. Around the time of the G-20, French President Emmanuel Macron will discuss issues about the Renault-Nissan alliance with Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. Numerous Japanese corporate subsidiaries in the United States have voiced opposition to Donald Trump’s proposal to slap tariffs of 25 percent on another $300 billion of Chinese products. Tokyo has requested Seoul to establish an arbitration panel consisting of representatives selected by other countries to help deal with their wartime forced labor compensation dispute. Seoul prepared to block a deal that would sell Taihan Electric Wire to a Chinese company because it deems Taihan’s high-voltage cable technologies a “‘national core technology.’”

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard's picture

Dialing In or Head in the Clouds? China’s Prospective Opening of its ICT Sector

There are many sectors in China that are closed or highly-restricted as far as foreign direct investment (FDI) is concerned. Drivers of this include political nationalism, a desire to protect domestic firms, and concerns about economic independence.

MNCs in the News-2019-03-29

Senior Chinese official touts that China will take a slew of measures to welcome more inward foreign direct investment (FDI). In conjunction with its talks with Washington, Beijing will accommodate some of the United States (US)’ demands to expand its financial market opening. Due to Beijing’s new round of liberalizing reforms, the CEO of Royal Dutch Shell said his company plans to expand its presence in China in the upstream and petrochemical manufacturing sectors. Brazil backs away from its criticisms of China in order to attract much needed Chinese FDI.

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard's picture

Charged up about the Political Meaning of Tesla in China: Time to Apply the Brakes?

In 2017, it was revealed American electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla had concluded an agreement with Shanghai to build a manufacturing complex in Shanghai that, per Tesla CEO Elon Musk, will be extremely advanced and produce cars customized for the China market.

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-2018-07-13

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) says inward foreign direct investment (FDI) was solid for the first six months of 2018 year-over-year. Some observers see China opening to foreign deals because of external pressure as well as slowing inward FDI (IFDI). Merkel praises Chinese market opening moves as a sign of action, not just talk. Shaanxi Ligeance Mineral Resources Co. deal for United Kingdom (UK)’s Northern Aerospace grounded apparently for national security reasons. Japanese regulators mashing Apple over forcing customers to opt for particular product/service plans. Recent report reveals Japan moves up to third in US FDI while overall FDI drops due to US government plans to toughen regulations. Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings to raise stake in top Vietnamese drugmaker DHG Pharmaceutical as Vietnamese authorities approve removal of foreign ownership limit at DHG.Chinese government approves LG Display’s OLED display production facility in Guangzhou. South Korea and Singapore sign two agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral investments and trade by promoting collaboration between companies.

MNCs in the News-2018-07-13

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) says inward foreign direct investment (FDI) was solid for the first six months of 2018 year-over-year. Some observers see China opening to foreign deals because of external pressure as well as slowing inward FDI (IFDI). Merkel praises Chinese market opening moves as a sign of action, not just talk. Shaanxi Ligeance Mineral Resources Co. deal for United Kingdom (UK)’s Northern Aerospace grounded apparently for national security reasons. Japanese regulators mashing Apple over forcing customers to opt for particular product/service plans. Recent report reveals Japan moves up to third in US FDI while overall FDI drops due to US government plans to toughen regulations. Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings to raise stake in top Vietnamese drugmaker DHG Pharmaceutical as Vietnamese authorities approve removal of foreign ownership limit at DHG.Chinese government approves LG Display’s OLED display production facility in Guangzhou. South Korea and Singapore sign two agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral investments and trade by promoting collaboration between companies.

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