Nissan Motor

MNCs in the News-2020 November

Foreign direct investment (FDI) into China continues to surge despite Covid-19 and other challenges. China’s Ministry of Commerce says China will take further measures to liberalize ownership restrictions for foreign firms in the service sector. Shanghai shows strength in attracting inward FDI (IFDI) and adds to its regional headquarters and research and development center totals. India moves to ban an additional 43 Chinese phone apps including Aliexpress due to concerns about consumer privacy and national security. China states it will continue to support the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Malaysian state government of Melaka terminates $10.5 billion Melaka Gateway project. Nissan moves to sell only electric vehicle (EV) or hybrid cars in China to meet Beijing’s goal of all new vehicles being eco-friendly. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is expected to have notable impacts on Japanese FDI as well as supply chains given its provisions relating to tariffs, rules of origins, and intellectual property. Brexit may lead the European Union (EU) to slap tariffs and other requirements on EVs which have significant adverse effects on Japanese EV production in the United Kingdom. Tokyo Gas and Marubeni will construct a liquefied natural gas fired power plant in Vietnam. Korea’s Fair Trade Commission reportedly has come to the conclusion that Google abused its market position to prevent modified Android operating systems. The labor union at IKEA Korea strikes for similar wage treatment to workers at IKEA workers elsewhere. Some Korean steelmakers return back home due to government subsidy program. Korean consortium wins engineering, construction, and operations contract for $1 billion bridge project in Bangladesh.

MNCs in the News-2019-09-06

On the eve of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to China, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) reports German foreign direct investment (FDI) in China grew more than 60 percent over the first seven months of 2019 year-over-year. Chinese media delivered some packaged criticisms against FedEx for the latter’s alleged shipments of controlled goods and rerouting of packages destined for Huawei. Relatively small-scale protests took place in three Kazakhstan cities against potentially questionable Chinese factory FDI. The United States (US) concludes declaration with Poland for the rigorous evaluation of foreign suppliers involved in 5G networks which some see as directed at China and Huawei. Nissan considers leaving Korea as Korea-Japan frictions make its challenging situation there even worse. Uniqlo partners with the International Labor Organization (ILO) to support research on labor markets and social security systems in some of its production hubs in South and Southeast Asia. Korean economic difficulties due to frictions with Japan encourages Hyundai union to settle with management without a strike. Korean government official meets with LG Group and SK Group executives to try to get them to resolve trade secrets dispute that LG Chem has brought to the US International Trade Commission.

MNCs in the News-2019-04-19

Chinese firms producing and using coal not energized by institutional investor promises to divest trillions of dollars in the fossil fuels sector. China moves to bring vigor and vim to the elderly nursing home sector through measures to encourage foreign direct investment (FDI). Chinese anti-competition authorities dial in to Ericsson for potential antimonopoly practices in licensing patents. China creates international tax cooperation mechanism under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) called the Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Cooperation Mechanism (BRITACOM). Energy Foundation China President contends China’s BRI will spark “transition to a sustainable energy future”! Japan woos Eastern and Central Europe away from BRI even while expressing support for latter. Leaked emails reveal Tokyo last spring put the brakes on any potential Renault-Nissan merger. Korean President visits Hyundai Engineering Co.’s mega $30 billion Kiyanly plant in Turkmenistan and vows to support Korean companies working with the latter. South Korea’s finance minister announces Seoul will prepare for inter-Korean economic projects in case there is an easing of sanctions on Pyongyang.

MNCs in the News-2019-04-12

Recent report forecasts massive increase in China’s inbound mergers and acquisitions (M&As) between 2020 and 2029. Pursuant to its trade negotiations with the United States (US), China considers eliminating entrance barriers to its cloud computing market like requiring overseas companies to form joint ventures (JVs) with Chinese firms. Chinese and European Union (EU) leaders commit to conclude a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) by next year. At the summit of Central and Eastern European countries and China in Dubrovnik, Greece announces it will join China’s 16+1 Initiative. Following the EU and United Kingdom’s delay of Brexit by six months, Tokyo pledged to continue to lobby against a no-deal Brexit and to monitor developments. Regarding the Carlos Ghosn case, France stressed to Japan that it respects the sovereignty of Japan’s judicial system and also would provide consular protection to Ghosn. Korean companies lobby their government to deal with the EU’s growing pressure on South Korea to ratify key International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions

MNCs in the News-2018-08-24

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.

MNCs in the News-2018-05-25

China’s State Council moves to spread best practices from China’s Free Trade Zones (FTZs) elsewhere in China. Muji hung out again for its improper treatment of the Taiwan issue. In Beijing, German Chancellor Angela Merkel warns of further potential restrictions on Chinese investment in the absence of reciprocity. Fears of having to disclose details of loans for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) spur Chinese financial institutions to continue to bank on Pakistan. Motivated by forthcoming regulatory changes, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co. to buy 37.5 percent stake in state-backed Chinese life insurer. Nissan and Renault reviewing tie-up driven by French Government. Trump’s cancellation of US-North Korea summit dashes hopes of lifting international sanctions against North Korea and jumpstarting inter-Korean projects. South Korean electric battery firms charged up as China Association of Automobile Manufacturers’ whitelist highlights capabilities of Korean batteries. Chinese investors pledge to continue investing in Malaysia given new government offers conducive business environment and political stability. Foreign investors increasingly concerned about Malaysia’s fiscal health as national debt is far higher than previously revealed.

MNCs in the News-2017-02-17

American business community becomes more favorable towards “reciprocity” policy towards China. Hejun Vanguard Group files complaint against sale of McDonald’s China and Hong Kong assets. Chinese firms’ pursuit of investment in critical sectors leads Germany, France, and Italy to ask European Union (EU) to give it more powers to investigate and block investments. The United States (US) Federal Trade Commission asks Syngenta for more information regarding its proposed acquisition by China’s ChemChina. In the face of potential restrictions on Chinese firm investments in non-core businesses, Dalian Wanda eyes European bank deals. Japanese companies face investigation by South Korea’s transport ministry which has begun to investigate more firms in the wake of the Volkswagen emission manipulation scandal. Toshiba will remove itself from work on the UK’s new Moorside nuclear plant. South Korea’s Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) has started its first wind power plant in Jordan. Korean outward foreign direct investment (FDI) grows significantly in 2016 with a large increase in money flowing to the US. Indonesian loosening of ban on raw mineral ore exports has many implications. Indonesian regional elections have big implications for Indonesia’s inward FDI (FDI)

MNCs in the News-2015-09-11

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) reports that inward foreign direct investment (FDI) rose 22 percent in August year-over-year (YOY). Foreign companies express concern about China’s reform direction and stance towards foreign business. US business community hopes Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the US will push forward a US-China Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). Sources report Google will develop China-mainland version of its Google Play online store that meets government requirements. China’s Ministry of Finance charges Apple with underpaying more than $65 million of taxes in 2013, which Apple has since paid. China plans to host major technology meeting in Seattle in late September around the same time as Xi’s state visit to Washington. Taiwan liberalizes rules governing investment by local chip firms on the Chinese mainland. China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Guangdong branch fines Dongfeng Nissan and 17 dealers more than $22 million for price fixing. Chinese and Russian firms conclude numerous investment deals on sidelines of China’s 70th anniversary V-Day ceremonies. Pakistan leases 2000 acres of land at Gwadar Port to facilitate China’s construction of the port’s first free economic zone. Indonesia will lengthen from 2 to 10 years the time before a contract expires that mining investors can seek a contract extension. Indonesia opts to retain ban on unprocessed mineral ore exports. Vietnam Decree 60 fails to boost foreign investment.