Washington

MNCs in the News-2017-03-24

The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (United States) has called for global action in the face of China’s Made in China 2025 plan. Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) official defends his country’s “Made in China 2025” plan. China’s Food and Drug Administration issues draft policy that would allow foreign drugs to be tested and approved much more quickly in China. During a visit to China, Apple CEO Tim Cook announces Apple will open new R&D centers in Shanghai and Suzhou. Microsoft touts the development of a China-specific Windows 10 operating system that is “secure and controllable.” Chinese government agencies are working on a policy that would specify those sectors where outward foreign direct investment (FDI) was encouraged and those where it was restricted. Tokyo says it does not plan to support troubled Toshiba and that it will share information with Washington about Toshiba and its bankrupt US nuclear division. Japanese and Russian officials meet to discuss ways to jointly develop the islands off Hokkaido they both claim. South Korea asks the World Trade Organization to review Chinese sanctions against Korean companies relating to its deployment of THAAD. South Korea’s SK Engineering & Constructions partners with Turkey’s UNIT International to win multi-billion dollar power plant construction project in Iran. Energy firms urge Indonesian government to enhance its policies in the upstream and downstream oil and gas sectors.

MNCs in the News-2017-01-27

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology sooths foreign firms over upcoming restrictions on VPN providers. Trump administration trade officials back a tougher line towards Chinese semiconductor investment and greater support for home firms. China stresses how Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) in the US promotes manufacturing there and creates jobs. Hon Hai is considering a USD $7 billion investment in a joint flat panel project in the US with Pennsylvania a leading contender. In the wake of growing anxieties over Chinese investment, Australia moves to prepare review of strategic infrastructure. Apparently incentivized by Trump’s withdrawal of the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and other anti-trade statement, Toyota talks up $600 million investment plan. Toshiba’s troubles in the UK may force it to take on new partners and get United Kingdom (UK) government financing. Domestic and international political uncertainties seem to be driving a slowdown in inward FDI flows into Indonesia. Chinese outward FDI to Indonesia has been exploding, but it is uncertain if it will continue given uncertainties there plus anti-Chinese sentiments.

MNCs in the News-2015-04-24

China’s Finance Minister Lou Jiwei raises concern about US Bilateral Investment Treaty proposals. Wall Street Journal analysis reveals that many Variable Interest Entities may be at risk depending upon how Chinese treats such structures. IBM cooperation with Chinese firm and China raises concerns about the business and political implications. Huawei CEO Eric Xu raises concerns about the potential fallout of China’s new stance toward foreign information technology. The American Chamber of Commerce’s White Paper calls for numerous improvements in the general and sectoral policy environment facing foreign businesses in China. China’s Finance Minister expresses concerns about US Bilateral Investment Treaty demands. China moves to make its negative list more positive in four key free trade zones (FTZs). Jiangsu Province’s Provincial Price Bureau makes Daimler Mercedes-Benz pay a price for price fixing. Visa and MasterCard appear ready to cash in on China’s bank-card clearing market after State Council opens the market in response to a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling. Korea moves to enrich up its Food cluster Foodpolis. Korean president Park Geun-hye visit to Latin America results in boost to Korean investment and trade. Indonesia will court Chinese investors with special “information desk” in Beijing.