World Trade Organization

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)

Wong MNC Center Executive Director Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard delivers keynote address at the “New Developments for Japanese and Chinese Firms” Conference

At opening of the “New Developments for Japanese and Chinese Firms” conference, Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard, Executive Director of the Wong MNC Center, delivered a keynote address entitled “Patterns in Chinese Outward FDI and its Implications for Japanese Firms.” Dr. Blanchard started by providing background information on Chinese outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) from the 1970s through the 1990s, covering its volumes, sectoral destinations, geographic patterns, and drivers at the macro- and micro (firm) levels.

MNCs in the News-2015-06-05

KFC seeks to roast those making false charges against it. China’s proposed law for controlling nonprofits has potentially severe negative ramifications for foreign business associations. European Chamber of Commerce in China challenges the draft National Security Law and its potential negative implications for China. China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) is drafting guidelines pertaining to the abuse of intellectual property rights (IPR). China’s State Administration of Taxation acts to create supportive tax treaty environment for Chinese firms overseas. China National Cereals, Oils, and Foodstuffs Corp. (COFCO) states it will commit resources and manpower to support China’s Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative (MSRI). Korea Fair Trade Commission looks into questionable sales practices by Volkswagen Korea. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) disrupts Korean government initiative to build closer investment, trade, and business links with the Middle East. Indonesia’s Investment Promotion Board gives greater attention to Japanese foreign direct investment. Vietnam moves to give United Overseas Bank a license to open a wholly foreign owned foreign bank.

MNCs in the News-2015-05-01

China slaps Beijing Simplot Food Processing Co. Ltd. with record fine for water pollution. Qualcomm finds new ways to bolster its position in China. Chinese companies expand the range of investment projects they consider in Brazil despite the latter’s political and economic challenges. Chinese energy companies face multiple political complexities when they invest in Canadian oil sands assets. Chinese companies engage in capacity building due to local supplier problems and negative impact on government relations. Tokyo Electron-Applied Materials Merger fails. Korean firms face troubles relating to China’s new stance towards Variable Interest Entities. Korea’s Foodpolis draws Chinese food firm investments for political and economic reasons. Indonesian moves to leverage its market raise foreign government concerns in regards to Indonesia’s World Trade Organization compliance. Indonesia’s investment board pursues diverse measures to attract “green investment.” Realized foreign direct investment in Vietnam continues to grow.

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.

MNCs in the News-2015-04-03

China puts the brakes on foreign automobile joint venture (JV) ownership shares. The implementation of some of China’s bank technology security rules may be delayed. US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew makes China’s counterterrorism law and banking technology rules a centerpiece of his visit to China. China State Council’s recently mandated changes to local government foreign investment attraction incentives will adversely impact Korean investment. Indonesian President welcomes Chinese investment to Indonesia and calls for greater cooperation. Indonesia’s investment attraction agency will partner with Indonesia’s spy agency to generate better investment information.

MNCs in the News-2015-03-27

China remains an attractive FDI destination, but observers say policy predictability and transparency are critical to attracting greater amounts. China may give foreign companies greater options in the securities sector. China faces questioning in the World Trade Organization (WTO) over its banking sector information technology (IT) restrictions. China works to bud into a global seed/agro-business giant. UK Banbury cybersecurity center gives Huawei clean bill of (security) health. Japanese corporate passivity in chasing Australian submarine tender opportunity is offset by Japanese official enthusiasm. Indonesia compliments Japanese auto firms on their investment expansion plans. Korean Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) moves to control Bayer’s oral conceptive business in Korea. Korean civil group accuses McDonald’s of labor violations. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) adds to Hyundai-Kia’s incentives to enlarge production in Mexico. Surging auto imports into Taiwan due to trade agreement led Volkswagen to shy away from investing in the island.

MNCs in the News-2015-03-06

China’s draft counterterrorism law raises substantial concern among foreign companies. Foreign technology firms struggle to determine best way to defend their interests in China. Deputy Commissioner of State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) asserts China’s intellectual property laws are not used to discriminate against foreign technology businesses. Premier Li Keqiang proclaims China will significantly revise Foreign Investment Catalog to reduce foreign investment restrictions. American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai report indicates costs and operating challenges most concern foreign firms in China. Alibaba confronts penalties in Taiwan. Connecticut’s Attorney General investigates Lenovo’s pre-loading of Superfish software. Japan works to limit the power of Google. Japan moves to facilitate foreign investment with one-stop office. South Korean business and government leaders push multi-dimensional opportunities between the two countries. POSCO partners with Saudi Arabia sovereign wealth fund about possible automobile joint venture in Saudi Arabia.

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