Panjiva Research

The USDA’s action against Brazilian beef will help U.S. ranchers sell more in China. Also: we take a look at trade implications from corporate actions by Ikea in augmented reality and Diageo’s tequila bet on George Clooney.

President Trump will hold meetings with Prime Minister Modi of India and President Moon of South Korea - we take a look at what’s at stake. Also: we unpick Ambassador Lighthizer’s comments on NAFTA; and take a look at a potential COSCO/Orient Overseas deal.

Global trade opportunities can lead companies to make similar moves for very different reasons, as we find with Ford and Tesla’s moves into China. Also: the ONE shipping merger is rejected by South Africa; and the EU strikes a hawkish tone ahead of the U.S. steel case decision.

Strike action in Spain continues to disrupt trade - we find Maersk and MSC are most exposed among the U.S.-bound carriers. Also: the U.K. wants a trade deal with the U.S., but does the U.S.?; and we find the PC market is weakening in our monthly review of the computer industry.

Talks among the BRICS countries could lead to an expanded group, but will likely focus more on security than trade at first. Also: we preview the Brexit talks that started today; and our monthly review of smartphones shows growth for Pegatron and rising prices for American consumers.

Maersk’s CEO has pointed to increasing market share - we see evidence in both the U.S. and Brazil. Also: COSCO is shifting volumes to Long Beach; and our monthly review of U.S. generic pharmaceutical imports shows they are on the rise ahead of a new Executive Order.

The first 100 days of President Trump’s administration focussed on the groundwork for future trade policy delivery. We’ve put together a roadmap of what to watch in the next three months. Also: we preview a potential announcement on Cuban policy; and review the U.S.-Qatar arms deal.

Iraq overtook Saudi Arabia, Valero beat Chevron and Teekay bested MISC in our monthly review of the U.S. oil industry. Also: CMA-CGM makes a purchase in Brazil; and COSCO looks to grow volumes at its Piraeus port.

A sense of urgency from the Trump administration in implementing new aluminum and steel import rules is validated by an acceleration in imports recently. Also: rules on exports of U.S. beef to China are finalized; and we have published our monthly review of the NVOCCs’ performance.

Potential concerns about the cohesion of OPEC oil production cuts have had a bigger (negative) impact on shipping rates than access to Qatari markets. Also: Russia still has a $10 billion trade problem with the U.S; and we review carriers’ market share of U.S.-inbound container traffic.

The loss of a majority by the British Conservative government will likely lead to a coalition with the Democratic Unionists, and a softening of the U.K.’s stance towards Brexit. Also: our monthly review of U.S. ports’ performance; and the Panama Canal has fulfilled its purpose.

The outcome of the U.K. elections today is uncertain, and matters for the Brexit trade deal process - there are 4 scenarios to consider. Also: Maersk’s financial offer is borne of lower debt than its peers; and we take a first look at U.S. imports in May.

A sugar deal between the U.S. and Mexico shows a NAFTA deal is do-able, but ambitious within a year-end timeframe. The Mexican government may need to boost aerospace and energy spending to land a deal. Also: we preview the Merkel / Peña-Nieto summit.

Trade cases are in focus today, with Mexico-U.S. sugar talks proceeding well while cases in steel and biodiesel have been paused, possibly to allow for harsher decisions to be made. Also: LNG export opportunities resulting from the Qatar situation may be limited.

Trade sanctions could prove to be a powerful disruptor of global energy flows. China’s reaction to an embargo against Qatar will impact LNG. U.S. sanctions against Venezuela may introduce difficult decisions for oil refiners.

The top 20 most read articles in Panjiva research in May centered on U.S. trade policy activity, and consolidation in the logistics industry. Also: the U.S. pulls out of the Paris accords; and the rally in U.S. trade activity may have peaked.

A potential withdrawal from the Paris climate accords by the U.S. has led importers of wind and solar power equipment, including Siemens, to accelerate their imports. Also: the Vietnam-U.S. summit didn’t yield new deal talks; and we examine the performance of Mexican ports in April.

Whirlpool’s request for a broad “safeguard” trade case is the second of its kind, and likely comes in response to “country hopping” by Samsung and LG. Also: Secretary Ross sees TTIP talks making sense; and we look at Hasbro’s views on U.S. trade policy.

Germany is in the trade spotlight following challenging meetings with President Trump and ahead of potentially less fraught - but less fruitful - talks with China. Also: we look at Cuba’s sugar export problem.

The Chinese government’s proposed routemap for increased imports from the U.S. offers the best opportunities in semiconductors and LNG, our analysis shows. Also: U.S. law changes may force carriers to make a choice; and we analyze American imports of spirits.

Hapag-Lloyd has finally completed its acquisition of UASC - we estimate it has paid over two times revenues, a premium to Maersk’s bid for Hamburg Sud. Also: what we learned about steel yesterday; and we review of what wine Americans are importing.

Canada and Mexico are committed to NAFTA talks being trilateral - our analysis of their top 50 export lines show they will be more like a series of bilaterals. Also: toothpaste exports may be disrupted by a Mexican bridge; and our monthly review of U.S. beer imports.