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North Macedonia has waited 21 years at the EU's door. Zoran Dimitrovski and Linas Kojala ask what delay now costs Europe. Look at a map and the unresolved logic is striking. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are almost entirely surrounded by EU and NATO members. These countries are not on some distant European frontier. They form an enclave within the Union's own geography. In 2003, at the Thessaloniki summit, the EU promised the Western Balkans a European future. More than two decades later, Croatia remains the last country to have joined, back in 2013. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, enlargement has shifted from a slow technical process to an urgent geopolitical question: what happens when Europe leaves a space inside its own borders unfilled? My guests brought two unusually powerful perspectives to that question. Zoran Dimitrovski, North Macedonia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, spent 35 years as a journalist before entering government. He edited some of his country's leading newspapers, reported from Washington, wrote more than 1,500 articles and investigations, and continues to teach critical thinking and analytical writing. Alongside him was Linas Kojala, CEO of the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center in Vilnius and a lecturer at Vilnius University. A Fulbright scholar with studies at Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard, Kojala has written about Lithuania's own journey into the European Union and has been ranked among his country's most influential public figures. Twenty-one years at the front door North Macedonia became an EU candidate in 2005, around the same time as Croatia. Yet it still has not opened substantive accession negotiations. The country first faced a long dispute with Greece over its name, eventually resolved through the Prespa Agreement and the adoption of the name North Macedonia. That opened the way into NATO. A second dispute then emerged with neighbouring Bulgaria, involving language, identity, history and the recognition of a Bulgarian community within North Macedonia's constitution. Zoran Dimitrovski did not deny the work still required within his own country. North Macedonia must continue aligning its laws with the EU, strengthening the judiciary and fighting corruption. His argument was that these shortcomings were not the principal reason the country had been stopped. This describes one of the demands that, in Dimitrovski's view, reach beyond the Copenhagen criteria governing democratic institutions, human rights, the rule of law and a functioning market economy. There is, however, responsibility on both sides of the border and both sides of the accession table. The European Parliament's latest assessment expresses regret at North Macedonia's lack of progress, calling for the constitutional amendments, stronger cross-party cooperation and deeper reforms. Yet that same resolution warns that bilateral disputes over language, culture and national identity should not be used to obstruct accession. This is the uncomfortable heart of the story: the EU must remain demanding enough for membership to retain meaning, while remaining fair enough for its promises to retain credibility. The rules were written for a different Europe Kojala argued that the enlargement machinery itself must adapt to a radically altered security landscape. The process still requires unanimity at critical stages, allowing one member state to hold up another country's progress. Under normal circumstances, such caution might be defensible. These, he stressed, are not normal circumstances. The EU's decision-making can be painfully slow because 27 governments must agree on decisions touching sovereignty, money and national interest. Kojala compared it to 27 friends attempting to choose a restaurant, except that several of them may not be friends and the decisions are monumental. The central question is therefore whether procedures devised 20 years ago are still adequate for a Europe facing war, cyber-attacks, sabotage, disinformation and growing competition from authoritarian powers. Railways, bridges and the architecture of security EU enlargement may sound abstract, but it rapidly becomes concrete. It is about railway lines, bridges, roads, energy systems and digital networks. Dimitrovski pointed to Corridors VIII and X, which cross North Macedonia and connect the Adriatic, Black and Aegean Seas with wider Europe. These routes matter for trade and daily life, but also for NATO's ability to move personnel and equipment across the continent. A bridge too weak to carry military vehicles is simultaneously an infrastructure problem, an economic weakness and a security vulnerability. Kojala offered a useful challenge to the language of cost. Security spending is often discussed as money disappearing from productive use. Yet roads, schools, housing, communications and transport capacity remain in the communities where they are built. The same is true of enlargement: investment in the Western Balkans is not charity at Europe's edge. It is investment in the resilience of the continent as a whole. A vacuum rarely stays empty Russia remains an influential force in Serbia and parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Chinese lending and infrastructure investment have expanded across the region. Dimitrovski was careful not to suggest that the Western Balkans would simply abandon Europe for Moscow or Beijing. His warning was more subtle. Prolonged uncertainty can produce weaker institutions, frustrated populations and a region increasingly exposed to financial pressure, political manipulation and disinformation. Europe therefore faces a choice that is larger than whether another flag appears outside the institutions in Brussels. It must decide whether the Western Balkans are genuinely part of its future, and demonstrate that belief through fair conditions, credible timelines and visible results. Kojala described the European Union as something close to a “boring miracle”: cumbersome, imperfect and endlessly predicted to collapse, yet remarkably capable of adapting and surviving. That miracle now requires another act of political imagination. The Western Balkans have spent more than 20 years hearing that their future lies inside the European Union. Europe may now need to ask a harder question of itself: how long can a promise remain credible before waiting becomes its own form of rejection?
Imports and exports with Belt and Road partner countries accounted for over half of the total volume. In June alone, foreign trade expanded by 24.2 percent to maintain growth for the 17th consecutive month.
Iran has warned the US against interfering in the management of the Strait of Hormuz after the US president said his country is reinstating a blockade on Iran in the strait (01:06). The Chinese foreign minister says China is willing to work with Kazakhstan to seek common development while meeting with his Kazakh counterpart in Beijing (23:07). China's foreign trade in goods in the first half of the year reached nearly 25.5 trillion yuan, marking the first time the figure surpassed 25 trillion yuan in that period (40:29).
The launch of the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism is expected to provide a regular platform for dialogue to address bilateral economic differences, said market watchers and business leaders.市场观察人士与企业负责人表示,中欧经贸投资磋商机制的设立,有望搭建常态化对话平台,化解双边经贸分歧。While trade frictions between China and the European Union may persist in the near term, the new mechanism could help prevent disputes from escalating and keep bilateral economic relations on a more predictable track, they added.他们补充称,短期内中欧贸易摩擦或将持续,但这一新机制能够避免争端升级,让双边经贸关系发展更具可预期性。According to a joint statement issued on Tuesday, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency Maros Sefcovic identified four initial work streams during the inaugural meeting of the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism in Brussels on Monday.周二发布的联合声明显示,周一在布鲁塞尔举行的中欧经贸投资磋商机制首次会议上,中国商务部部长王文涛与欧盟贸易、经济安全、机构间关系及透明度专员马罗什・谢夫乔维奇确定了四项首批工作议题。The work streams cover trade and investment balancing, export controls, intellectual property rights and World Trade Organization reform, the statement said.声明指出,相关议题涵盖贸易投资平衡、出口管制、知识产权以及世界贸易组织改革四大领域。Zhao Yongsheng, a professor of European studies at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said that the mechanism comes at a time when both sides continue to face structural differences over trade and industrial policies.对外经济贸易大学欧洲问题研究教授赵永升表示,当前中欧双方在贸易、产业政策方面仍存在结构性分歧,该机制的设立恰逢其时。Huang Yiping, dean of Peking University's National School of Development, said those differences reflect broader questions about whether traditional industrial powers can adapt as China's competitiveness expands into sectors long regarded as their technological strongholds.北京大学国家发展研究院院长黄益平表示,这些分歧背后是一个更深层次的问题:随着中国竞争力不断延伸至传统工业强国长期占据技术优势的领域,后者能否适应这一变化。"Those structural differences are unlikely to disappear, but dialogue can keep competition manageable and preserve space for cooperation where interests continue to overlap," he said.他说:“这类结构性分歧难以彻底消除,但对话能够管控竞争,并在双方利益契合的领域保留合作空间。”Business leaders noted that China and the EU remain important trading partners, as robust trade flows continue to demonstrate the resilience of bilateral economic ties.企业界人士指出,中欧互为重要贸易伙伴,旺盛的贸易往来充分体现双边经贸关系具备强大韧性。According to data from the General Administration of Customs, the value of China-EU trade increased 10.3 percent year-on-year to 2.53 trillion yuan ($373 billion) in the first five months of this year, while China's imports from the EU grew 5.2 percent.海关总署数据显示,今年前五个月,中欧贸易额达 2.53 万亿元人民币(折合 3730 亿美元),同比增长 10.3%,其中中国自欧盟进口同比增长 5.2%。Speaking at a monthly news briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, Wang Yifei, a spokeswoman for the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said Chinese businesses hope that China and the EU will resolve trade issues through dialogue, while ensuring a fair, transparent and nondiscriminatory business environment.周二,中国贸促会新闻发言人王叶菲在北京月度例行发布会上表示,中国企业希望中欧通过对话解决贸易分歧,共同营造公平、透明、非歧视的营商环境。For businesses in the EU, maintaining communications has become more important than ever because both economies remain deeply intertwined, especially in the manufacturing, investment and technology sectors.对欧盟企业而言,保持沟通比以往任何时候都更为关键,中欧两大经济体深度交融,制造业、投资、科技领域联系尤为紧密。Speaking to China Daily during a recent interview, Michael Schumann, chairman of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade, said: "Europe cannot be (economically) independent from the United States, and it cannot be independent from China. Our economies, technologies, supply chains and security structures are far too deeply interconnected."德国联邦经济发展和对外贸易协会主席米夏埃尔・舒曼近日接受《中国日报》采访时表示:“欧洲经济既无法脱离美国,也离不开中国。双方的经济、技术、供应链与安全体系深度交织,密不可分。”Businesses can translate political consensus into practical cooperation through investment, trade and industrial partnerships, he added.他补充道,企业可通过投资、贸易、产业合作,将双方达成的政治共识转化为实实在在的合作成果。Christophe Lauras, president of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China, said that France and China have a highly complementary relationship in sectors such as aerospace, advanced engineering, luxury goods, agriculture, energy transition and healthcare.法国工商会中国区主席克里斯托夫・洛拉斯表示,中法在航空航天、高端工程、奢侈品、农业、能源转型、医疗健康等领域互补性极强。"Many French companies plan to establish research and development centers in China, while Chinese companies are expanding globally by strengthening their presence in France. The next stage requires deeper integration to achieve mutually beneficial cooperation," Lauras said.洛拉斯称:“不少法国企业计划在华设立研发中心,同时中国企业也通过深耕法国市场拓展全球布局。下一阶段,双方需要深化产业融合,实现互利共赢。”The commitment is also reflected in fresh investment. German chemical manufacturer Covestro announced on Tuesday that it will build a new production line for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate at its integrated site in Shanghai, with an annual capacity of 660,000 metric tons. Operations are expected to begin around 2030. MDI is a synthetic chemical used primarily to manufacture polyurethane foams and coatings.双方的合作诚意也体现在新增投资项目上。德国化工企业科思创周二宣布,将在上海一体化生产基地新建一条二苯基甲烷二异氰酸酯生产线,年产能 66 万吨,预计 2030 年前后投产。二苯基甲烷二异氰酸酯是一种合成化工原料,主要用于生产聚氨酯泡沫与涂料。Holly Lei, president of Covestro China, said the move underscores the company's long-term commitment to China and leverages the country's integrated industrial ecosystem, innovation capabilities and talent base to strengthen MDI supply for customers in China and the Asia-Pacific region.科思创中国区总裁雷焕丽表示,该项目彰显企业深耕中国市场的长期决心,依托中国完备的产业生态、创新实力与人才储备,为中国及亚太客户稳定供应二苯基甲烷二异氰酸酯产品。consultation /ˌkɒnslˈteɪʃn/n. 磋商;协商bilateral /ˌbaɪˈlætərəl/adj. 双边的complementary /ˌkɒmplɪˈmentri/adj. 互补的resilience /rɪˈzɪliəns/n. 韧性;恢复力
This week, Mike Weisberg of Implement explains how AI is improving sales forecasting through trust, purpose, and accuracy, while reshaping the planner's role, reducing inventory bias, and separating prediction from human judgment.Download the episode transcript===== In this episode, Mike Weisberg shares practical guidance on using AI in sales forecasting, including the right data foundation, six implementation dogmas, and explainable models. He also outlines how planners evolve into business partners and why judgment still matters most. ===== Guest: Mike Weisbjerg, Partner, Implement Consulting GroupMike is a Partner at Implement Consulting Group, where he has spent the last decade working at the intersection of supply chain planning and technology. He specialises in demand planning and AI-driven forecasting and decision making. With a focus on implementing demand planning solutions, Mike helps organisations move AI from proof of concept to production - with forecasts that planners actually trust.Host 1: Richard HowellsRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability. She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape. ===== Show Links:Implement Consulting Group. LinkArticle: Beyond accuracy: Six dogmas for turning AI forecasting into real business valueSupply Chain Management: SAP Supply Chain Management SAP Insights: Supply Chain Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: LinkedIn, Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:06: Guest's Introductions00:02:05: Why traditional forecasting struggles in volatile markets00:03:25: The three fundamentals: trust, purpose, accuracy00:07:03: Which data matters most for AI forecasting00:10:12: Why bad data should not delay AI adoption00:13:26: The six dogmas for AI forecasting implementation00:14:38: The evolving role of the demand planner00:16:54: Measuring success beyond forecast accuracy00:18:35: How can Implement help companies in this latest AI-infused planning era?00:19:36: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:20:17: Outro
Could Saskatchewan be the key to unlocking Canada's trade potential? While Ottawa works to double non-U.S. exports over the next decade and rebuild important partnerships, politicians and business leaders may learn a lot by looking to the province in the centre of the country. Nearly twenty years ago, Saskatchewan began strategically diversifying their trading partnerships. It was a great success – the province now exports over 65 per cent of what it makes to about 160 countries. Today, the Globe's agriculture and food policy reporter Kate Helmore explains how Saskatchewan made a name for itself overseas and what Ottawa could learn as it seeks to branch out to new trading partners. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@globeandmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In his keynote address, Minister Timcho Mucunski reflects on EU enlargement and North Macedonia's European path at a decisive moment for Europe ahead of Ireland's forthcoming EU Presidency. He addresses the need for a credible, merit-based accession process and the strategic imperative of integrating the Western Balkans in the EU at a time of geopolitical uncertainty. Timcho Mucunski is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia. He has extensive experience across diplomacy, academia and elected office, including as a university law professor, former Deputy Minister, former Member of Parliament and former Mayor of Aerodrom.
The logistics world is seeing average tariff rates jump by 10x! Curtis Spencer of IMS Worldwide breaks down how Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) are no longer just a good idea, they're essential for cutting costs and building resilient supply chains. Learn about duty deferral, re-export benefits, and merchandise processing fee caps that can save your business millions. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The logistics world is seeing average tariff rates jump by 10x! Curtis Spencer of IMS Worldwide breaks down how Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) are no longer just a good idea, they're essential for cutting costs and building resilient supply chains. Learn about duty deferral, re-export benefits, and merchandise processing fee caps that can save your business millions. Follow the FreightWaves Today Podcast Other FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Motheo Khoaripe speaks to Pregan Naidoo, Head of Purchasing and Foreign Trade at MAHLE South Africa about why Africa’s mobility future may look very different from the rest of the world. As global markets accelerate towards electric vehicles, MAHLE argues that a technology-neutral approach, one that embraces internal combustion engines, hybrids, battery-electric vehicles and hydrogen technologies is better suited to Africa’s unique realities. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape. Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Money Show Listen live Primedia+ weekdays from 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) to The Money Show with Stephen Grootes broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/7QpH0jY or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/PlhvUVe Subscribe to The Money Show Daily Newsletter and the Weekly Business Wrap here https://buff.ly/v5mfetc The Money Show is brought to you by Absa Follow us on social media 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/Radio702 CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today, we speak with Rafael Avila, who discusses how AI-powered logistics improves visibility, reduces emissions, and helps companies balance cost, service, and sustainability in transportation planning.Download the episode transcript===== In this episode, Rafael Avila of Westernacher joins us to discuss the future of logistics. He explains how AI can make emissions visible earlier, improve mode and carrier decisions, reduce waste, and support better service. The conversation also explores workforce shifts and the importance of end-to-end supply chain visibility. ===== Guest: Rafael Avila, Supply Chain and Logistics leader, Westernacher ConsultingRafael Avila is a Supply Chain and Logistics leader specializing in SAP Transportation Management and end-to-end supply chain transformation at Westernacher Consulting. With over a decade of experience, he has worked across global organizations to design and deliver solutions that improve transportation planning, execution, and visibility across complex networks. A former IBM consulting leader, Rafael spent years supporting large-scale S/4HANA programs and shaping supply chain strategies across industries including consumer products, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and mining. His work has focused on helping organizations connect transportation with warehousing, trade, and order management to unlock more integrated and resilient supply chains. Today, Rafael continues to work closely with clients on modern logistics challenges, with a strong focus on simplifying complex topics, driving practical outcomes, and exploring how technologies like AI are reshaping transportation and supply chain decision-making.Host 1: Richard HowellsRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability. She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape. ===== Show Links:WesternacherArticle: Smarter Transportation Management cuts your carbon footprintSupply Chain Management: SAP Supply Chain Management SAP Insights: Supply Chain Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: LinkedIn, Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:22: Guest's Introductions00:04:48: Making transportation emissions visible with AI00:07:39: Why reporting alone does not reduce emissions00:09:50: Mode selection and carrier choice matter00:12:33: AI can cut cost, emissions, and service waste together00:14:27: Biggest sustainability wins in transportation planning 00:18:28: How AI changes the logistics workforce 00:22:33: Common pitfalls in digitizing supply chain00:25:14: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:26:28: Outro
This week, we talk with SAP's Ralf Hierzegger about how network intelligence and AI can assist logistics teams in managing disruptions, enhancing collaboration, and building a more resilient supply chain.Download the episode transcript===== In this episode, we speak with SAP's Ralf Hierzegger about how constant disruption, digital dependencies, and climate and regulatory shifts are reshaping logistics. They explore why supply chains must move beyond company borders, how AI can support real-time decisions, and why trusted network collaboration is essential for better execution, efficiency, and resilience. ===== Guest 1: Ralf Hierzegger, Chief Product Owner of SAP BN4L, SAPRalf has built his career at the intersection of logistics, consulting, and digital innovation. After starting out as a forwarding agent from 1990 to 1992, he studied economics from 1993 to 1996 before joining SAP in 1996 as a consultant. In 2013, he stepped into the role of Solution Architect at SAP SE Custom Development, focusing on Foreign Trade and Transportation Logistics. Since 2023, he has served as Chief Product Owner of SAP BN4L, helping shape the future of business networks in logistics. He is married and the father of two grown-up children.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAP Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.===== Show Links:Read: Circumventing Geopolitics: How Network Intelligence and AI Can Answer Uncertainty blog SAP Business AI Platform Supply chain logistics SAP Logistics AssistantSupply Chain Management: SAP Supply Chain Management SAP Insights: Supply Chain Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: LinkedIn, SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:22: Guest's Introductions00:02:23: Why logistics disruption is harder now00:06:26: Structural challenges in supply chain and logistics00:08:02: Using AI to respond to delays and blockages00:10:51: Why AI alone cannot solve logistics 00:12:36: The value of AI for a business network 00:14:24: How data sharing improves network performance00:16:27: First steps for adopting network intelligence and AI00:19:06: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:20:31: Outro
Founded in 2010, the Institut Pasteur spinout PathoQuest sold to top CRO Charles River for $70M this year, a product of years of collaboration and stepwise investments.Jean‑François tells us how the exit unfolded, as well as the importance of biosafety and CMC as pharma and biotech outsource heavily and cell and gene therapies mature. We also cover how animal testing is disappearing from CMC and how France must nurture its biotech ecosystem.---For transparency, this episode has been sponsored by PathoQuest.---⭐️ ABOUT THE SPEAKERJean-François has more than 20 years of pharma leadership under his belt. Before his ten years at PathoQuest, he was a Senior Vice-President in charge of Ipsen's GI-oncology and endocrinology franchise.He has an engineering degree and a master's degree in Foreign Trade.
//The Wire//2300Z May 14, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: SITUATION IN CUBA DETERIORATES AS OIL SUPPLY RUNS OUT. INDIA BANS EXPORT OF SUGAR AS FUEL CRISIS IMPACTS PRODUCTION. IRANIANS SEIZE SHIP IN GULF OF OMAN. DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS CONTINUE IN CHINA.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events-Middle East: Overnight Iranian forces seized a vessel near the Gulf of Oman, which was lying at anchor off the eastern coast of the UAE. Separately, a smaller regional cargo vessel was struck by an Iranian munition this morning, sinking somewhere near the Strait. Otherwise, the IRGCN stated that roughly 30x vessels (mostly Chinese) had transited the Strait of Hormuz overnight, with permission from the Iranians.Analyst Comment: The ship that was seized in the Gulf of Oman is not just any merchant vessel, it was the M/V HUI CHUAN, a secretive vessel known to be used by Chinese paramilitary forces to serve as a floating armory for various counterpiracy efforts in the region. While not specifically classed as a warship, this vessel likely had significant stockpiles of weapons and intelligence collection sensors onboard.India: A ban on exports of sugar has been implemented until September 30th, with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade stating that the export ban is being implemented to ease the sharp increase in the price of sugar domestically.Analyst Comment: While this appears to be a standard decision based on routine agricultural practices, this is actually more important than it seems as it's probably directly related to the international fuel crisis. India relies heavily on sugarcane for the production of ethanol for gasoline. Last year, India began more heavily relying on sugarcane for this process instead of just molasses, and India now finds itself in trouble because they cannot grow enough sugarcane to meet the rising demand for local fuel production. The Hormuz crisis has the entire world watering down their fuel supply with ethanol, and now India is running out of sugar. India is also one of the biggest suppliers of sugar in the world, with most of their export partners being located in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.United Kingdom: This morning Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned, continuing the political turmoil in the wake of the latest election cycle.Analyst Comment: Most expect Streeting to challenge Starmer's leadership of the party sometime within the next few days, in an attempt to oust him from office. Considering the number of high-ranking resignations over the past few days, this would make sense, so it's likely that the political situation in the U.K. will get busy soon.Cuba: This morning, Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy stated that the entire nation is out of diesel and fuel oil as the American blockade of the island nation continues. The United States has offered to send an aid package of $100 million, in exchange for significant changes within the Cuban government.Analyst Comment: Prior to the capture of Maduro, nearly all of Cuba's petroleum supply came from Venezuela and Mexico. Now that the American government is more or less ruling Venezuela, all shipments of petroleum distillates to Cuba have been halted. Cuba has little domestic production capacity, and as a result the already desperate situation in the country has become worse over the past few months, as the United States has threatened to impose tariffs on any nation that provides energy to Cuba.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: President Trump's state visit to China continues, with various diplomatic talks and speeches taking place throughout the day. So far, nothing much of note has been discussed, beyond the generalities of the U.S. and China expressing mutual intent to work together. One of the bigger issues not mentioned is the Taiwan situation, which is being avoided by all sides so as to not dera
In this episode, SAP's David Vallejo discusses whether AI will replace or redefine supply chain jobs, and explains how assistants, agents, trust, and reskilling will shape a more strategic future for the workforce.Download the episode transcript===== SAP's David Vallejo joins us to explore one of supply chain's biggest questions: will AI replace jobs or redefine them? The conversation covers practical AI use cases, the role of assistants and agents, how to build trust, why reskilling matters, and which KPIs prove business value. ===== Guest: David Vallejo, Vice President, Head of SCM Innovations Product Marketing, SAPHis global organization leads strategy and growth initiatives for SAP's SCM portfolio which encompasses solutions for product lifecycle management, manufacturing, planning, logistics, assets and service management as well as the Business Network. The suite of AI-first solutions enable customers to orchestrate their supply chain with confidence to become risk-resilient, adaptable, and sustainable in their supply chain operations.David joined SAP in 2014 and has held various leadership positions before attaining his current role. During David's tenure he drove the successful launch of SAP's Supply Chain Business Network focusing on direct materials collaboration across the extended supply chain and driving the customer co-innovation program as product owner for SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP).Host 1: Richard HowellsRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability. She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape. ===== Show Links:Supply Chain Management: SAP Supply Chain Management SAP Insights: Supply Chain Follow Us on Social Media : David Vallejo: LinkedInRichard Howells: LinkedIn, Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! ===== Chapters: 00:00:00: Intro00:01:18: Guest introduction00:01:54: Will AI replace supply chain jobs?00:06:05: Where AI will have the first impact00:10:01: Building trust and adoption in teams00:13:58: Assistants, copilots, and job design00:19:02: Best early use cases for agents00:22:52: Reskilling supply chain organizations00:26:28: KPIs that prove AI value00:29:00 What's the future of the supply chain?00:31:10: Outro
China's foreign trade has continued to maintain a steady growth. The imports and exports reached over 16 trillion yuan or 2.3 trillion U.S. dollars in the first four months, up nearly 15 percent.
05-07-2026 Diana Furchtgott-Roth Learn more about the interview and get additional links here: https://thedailyblaze.com/trumps-real-options-regarding-foreign-trade-practices/ Subscribe to the best of our content here: https://priceofbusiness.substack.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCywgbHv7dpiBG2Qswr_ceEQ
Logistics used to be about keeping costs down; today, it's about surviving the next disruption. We're unpacking how to break free from aging legacy systems, when to play it safe versus leapfrog to the cloud, and what the future of logistics looks like.Download the episode transcript===== SAP's Till Dengel joins Richard Howells and Oyku Ilgar to discuss the shift from legacy logistics systems to cloud-based solutions. He outlines SAP's logistics modernization paths, explains how companies can assess complexity and risk, and shares his view on the future of supply chain as cloud-first, AI-enabled, and network-driven. ===== Guest: Till Dengel, VP Product Marketing Logistics, Assets and Service Management at SAP SETill Dengel oversees global market research, thought leadership, commercial strategy, positioning, messaging, and communications for SAP's Digital Logistics and Asset/Service Management portfolio. As an accomplished speaker in this domain, he offers a comprehensive perspective on market dynamics and the latest industry trends.Host 1: Richard HowellsRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability. She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape. ===== Show Links:Curious about your migration options? Check this out: 3 Journeys That Redefine Your Logistics in a Disruptive World Supply Chain Management: SAP Supply Chain Management Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: LinkedIn, SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!
This week, we welcomed Sachin Vijayan from Westernacher, who explained how AI, agents, and real-time sensing are driving the shift toward self-healing supply chains and why humans will remain accountable.Download the episode transcript===== In this episode, Sachin Vijayan of Westernacher joins us to discuss the rise of the self-healing supply chain. We explore how AI agents, sensing, automation, and real-time data can help supply chains respond to disruptions more quickly, while humans remain accountable for key decisions. ===== Guest: Sachin Vijayan, Global Planning Lead, Westernacher Consulting Sachin Vijayan is an experienced supply chain transformation leader currently serving as the Global Planning Lead at Westernacher Consulting. With over a decade of experience in solutions architecture and consulting, he specializes in Digital Business Transformation, Integrated Business Planning (IBP), and Demand Planning across diverse global industries.Throughout his tenure at Westernacher, Sachin has held several key leadership positions, including the EU Regional Practice Lead and Solution Architect. He is recognized for his ability to bridge the gap between complex business requirements and robust technical models, driving operational excellence and high-quality client delivery.Sachin is known for his strategic approach to supply chain planning, helping organizations navigate modern market complexities through digital innovation and process optimization.Host 1: Richard HowellsRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability. She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape. ===== Show Links:What if your supply chain could heal itself? Read the article Supply Chain Management: SAP Supply Chain Management SAP Insights: Supply Chain Follow Us on Social Media : Sachin Vijayan: LinkedInRichard Howells: LinkedIn, Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! ===== Chapters: 00:00:00: Intro00:01:07: Guest Introductions00:01:44: What does “self-healing supply chain” mean in practice00:04:37: Core capabilities needed before a supply chain can self-heal00:07:50: The role of AI in enabling self-healing operations00:12:27: How humans and AI should work together00:17:33: What the planner of the future will do differently00:22:12: Where self-healing is already happening today00:26:17: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:27:20: Outro
Can your ERP really be compliant if you only look at one system at a time? In this episode with Infosys, we explore how cross-system risks, dynamic access decisions, and integrated governance are reshaping segregation of duties in hybrid ERP landscapes.=====The future of ERP is no longer just about moving systems to the cloud, it's about how businesses manage risk in an increasingly connected, automated, and hybrid world. In our latest episode, we sit down with Nishad Showkath from Infosys to unpack why segregation of duties needs a rethink when business processes stretch across on-premise systems, cloud applications, APIs, and automated workflows. Traditional SoD was built for a simpler era, but today's ERP landscape is far more complex, and risks don't always stay inside one system.What does that mean in practice? It means organizations can no longer rely on system-by-system compliance checks and assume the full process is secure. A user may create something in one platform, approve it in another, and complete the workflow somewhere else entirely, creating hidden cross-system risks that older approaches miss. Nishad shares why identity silos, fragmented risk libraries, and disconnected provisioning tools make this challenge even harder, and what companies need to do to build a more complete view of access and control.We also talk about what comes next: dynamic access decisions, automated risk analysis, continuous monitoring, and integrated governance that can follow the business process instead of just the individual application. Nishad explains how AI, machine learning, and identity access management tools are shaping the next phase of SoD, and why the future of ERP security will depend on treating enterprise risk as one connected ecosystem rather than a set of isolated systems.Download Episode TranscriptUseful Links: SAP Cloud ERPFollow Us on Social Media!SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: LinkedIn=====Guest: Nishad Showkath, Senior Principal Consultant, Infosys ConsultingNishad is a Senior Security/GRC architect with overall 20+ years of experience in SAP Security, GRC access control, Process Control, SAP ITGC & Compliance Assurance. He specializes in Authorization design, configuration, and implementation of solutions in the SAP Authorization & GRC area to help customers in their digital transformation journeys and build robust, secure authorization concepts in SAP applications.Nishad's LinkedInHost 1: Richard Howells, SAPRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Follow Richard Howell on LinkedIn and XHost 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAPOyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.Oyku's LinkedIn and SAP Community=====Key Topics: Segregation of duties, Future of ERP, Cross-system risk, Hybrid ERP, SAP Security, GRC, Identity access management, Automated risk analysis, Continuous monitoring, Integrated governance.
Customs data shows that China's foreign trade recorded strong growth in the first quarter of the year. Total imports and exports of goods reached more than 11.8 trillion yuan, marking a 15 percent year-on-year increase.
"With tariffs in the news again and the trade policy environment shifting, folks are back to wanting to relearn about the [foreign-trade zone] program." Foreign-trade zones (FTZs) allow companies to bring goods into secure U.S. locations without immediately entering U.S. commerce for customs purposes. They allow businesses to defer duties, taxes, and fees until goods officially enter the market, or avoid them altogether if those goods are ultimately exported. FTZs are often used by manufacturers to store inventory or assemble kits, but given the current level of trade uncertainty, they have also become a way to address the unpredictability of tariffs. Melissa Irmen is the Director of Advocacy and Strategic Relations for the National Association of Foreign-trade Zones (NAFTZ), and she joins this episode to share practical advice about what FTZs are, how they work, and why they are drawing renewed attention in today's tariff-heavy trade environment. In this episode of the Art of Supply podcast, Melissa and Kelly Barner discuss: Which companies tend to benefit most from FTZ participation, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, electronics companies, pharmaceutical firms, and industrial businesses How FTZs offer flexibility during periods of trade disruption, helping importers pause, store, stage, or re-strategize inventory while tariffs and policy conditions shift How the FTZ program has evolved, including a streamlined application process, ongoing regulatory modernization efforts, and current advocacy priorities related to Congress, Customs and Border Protection, and USMCA This episode makes a compelling case for taking a first (or another) look at foreign-trade zones. Links: Melissa Irmen on LinkedIn National Association of Foreign-trade Zones Kelly Barner on LinkedIn Art of Supply LinkedIn newsletter Art of Supply on AOP
Direct experience of country's heritage now key feature of high-level diplomacy亲身感受中国历史文化正成为高层外交重要内容During a visit to the Palace Museum in Beijing in January, veteran guide Wang Xiaoxin had the opportunity to give visiting Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo a tour. Wang shared a historical anecdote about Finnish-born art historian Osvald Siren, who was invited by Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), to visit the Forbidden City in 1922. This story immediately captured Orpo's attention.今年1月,资深导游王晓新(音译)有机会为来北京访问的芬兰总理彼得里·奥尔波提供故宫博物院的讲解服务。王晓新分享了一个历史轶闻:1922年,出生于芬兰的艺术史学家喜龙仁曾受清朝末代皇帝溥仪的邀请参观紫禁城。这个故事立即引起了奥尔波的兴趣。Over the next hour, Wang guided Orpo along the palace's central axis, introducing him to the architecture, imperial rituals and folk customs of ancient China. Orpo showed particular interest in the imperial examination system, and was surprised to learn that candidates once spent three consecutive days completing the demanding tests used to select government officials, according to Wang.在接下来的一小时里,王晓新带领奥尔波沿着故宫中轴线参观,向他介绍中国古代的建筑、宫廷礼仪和民俗风情。据王晓新观察,奥尔波对科举制度表现出浓厚兴趣,当得知考生曾需要连续三天完成选拔官员的严格考试时,他感到惊讶。After the visit, Orpo expressed his excitement on social media, describing it as "an amazing experience". He praised the guide and the tour, noting the remarkable juxtaposition of the centuries-old historical site in the middle of an enormous modern city filled with skyscrapers.参观结束后,奥尔波在社交媒体上表达了他的兴奋之情,称这是一次"奇妙的经历"。他称赞了这次导览,并特别提到这座拥有数百年历史的文化遗址与现代摩天大楼林立的都市景象交相辉映,令人赞叹。According to Wang, the Palace Museum provides one of the best windows for visitors to understand China. Within its walls are over a thousand years of cultural heritage, offering insights into the core ideas that have shaped Chinese culture.王晓新认为,故宫是外国友人了解中国的最佳窗口之一。故宫承载了上千年的文化遗产,展现了塑造中华文化的核心理念。"In recent years, there has been talk of a so-called 'China threat' in some Western societies," he noted. "However, when people visit the Palace Museum and learn about China's traditional culture, they often discover that Chinese philosophy has long emphasized harmony and balance."他说:"近年来,西方社会出现了一些所谓'中国威胁论'的论调。但当人们参观故宫,了解中国传统文化后,常常会发现中国哲学历来强调和谐与平衡。"During his guided tours, Wang frequently introduces the Taoist concept of wuwei, which advocates governance through respect for the intrinsic nature of people and society, rather than excessive interference or imposition. This ancient wisdom has influenced the country's governance for centuries.在讲解中,王晓新经常介绍道家的"无为"思想,主张通过尊重人民和社会的本性来进行治理,而不是过度干预或强行施压。这一古老智慧影响了中国数千年来的治国理政。Wang said that as Western countries increasingly view China in a more equal and objective manner, understanding Chinese culture and gaining insight into how Chinese people think and live can foster engagement based on mutual understanding.他表示,随着西方国家越来越平等、客观地看待中国,理解中国文化并深入了解中国人的思维和生活方式,有助于在相互理解的基础上促进交流。Several other foreign leaders, such as Irish Taoiseach, or prime minister, Micheal Martin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President of Uruguay Yamandu Orsi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have all incorporated cultural experiences into their visits to China in recent months.近几个月来,爱尔兰总理米歇尔·马丁、德国总理弗里德里希·默茨、乌拉圭总统亚曼杜·奥尔西以及英国首相基尔·斯塔默等多位外国领导人在访华期间,也都安排了文化体验行程。Starmer began his China visit at a Yunnan cuisine restaurant in Beijing. His cultural itinerary included visits to the Palace Museum as well as Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai, which embodies the essence of classical Chinese landscaping.斯塔默的访华行程始于北京一家云南风味餐厅。他的文化之旅还包括参观故宫博物院和体现中国古典园林精华的上海豫园。Dom Hastings, culture counsellor at the British embassy in China, said the arrangements reflected the full breadth of the relationship between the United Kingdom and China.英国驻华大使馆文化参赞韩苏表示,这些安排体现了英中关系的广度。"This is not only a political and trading relationship. It is also a long-standing cultural one," he said.他说:"这不仅是政治和贸易关系,也是长期的文化关系。""When planning the visit, we wanted to give the prime minister a rounded view of China, acknowledging its ancient heritage while also presenting a contemporary picture of the country today," Hastings added."在策划行程时,我们希望让首相对中国有一个全面的了解,既要了解其古老的文化遗产,也要展现其当代面貌。"Dominic Stanton, communications counsellor at the British embassy, said planners were also mindful of the long history of bilateral cultural exchanges, including the state visit to China by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in 1986.英国驻华大使馆通讯公关参赞沈栋明表示,策划者也考虑到了两国长期文化交流的历史,包括1986年英国女王伊丽莎白二世对中国的国事访问。During Starmer's visit, the prime minister sat at the same table at Yuyuan Garden that the queen did 40 years ago. By referencing that legacy, the visit sought to highlight the enduring value of cultural connections, Stanton said.斯塔默访问期间,在豫园就坐于40年前女王曾使用过的同一张桌子旁。沈栋明说,通过借鉴这一历史遗产,此次访问旨在强调文化连接的持久价值。Zhao Hongyan, a professor of international relations at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said cultural activities have long been part of the diplomatic agenda, but are now more systematically integrated into leaders' itineraries, becoming an important feature of high-level diplomacy.对外经济贸易大学国际关系学院教授赵鸿燕表示,文化活动长期以来一直是外交议程的一部分,但现在更系统地融入到领导人的行程中,成为高层外交的一个重要特色。This shift reflects the growing role of soft communication and public diplomacy in international engagement, she said.她认为,这一转变反映了软沟通和公共外交在国际交往中日益重要的作用。"By stepping outside formal meeting rooms and engaging with local communities, food, history and daily life, they encounter the diversity of Chinese society and civilization," Zhao added.她说:"通过走出正式会议室,接触当地社区、美食、历史和日常生活,他们得以接触到中国社会和文明的多样性。"Images of leaders interacting with local residents or participating in cultural activities often signal openness toward China and a willingness to improve bilateral relations, she said.赵鸿燕还指出,领导人接触当地居民或参与文化活动的形象,往往传递出对中国持开放态度以及愿意改善双边关系的信号。More important, by sending positive signals and fostering goodwill, cultural exchanges can help build the trust needed for subsequent negotiations, Zhao noted.更重要的是,通过传递积极信号和培养善意,文化交流有助于建立后续谈判所需的信任。The essence of cultural experience and communication lies in enabling face-to-face and person-to-person interaction, Zhao said, adding that such direct exchanges allow people to break stereotypes and understand each other in a more authentic way.文化体验和交流的本质在于实现面对面的互动。这种直接的交流能够让彼此打破成见,更真实地相互理解。While traditional cultural symbols such as the Palace Museum, classical gardens and Chinese cuisine have become a "must-see" on diplomatic visits, Zhao said she believes that these experiences could be expanded further.赵鸿燕认为,尽管故宫、古典园林和中国美食等传统文化符号已成为外交访问的"必选项",但这些体验还可以进一步拓展。Stories of ordinary people and community life can reveal the warmth and vitality of Chinese society, while showcasing advances in China's technology, green development and new energy can address issues of global concern.普通人的故事和社区生活可以展现中国社会的温情与活力,而展示中国在科技、绿色发展和新能源方面的进步,则可以回应全球共同关注的议题。During his China visit, German Chancellor Merz toured the humanoid robotics company Unitree Robotics in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, and watched robots perform boxing and martial arts.德国总理默茨在访华期间参观了位于浙江杭州的人形机器人公司宇树科技,观看了机器人表演拳击和武术。The visit signaled growing international recognition of China's robotics and artificial intelligence technologies, and also offered a glimpse into the future of bilateral industrial cooperation, said Michael Schumann, chairman of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade.德国联邦经济发展和对外贸易协会主席米夏埃尔·舒曼表示,这次访问标志着国际社会对中国机器人技术和人工智能技术的日益认可,也为两国未来的工业合作提供了前景。imperial ritual /ɪmˈpɪəriəl ˈrɪtʃuəl/宫廷礼仪juxtaposition /ˌdʒʌkstəpəˈzɪʃn/并置;并列excessive interference /ɪkˈsesɪv ˌɪntəˈfɪərəns/过度干预taoiseach /ˈtiːʃəx/爱尔兰总理itinerary /aɪˈtɪnərəri/行程;路线humanoid robotic /ˈhjuːmənɔɪd rəʊˈbɒtɪk/人形机器人martial arts /ˈmɑːʃl ɑːts/武术
Official: Some 'preliminary consensus on certain issues' achieved during talks中方代表:双方在磋商中就一些议题取得“初步共识”China and the United States discussed the "possible extension" of existing bilateral tariff and non-tariff measures and floated the idea of establishing a working mechanism to promote bilateral trade and investment cooperation during their latest round of trade talks in Paris, France, a senior Chinese official said on Monday.3月16日,中国商务部国际贸易谈判代表李成钢表示,中美双方在法国巴黎举行的最新一轮经贸磋商中,讨论了“可能延期”现有双边关税及非关税措施的问题,并讨论了建立促进双边贸易投资合作的工作机制的设想。Describing the one-and-a-half-days of talks as "in-depth, candid and constructive", Li Chenggang, China's international trade representative at the Ministry of Commerce, told reporters that the two sides achieved some "preliminary consensus on certain issues" and will continue to engage in consultations going forward.李成钢表示,过去一天半,双方团队进行了坦诚、深入、建设性的磋商,就一些议题取得初步共识,下一步双方将继续保持磋商进程。Following the conclusion of the sixth round of China-US economic and trade consultations on Monday, Li said that both sides affirmed that "a stable economic and trade relationship serves the interests of both countries and benefits the world".在周一的磋商结束后,李成钢表示,中美进一步认同,“一个稳定的经贸关系利于中美、惠及世界”。Regarding the issue of bilateral tariff levels under the new circumstances, Li said the US side explained the latest adjustments to its tariff measures and future considerations. The Chinese side expressed concern over the uncertainty arising from these actions, and both sides affirmed their mutual commitment to maintaining stability in tariff levels, Li added.关于新形势下双边关税水平的问题,李成钢介绍,美方介绍他们最新关税措施的调整以及下一步考虑,中方对由此造成的不确定性表达关注。李成钢补充说,双方同意共同致力于保持双边经贸关系的稳定To promote bilateral trade and investment cooperation, Li said the two sides discussed the idea of establishing a working mechanism to facilitate such cooperation.为促进双边贸易投资合作,李成钢表示,双方讨论了建立促进双边贸易投资合作的工作机制的设想。"We jointly reviewed the implementation of the consensus reached during the five rounds of economic and trade consultations last year, and gave a generally positive assessment of the implementation," Li said.李成钢说:“我们共同回顾了去年五轮经贸磋商共识的落实情况,我们对落实情况给予了总体的肯定。”He noted that the two sides also discussed in depth each other's economic and trade concerns.他指出,双方在磋商中还深入讨论了彼此的经贸关切。Li pointed out that the US has continued to introduce a number of restrictive measures targeting Chinese trade and investment. In particular, the US recently launched two separate Section 301 trade investigations, both of which include China.李成钢明确指出,美方仍然出台多项针对中国贸易投资的限制措施。特别是近期美方连续启动两起301调查,调查对象包括中方。The Chinese side raised "serious representations" and expressed "grave concern" during the consultations, Li said, to express China's consistent opposition to such unilateral probes.李成钢表示,中方在磋商中进行了“严肃交涉”,表达了“严重关切”,中方一贯反对此类单边调查的立场。"We are concerned that the potential outcomes of these investigations could interfere with and undermine the hard-won stability in China-US economic and trade relations," Li said. "We will closely monitor the developments of these investigations and take appropriate measures in due course to safeguard China's legitimate rights and interests."李成钢说:“我们对这些调查的可能结果对来之不易的中美稳定的经贸关系可能造成的干扰和破坏表示担忧。我们密切关注这些调查的后续进展,适时采取相应措施维护中方正当权益。”China hopes the US will honor its commitments, meet China halfway, and work together to promote the steady and sustained growth of bilateral economic and trade ties, Li added.李成钢补充说,中方希望美方重信守诺,与中方相向而行,共同推动中美双边经贸关系行稳致远。John Ross, former director of economic and business policy for the mayor of London, said it would be in the interest of the world economy if the US did not pursue a protectionist path, and if it arrived at constructive agreements with China in trade talks.伦敦市前经济与商业政策署署长约翰·罗斯表示,如果美国不走贸易保护主义道路,并能与中国在贸易谈判中达成建设性协议,那将符合世界经济的利益。Liu Zhiqin, senior fellow at Renmin University of China's Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, said that amid the current complex and ever-changing international trade landscape, only dialogue and consultation offer the best solution for finding a way forward. "China and the US are currently walking this path of consultation. Though the road is long and difficult ahead, there is already a positive beginning," Liu said.中国人民大学重阳金融研究院高级研究员刘志勤认为,在当前复杂多变的国际贸易形势下,对话与磋商是寻找出路的唯一最佳解决方案。他说:“中美两国目前正走在磋商的道路上。尽管前路漫长且充满挑战,但这已是一个积极的开始。”He added that China has plenty of patience, ample confidence, and the strength to engage with the US over the long haul, because "China's market is large enough, its consumer base is robust enough, and its industrial chain is complete enough".他补充道,中国有足够的耐心、充分的信心和强大的实力与美国进行长期沟通,因为“中国的市场足够大,消费基础足够稳固,产业链条足够完整”。Michael Schumann, chairman of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade, said that "even a limited understanding between the world's two largest economies can reduce uncertainty for companies that depend on predictable rules and functioning supply chains".德国联邦经济发展和对外贸易协会主席米夏埃尔·舒曼表示,“即便世界前两大经济体之间达成有限度的理解,也能为那些依赖可预测规则和有效供应链运作的企业减少不确定性。”For multinational corporations, the message would be that dialogue remains possible even amid strategic competition, Schumann said, adding that this matters greatly at a time when the global trading system is under pressure.舒曼说,对跨国公司而言,这意味着即便在战略竞争下,对话仍是可能的。他补充说,在全球贸易体系面临压力的当下,这一点至关重要。candid /ˈkændɪd/坦诚的serious representation /ˈsɪəriəs ˌreprɪzenˈteɪʃn/严肃交涉grave concern /ɡreɪv kənˈsɜːn/严重关切meet China halfway /miːt ˈtʃaɪnə ˌhɑːfˈweɪ/与中方相向而行robust /rəʊˈbʌst/稳健的;强劲的
In a world of silent cyber wars, ERPs sit at the center of risk and resilience. Discover how CIOs can design ERP as a crown jewel: assume breach, use AI wisely, and balance sovereignty, trust, and business continuity.=====This episode dives into the “silent global war” on ERP, where cyber threats are constant, interconnected systems are fragile, and resilience is the new gold standard. Our guests, Bayer's Asha Vartak and SAP's Gabriela “Gabs” Fiata, unpack how to treat ERP as a mission critical crown jewel instead of a back office system, and why assuming breach changes everything about architecture, governance, and recovery. They explore how AI can both sharpen ERP security and create new risks, from detecting anomalies and reducing alert fatigue to acting as a privileged user that must be monitored. The conversation also covers digital sovereignty, data classification by design, and placing ERP at the core of digital trust, transparency, and compliance across borders. If you want practical, board level language for ERP cyber resilience, this episode is for you.Download Episode TranscriptUseful Links: SAP Cloud ERPBayerFollow Us on Social Media!SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: LinkedIn=====Guest: Gabriele Fiata, Head of Security Market Strategy, RISE with SAPThought leader with a strong background in security as well as business processes, controls, and enterprise risk management. For more than 20 years, he has been leading teams in implementing innovative process improvements to identify and mitigate risks to promote resilience for the whole enterprise and enable overall business growth.Gabriele's LinkedInGuest: Asha Vartak, Director, Cyber Security and Risk Management at BayerAsha Vartak has a proven record of developing and executing comprehensive cybersecurity strategies that align with organizational goals. Her expertise spans Cybersecurity Risk Management, Compliance, Threat Modeling, and Mitigation Planning and Implementation. She brings extensive experience in leading and consulting on business and information security initiatives for companies across multiple global regions. With an educational background spanning four countries—India, Australia, Germany, and the United States— Asha excels at building strong relationships with diverse stakeholders and teams.As a motivating and inspiring leader in cybersecurity, risk management, and compliance, she thrives on tackling complex projects and driving them to successful completion for organizations worldwide.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAPRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Follow Richard Howell on LinkedIn and XHost 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAPOyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.Oyku's LinkedIn and SAP Community=====Key Topics: ERP security, ERP resilience, cloud ERP, AI in ERP, cybersecurity,RISE with SAP, SAP S/4HANA, digital sovereignty, data protection
Customs data shows China's foreign trade grew 18.3 percent in the first two months of 2026. Total goods trade volume reached over 7.7 trillion yuan, or about 1.1 trillion U.S. dollars, during the period.
On Thursday afternoon, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz walked into a leading Chinese robotics company in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, for a tour and a robotic performance before wrapping up a two-day China visit that was both fruitful and significant.At Unitree, Merz watched the same martial arts performance by quadruped robots that was showcased during the 2026 Spring Festival Gala, which was livestreamed to hundreds of millions of viewers at home and abroad. Merz showed interest in the company's robotic hands and quadruped robots, learning about their applications and development.The one-hour tour, part of Merz's first trip to China since assuming office in May last year, demonstrated the two countries' shared desire to seize new opportunities for future development.Merz was the first foreign leader received by China in the Year of the Horse. Upon his arrival on Wednesday, he wrote in Chinese in a social media post: "Berlin and Beijing are nearly 7,500 kilometers apart. For many years, we have been very happy to bridge this distance. For me, it is very important to maintain and deepen our diplomatic and economic relations. To achieve this goal, we need open channels of dialogue."President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang met separately and held talks with Merz on Wednesday. Together with over 60 Chinese and German business leaders, Merz and Li also attended a symposium of the China-Germany economic advisory committee. The two countries inked a number of cooperative agreements in green transition, customs, sports and media. They also issued a joint media statement in which the two sides agreed to properly resolve each other's concerns through dialogue.Speaking to reporters at the end of his trip, Merz said he witnessed and supported the launch of new business partnerships during the visit."For me, it was important to gain a firsthand impression of the country, including through discussions with government leaders and business representatives," he said, noting that he was impressed by China's high level of technological development.For example, he said he was impressed by "Mercedes-Benz's advances in autonomous driving in China, Unitree's progress in robotics, and companies producing in China for the global market".Siemens CEO Roland Busch, who was among senior executives from about 30 leading German companies accompanying Merz, said Hangzhou is a highly innovative city — "perhaps the Tech Valley of China".Busch noted that China is seeking to boost productivity through automation and digitalization, areas in which Siemens holds strong global advantages — in industrial software and automation.As 2026 marks the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, the world's two major economies are expected to foster greater synergy between the plan and Germany's development strategies, in order to achieve mutually beneficial cooperation at higher standards, analysts said.Michael Schumann, chairman of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade, said China's rapid progress in robotics and industrial artificial intelligence — visible during Merz's visit to Unitree — creates significant opportunities to combine German strengths in precision engineering, automation and industrial software with China's scale and speed of technological deployment."With continued dialogue and practical cooperation in future industries, Sino-German business ties can contribute meaningfully to global technological progress and sustainable industrial transformation, for the benefit of people in both our countries and beyond," Schumann said.Feng Zhongping, director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Merz's visit shows a return to a pragmatic and rational approach in Germany's China policy."Merz's visit sent a signal that as the world's third-largest economy, Germany sees broad space for cooperation with China, the second-largest economy, and is seeking to expand cooperation grounded in mutual benefit," Feng said.He added that German officials and business leaders are willing to better understand China's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, including its development priorities and strategic focus areas, in order to identify new opportunities for collaboration.Jin Ling, director of the Department for Global Governance and International Organization Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, said Merz's visit carries significance against the backdrop of debate within Europe over how to approach China.By emphasizing partnership and a cooperative tone, Merz has sent a signal aimed at filtering out "noise" and external interference, she said.Merz is the latest in a string of Western leaders to visit Beijing within just a few months, following visits by French President Emmanuel Macron, Irish Taoiseach, or prime minister, Micheal Martin, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer."These visits reflect recognition of China's global role and the opportunities presented by its market. Missing out on the Chinese market would mean missing out on opportunities," Jin said.
How real-time security transforms ERP systems in a cloud-driven world, spotting threats instantly, leveraging AI for proactive defense, and closing common blind spots before breaches escalate. Curious about staying ahead of cyber risks?=====Mohammed Moidheen, SAP security architect at Infosys, unpacks why real-time monitoring is vital amid 2,200 daily cyber attacks costing trillions annually. He highlights blind spots like unmonitored access vulnerabilities, ignored audit logs, unsecured APIs, privileged accounts, insider threats, and poor event correlation in S/4HANA Cloud setups. AI evolves detection with predictive intelligence, automated responses, natural language queries, and cross-system pattern spotting, shifting from reactive to proactive security. Real-world cases show systems halting unusual data downloads and insider data exfiltration in minutes. Advice includes aligning with governance, prioritizing crown jewels, setting baselines, training teams, and correlating data. Infosys aids via assessments and foundational builds.Listen now and rethink what ERP can do for your organization!Download Episode TranscriptUseful Links: SAP Cloud ERPInfosys.comFollow Us on Social Media!SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: LinkedIn=====Guest: Mohammed Khan Moidheen, SAP Security Architect at Infosys ConsultingMohammed Khan Moidheen is a Senior SAP Security architect with over 12 years of experience securing and operating large scale SAP landscapes across global enterprises. His expertise spans SAP S/4HANA security, ERP platform services, DevSecOps enablement, and designing audit ready security architectures aligned with frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST, and GDPR.Mohammed is CISSP and CISA certified and I excel at translating complex security requirements into actionable strategies that are practical , strategically aligned and strengthen organisational resilience.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAPRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Follow Richard Howell on LinkedIn and XHost 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAPOyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.Oyku's LinkedIn and SAP Community=====Key Topics: real-time security, ERP monitoring, cloud threats, SAP S/4HANA, access management, audit logs, AI threat detection, insider threats, privileged accounts, predictive intelligence
The Red Sea has become the centre of a geopolitical crisis. How to secure one of the world's most crowded trade routes? With, amongst others, NATO-Chief of Staff Geoffrey van Leeuwen we speak about proxy wars, maritime strategy and trade.Every year, roughly 33% of global containerised trade passes through the Red Sea. At its narrowest point, just 26 kilometres wide, the sea is one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. The attacks in the last years by the Yemen-based Houthis have once again demonstrated the vulnerability of this geostrategic corridor. By sinking four vessels and hijacking another with relative ease, the Houthis have found an effective means to exert political leverage and managed to decrease maritime traffic through the passage from November 2023 onwards with 55%, bringing international trade through the Red Sea effectively to a standstill.With the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal no longer viable routes for most shipping companies, vessels traveling between Europe and Asia have increasingly diverted around Africa. For the EU, particularly for a maritime trading nation like the Netherlands, this divergence significantly complicates supply chains, increases costs, and critically exposes strategic vulnerabilities. As the cessation of Houthi attacks appears contingent on the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, European shipping companies ask whether a return to the strait is a realistic option at all.During this event we think through a set of interrelated questions: what geopolitical stakes are at play in the Red Sea region, what conditions are required to ensure safety and security, who are the key actors shaping developments in this strategically vital corridor, and specifically what role does NATO take on in its naval strategy?About the speakersGeoffrey van Leeuwen is NATO-Chief of Staff and Director of the Office of the Secretary General. Before taking over as Chief of Staff and Director of the Office of the Secretary General, Geoffrey van Leeuwen served as Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation for the Netherlands, after having spent several years as National Security Advisor to Prime Minister Mark Rutte.Benedetta Girardi is Programme Coordinator of the HCSS Europe in the Indo-Pacific programme and Strategic Analyst at HCSS. Her research focuses on the role of Europe in the Indo-Pacific, with specific attention to supply chains of energy, critical raw materials, and semiconductors as well as avenues for engagement between European and Indo-Pacific states. Paul van Hooft is expert on international security, nuclear deterrence and strategy, US-European relations, and the Indo-Pacific. He is a research leader at RAND Europe.Máté Szalai is a Research Fellow at the Conflict Research Unit of Clingendael. As a member of the Middle East group, he specializes in the international relations and the domestic political economic systems of the broader Gulf region.Programme editor: Senna FeliusModerator: Yoeri AlbrechtIn cooperation with: JASON InstituteZie het privacybeleid op https://art19.com/privacy en de privacyverklaring van Californië op https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Imagine ERP systems that spot cyber threats before they strike, using AI to predict outages and banish reactive support forever. How close are we to invisible, proactive defense that keeps businesses unbreakable? Dive into the future where data and smarts outpace chaos.=====In this compelling episode of the Future of ERP podcast, SAP's Jens Bernotat, head of strategy, portfolio, and ecosystem management for SAP Support, shares transformative insights on evolving ERP customer support. He outlines a future where support becomes invisible through prevention, hyper-proactive with deep customer data insights, and accelerated by AI-driven recommendations. Jens emphasizes data's starring role in pattern detection via AI analytics, addresses change management for teams shifting from routine tickets to complex missions and AI curation, and reveals key KPIs like customer effort scores and health metrics. Practical advice includes starting with quick-win AI use cases, fostering team experimentation, and crafting transformation roadmaps. Listen now and rethink what ERP can do for your organization!Download Episode TranscriptUseful Links: SAP Cloud ERPFollow Us on Social Media!SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: LinkedIn=====Guest: Jens Bernotat, Head of Strategy, Portfolio and Ecosystem Management, SAP Customer Support at SAPJens joined SAP in 2007 as Vice President in the Corporate Strategy Group. Here, he has guided high impact programs with a focus on maintenance and support strategy, portfolio and commercial design. From 2011, Jens was driving strategy for Maintenance Go-To-Market, where he designed commercial transformation programs to the Cloud and new support offerings.Since 2017, Jens is driving SAP's maintenance and support strategy, orchestrating maintenance phases, end dates and the portfolio of support offerings. Jens also leads Ecosystem management, defining the setup of how partners deliver support to our customers.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAPRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Follow Richard Howell on LinkedIn and XHost 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAPOyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.Oyku's LinkedIn and SAP Community=====Key Topics: ERP support, proactive support, AI analytics, customer health, data patterns, change management, Black Friday uptime, support automation, ERP transformation, cyber prevention
Discover how identity and access management (IAM) is reshaping cybersecurity in cloud ERP, enabling businesses to be safer, faster, and more compliant with clarity in roles and responsibilities.=====In this insightful episode of the Future of ERP podcast, Aditya Thakurdesai from Infosys dives deep into the vital topic of identity and access management (IAM) in cloud ERP environments. He explains why understanding "who owns what" in IAM is non-negotiable to ensure security, compliance, and operational efficiency amid today's complex hybrid IT infrastructures. Aditya shares compelling customer stories- rom a global pharmaceutical company safeguarding sensitive research data to a large retailer accelerating seasonal workforce onboarding - highlighting how the shared responsibility model brings clarity and confidence in managing cloud security. The discussion further explores how AI is revolutionizing IAM, with intelligent threat detection, adaptive access control, and proactive governance transforming traditional security roles. This episode is a must-listen for any business navigating cloud security risks and looking to leverage AI for smarter, faster, and safer ERP management. Tune in and learn how to stay ahead in the evolving cybersecurity landscape.Download Episode TranscriptUseful Links:Learn how the shared responsibility model for SAP Cloud ERP Private defines roles, streamlines operations, and improves security and compliance: Operate your cloud ERP with confidence and control SAP Cloud ERPInfosysFollow Us on Social Media!SAP Cloud ERP - LinkedIn=====Guest: Aditya Thakurdesai, Director – Enterprise Security , InfosysAditya is a seasoned SAP Security and GRC professional, currently serving as Director – Enterprise Security at Infosys. With nearly two decades of experience, he has delivered transformative security solutions that seamlessly integrate deep domain expertise with emerging technologies. In his current role, Aditya heads the Manufacturing and Communications, Media & Technology segments within Infosys' Enterprise Risk Management Services group. He also drives strategic Centre of Excellence initiatives focused on security transformation, intelligent automation, and AI innovation. His current passion lies in Agentic AI, where he has developed pioneering solution that introduce new levels of agility, compliance, and scalability to enterprise security operations.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAPRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Follow Richard Howell on LinkedIn and XHost 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAPOyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.Oyku's LinkedIn and SAP Community=====Key Topics: Identity Management, Access Management, Cloud ERP, Shared Responsibility, Compliance, Security, Artificial Intelligence, AI, Threat Detection, Case Studies
bto - beyond the obvious 2.0 - der neue Ökonomie-Podcast von Dr. Daniel Stelter
Das Zeitalter der „Kriegswirtschaft“ macht ein seit Jahrzehnten vor allem hierzulande vernachlässigtes Thema wieder hochaktuell: die wirtschaftspolitische Staatskunst, auch als Geoökonomie bezeichnet. Zum Begründer dieser Disziplin wurde der deutschstämmige Ökonom Albert O. Hirschman, der 1945 unter dem Eindruck der nationalsozialistischen Wirtschaftspolitik vor dem Zweiten Weltkrieg das Buch mit dem Titel „National Power and the Structure of Foreign Trade“ veröffentlichte. Was aus Hirschmans Buch zu lernen ist und vor allem welche Konsequenzen daraus zu ziehen sind, diskutierte Daniel Stelter mit Professor Jesse Schreger von der Columbia Business School in New York in Folge 290. Angesichts der atemberaubenden geopolitischen Veränderungen ist es Zeit für ein bto REFRESH! HörerserviceStudie zum Thema Geoeconomics: https://is.gd/ZVRfp9 beyond the obviousNeue Analysen, Kommentare und Einschätzungen zur Wirtschafts- und Finanzlage finden Sie unter think-bto.com.NewsletterDen monatlichen bto-Newsletter abonnieren Sie hier.RedaktionskontaktWir freuen uns über Ihre Meinungen, Anregungen und Kritik unter podcast@think-bto.com.Handelsblatt – 2026 beginnt rasant. Umso wichtiger ist fundiertes Wissen. Wenn Sie das ganze Jahr über gut informiert sein wollen, haben wir ein besonderes Angebot für Sie: 40 Prozent Rabatt auf ein Handelsblatt-Jahresabo – gedruckt oder digital. Ab 4,79 € pro Woche erhalten Sie klare Fakten, exklusive Hintergründe, starke Meinungen und wertvolle Impulse – damit Sie wirtschaftliche Entwicklungen noch besser einordnen können.Sichern Sie sich den Rabatt bis zum 23.2.2026 unter handelsblatt.com/wissen2026.WerbepartnerInformationen zu den Angeboten unserer aktuellen Werbepartner finden Sie hier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
China maintained trade with more than 240 countries and regions, with Belt and Road partner countries accounting for over half of the total volume.
Ideas in Development is VoxDev's new second podcast! You can listen to Ideas in Development wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube. Don't forget to subscribe, so you won't miss an episode.Today we're bringing you one of the episodes from our new series. Oliver Hanney and Kartik Akileswaran ask how Costa Rica, a small country of approximately 5 million people, became an attractive hub that now hosts operations for more than 1,000 multinationals. To take us through this period of economic change, we were joined by Andres Valenciano Yamuni, who played his own role in Costa Rica's FDI journey during his time as Minister of Foreign Trade.
Relive 2025's ERP breakthroughs: from AI-fueled supply chains to sustainability wins that redefined business resilience. This wrap-up episode recaps game-changing insights from the year's top discussions—perfect for forward-thinking leaders.=====Dive into the "Future of ERP 2025 Wrap-Up," a dynamic recap of the year's pivotal episodes unpacking ERP's shift from rigid software to agile, AI-driven powerhouses. Memorable highlights include forward-looking debates on ERP's role in sustainable growth and real-time adaptability, blending data trends with actionable playbooks for digital leaders. Tailored for ERP pros, marketers, and execs eyeing 2026 horizons, this finale inspires bold upgrades. Come join us as we discuss The Future of ERP!Download Episode TranscriptUseful Links:SAP Cloud ERPFollow Us on Social Media!SAP Cloud ERP - LinkedIn=====Host 1: Richard Howells, SAPRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAPOyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation Studies, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.=====Key Topics: ERP Evolution, AI Integration, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Predictive Analytics, Digital Twins, SAP Implementations, Net-Zero Goals, Intelligent Automation, Business Agility, ERP, Cloud ERP
Our guest on this week's episode is Amy Dean, VP of Operations at SC Codeworks. The shipping world is still waiting on the Supreme Court's ruling on whether the administration can lawfully collect the tariffs that have been assessed on nearly every trading nation. In the meantime, there may be a strategy to mitigate some of those tariff impacts – and that is by using Foreign Trade Zones. While employment trends show few new jobs, a new survey from resume platform company Resume.org found that most companies are planning to add more staff this year, and that a majority of those will do so quickly—by adding new hires in the first quarter. We look at what skills employers are looking for from new employees.One of the emerging supply chain technologies that's been getting the most buzz in recent months is humanoid robots; these are two-legged, walking robots. However, this technology is new — and there are certain shortcomings. Humanoids collapse and fall down when power is cut. So that creates safety risk in the event of a fall. But according to a report from Interact Analysis, the industry is working on this problem.Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. A new series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:SC CodeworksHiring is on tap for 2026 but so are layoffsReport: Automation sector sets safety standards for humanoid robotsVisit Supply Chain XchangeListen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcastSend feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.comThis podcast episode is sponsored by: WernerOther linksAbout DC VELOCITYSubscribe to DC VELOCITYSign up for our FREE newslettersAdvertise with DC VELOCITY
Chinese lawmakers have adopted a revision to the Foreign Trade Law, which will take effect on March 1st next year. It was one of the documents reviewed and adopted at a session of the NPC Standing Committee.
In this week's episode, hosts Richard Howells and Oyku Ilgar wrap up 2025's biggest supply chain shifts, from AI and digital twins to cybersecurity, geopolitics, human-centric workforces, and sustainability – sharing expert insights and a look ahead to a more resilient 2026Download the episode transcript=====This week, Richard Howells and Oyku Ilgar – together with leading voices from SAP, IDC, Deloitte, Everstream, BDO, and more – revisit 2025's hottest supply chain topics: AI-enabled and human-centric operations, business networks, cybersecurity, geopolitics, ESG regulation, and sustainability. Hear how digital foundations, intelligent planning and circularity are reshaping supply chains and why resilience will define success in 2026 and beyond.=====Host 1: Richard Howells, SAPRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability. She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape. =====Show Links:Supply Chain Management SAP Supply Chain Management SAP Insights: Supply Chain Follow Us on Social Media Richard Howells: LinkedIn, X Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! =====Chapters: 00:00:00: Intro00:00:37: AI-enabled, data-driven supply chains and digital foundations00:03:10: Business networks and supply chain orchestration00:04:16: Cybersecurity deep in ERP and operations00:06:01: Geopolitics, tariffs and global trade disruption00:08:32: AI, automation and the human-centric workforce00:10:57: ESG regulation and sustainability00:13:27: Holiday wishes and looking ahead to 2026
CONVERSATION HELD AT THE NORTH CAPITAL FORUM 2025 https://www.northcapitalforum.com/ncf25-secretaria-de-economia This conversation touched on the policies, priorities, and strategies shaping Mexico’s role in today’s global economy. From trade diversification to strengthening regional integration under USMCA, the session will highlight how Mexico is navigating shifting supply chains, new technologies, and evolving global dynamics. Participants gained insights into the opportunities and challenges facing North America’s trade agenda—and how closer cooperation between Mexico, the United States, and Canada can drive competitiveness, investment, and long-term prosperity across the region. SPEAKERS: Mexican Undersecretary for Foreign Trade, Luis Rosendo Gutiérrez Emilio Cadena, Chairman USMF; CEO Prodensa
17 Nov 2025. Is the city’s liveability being tested, and are some residents at risk of being left behind? Georgia Tolley reports from New York at the Dubai Business Forum. Plus, where are we in the UAE’s CEPA trade deal journey? We put the question to HE Dr Thani Al Zayoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade. And in our C-Suite Series, we’re joined by one of the UAE’s most influential public health pioneers, H.E. Dr Mariam Matar, to explore how she has shaped national policy and redefined longevity and well-being.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mixed bag of conversations from the Sharjah Investment Forum. We hear from Dr Muhammad Al Erian, HE Fahad Al Gergawi from UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade as well as Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi where we discuss the topic of Geo-economics and how the emirate of Sharjah has benefitted from the CEPA agreements. Listen to #Pulse95Radio in the UAE by tuning in on your radio (95.00 FM) or online on our website: www.pulse95radio.com ************************ Follow us on Social. www.facebook.com/pulse95radio www.twitter.com/pulse95radio
Customs data shows China's foreign trade saw steady growth despite a complex external environment in the first three quarters of this year. From January to September, China's foreign trade in goods increased by four percent to over 33.6 trillion yuan, or 4.7 trillion U.S. dollars.
Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) are designated areas within the U.S. where businesses can operate with special customs benefits. But FTZs aren't just about storing goods — they can be powerful tools for reducing import costs and streamlining processes. Jorge Canavati, Principal of J. Canavati & Co. LLC, and FreightWaves' Noi Mahoney discuss the advantages and strategic uses of FTZs in international trade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Official data shows China's trade volume in the first seven months of the year expanded 3.5 percent to reach 25.7 trillion yuan.
Shenzhen has secured its position as the leading city on the Chinese mainland in terms of foreign trade. Customs data shows the southern city's foreign trade reached nearly 2.2 trillion yuan, or over 300 billion U.S. dollars, in the first half of the year.
This episode of Farm4Profit is a double feature packed with timely information every farmer and ag business needs to hear.As a reminder - visit DPAauctions.com and Farm4Profit listeners receive 0% listing fee for the first items sold through DPA!We kick things off with Nick Helland from the Iowa Corn Growers Association, who walks us through a series of upcoming roundtable discussions taking place across Iowa. These conversations are designed to bring farmers and stakeholders together to talk about the issues that matter most — from conservation and carbon to trade and transportation. Nick explains how the feedback from these sessions will help shape Iowa Corn's policy direction and strengthen the voice of agriculture at both the state and national level.Then, we transition into a deep dive on the 2025 equipment market with Luke Stamp from DPA Auctions. We ask Luke the questions that are on every farmer's mind:Are we seeing more or fewer sales compared to last year?Is the market stronger or weaker?What's the current demand for new vs. used equipment?Luke doesn't hold back — he talks about who's buying, who's selling, and where the real opportunities are in 2025. We also uncover what makes certain sales stand out, the best advice for buyers and sellers, and how factors like interest rates, China relations, PUKs, and Farm Bill chatter could shift the landscape. If you're considering selling equipment or looking to buy in the months ahead, this is the episode you can't afford to miss. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don't forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.comShareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.comEmail address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.comCall/Text: 515.207.9640Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5XqwFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/
P.M. Edition for May 13. Companies seek to access foreign-trade zones as they navigate rising U.S. tariffs. WSJ news associate Owen Tucker-Smith reports on how the country's roughly 260 foreign-trade zones allow them to defer tariffs on imported goods and materials, for a while. And the latest consumer-price index showed prices rose 2.3% in the 12 months through April, slowing from a 2.4% rate a month earlier. Economics reporter Chao Deng considers U.S. tariffs' effects on that price growth. Plus, President Trump announced an end to sanctions on Syria during the first of a four-day trip to the Middle East. The move would give Syria's new rulers a financial lifeline. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
US President Donald Trump promises a significant tariff announcement on April 2. We gathered a team of experts to discuss how the looming threats of tariffs from the Trump administration may affect Brazil and reshape relations between the United States and Brazil — not just in the short-term future but also in the long run. Panelists:Tony Harrington, former US ambassador to Brazil. Founding Principal of Albright Stonebridge. He was previously Chair of the President's Intelligence Oversight Board and currently serves as Chair of the Wilson Center Brazil Institute. Kellie Meiman Hock, senior counselor at McLarty Associates and a board member of the Inter-American Dialogue. A former US Foreign Service Officer, she served in Porto Alegre, São Paulo and Recife in Brazil, as well as at the Office of the US Trade Representative in the Executive Office of the President as Director for Brazil and the Southern Cone.Welber Barral, founding partner of BMJ, is an expert in international trade and investment with over 30 years of experience. He served as Brazil's Secretary of Foreign Trade between 2007 and 2011 and has acted as an arbitrator in Mercosur and WTO disputes. He currently advises Fiesp and presides over IBCI, the Brazilian Institute of Foreign Trade.This episode is exclusive for premium subscribers and subscribers of Explaining Brazil Plus on Apple Podcasts.Support the show
It's hard to understand the economic logic of President Trump's tariffs. In our last episode, we tried, but with limited success. And that might be because the logic here isn't entirely economic at all.So we wanted to spend an episode looking at Trump's economic policies through a wider lens.Gillian Tett is a columnist at The Financial Times and a member of its editorial board. She's also a trained anthropologist with a Ph.D. And she brings both perspectives into this conversation — exploring Trump's policies as economics, as well as power politics, patronage and cultural messaging — which I think makes the whole thing make a bit more sense.Mentioned:“A User's Guide to Restructuring the Global Trading System” by Stephen MiranBook Recommendations:National Power and the Structure of Foreign Trade by Albert HirschmanThe Economic Consequences of the Peace by John Maynard KeynesDebt by David GraeberHow to Think Like an Anthropologist by Matthew EngelkeThoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Rollin Hu. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris. Mixing by Isaac Jones, with Efim Shapiro and Aman Sahota. Our supervising editor is Claire Gordon. The show's production team also includes Elias Isquith, Kristin Lin and Jack McCordick. Original music by Pat McCusker and Carole Sabouraud. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. Special thanks to Pat McCusker. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Tonight's rundown: Hey BillOReilly.com Premium and Concierge Members, welcome to the No Spin News for Thursday, January 9, 2025. Stand Up for Your Country. Talking Points Memo: The latest on the California wildfires and why Donald Trump is placing the blame on Governor Gavin Newsom. A look at Jimmy Carter's funeral and the media's reaction to the interaction between Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Trump argues that other countries are taking advantage of the U.S. in trade. Bill explains how the U.S. isn't getting a fair deal. Why Alex Isenstadt's accusation that Fox News fed Donald Trump questions during a January 2024 Iowa town hall isn't believable. This Day in History: Steve Job announces Apple's first iPhone. Final Thought: Preparation for the unexpected. In Case You Missed It: Read Bill's latest column, Trump Ascendant For a limited time, get Bill O'Reilly's bestselling The United States of Trump and a No Spin Mug for only $39.95. Get Bill's latest book, CONFRONTING THE PRESIDENTS, out NOW! Now's the time to get a Premium or Concierge Membership to BillOReilly.com, the only place for honest news analysis. Check out the NEW Not Woke Shop! We've got Not Woke t-shirts, polos, bumper stickers, and our signature Not Woke coffee mug. Get yours today and stand out from the crowd! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices