Insights The fundamentally positive outlook for China's economy has not changed, with multiple favourable factors existing for stable performance and sustained economic recovery, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The country's retail sales of consumer goods expanded by 5.1 per cent YoY in April, while the total value of goods trade in the month increased by 5.6 per cent YoY. The fundamentally positive outlook for China's economy has not changed, with multiple favorable factors e

Insights Ocean cargo bookings from China to the United States have increased by nearly 300 per cent after both countries agreed to suspend reciprocal tariffs for 90 days following negotiations in Switzerland, according to container-tracking service provider Vizion. Shipping companies have responded positively to the tariff relief. The rush may lead to supply-chain bottlenecks and a rise in freight costs. Ocean cargo bookings from China to the United States have increased by nearly 300 per cen

INSIGHTS Australian wool prices stabilised this week as China's two largest Merino top makers purchased over 38 per cent of the sold Merino fleece, reviving market confidence. While overall demand remained cautious, crossbred wools saw gains despite a stronger Australian dollar. Drought conditions continue to threaten future supply, reducing fleece yields. Price declines at Australian wool auctions largely stabilised this week, buoyed by renewed confidence from China’s two largest Merin

INSIGHTS Fitch Ratings has warned that US-China tariff de-escalation offers only temporary relief and does not signal a return to normal trade relations. Despite reduced tariffs, uncertainty remains, weighing on global growth prospects. Fitch maintained its downgraded 2025 global GDP forecast at 1.9 per cent. US policies favouring economic decoupling and import substitution may further disrupt trade flows. Fitch Ratings has warned that the recent US-China tariff de-escalation does not mark a

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INSIGHTS Short-term action to tackle tariffs and trade shifts tends to favour frontloading, spot usage and re-routing, with shipping firms also using scenario modelling and reassessing contracts to stabilise their long-term picture, Xeneta said. A lot of companies are holding off on taking rapid action; instead, waiting to see what happens next or monitoring what steps their peers are taking, it noted. Short-term action to tackle tariffs and trade shifts tends to favour frontloading, spot usa

INSIGHTS China yesterday suspended its unreliable entity list and export control measures on multiple US entities. An April 4 measure adding 11 US firms to China's unreliable entity list has been suspended for 90 days. An April 9 measure that added six US firms to the list has also been paused. It has also suspended export control measures that added 28 US entities to its export control list for 90 days. China yesterday suspended its unreliable entity list and export control measures on multi

INSIGHTS A Chinese delegation from around 25 textile and garment firms recently visited Egypt to explore partnership opportunities. It met Egyptian Minister of Public Business Sector Mohamed Shimy, who briefed it about the country's investment potential. The delegation was presented with a portfolio of high-value products, including yarns, fabrics, garments, home textiles and medical textiles. A Chinese delegation of investors and representatives from around 25 textile and garment companies r

INSIGHTS Global cotton prices remained largely stable over the past month. NY/ICE July futures traded between 65–70 cents per lb, while the December contract stayed within 67–71 cents. The A Index held between 77–81 cents per lb. China's CC Index stayed near 89 cents per lb amid RMB appreciation. Indian spot prices rose slightly to 82 cents per lb, while Pakistani prices remained steady at 72 cents per lb. Global cotton benchmarks remained largely stable over the past month,

INSIGHTS The US and China will reduce tariffs on each other's goods from May 14, 2025, for 90 days, easing trade tensions. Post-reduction, the US will impose 30 per cent duty on Chinese goods over the existing rates as on January 20, 2025. China will impose 10 per cent additional duty on US goods, and also remove the non-tariff countermeasures taken against the US since April 2. Recognising the importance of their bilateral economic and trade relationship to both countries and the global econ