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Trade

Explainer-How a five-yearly Communist Party congress will pick Vietnam's next leaders​

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam leaves after attending a parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of independence in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 2, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/Pool
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam leaves after attending a parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of independence in Hanoi, Vietnam, September 2, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/Pool

China’s rare earths El Dorado gives it a strategic edge

The hills of Jiangxi province are home to most of China’s rare earth mines.
The hills of Jiangxi province are home to most of China’s rare earth mines.

Indonesia sends top minister to US to finalise trade deal

Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto is due to finalise a July trade deal with US officials.
Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto is due to finalise a July trade deal with US officials.

Brazil's Lula vows to veto bill cutting Bolsonaro's 27-year prison sentence

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends a press conference at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, December 18, 2025. REUTERS/Adriano Machado
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends a press conference at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, December 18, 2025. REUTERS/Adriano Machado

China’s Hainan island takes steps towards goal of becoming a leading free trade port

Hainan, a province, completed a milestone by launching fully-independent customs operations islandwide on Dec 18.
Hainan, a province, completed a milestone by launching fully-independent customs operations islandwide on Dec 18.

Germany, Spain urge EU to back Mercosur trade pact, but France resists

A protester wearing a Jeunes Agriculteurs (Young Farmers) flag throws a vegetable near the European Parliament in Brussels, during a farmers' protest on Dec 18 over the EU-Mercosur deal.
A protester wearing a Jeunes Agriculteurs (Young Farmers) flag throws a vegetable near the European Parliament in Brussels, during a farmers' protest on Dec 18 over the EU-Mercosur deal.

India signs trade pact with Oman as it expands Middle East ties

Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said welcomes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon his arrival in Muscat, Oman, December 17, 2025. Oman News Agency/Handout via REUTERS
Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said welcomes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon his arrival in Muscat, Oman, December 17, 2025. Oman News Agency/Handout via REUTERS

EU must reform or risk irrelevance, says report

Former British prime minister Tony Blair (left) and JPMorgan Chase chief Jamie Dimon said Europe needed to integrate further to prioritise defence and economic growth.
Former British prime minister Tony Blair (left) and JPMorgan Chase chief Jamie Dimon said Europe needed to integrate further to prioritise defence and economic growth.

China voices support for Venezuela amid US blockade, but makes no aid pledges

US ‍President Donald ​Trump has ordered a total blockade of sanctioned oil tankers attempting to leave Venezuelan ‍waters.
US ‍President Donald ​Trump has ordered a total blockade of sanctioned oil tankers attempting to leave Venezuelan ‍waters.

US House defeats bids to rein in Trump’s Venezuela campaign

An oil tanker sails on Lake Maracaibo, in Cabimas, Venezuela October 14, 2022. REUTERS/Issac Urrutia
An oil tanker sails on Lake Maracaibo, in Cabimas, Venezuela October 14, 2022. REUTERS/Issac Urrutia

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2025 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.