The need to know
The need to know for the week ending 14th April 2023
The need to know from Reuters’ global network of journalists
China investment drowns out decoupling rhetoric
International companies are reinforcing President Xi Jinping’s message that China is open for business.
US manufacturing boom has a real estate problem
Volkswagen's off-road brand Scout Motors studied 74 different parcels of land across the U.S. last summer as it hunted for a place to build a $2 billion assembly plant.
Tesla to build Shanghai factory to make Megapack batteries
Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) is opening a factory in Shanghai, capable of producing ten thousand Megapack energy product per year, to supplement output of Megapack factory in California, the company said in a tweet on Sunday.
IMF's Georgieva sees risk of supply chain security leading to new Cold War
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Thursday warned policymakers against the danger of a new Cold War as they ramp up efforts to secure their industrial supply chains amid geopolitical tensions between major powers.
China's exports rise unexpectedly, but economists warn of weakness ahead
China's exports unexpectedly surged in March, with officials flagging rising demand for electric vehicles, but analysts cautioned the improvement partly reflects suppliers catching up with unfulfilled orders after last year's COVID-19 disruptions.
Indian exports up 6% in year to end-March, Russian imports surge
India's exports of merchandise and services rose by 6% in the fiscal year to March 31, Indian government data released on Thursday showed, while imports from Russia surged.
Lack of electric vans opens door for Chinese, other EV makers
Legacy automakers got off to a late start with their commercial electric vans, opening the door for other electric commercial vehicle (ECV) makers to gain a foothold, as the Maxus brand from China's SAIC Motor Corp (600104.SS) has done in Europe.
Japan proposes industrial hub in Bangladesh with supply chains to India
Japan has proposed developing an industrial hub in Bangladesh with supply chains to the landlocked northeastern states of India, and to Nepal and Bhutan beyond by developing a port and transport in the region, officials said on Tuesday.
Boeing shares tumble as parts issue halts deliveries of some 737 MAXs
Boeing Co's (BA.N) shares fell 4.5% in premarket trading on Friday after the U.S. planemaker halted deliveries of some 737 MAXs due to a new supplier quality problem by Spirit AeroSystems (SPR.N).
Airlines, repair shops in North America rely on used, generic parts to keep aircraft flying
Airlines and aircraft repair shops in North America are increasingly relying on used and generic parts to keep jets flying, a symptom of the rising costs and supply-chain shortages plaguing the aerospace industry.
Brazil to end tax exemption on international orders, targeting Asian e-commerce giants
Brazil's government announced on Tuesday it would end a tax exemption on international orders up to $50 as part of an effort to tax purchases from global retail giants.
Top U.S. shipping gateway mostly closes due to port worker shortage - employer group
A shortage of West Coast port workers has forced the busiest U.S. ocean trade gateway to largely shut on Friday, after months of strained labor negotiations between the union dock workers and their employers.
Biden looks to boost EV sales with plan to cut vehicle emissions
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday proposed sweeping emissions cuts for new cars and trucks through 2032, a move it says could mean two out of every three new vehicles automakers sell will be electric within a decade.
China reluctantly keeps sanctions powder dry
As the White House pushes on with sweeping export restrictions to contain China’s rise, President Xi Jinping is starting to retaliate.
US labor market gradually losing steam; producer inflation cooling
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits increased more than expected last week, further evidence that labor market conditions were gradually easing as higher borrowing costs dampen demand in the economy.
As transport firms try to steer a path through troubled waters, they look for new partnerships
April 12 - They say that history is just one damn thing after another, but recent events and trends have converged to create what the World Economic Forum is calling the polycrisis.
Germany to review China stake in Hamburg port terminal
Germany is reviewing its decision to allow China's Cosco (601919.SS) to take a stake in one of logistics company HHLA's (HHFGn.DE) three terminals at Hamburg port, a spokesperson for the German economy ministry said on Wednesday.
Explainer: What happens if Russia abandons UN-backed grain corridor?
The Kremlin has said the outlook is "not so great" for extending beyond May 18 a deal that allows the safe wartime export of grain from some Ukrainian Black Sea ports, raising concerns over what happens next with the U.N.-backed sea corridor.
Truck maker Volvo posts record Q1 as sales, margins beat forecasts
AB Volvo (VOLVb.ST) reported record first-quarter profit, a preliminary filing showed, as the truck maker boosted its revenue and margins despite supply bottlenecks and cost inflation, sending its shares up 9.6% in early trade on Wednesday.
Analysis: Train crunch to spur coal imports by Indian industries
Indian manufacturers, including aluminium smelters and paper mills, are set to boost thermal coal imports for a second consecutive year due to a shortage of trains, even as state-run Coal India (COAL.NS) plans to increase output.
Global PC shipments slide in first quarter, Apple takes biggest hit, IDC says
Global shipments of personal computers slumped by nearly a third in the first quarter of 2023, with Apple Inc (AAPL.O) dropping the most among the market heavyweights as the industry struggles with a post-pandemic slowdown in consumer spending.
US union opposes driverless trucks waiver for Waymo, Aurora
A major U.S. transport union on Tuesday opposed a request by Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) self-driving unit Waymo and autonomous driving technology company Aurora Innovation Inc (AUR.O) for an exemption from rules on warning devices for large semi-trucks, citing safety issues.
Food security drives China to cut soymeal use in animal feed
China's agriculture ministry issued a three-year action plan on Friday to reduce soymeal use in animal feed as it continues to try to reduce its heavy reliance on soybean imports.
China's Didi Global to roll out self-developed robotaxis by 2025
Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Global said on Thursday that it is working with Chinese carmakers to develop its own robotaxis, which it aims to put into service by 2025, revealing a concept one with robotic arms it called "Didi Neuron".
Indian govt to invite financial bids for Shipping Corp in May -sources
The Indian government plans to invite financial bids for the privatisation of Shipping Corp of India Ltd (SCI) (SCI.NS) next month, as it looks to sell the state-run company after years of delay, two government officials told Reuters.