The need to know

The need to know for the week ending 11th September 2020

The need to know from Reuters global network of journalists

US, Taiwan seek 'like-minded' democracies in supply chain shift from China

The United States and Taiwan said on Friday they were seeking “like-minded” democracies to join a shift in global supply chains during the coronavirus pandemic, as Washington looks to accelerate a move away from economic reliance on China.

Explainer: What we know about China's 'dual circulation' economic strategy

China has unveiled a “dual circulation” strategy to cut its dependence on overseas markets and technology in its long-term development, a shift brought on by a deepening rift with the United States.

ANALYSIS-Proposed U.S. curbs on Chinese chipmaker SMIC could rattle supply chains

Proposed U.S. export curbs on SMIC threaten to derail China’s nascent but growing domestic semiconductor supply chain, and also hit American and Japanese companies who count the Chinese chipmaker as an important customer.

COLUMN-Europe joins the global scramble for critical minerals: Andy Home

Europe has belatedly woken up to the fact it has a metals problem.

EXCLUSIVE-Automakers seek delays, exemptions to India's planned new rules for parts -sources

Foreign automakers are seeking delays and exemptions to India’s planned new quality rules for imported auto parts, arguing the regulations will increase costs, hurt sales and disrupt supply chains, sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

Changing tack: windpower breezes back into shipping with Swedish venture

A Swedish consortium aims to launch commercially by 2025 a wind-driven car carrier that will emit 90% less carbon dioxide than a conventional roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) cargo ship, it said on Thursday.

China to roll out new supportive policies for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, official says

China will roll out a new package of policies to support hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to improve the industry’s supply chain and technologies, a government official said on Saturday.

Investors cheer as GM, Nikola join forces to build electric trucks

General Motors Co GM.N and electric truck startup Nikola Corp NKLA.O will join forces to build electric pickup trucks and fuel cell commercial trucks to take on Tesla Inc TSLA.O, in a deal that lifted shares in both companies on Tuesday.

Pandemic e-commerce surge spurs race for 'Tesla-like' electric delivery vans

Delivery fleet operators face regulatory pressure in California and other states to buy electric vehicles, but a surge in package deliveries thanks to coronavirus lockdowns has major firms itching to switch to electric right now.

Softbank Ventures-backed Indonesian logistics startup Waresix raises $100 million

Indonesian logistics startup Waresix announced on Thursday it had closed a $100 million fundraising round from investors including Softbank Ventures Asia and Indonesian conglomerate Emtek (Elang Mahkota Teknologi).

Thai e-commerce firm JD Central to ramp up seller support amid pandemic

Thailand’s JD Central plans to expand infrastructure and technology to support sellers after the coronavirus pandemic has boosted sales at the e-commerce platform, its chief executive said on Wednesday.

Reliance approaches digital unit backers to invest in retail arm: sources

India's Reliance Industries Ltd RELI.NS has approached investors in its digital business about potentially buying stakes in its retail arm, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said on Thursday.

UPDATE 1-CMA CGM sees strong shipping rebound after coronavirus storm

Container shipping group CMA CGM on Friday reported higher second-quarter profits and said it expects results to improve again in the current quarter as the shipping sector recovers quickly from disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

From elsewhere around the web

Trade war and tariffs fail to slow growing surge of US imports from China. [The Loadstar]

Walmart pilots drones to fly items to consumers’ doorsteps. [FreightWaves]

UPS to hire 100K seasonal workers to handle parcels for peak. [SupplyChainDive]

Second quarter best since 2010, as container shipping sees $2.7bn profit. [The Loadstar]

HMM and Samsung Heavy Industries to develop smart ships. [Port Technology]

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