Do you know? Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974When the US imposes Section 301 tariffs, affected countries can and often do retaliate with their own tariffs on US exports, creating broader trade conflicts. For example, China responded to the 2018–2019 Section 301 actions with retaliatory tariffs that hit US agricultural exports particularly hard,…
Do you know? Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974The large wave of tariffs on Chinese imports since 2018—covering about USD370 billion worth of goods across multiple product “lists”—was justified under Section 301 after USTR found China’s practices on tech transfer and intellectual property to be unreasonable and discriminatory. Many of those tariffs (often…
Do you know? Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974Legally, Section 301 is a domestic statute, but its use can push against World Trade Organisation (WTO) norms if actions are unilateral rather than WTO‑authorised. Economically, it’s used both as leverage to open markets and as a tool for broader industrial and security goals, such…
Do you know? Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974It lets the US investigate and respond to foreign government practices that are “unjustifiable,” “unreasonable,” or “discriminatory” and that burden or restrict US commerce. The US Trade Representative (USTR) can self‑initiate investigations and, with the President’s backing, impose tariffs or withdraw trade concessions as a…
Do you know? Iran war and global oil supplyA prolonged war could force international insurance companies to withdraw war risk coverage, thereby grounding the global tanker fleet which are legally required to have the insurance. Ghost fleets could form without insurance and operate outside the reach of Western financial sanctions, benefitting countries like Russia. Equity…
Do you know? Iran war and global oil supplyApproximately 60% of Taiwan’s oil and 33% of its natural gas imports transit through the Strait of Hormuz. A blockade could be fatal to Taiwan’s semiconductor industry because it relies on fossil fuels for 85% of its electricity generation mix. Equity Debt Digital assets M&A Malaysia Other…
Do you know? Iran war and global oil supplyJapan and South Korea, allies of the US, account for 27% of oil that moves through the Strait of Hormuz, some 70-75% of each country’s crude imports. Another major importer is China, which Iran is giving preferential treatment to. India, a major importer from the region, has…
Do you know? Iran war and global oil supplyTo bypass the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia and the UAE utilise the East-West and Habshan-Fujairah pipelines, though their combined capacity currently handles less than 40% of the region’s total exports. Equity Debt Digital assets M&A Malaysia Other markets
Do you know? Iran war and global oil supplyBy threatening rhetoric alone, Iran can trigger war risk insurance spikes of 1,000%, making transit costs so expensive that shippers pre-emptively halt traffic, creating a “virtual blockade” without fighting. Equity Debt Digital assets M&A Malaysia Other markets
Do you know? Iran war and global oil supplyThe Strait of Hormuz deep-water shipping lanes are only two miles wide, forcing massive tankers into predictable paths within easy range of Iranian shore-based missiles, naval mines and fast-attack swarm boats. Equity Debt Digital assets M&A Malaysia Other markets