Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney’s speech in Davos marked a new era in how the West talks about itself. One could say he was the first Global North leader to frame the rules-based international order (RIP) in Global South terms:
“We knew the story of the international rules-based order was partially false, that the strongest would exempt themselves when convenient, that trade rules were enforced asymmetrically. And we knew ...
Category: Deals
Kenya Secures Duty-Free Access to China. Its Farmers May Still Struggle to Cash In
There's been a lot of discussion in Kenya over the weekend about how the country can best take advantage of a preliminary trade agreement signed late last week that grants 98.2% of Kenyan exports duty-free access to the Chinese market.
Panama Ports Deal Hits a Wall
The Trump administration’s efforts to lessen Chinese influence in the Panama Canal have reportedly hit an impasse. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Chinese government is demanding a majority stake for the Chinese shipping giant Cosco in a proposed deal to sell several ports to the U.S. ...
Iran and Türkiye Agree on Joint Construction of Cross-Continental Rail Line
Iran and Türkiye have agreed to cooperate on building a rail line that will connect to a Eurasian logistics network connecting China and Europe. On Sunday, the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appeared with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan at a ...
China’s Premier Import Expo Creates More Space for Global South, But Hurdles Remain
The China International Import Expo (CIIE), which concluded early this week, was mainly taken as a litmus test of Beijing’s trade relations with conventional partners amid ongoing tariff disputes. Chinese importers signed $83.5 billion in import deals at the expo in Shanghai. ...
China and Russia Align with Iran as Nuclear Deal Runs Out
China and Russia joined Iran in declaring the official end of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, and UN Resolution 2231. The three countries sent an official letter to the United Nations on ...
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
Vanuatu Pushes Back on China-Excluding Deal with Australia
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had to cancel the signing of a landmark treaty with Vanuatu because it would limit the Pacific island state’s infrastructure cooperation with China. The Nakamal Agreement would see Australia allocate AU$500 million (about US$330.3 million) for ...
U.S. Agrees Trade Deal with Philippines Amid Geopolitical Tension
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social account that the United States will impose 19% tariffs on the Philippines, slightly reduced from the 20% he threatened earlier. The U.S. will have tariff-free access to the Philippine market.
Looking Beyond Mining in the Africa-China Relationship
Last week’s China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) in Changsha, Hunan province drew very little press attention, but it gave a glimpse of the growing centrality of agricultural trade to the Africa-China relationship. The event delivered 176 new project deals worth $11.39 billion. The number ...
Africa-China Trade Fair Delivers $11.39 Billion in Deals
The fourth annual China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) concluded on Sunday with deals signed for 176 new projects, worth a total of $11.39 billion. The number of deals jumped by 45.8%, while the total value increased by 10.6% since the previous fair in 2023. ...
China and Kenya Seal Pharma Deal
China and Kenya have reportedly signed a deal worth about $500 million to set up local vaccine and pharmaceutical production facilities using Chinese technology. Aden Duale, the Cabinet Secretary for Kenya’s Ministry of Health, said that the planned facilities would strengthen ...
China, Indonesia Sign Broad Cooperation Agreements
Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto signed memoranda of understanding this weekend, which could result in broad-based cooperation. They pledged to work together on boosting tourism, agricultural exports, traditional and contemporary medicine, investment, and media collaboration. This cooperation ...
Silk Road Redux: China’s Strategic Leap into the South Caucasus
Less than a year after signing a strategic partnership with Azerbaijan in 2024, China and Azerbaijan elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Azerbaijani president’s recent state visit to Beijing. The move goes far beyond simple ceremonial diplomacy—it's a deliberate reinforcement of China's ...