Globally, trade finance and payment systems — especially those denominated in U.S. dollars — remain the central backbone of foreign trade, with nearly 90 % of global commerce depending on trade financing and dollar-based cross-border payment systems. The U.S. dollar continues to dominate international payments, official reserves, global financial instruments and portfolio assets — reinforcing its role as a global reserve and anchor currency. For developing economies, this me

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Maersk have reportedly expressed interest in exploring a potential acquisition of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, following reports that Hapag-Lloyd has submitted a preliminary offer for the Israeli carrier; although Hapag-Lloyd’s proposal remains in early stages with no formal negotiations underway, Alphaliner notes that both MSC and Maersk —the world’s two largest container carriers— have also indicated their intent to evaluate the

The United States has launched an initiative with eight allied nations — Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the UK, Israel, the UAE and Australia — to secure global supply chains for artificial intelligence, advanced semiconductors and critical minerals. The cooperation agenda covers energy, advanced chip manufacturing, AI infrastructure and logistics, aiming to ensure stable supply flows, reduce dependence on China, and safeguard essential inputs for strategic t

The Donald Trump administration has rolled out a new series of trade initiatives with ideologically aligned Latin American governments, including Javier Milei in Argentina, offering tariff reductions for local exports and prioritised access for U.S. goods and digital services. As a founding member of the Mercosur, Argentina’s unilateral concessions—such as eliminating import barriers for vehicles and chicken meat—pose a grave challenge to shared commitments with Brazil, parti

Argentina and the United States have formalized a framework agreement on trade and investment centered around a “strategic alliance based on democratic values” and open markets. The pact includes tariff reductions for key industries, alignment of regulatory standards, reinforcement of intellectual-property protection, and a commitment to reciprocal trade aimed at long-term growth, greater opportunities and increased transparency. Link to Article

On November 13, the United States and Argentina announced the signing of the “Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade and Investment”, establishing the groundwork for a future bilateral treaty. According to the Argentine Exporters’ Chamber (CERA), while this marks a significant step, it still constitutes a joint declaration requiring a formal text and parliamentary approval. From the legal perspective, Argentina commits to opening its market with preferential access fo