Central America

Valero Mexico announced on Friday that the tax authority of the country had informed it that they were "momentarily suspended" from the list of motor fuel importers. However, Valero Mexico stated that it is cooperating in an investigation. Valero Mexico, one of Mexico's largest private importers and exporters of gasoline and diesel said that the permit is valid until 2038. Mexico, a major crude oil producer, imports gasoline and diesel in order to meet its national motor fuel demand. This is because the state-owned Pemex company struggles to refine the heavy sour refined crude that it pumps. Mexico's tax authority...

EnerSys, a provider of energy services, announced on Tuesday that it will close its lead-acid manufacturing plant in Mexico due to flooding and move production to a US facility. The announcement coincides with the preparations of U.S. president Donald Trump to impose reciprocal duties on countries that impose tariffs on U.S. products, beginning on April 2, a day he has called "Liberation Day". A pre-tax charge in the amount of $20 million would be incurred in the first half 2025 due to the closure of the Monterrey plant in Mexico, and the subsequent transfer of production from that facility to...

The U.S. president Donald Trump announced on Wednesday a 25% tariff for imported cars and light vehicles starting next week. This move will likely increase prices and slow production, according to auto industry experts. What are your reactions? TIFFANY SMITE, VP, of the NATIONAL FOREIGN TRADE COUNCIL (which represents many U.S. companies) "Placing tariffs against imports of automobiles could damage the competitiveness and export-readiness of an industry which relies on international supply chains and market integration for its success. We urge the administration, to prioritize the market opening opportunities of auto companies that manufacture vehicles for export from the United...

The U.S. president Donald Trump announced on Wednesday a 25% tariff for imported cars and light vehicles starting next week. This move will likely increase prices and slow production, according to auto industry experts. What are your reactions? TIFFANY SMITE, VP, of the NATIONAL FOREIGN TRADE COUNCIL (which represents many U.S. companies) "The imposition of tariffs on auto imports threatens the competitiveness and export-readiness of an industry which relies on international supply chains and markets to achieve its success. We urge the administration, to prioritize the market opening opportunities of auto companies that manufacture vehicles for export from the United...

At a Wednesday press conference, U.S. president Donald Trump will reveal plans to implement long-promised duties on automobile imports. This move will intensify the global trade conflict Trump started upon regaining control of the White House in this year. The White House did not provide any details about the anticipated tariffs. This includes whether or not there will be carveouts made for parts and vehicles produced under the U.S. Canada-Mexico Agreement. This regional trade agreement was negotiated by Trump during his first term, which allows for largely free trade with two of the largest U.S. trade partners. Trump has himself...

The U.S. Commerce Department head said that President Donald Trump may consider protecting certain sectors, such as automakers, from U.S. Tariffs. His administration will announce tariffs on Canada and Mexico later on Wednesday. Howard Lutnick, in an interview with Bloomberg TV, said that Trump would be the one to make the final decisions on whether or not to provide relief to specific industries. He said that the 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico will remain in place with a view to renegotiating an agreement with these two countries next year. The Commerce secretary stated that "the president has the right...

Mark Russell will replace Hadi Hallouche as the chief executive officer of Trafigura's downstream energy company Puma Energy. Trafigura, a Swiss company, said that Hallouche would work as co CEO with Russell until June's end. Hallouche, who is the CEO of Puma, has held this position since October 20, 2021. Prior to that, he was Trafigura’s Asia Head of Oil and Global Head of Liquefied Natural Gas. He was previously an LNG trader at Shell. Richard Holtum, who replaced Jeremy Weir in January as Trafigura's group CEO, is the latest Trafigura leader to leave. This was followed by a number...

Acciona's top management stated on Friday that it expects to see little impact of President Donald Trump’s energy and trading policies. It also outlined plans for asset sales up to $4.68 billion. Acciona Energy, like other European green energy companies has faced investors' difficulties. Unease The U.S. Renewable Energy Market is changing dramatically under the Trump Administration. In a conference call with analysts on earnings for 2024, Chief Executive Rafael Mateo said that "our exposure to the U.S. Energy Policy Volatility is very limited." Acciona had already acquired the necessary equipment in advance and secured tax incentives, he said at...

U.S. president Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the 25% tariffs he proposed on Mexican and Canadian products will be implemented on March 4, as planned, because drugs continue to pour into the U.S. Trump said that he would also impose an extra 10% duty on Chinese products on the same day. It would seem that this is in addition to the 10% tariff he imposed on Chinese imports on February 4. Trump said that drugs are still entering the U.S. in "very high levels and unacceptable levels," a majority of which is the deadly opioid fentanyl. "We can't allow...

The Mexican government is planning to invest $22,4 billion in new electricity generation capacity before the end of this administration, which will be 2030. This investment will come from the state-owned CFE. According to data collected by the government in 2023, the country's power sector has a total installed capacity of 95 GW. The majority of Mexico's power is generated by burning fuel oil and natural gas. According to a CFE Presentation, the government's expansion plan for 2030 is divided into 51 projects. However, half of these are generation projects initiated by the former government. The CFE's newly appointed director,...

Tuesday, oil prices fell after U.S. president Donald Trump agreed not to impose steep tariffs against Mexico and Canada, two of the United States' largest foreign oil suppliers, for one month. Brent futures dropped 41 cents or 0.5% to $75.55 per barrel at 1:49 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 75 cents or 1% to trade at $72.41. Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, and Claudia Sheinbaum, president of Mexico's government said that they agreed to increase border enforcement in response to Trump’s demands to crackdown on illegal immigration and drug trafficking. This would stop for 30 days the...

Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said on Thursday that he will decide soon whether or not to exempt Canadian and Mexican oil from the 25% tariffs he had promised to impose Saturday on their products. "We might or might not." Trump stated that he will make a decision about imposing tariffs on Canadian or Mexican oil "probably tonight." Trump said that the decision would be based in part on price and whether or not both countries "treat" him properly. Trump has set Saturday as the deadline for imposing 25% tariffs on imported goods from Mexico and Canada in order to...

Cemex, the Mexican cement manufacturer, reported a 18% drop in its core earnings in the first quarter of the year on Monday. This was largely due to headwinds in local markets. Cemex's earnings were $601 million in line with expectations, due to the weaker peso and lower volumes in Mexico, according to its filing. Cemex reported that the peso had caused an EBITDA hit of $65 million, and volumes in Mexico dropped due to a rush to complete government infrastructure projects last year before presidential elections. On Monday, the firm reiterated its forecast that it expects to reach an EBITDA...

U.S. Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent said on Sunday that he didn't support President Donald Trump in his assertion that tariff negotiations with China are underway and he didn't know if Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, had spoken to him. Last week, the Trump administration showed a willingness to deescalate tense trade relations between China and the United States that have sparked fears of recession. Trump has confirmed that talks are taking place on tariffs with China, and he and Xi spoke. Beijing denies that trade talks have taken place. Bessent is a key player for the U.S. in trade negotiations...

The International Nickel Study Group, (INSG), on Thursday predicted a surplus of nickel market of 198,000 tons by 2025. The group forecasts that global primary nickel consumption will be 3.537 millions tons in this year, and global production of primary nickel at 3.735million tons. Lisbon-based group stated that the market balance for 2023 would be a surplus 170,000 tons. This will rise to 179,000 tonnes in 2024. The primary use of nickel in the world was 3.193 millions tons and 3.347 tons respectively. The report stated that delays in issuing mining permits (RKABs), led to nickel ore shortages on the...

These are the most popular stories from the Wall Street Journal. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stated on Wednesday that it may be difficult for the central bank to protect the economy from the trade war of President Trump, and predicted higher consumer prices as well as unemployment in the short term. The Trump administration has instructed the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to begin revoking Harvard University’s tax-exempt designation. This move would end tax deductions and tax the net earnings of the university. Prologis, a warehouse-focused Real Estate...

The Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Tuesday that most auto executives who have plants in Mexico said they do not have any plans to relocate their factories. The president spoke at her morning news conference. "I've personally spoken to many CEOs and global mangers of several auto companies, to find out what their thoughts are about the future...Most have told us they don't plan to make any changes for the time being," she said. Mexico, which exports nearly 80% of all its goods to the United States was not on Trump's global list of tariffs that were announced last...

The global trade war, started by U.S. president Donald Trump, has intensified this month, after he announced tariffs on the majority of U.S. imported goods. This sparked fears of a global recession, sent jitters through global financial markets, and drew condemnation from world leaders. Trump announced his plans to increase "reciprocal duties" on several of the United States' largest trading partners on April 2, which he called "Liberation Day." Tariffs of 10% were in effect from April 5 to 9, while higher reciprocal rates would be implemented on April 9. The new U.S. trade barriers are the highest in over...

The Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Monday that her government would prefer to avoid imposing tariffs against the United States as a response to President Donald Trump’s tariff plans. However, she did not rule them out. Sheinbaum called it a great success that Mexico, which exports nearly 80% of all its goods to the United States was not on Trump's list last week of tariffs across the board. Mexico still faces the 25% tariffs that Trump imposed on steel, aluminium, and automobiles as well as goods that don't comply with regional USMCA trade agreement. Sheinbaum stated in a press...

Around a recent Canadian farm show, salespeople of equipment struggled to close deals with farmers who were worried about tariffs. Some combines can cost more than $800,000. A surprise tariff hike would mean a big hit to most farm budgets. The Trump administration spared Canada's global tariffs of the Trump Administration on April 2, but it still faces tariffs for steel and aluminum exported to the U.S., as well as autos that are not compliant with United States-Mexico Canada Agreement on Trade. Farmers in Canada were still unsure as of Friday if agricultural equipment was subject to duties or Canada's...

The only option for U.S. trade partners in the current trade war with Donald Trump is to sue. Most countries that are hit by tariffs of 10%-50% on their exports, to the dominant economic superpower in the world, lack the firepower or political will to fight back, according to government officials, economists, and trade experts. The vast majority of Trump's trading partners didn't immediately respond and instead indicated their willingness to negotiate with him a compromise that would save face. Even those who have counter-measured left the door open to negotiations. China, who on Friday imposed an additional 34% tariff...

China announced an additional 34% tariff on U.S. products on Friday. This is the most significant escalation of a trade conflict with President Donald Trump, which has fueled fears of a worldwide recession and caused a stock market crash. Beijing announced that it had added several U.S. companies to an export control listing and classified others as "unreliable". From Canada to China, nations have prepared retaliation as a trade war escalates after Trump raised U.S. Tariff Barriers to their highest levels in over a century. This led to a drop in the world financial markets. Shigeru Shiba, the Prime Minister...

Six people were killed and others are missing after a violent clash between two groups in Bolivia who were disputing the exploitation small gold deposits, said a representative of a mining cooperative on Thursday. According to an initial Bolivian Police report, the incident began early in the morning, in the municipality Sorata, located 150 km north of the capital La Paz. Police and firefighters deployed in the area caused severe damage as well. "They've blown up diesel tanks and even machinery with dynamite." Six people have been reported dead, and more are missing", Jhonny Silva said. He is a representative...

Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he will impose a baseline 10% tariff on all imports into the United States, and higher duties for some of the biggest trading partners. This could lead to a trade conflict and upset the global economy. Countermeasures from trading partners could result in a dramatic increase in prices of everything, including bicycles and wine. Trump has already levied 25% on automobiles and auto parts. The latest responses from business executives, unions and trade associations. Companies STELLANTIS The automaker announced that it would temporarily stop production in some of its Canadian assembly plants and Mexican...