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Fossil Fuels

US designates South Korea as a "sensitive" country amid concerns over nuclear weapons

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Energy said that South Korea was a "sensitive country" after its president briefly declared martial law, and amid reports of Seoul possibly developing nuclear weapons. In a written answer to questions, the DOE confirmed that the administration of former-President Joe Biden placed South Korea in the bottom tier of the Sensitive & Other Designated Countries List shortly before Biden's departure. The department didn't explain why the Asian country was added to this list, nor did it indicate that Donald Trump would be inclined to reverse this measure. Seoul's spokesperson stated that there are...

Fossil Fuels

After Trump's halt to funding, Air Liquide may only pursue two of the six US hydrogen hubs.

Air Liquide, a French company, said that after Donald Trump frozen funding for clean energy projects in the U.S. Department of Energy's (DoE), only two of six hydrogen projects it had been awarded by the DoE might be implemented. Air Liquide has been selected as a partner in 2023 for six clean hydrogen hubs that are planned by the DoE. The DoE was going to allocate $7 billion under the bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by the former President Joe Biden. However, Trump has placed holds on tens of billions of dollars in congressionally-approved spending, including those from the bipartisan law...

Oil & Gas

Wall Street Journal, February 11,

These are the most popular stories from the Wall Street Journal. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. Elon Musk led a consortium of investors to offer $97,4 billion for the nonprofit OpenAI. This raised the stakes in the battle between him and Sam Altman regarding the company behind ChatGPT. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, announced on Monday 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the U.S. He also reinstated global duties for allies like Canada, Mexico and South Korea, which were relaxed under the Biden administration. Elliott Investment Management, a...

Fossil Fuels

Taiwan's chip industry faces a future in which China is threatening to take its share?

Taiwan's Powerchip Technology hoped that by entering into a deal in 2015 with the city of Hefei, located in eastern China, to establish a new foundry it would gain better access to the lucrative Chinese market. Nexchip has emerged as one of the biggest competitors in the legacy chip market, after Beijing's call for localisation forced Powerchip into giving up its once lucrative business producing integrated circuits used on Chinese flat panel displays. Nexchip is one of the Chinese foundries that are gaining market share quickly in the $56.3 billion market for so-called mature or legacy node chips, made with...

Oil & Gas

SK Innovation, a South Korean company, expects the refining margins in 2025 to be flat.

SK Innovation Co Ltd, the owner of South Korea’s largest refiner SK Energy said that it expected refining margins in 2025 to remain flat due to an increase in jet fuel demand. This is despite increased production in countries like the U.S. The company, whose parent is battery maker SK On said that the U.S. Trump Administration's policies, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as the reduced green policies of the European Union, and automakers recalibrating the electric vehicle business are expected to slow the recovery in the short-term EV market. In a recent earnings call, SK On's...

Oil & Gas

Doosan Skoda Power seeks $105 million in Prague IPO

Czech Republicbased turbine producer Doosan Skoda Power launched a preliminary public offering on Monday, seeking to raise 2.53 billion crowns ($ 105. million) by offering up to a 3rd of its shares in a Prague. listing. The company, whose supreme moms and dad is South Korea's Doosan. Corp, serves consumers including energy groups CEZ. , EPH and Orlen, and earned a profit of 559.3. million crowns on revenue of 4.8 billion crowns in 2023. The offer will consist of existing and brand-new shares, with the. price range set at 220-260 crowns per share, the company said. Last rates is expected...

Oil & Gas

Nissan to obtain EV batteries from SK On for US market, Nikkei reports

Nissan Motor plans to acquire batteries for electric vehicles offered in the U.S. from South Korea's SK On from around 2028 onwards, the Nikkei paper said on Thursday, as the troubled Japanese automaker aims to ramp up its EV business as part of a planned turnaround. Independently, a Nissan executive said the car manufacturer was considering strategies to produce compact EVs at its plant on Japan's. southern island Kyushu, confirming a 2024 Reuters report. Nissan, which remains in speak to combine with Honda Motor. , has actually been looking for to slash 9,000 tasks and 20% of its. global manufacturing...

Fossil Fuels

Some Asian vehicle and battery makers strike as Trump gets to work

Shares of Japanese car manufacturers and South Korean battery makers declined on Tuesday, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he could impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico soon and revoked the previous administration's executive order on electrical automobiles. However Chinese producers bucked the pattern, with stocks opening greater after Trump did not target China in his inauguration speech or immediately enforce tariffs on Beijing as formerly guaranteed. The volatility in Asian shares within hours of Trump's. inauguration highlights how policy shifts under Trump could. capture huge producers in a few of Washington's closest allies. in the area, Japan and South...

Oil & Gas Refining

Asian cars and truck and battery makers strike as Trump gets to work

Shares of Japanese automakers and South Korean battery makers were struck on Tuesday, after U.S. President Donald Trump stated he could enforce tariffs on Canada and Mexico soon and revoked the previous administration's executive order on electric lorries. The 2 relocations by Trump within hours of his inauguration highlight how modifications in U.S. policy might squeeze manufacturing giants in close U.S. allies Japan and South Korea. Cars and truck makers are already facing immense disturbance from the pivot to electrical vehicles and the spectacular rise of Chinese competitors. Trump said that he was considering enforcing 25% tariffs and that the...

Oil & Gas

US settles $9.63 billion loan for Ford, SK On joint battery venture

The U.S. Energy Department on Monday said it has actually finalized a $9.63 billion loan to a joint venture of Ford Motor and South Korean battery maker SK On to assist fund building of three new battery manufacturing plants in Tennessee and Kentucky. The low-priced government loan for the BlueOval SK joint venture is the largest ever from the federal government's Advanced Innovation Cars Production loan program. SK On is the battery system of energy group SK Development. The last award - initially reported - is among a. series of actions by the Biden administration to improve electrical. vehicle production...

Oil & Gas

United States finalizes $9.63 billion loan for Ford, SK On joint battery venture

The U.S. Energy Department on Monday said it has settled a $9.63 billion loan to a joint venture of Ford Motor and South Korean battery maker SK On to help finance construction of 3 new battery manufacturing plants in Tennessee and Kentucky. The affordable federal government loan for the Blue Oval SK joint venture is the largest ever from the government's Advanced Innovation Cars Manufacturing loan program. SK On is the battery system of energy group SK Innovation. The amount is greater than the $9.2 billion conditional commitment announced in June 2023 and comes simply weeks before President-elect Donald Trump...

Pollution

Trump transition group plans sweeping rollback of Biden EV, emissions policies

Inbound U.S. President Donald Trump's shift group is recommending sweeping changes to cut off assistance for electric cars and charging stations and to reinforce procedures obstructing automobiles, elements and battery materials from China, according to a file seen . The recommendations, which have actually not been formerly reported, come as the U.S. electric-vehicle shift stalls and China's greatly subsidized EV industry continues to rise, in part since of its superior battery supply chain. On the project path, Trump promised to alleviate policies on fossil-fuel cars and trucks and roll back what he called President Joe Biden's EV mandate. The shift...

Crude Oil

Refined Products

South Korea hosts Alaska Governor and energy team amid talks of gas pipeline

Alaskan state officials, including the governor and energy officials, visited South Korea to discuss energy collaboration on Tuesday. This was in response to President Donald Trump's call for U.S. ally countries to join an stalled pipeline project. The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea said that the Governor Mike Dunleavy delegation included officials from the Glanfarne Group, which is a partner in a project to transport natural gas from Alaska's remote northern region via a $44-billion pipeline, and the state agency for gas. Dunleavy and South Korean Industry Minister Ahn duk-geun discussed energy issues including the Alaska LNG project and...

Crude Oil

Turkish assets plunge after Wall Street selloff

The European share market fell on Wednesday following a Wall Street sell-off overnight. Meanwhile, the dollar rose from its five-month low in anticipation of the Federal Reserve's rate decision later that day. Turkish bonds, stocks and the Turkish lira have all fallen, while Turkish authorities detained The main political rival of President Tayyip Erdoan on Wednesday was his main rival. The pan-European STOXX 600 Index was down by 0.1% last session after having risen for three sessions in a row, thanks to the boost from Germany's overhaul Spending more money on infrastructure and defence is a way to get around...

Crude Oil

Alaskan officials seek Asian investors as Trump touts LNG

Alaska's Governor and State Representatives will be visiting Japan and three other Asian Countries starting this week in order to court investors for the natural gas project that President Donald Trump claims could pump trillions into the U.S. Tim Fitzpatrick, spokesperson for the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation and Glenfarne Group, said that officials from both organizations will be visiting allied Asian nations "to inform industry leaders about Alaska LNG's competitive advantages and economics", and to discuss possible opportunities. Officials want to ship liquefied gas from Alaska's remote northern region to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan via a 1,300 km (800...

Mining

Mineral Resources

Mineral Resources

Hyundai Steel announces US plant plan and shares skid

Hyundai Motor Group and Hyundai Steel, both of South Korea, will invest $5.8 Billion to build a steel mill in Louisiana in the U.S. with a capacity of 2.7 Million tonnes per year. The company announced this in a filing with the regulatory authorities on Tuesday. Hyundai Steel shares rose initially by more than 5%, but they reversed their gains and ended 7% lower after U.S. president Donald Trump praised its plan. Hyundai Steel's new U.S. Steel plant is part the Hyundai Motor Group plan to invest $21 Billion in the United States. The South Korean company's Chairman announced the...

Mineral Resources

Hyundai will invest $20 billion in the US, an official has said.

A U.S. official revealed that the Hyundai Motor Group of South Korea will announce a $20 Billion investment in the United States on Monday at the White House. CNBC reported the investment, which included a $5 billion plant in Louisiana, would be announced by President Donald Trump and Hyundai Chairman Euisun Chung. Jeff Landry. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs in response on April 2 against countries like South Korea, which have large surpluses of trade with the United States. Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Steel spokespeople were not available to comment immediately. Both the Louisiana Governor's Office and the White...

Mineral Resources

CNBC reports that Hyundai will invest $20 billion in the US.

CNBC reported Monday that Hyundai, the South Korean automaker, is planning to announce a 20 billion dollar investment in the United States. This includes a $5 billion steel mill in Louisiana. The plan will include hiring approximately 1,500 workers to produce next-generation stainless steel, which will be used in the company's U.S. auto factories that manufacture electric cars. Hyundai Steel is not available to comment at this time. Both the Louisiana Governor's Office and the White House did not respond to requests for comments. A spokesperson stated earlier this month that Hyundai Steel had considered building a steel plant in...

Mineral Resources

South Korean steelmakers are looking to U.S.-made products with higher value as Trump tariffs begin.

As major producers around the world prepare for Wednesday's increased tariffs, two major South Korean steelmakers have been evaluating their options to invest in new facilities. They said that the options included investing in operations in the U.S. The U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to increase protection for American producers of steel and aluminum restores global tariffs that are effective at 25% on all metal imports. It also extends these duties to hundreds downstream products, such as nuts and bolts, bulldozers blades and cans. Canada, the largest foreign supplier of aluminium and steel to the U.S.A., Brazil, Mexico, and South...

Mineral Resources

Trump's trade threats and tariffs

Donald Trump has been in office since January 20. The United States has issued numerous tariff threats. These can be broad - such as a tariff on all imported goods from abroad - or targeted at certain sectors, countries, or regions to try and get them to comply with his demands. Trump's threats are constantly changing, and other nations and businessmen are unsure of what to expect next. Here's a summary of Trump’s threats and actions in relation to trade. BROAD TARIFFS Trump's vision is based on a gradual roll-out of tariffs that will apply to all U.S. imported goods....

Mineral Resources

South Korea's political turmoil forces companies to act on their own tariff issues

South Korea's leaders of business are stepping up to counter the aggressive trade policies of U.S. president Donald Trump. They have hired his former aides, and they are lobbying Republican States out frustration at delays from their own government. Trump's sometimes indiscriminate and sweeping trade measures have sparked a debate about how much international capitals can rely on the U.S., from politics to trade. South Korea is facing the most serious political crisis since the 1970s after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached and briefly declared martial law in December. Yoon's decision to align more closely with Washington amid the...

Mineral Resources

South Korea wants exemption from Trump tariffs

The industry ministry announced on Friday that South Korean officials had requested an exemption from the reciprocal U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs when they visited Washington this week. Park Jong-won led the first large South Korean delegation to visit Washington after U.S. president Donald Trump announced the sweeping tariffs. He argued that most tariffs have been eliminated between the two nations under their free trade agreements. South Korea, a major exporter in the world and a top trading partner of the United States has been increasingly concerned by Trump's actions. The ministry reported that Park praised South Korean investments in...

Mineral Resources

Trump prepares reciprocal tariffs amid trade war fears

Donald Trump's advisers on trade were finalising plans for the reciprocal duties that the U.S. President has promised to impose against every country which charges duties on U.S. imported goods, raising fears of an expanding global trade war. Separately the trade ministers from the 27 countries of the European Union are due to meet by video conference to decide their response to the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's statement that tariffs against the EU "will not be ignored". Trump shocked the markets on Monday with his decision to impose tariffs starting March 12 on all imports of steel...

Mineral Resources

Trump Administration prepares reciprocal US tariffs amid trade war fears

Donald Trump's advisers on trade were finalizing plans for the reciprocal duties that the U.S. President has promised to impose against every country that imposes duties on U.S. imported goods, raising fears of an expanding global trade war. Trump shocked the markets on Monday with his decision to impose tariffs starting March 12 on all imports of steel and aluminum. Mexico, Canada, and the European Union condemned the plans, while Japan, Australia, and other countries said they wanted exemptions. Industries that depend on imports of steel and aluminum scrambled to reduce the expected cost increase. Last week, Trump imposed an...

Mineral Resources

EU readys response to Trump's increase in steel and aluminum tariffs

After U.S. president Donald Trump's decision imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, fears of a possible trade war grew. Trump signed proclamations on Monday evening, increasing the U.S. Tariff rate on Aluminium to 25%. He also eliminated country exceptions, quota agreements and hundreds of thousands product-specific exclusions from tariffs. A White House official confirmed that the measures would go into effect on March 4. Tariffs will be applied to millions of tonnes of steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Brazil. They also apply to South Korea, Mexico and other countries. Trump told reporters that the move would simplify...

Mineral Resources

South Korea's trade minister claims that Trump's steel tariffs will hit the profits of companies

South Korea's trade minister Cheong Inkyo said Tuesday that the 25% tariffs being imposed by President Donald Trump on imports of steel and aluminum, which are due to take effect in March, will reduce U.S. demand for steel and erode profitability among steel exporters. The tariffs, he said, may provide opportunities for Korean exporters to find new markets. South Korea will "actively" consider whether there are any room for negotiation with the United States on tariffs, even though Trump increased tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum on Monday to flat 25% "without exemptions or exceptions". Cheong spoke at a...

Mineral Resources

Donald Trump's trade threats and tariffs

Since Donald Trump returned to office in the United States last month, he has imposed numerous tariffs on imported goods and threatened to do so more frequently. These can be broad - such as a tariff on all imported goods from abroad - or targeted at certain sectors, countries, or regions to try and get them to comply with his demands. Trump's threats changed over the years, from small levies up to those exceeding 200%. Other nations and businesses are unsure of what will happen next. Here's a summary of Trump’s threats and actions in relation to trade. BROAD TARIFFS...