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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...

Renewable Energy Equipment

United States sets tariffs for photovoltaic panels from Southeast Asian countries

U.S. trade officials on Friday announced a brand-new round of tariffs on solar panel imports from 4 Southeast Asian nations after American manufacturers grumbled that business there are flooding the marketplace with unjustly low-cost products. It is the second of 2 initial decisions that President Joe Biden's Commerce Department is making this year in a trade case brought by Korea's Hanwha Qcells, Arizonabased First Solar Inc and several smaller producers seeking to protect billions of dollars in financial investments in U.S. solar manufacturing. This is the latest chapter in a more than decadelong trade war with Chinese companies over their...

Environment

US to select another round of photovoltaic panel tariffs

U.S. trade authorities are expected to announce on Friday a brand-new round of tariffs on photovoltaic panel imports from 4 Southeast Asian nations after American makers complained that companies there are flooding the market with unjustly low-cost goods. It is the second of two initial decisions that President Joe Biden's Commerce Department is making this year in a trade case brought by Korea's Hanwha Qcells, Arizonabased First Solar Inc and numerous smaller manufacturers seeking to safeguard billions of dollars in financial investments in U.S. solar manufacturing. This is the most recent chapter in a more than decadelong trade war with...

Crude Oil

Crude Oil

European shares reach record highs amid hopes for peace in Ukraine

European futures reached record highs on Tuesday, as defence stocks soared amid expectations of a boost in spending. Meanwhile, Hong Kong shares were nearing three-year highs after investors celebrated the business leaders' meetings with President Xi Jinping. As expected, Australia's central banks began their rate-cutting cycle. The Australian dollar was supported at $0.6350, with a cautious approach to further easing. S&P 500 Futures rose 0.2%, while European futures gained 0.1%. Japan's Nikkei gained 0.5%, with shares in defence and bank stocks following Europe's rally. The pan-European STOXX 600 closed Monday 0.5% higher, as a gauge for defence and aerospace stocks...

Crude Oil

European shares reach record highs amid hopes for peace in Ukraine

European shares reached record highs on Monday, with defence stocks leading the way, as top leaders in the region called for an urgent summit to discuss the Ukraine conflict amid increasing U.S. demands to increase military spending to ensure security. The pan-European STOXX 600 Index jumped up to 0.4%. A gauge of defence stocks and aerospace stocks surged above 3%, reaching lifetime highs, after having more than doubled their value since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2013. Analysts have called this "supercycle" in the sector. It is expected that earnings will continue to grow in the defence industry due to the...

Crude Oil

Dollar rebounds and stocks climb with all eyes on Trump 2.0

World stocks increased on Tuesday and the dollar gained after plunging the previous day as Donald Trump's go back to the White House brought blended messaging on tariffs and highlighted markets' twitching about trade policy. The Canadian dollar and Mexican peso bore the impact of the market swings on Tuesday and Monday, after Trump said he was mulling imposing 25% tariffs on the nearby countries as soon as Feb. 1. Still, some financiers were eased that Trump did not reveal a more detailed sweep of tariffs at the start of his 2nd presidency, which supported a pull-back in the 10-year...

Mining

Mineral Resources

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...

Mineral Resources

Asia automakers are leading the decline, as Trump tariffs have a negative impact on this region.

Stocks of Japanese, South Korean and Japanese car manufacturers and their suppliers were among the biggest decliners in Asia Monday as exporters throughout the region were hit by U.S. president Donald Trump's introduction sweeping tariffs against Mexico, Canada, and China. Trump's move, although widely anticipated, has knocked down some of the biggest manufacturers in the world. Investors are concerned about the prospect of a weakening of demand from the top economy of the world and, even more concerning, a possible slowdown in global growth. The auto industry was among those hardest hit. Many Japanese and South Korean automakers, as well...

Mineral Resources

Korea Zinc in talks with United States purchasers to supply antimony, chairman says

Korea Zinc Chairman Yun B. Choi stated on Thursday that it is in preliminary talks with some U.S. entities to provide antimony, after China's export ban to the U.S. interfered with the market for the mineral utilized in semiconductors. Choi informed press reporters at an instruction that the business was interested in long-lasting contracts, and was talking with U.S. traders and others, without calling any of the entities. Antimony prices are set to hit record levels after China banned exports of the mineral to the United States. Beijing's curbs have increased trade tensions and heightened a global race to protect...

Mineral Resources

Asia dollar bond volumes seen increasing 20% as China deals gather pace

Asian dollar bond issuance is expected to increase around 20% in 2025 over last year, driven by Chinese financial obligation offers and as U.S. rate of interest cuts make it more economical for business to issue dollar bonds rather than regional currency financial obligation. In the first few days of 2025, at least $6 billion worth of dollar bonds were provided, LSEG data and term sheets reviewed by Reuters showed. Offers have been priced by the Export Import Bank of Korea and aluminium producer China Hongqiao Group. We are expecting about a 20% increase in dollar bonds out of Asia,...

Mineral Resources

Regulator demands probe into Korea Zinc, Korea Economic Daily reports

South Korea's financial regulator has actually asked prosecutors to conduct an investigation into Korea Zinc over claims that its now scrapped strategy to provide brand-new shares involved unjust practices, Korea Economic Daily said on Tuesday. In November, the chairman of Korea Zinc's board Yun B. Choi dropped a plan to provide new shares worth $1.8 billion that had stimulated an examination by the monetary guard dog and a share sell-off. The world's top zinc refiner had actually announced the share plan in October in a relocation perceived by experts as a strategy to fend off a takeover by Young Poong...

Mineral Resources

Korea Zinc agrees to shareholder meeting to discuss Young Poong's board expansion proposition

Korea Zinc stated on Tuesday its board has decided to hold a special investors' conference on Jan. 23 to discuss the appointment of directors proposed by stakeholders Young Poong and personal equity firm MBK Partners amid an escalating defend control of the business. Korea Zinc led by Chairman Yun B. Choi seeks to retain management control of the world's leading improved zinc producer in the face of a takeover quote by Young Poong, a rival manufacturer, and its ally MBK. They are Korea Zinc's two most significant shareholders. Young Poong and MBK asked a court to need Korea Zinc to...

Mineral Resources

South Korea's Yoon, Malaysia's Anwar agree to comply in defence, minerals

South Korea and Malaysia signed an agreement on Monday to cooperate in supplying vital minerals from Malaysia's reserves and to improve cooperation in the defence market as the Southeast Asian country seeks to upgrade its air force jets. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim likewise shared their commitment at a summit to conclude an open market arrangement by next year, which would consist of extra locations such as services, investment, and green energy, Yoon's workplace stated. South Korea welcomed ongoing interest from Malaysia as it embarks on a job to change light fighter jets,...