BEIJING: China announced a $3 billion list of US goods for possible retaliation in a tariff dispute with President Donald Trump and prepared on Friday for a bigger battle over technology policy as financial markets sank on fears of global disruption. The Commerce Ministry said higher duties on pork, apples, steel pipe and other goods would offset Chinese losses due to Trump’s tariff hike on steel and aluminum imports. It urged Washington to negotiate a settlement but set no deadline. In a separate and potentially bigger dispute, the ministry criticized Trump’s decision on Thursday to approve a possible tariff hike on Chinese imports worth up to $60 billion over Beijing’s technology policy. It gave no indication of a possible response but a foreign ministry spokeswoman said Beijing was “fully prepared to defend” its interests.
“We don’t want a trade war, but we are not afraid of it,” said the spokeswoman, Hua Chunying.
Financial markets sank on concern the escalating tensions might disrupt the biggest global trading relationship or lead other nations to raise import barriers.
Tokyo’s benchmark tumbled by an unusually large 5.1 percent while the Shanghai Composite Index closed down 3.4 percent.
The dollar dipped to 104.90 yen as investors shifted into the Japanese currency, which is viewed as a “safe haven” from risk.
China’s response on Friday appeared to be aimed at increasing domestic US pressure on Trump by making clear which exporters, including farm areas that voted for him in 2016, might be hurt.
“Beijing is extending an olive branch and urging the US to resolve trade disputes through dialogue rather than tariffs,” said economist Vishnu Varathan of Mizuho Bank in a report. “Nevertheless, the first volley of shots and retaliatory response has been set off.”
The list announced on Friday was linked to Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs, but companies already were looking ahead to a battle over complaints Beijing steals or forces companies to hand over technology.
The tensions reflect the dueling nationalistic ambitions of Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.
US efforts to boost exports of technology-based goods, begun under Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama, conflict with China’s plan for state-led development of global competitors in fields from robotics to electric cars. Foreign business groups complain Chinese regulators are trying to squeeze them out of promising industries. The Commerce Ministry announcement on Friday made no mention of jetliners, soybeans or other products that are the biggest US exports to China by value. That leaves Beijing room to take more drastic steps.
Chinese officials are trying to figure out how to address US concerns, said Jake Parker, vice president for China operations of the US-China Business Council, which represents American companies that do business with China.
“Until the Trump administration articulates those concerns and how China can address them, it’s going to be very, very difficult for China to make those changes,” said Parker.
Washington doesn’t believe it needs to give Chinese leaders another list of requests because they already know what the US wants, said a senior US official, who briefed reporters on condition he not be identified further. He said Trump and Xi agreed last year on a 100-day agenda of trade-liberalization measures but Beijing failed to act on about half of them.
Instead, the Trump administration wants Chinese leaders to address more basic structural issues that interfere with market forces, said the official.
The official cited Beijing’s “Made in China 2025” plan as “hugely problematic.” It calls for creating Chinese competitors in electric cars, robots, artificial intelligence and other fields. Business groups complain it will hamper or outright block foreign access to those industries.
The latest proposed Chinese tariffs would add a 25 percent charge on pork and aluminum scrap, mirroring Trump’s 25 percent duty on steel, according to the Commerce Ministry. A second list of goods including wine, apples, ethanol and stainless steel pipe would be charged 15 percent.
Chinese purchases of those goods last year totaled $3 billion, the ministry said.
The US steel and aluminum tariffs also have irked Japan, America’s closest ally in Asia.
“We have repeatedly told the US side that steel and aluminum imports from its ally Japan will not adversely affect America’s national security, and that Japan should be excluded,” said Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.
China’s top economic official, Premier Li Keqiang, appealed to Washington on Tuesday to “act rationally” and said, “we don’t want to see a trade war.”
The US buys little Chinese steel or aluminum, but analysts have said Beijing would feel obligated to take action to avoid looking weak.
Beijing reported a trade surplus of $275.8 billion with the US last year, or two-thirds of its global total. Washington reports different figures that put the gap at a record $375.2 billion.
Trump’s technology order is in response to “unfair and harmful acquisition of US technology,” said a statement by the US Trade Representative’s office. It said USTR would pursue a World Trade Organization case against Beijing’s “discriminatory technology licensing.”
A USTR statement said possible measures include a 25 percent tariff on Chinese-made aerospace, computer and information technology and machinery but gave no details.
China is unlikely to respond until Washington acts but might launch an investigation of imports of US corn and soybeans “as a warning shot,” said Parker. He noted Beijing began a probe of US sorghum in February after Trump announced the steel and aluminum tariffs.
On Tuesday, the Chinese premier promised at a news conference Beijing will “open even wider” to imports and investment as part of efforts to make its state-dominated economy more productive.
Li said Beijing would “fully open” manufacturing, with “no mandatory requirement for technology transfers.” However, Chinese officials already insist companies are not required to hand over technology, so it was unclear how policy might change.
China targets $3 billion of US goods in tariff stand-off
China targets $3 billion of US goods in tariff stand-off
Oil Updates — crude set to log steepest weekly decline in 2 years as war premium vanishes
- Brent, WTI down 12 percent this week, most since March 2023
- No major supply disruption from Mid-East crisis, analysts say
SINGAPORE: Oil prices headed for their steepest weekly decline since March 2023 on Friday, as the absence of significant supply disruption from the Iran-Israel conflict saw any risk premium evaporate.
Brent crude futures rose 35 cents, or 0.52 percent, to $68.08 a barrel by 7:29 a.m. Saudi time while US West Texas Intermediate crude gained 40 cents, or 0.61 percent, to $65.64.
That put both contracts on course for a weekly fall of about 12 percent.
The benchmarks are now back at the levels they were at before Isreal began the conflict by firing missiles at Iranian military and nuclear targets on June 13.
This week began with prices hitting a five-month high after the US attacked Iranian nuclear sites at the weekend, before slumping to their lowest in over a week on Tuesday when US President Donald Trump announced an Iran-Israel ceasefire.
At present, traders and analysts said they could see no material impact from the crisis on oil flow.
“Absent the threat of significant supply disruption, we still view oil as fundamentally oversupplied, with our 2025 balances indicating a roughly 2.1 million barrels per day (bpd) surplus,” Macquarie analysts wrote in a research note on Thursday.
The analysts forecast WTI to average around $67 a barrel this year and $60 next year, raising each forecast by $2 after factoring in a geopolitical risk premium.
Small gains in prices later in the week came as US government data showed crude oil and fuel inventories fell a week earlier, with refining activity and demand rising.
“The market is starting to digest the fact that crude oil inventories are very tight all of a sudden,” said Phil Flynn, senior analyst with the Price Futures Group.
Also supporting prices was a Wall Street Journal report saying Trump planned to choose the next Federal Reserve chief earlier than usual. That fueled fresh bets on US interest rate cuts which would typically stimulate demand for oil.
Pakistani stocks decline by 715 points over profit-taking after two days of gains
- KSE-100 Index closes at 122,046.46 points, witnessing a decline of 0.58 percent, as per stock market data
- Profit-taking driven by fiscal year-end considerations, short-term portfolio rebalancing, says financial analyst
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a bearish trend on Thursday after two days of gains, losing 715.18 points to close at 122,046.46 points, which a financial analyst attributed to profit-taking driven by fiscal year-end considerations.
The PSX closed at 122,046.46 points when trading ended on Thursday, witnessing a negative change of 0.58 percent. The KSE-100 had closed at 122,761.64 points on Wednesday and before that on Tuesday, it surged by 6,079 points or 5.23 percent to close at 122,246 points. Analysts attributed the surge on Tuesday to the ceasefire announcement between Iran and Israel.
As many as 473 companies transacted their shares in the stock market on Thursday, with 200 of them recording gains and 237 sustaining losses, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said, adding that the share price of 36 companies remained unchanged.
“After two consecutive sessions of strong gains, the local bourse witnessed a round of profit-taking today, driven by fiscal year-end considerations and short-term portfolio rebalancing,” Maaz Mulla, the vice president of equity sales at Topline Securities Limited, said in a statement.
Mulla said the benchmark KSE-100 index saw a “volatile ride“— climbing 656 points intraday before losing 715 points at close of business. He said the closing figure of 122,046 points reflected “a cautious investor mood” as the quarter draws to a close.
He said despite the decline at the end of the day, the overall market activity remained “vibrant.”
“Total traded volume clocked in at 750 million shares, with a traded value of PKR 29.8 billion,” Mulla said.
APP reported that the three top trading companies on Thursday were Pak Int. Bulk with 37,503,501 shares traded at Rs 8.52 per share, WorldCall Telecom with 33,285,442 shares at Rs 1.45 per share and Pervez Ahmed Co. with 32,962,174 shares at Rs 3.29 per share.
IMF raises Saudi growth forecast to 3.5% for 2025, outstripping global average
- IMF highlighted pivotal role of Vision 2030 mega projects in sustaining Kingdom’s economic momentum
- It projects Saudi economic growth will outpace global average of 2.8% in 2025
RIYADH: The International Monetary Fund has revised up its forecast for Saudi Arabia’s economic growth in 2025, raising it to 3.5 percent from the 3 percent projected in April.
In its concluding statement following an Article IV consultation, the IMF highlighted the pivotal role of Vision 2030 mega projects in sustaining the Kingdom’s economic momentum, noting its continued resilience amid lower oil prices and shifting international challenges.
The IMF projects Saudi economic growth will outpace the global average of 2.8 percent in 2025, as well as outstripping most of its Gulf peers.
“Robust domestic demand — including from government-led projects — will continue to drive growth despite heightened global uncertainty and a weakened commodity price outlook,” the IMF stated in its new report.
The fund expected this momentum, supported by the scheduled phase-out of OPEC+ production cuts, to push growth even higher to 3.9 percent in 2026 before stabilizing around 3.3 percent in the medium term.
The Saudi Ministry of Finance welcomed the IMF’s concluding statement, highlighting its confirmation of “the strong resilience of the Saudi economy in the face of global economic shocks, supported by the expansion of non-oil sector activities, containment of inflation, and a historically low unemployment rate — all aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.”
The ministry noted the IMF’s praise for the government’s efforts to enhance public finance sustainability and resilience to shocks, as well as its recognition that strong domestic demand continues to support economic growth despite global uncertainty, reflecting the Kingdom’s continued implementation of Vision 2030 projects.
Non-oil gross domestic product growth, a key indicator of diversification success, is projected to grow at 3.4 percent in 2025.
While slightly lower than the 4.2 percent achieved in 2024, the IMF attributed this sustained performance to “continued implementation of Vision 2030 projects through public and private investment, as well as strong credit growth, which would help sustain domestic demand and mitigate the impact of lower oil prices.”
Medium-term non-oil growth is expected to approach 4 percent by 2027 before stabilizing at 3.5 percent by 2030.
The IMF also noted positive developments in the labor market and inflation. The unemployment rate for Saudi nationals fell to a record low of 7 percent in 2024, surpassing the original Vision 2030 target.
Headline inflation, despite a small rise to 2.3 percent in April, remains contained.
“Inflation would remain anchored around 2 percent, supported by a credible peg to the US dollar, domestic subsidies, and an elastic supply of expatriate labor,” the fund projected.
On fiscal policy, the IMF deemed the anticipated higher spending in 2025, leading to a deficit above budget targets, as “appropriate.”
“Given the upfront adjustment and ample fiscal buffers available, staff believes that additional spending restraint in 2025— triggered by lower-than-budgeted oil prices— is not necessary as it would make fiscal policy procyclical and exacerbate the impact on growth,” the statement added.
However, it emphasized the need for gradual fiscal consolidation over the medium term, recommending measures like non-oil revenue mobilization, removing energy subsidies, and rationalizing spending.
The IMF highlighted the banking sector’s resilience but cautioned about the risks associated with strong credit growth. “Addressing strong credit growth and associated funding pressures would help mitigate risks to systemic financial stability,” the report urged.
It welcomed the Saudi Central Bank’s recent introduction of a countercyclical capital buffer and ongoing efforts to enhance regulatory frameworks.
The fund strongly emphasized the need for continued structural reforms. “The current environment of heightened uncertainty underscores the importance of continued structural reform efforts to sustain non-oil growth and economic diversification,” the statement concluded.
It added: “The reform momentum should continue irrespective of oil price developments.”
This includes strengthening anti-corruption frameworks, enhancing human capital, improving access to finance, fostering digitalization, and deepening capital markets.
Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to close at 11,068
- Parallel market Nomu gained 215.80 points to close at 27,053.10
- MSCI Tadawul Index rose 11.41 points to close at 1,418.88
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose on Thursday, gaining 94.29 points, or 0.86 percent, to close at 11,068.27.
The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.72 billion ($1.52 billion), as 206 of the stocks advanced and 40 retreated.
The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu gained 215.80 points, or 0.80 percent, to close at 27,053.10. This comes as 54 of the listed stocks advanced while 31 retreated.
The MSCI Tadawul Index increased 11.41 points, or 0.81 percent, to close at 1,418.88.
The best-performing stock of the day was Ades Holding Co., whose share price rose 6.97 percent to SR13.82.
Other top performers included National Gypsum Co., whose share price increased 5.66 percent to SR22.40, as well as Zamil Industrial Investment Co., which rose 5.42 percent to SR42.80.
Specialized Medical Co. recorded the most significant drop, falling 3.31 percent to SR23.36.
Saudi Advanced Industries Co. also saw its stock price fall 2.55 percent to SR26.75.
Al-Taiseer Group Talco Industrial Co.’s stock price declined 2.27 percent to SR43.10.
Dar Al-Arkan Real Estate Development Co. has closed its 14th sukuk issuance, marking the tenth tranche under its USD-denominated Islamic Sukuk Program, with a total size of SR2.81 billion, the company said in a statement to Tadawul.
The five-year sukuk, carrying an annual profit rate of 7.25 percent, was issued on June 25 and attracted strong demand from both regional and international investors. The order book reached SR10.8 billion, nearly four times oversubscribed, according to the bourse filing.
The issuance comprised 3,750 sukuk units, each with a par value of $200,000.
Dar Al-Arkan appointed Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC, Alkhair Capital, Al Rayan Investment LLC, Arqaam Capital, Bank ABC, and Dubai Islamic Bank as joint lead managers for the transaction.
Also on the mandate were Emirates NBD Capital, First Abu Dhabi Bank, J.P. Morgan, as well as Mashreq, Sharjah Islamic Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, and Warba Bank.
Shares in Dar Al Arkan ended the session marginally lower, closing at SR19.22, down 0.10 percent.
The board of directors of Sahara International Petrochemical Co., also known as Sipchem, has approved SR362 million in cash dividends for the first half of 2025, according to a statement published on Tadawul.
The payout applies to 752 million eligible shares, translating to a dividend of SR0.50 per share, or 5 percent of the share’s par value.
Shares in Sipchem closed the session higher at SR19.06, gaining 4.24 percent.
Najran region’s business registrations jump 56% amid Saudi investment push
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Najran region has recorded a 56 percent increase in commercial registrations over the past five years, signaling expanding economic activity and growth potential in the southern province.
According to government data presented at the Najran Investment Forum 2025, business licenses in the region reached 39,000, accounting for around 2.3 percent of the Kingdom’s 1.7 million total records.
The forum, held from June 25 to 26 under the patronage of Prince Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, brought together government officials and private sector leaders to highlight economic prospects in the region. According to organizers, the event featured 53 project opportunities valued at over SR639 million ($170 million).
The southern province is emerging as a regional development hub under Vision 2030. With its mineral wealth, fertile land, cultural heritage, and growing logistics capabilities, it is positioned as a gateway for trade and business in line with the Kingdom’s economic diversification goals.
Speaking during the forum’s opening session, Assistant Minister of Commerce Abdulaziz bin Saud Al-Duhaim said: “Najran is an important region that abounds with diverse investment opportunities, based on its geographical location, natural resources, and competitive sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing industries, tourism, and others.”
He added: “We have reviewed and developed more than 110 pieces of legislation over the past few years, most notably regulations on companies, franchises, e-commerce, bankruptcy, commercial registration, trade names, and others.”
The region’s light transport sector saw the largest increase in new registrations, up 124 percent year on year in the first quarter to 536. The logistics sector followed with 111 percent growth, totaling 345 records. Registrations in civil protection equipment installation and maintenance rose by 26 percent, while storage facilities climbed 31 percent, reaching 717 records.
During his participation in the forum, Al-Duhaim also emphasized that the Ministry of Commerce has strengthened market regulations to protect consumers, monitor prices, and combat fraud and commercial cover-ups.
“We are working on a comprehensive consumer protection system, established a reporting center and a summons center, and launched the ‘Emtithal’ electronic inspection and monitoring system,” he said.
The assistant minister also noted that the National Competitiveness Center has worked with more than 65 government agencies, in partnership with the private sector, to implement over 900 economic reforms and recommendations aimed at enhancing business competitiveness.
He added that 21 branches of the Saudi Business Center have been established to facilitate business start-ups and operations.
“The Ministry is working to develop and implement comprehensive strategies for the wholesale, retail, and professional services sectors, and to develop the services sector by leveraging new technologies,” Al-Duhaim said.
During the event, 14 cooperation agreements were signed between the Najran Chamber and various public and private entities to support local initiatives and business development.
Abdullah bin Ali bin Mohammed Al-Ahmari, assistant minister of industry and mineral resources for planning and development, who also participated in the event, noted that Najran is one of the richest regions in mineral resources, with the estimated value of untapped reserves rising from SR145 billion to more than SR227 billion.
He also emphasized the importance of developing mining-related manufacturing industries to maximize added value and boost exports.
In the same context, Abdullah Al-Dubaikhi, assistant minister of investment, discussed the province’s competitive advantages, noting that the area offers promising opportunities in mining, specialized agriculture, tourism, and education — sectors that require coordinated efforts among relevant authorities to unlock their full potential.
He noted that total projects registered on the Invest in Saudi Arabia platform for the region amounted to approximately SR8 billion.
The forum aimed to showcase the area’s economic potential, attract quality investments, and provide an effective platform for engagement between local and international investors and government agencies.
“The ministry has been committed to addressing all challenges facing the business sector by developing legislation, facilitating procedures, and expanding financing programs and solutions that empower entrepreneurship and commercial establishments,” Al-Duhaim added.
