Said El Mansour Cherkaoui, Ph.D. – Email contact: saidcherkaoui@triconsultingkyoto.com

Oct 22, 2024, updated on Oct 26, 2024

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This article will define the main steps that have shaped the progress of the BRIC, BRICS, and now BRICS + 2024. The main aspects are presented with their direct impact on the international relations between economic nations. The BRICS + as a new group of emerging countries have in their beginning concentrated on having an alternative space where they can build between the founding members direct communication on their trade and financial relationships. The BRIC acronym stands for #Brazil, #Russia, #India, #China, and #SouthAfrica. The setting of the related structure was materialized making the addition of an African Member South Africa transforming the BRIC into BRICS. This step has allowed the BRIC Club to be a Community of Nations that are representative of continents and regions of the world that can share common grounds of needs and seek common solutions to the challenges raised and created by the Western Advanced Economies.

A sort of new differentiation was put in place for middle economic nations to be distinctive from the rest of countries considered as Subcapitalit economies that had no international organ representing their interests in common means and ways of defense or expression. The BRICS filled this gap and started building structures to substitute them for what the Western Advanced Economies have created since the end of the Second World War to maintain a certain discipline and control of the international arenas of trade, business, finance, and culture as well as direct diplomatic relationships between their members. This evolution imposed on the BRICS to become and to be more representative to be able to use the structures built and to create more credibility for their actions and objectives. The present 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan is effectively the real translation and expression of such role and function that its founding members are pursuing and trying to materialize in the sense of reinforcing a response to Multipolarism and Multilateralism as new forms of intra and international structuring of the relationship between the countries of the South and those of the North.

In the following text, you will read about the evolution of the BRICS its transformative path, and its continual adaptation to new challenges erupting on the international scene. The founding members of the BRICS with China at the forefront of the Group, are seeking to increase their weight and their propositions to respond and express their approaches which aim at the monopoly played by Western-based organizations in defining the direction of the World economy, the Geostrategic interests and the Economic regulations have been carried since the beginning of the 19th century with the end of the Colonial Prohibitions and Mercantilism and the expansion of Liberalism to the present time of Neoliberalism.

Breaking the Borders of Globalization, Multinationalisation, and Internationalization and Setting New Forms of Supra-Integration

The 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan is being held under the chairmanship of Russia from October 22-24. The Ministry of External Affairs said, “The Summit, themed ‘Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security,’ will provide an important platform for leaders to discuss key global issues.”

Adding New Members to BRICS

The #BRICS group expanded in early 2024 to include #Iran, the #UnitedArabEmirates, #Ethiopia, and #Egypt. #SaudiArabia was also announced as a new member, though the kingdom has yet to make a final decision on whether to join. Argentinian President Javier Milei, who took office in December 2023 and is steering his country’s geopolitical alignment toward the #US and away from China and Brazil, declined a membership invitation.

The nations still seeking admission include #Malaysia, #Thailand, and #Turkey. Further enlargement could be discussed during this summit in Kazan, Russia, on Oct. 22-24.

What is the impetus for expansion?

The BRICS club of nations almost doubled in size this year, making it a more credible counterweight to the G7. The BRICS group of emerging-market powers has gone from a slogan dreamed up at an #investmentbank to BRICS+ two almost doubled in size in 2024, pairing several major #energy producers with some of the biggest consumers among developing countries and potentially enhancing the group’s economic clout in a US-dominated #world. The push has been driven largely by China, now the world’s pre-eminent industrial power, which is trying to boost its global clout by courting nations traditionally allied with the US. South Africa and Russia have backed the expansion. India was initially hesitant because it was concerned that a bigger BRICS would transform the group into a mouthpiece for China, while Brazil was worried about alienating the West — although both governments eventually agreed to an enlargement.

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The Launching Pad of the BRICS

Jim O’Neill, the Chief Economist at Goldman Sachs, created the acronym BRICS in 2001. O’Neill’s research paper, Building Better Global Economic BRICs, proposed that the economic potential of Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC) could make them among the world’s most dominant economies by 2050. O’Neill argued that the growth of these countries could challenge the dominance of the G7, the world’s seven most advanced economies. 

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The BRICS group of emerging-market powers — the acronym stands for #Brazil, #Russia, #India, #China, and #SouthAfrica — has gone from a slogan dreamed up at an #investmentbank and the Brics two decades ago.

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Russia and the U.S. Dollar: A Yoyo Game by the Control of Gold

On June 2024,  With the BRICS firmly committed to de-dollarization, Morgan Stanley recently said that the US dollar cannot be dethroned.

On the heels of what Kaddafi was proposing the use of their pricing for gold would serve as the basis for payment for other primary goods including petrol. This claim was the last straw that broke the back of the camel and resulted in his assassination. Almost in a similar line to nationalizing the price of the precious metals, Russia has proposed that BRICS member countries create their own precious metals exchange in a move that could upend the long-established international pricing mechanisms for gold, silver, platinum, and other precious metals. This declaration has sent the price of gold skyrocketing.

The news comes on October 23, 2024, on the heels of Wednesday’s declaration adopted by the leaders of the BRICS countries supporting an increase in the exchange of precious metals between members based on common product quality standards.

At the Kazan summit, Russia proposed to the BRICS countries to create a precious metals exchange, which, according to the authors of the idea, will fundamentally change the principles of pricing in this conservative market.

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As stated in the message of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, the declaration of the leaders of the BRICS countries adopted on Wednesday supported an increase in the turnover of precious metals between the countries of the association based on common product quality standards. “The creation of a mechanism for trading metals within the BRICS countries will lead to the formation of fair and equitable competition based on exchange principles,” the Ministry of Finance said in a release.

“The mechanism will include the creation of instruments for price indicators for metals, standards for the production and trade of bullion, accreditation of market participants, clearing and auditing within the BRICS countries, and the participating countries will have a reliable way of stable exchange trading within the association,” said the head of the department Anton Siluanov, quoted in the message.

The Finance Ministry added that they expect the BRICS Precious Metals Exchange “will become a key regulator of prices for precious metals.”

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The BRICS club of nations dominated by China almost doubled in size this year 2024, making it a more credible counterweight to the G7. The BRICS is pairing several major #energy producers with some of the biggest consumers among developing countries and potentially enhancing the group’s economic clout in a US-dominated #world. Dozens more countries have expressed interest in joining its ranks.

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Who are the New Members of BRICS?

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The rise of BRICS (and now BRICS+) reflects a shared belief among important emerging players that the Western-dominated, rules-based international order—and particularly the system of global economic governance—is both stacked against their interests and fundamentally outdated. The #BRICS group expanded in early 2024 to include #Iran, the #UnitedArabEmirates, #Ethiopia, and #Egypt. #SaudiArabia was also announced as a new member, though the kingdom has yet to make a final decision on whether to join. Argentinian President Javier Milei, who took office in December 2023 and is steering his country’s geopolitical alignment toward the #US and away from China and Brazil, declined a membership invitation.

The nations still seeking admission include #Malaysia, #Thailand, and #Turkey. Further enlargement is likely to be discussed at a summit in Kazan, Russia, on Oct. 22-24.

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The 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan is being held under the chairmanship of Russia from October 22-24. The Ministry of External Affairs said, “The Summit, themed ‘Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security,’ will provide an important platform for leaders to discuss key global issues.”

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What is the impetus for the expansion of the BRICS?

Russian President Vladimir Putin will host the first-ever summit of BRICS+ from October 22 to 24 in the Tatarstan city of Kazan. There, the founding members of BRICS—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—will formally welcome into their fold five new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Putin has also invited more than two dozen other countries that have applied for or are considering membership in the expanding club. The gathering is meant to send an unmistakable signal: Despite the West’s best efforts to isolate it, Russia has many friends around the world.

To some in the West, the emergence of BRICS+ suggests something even more ominous—a world that is fragmenting into competing blocs, thanks to intensifying geopolitical rivalry between East and West and growing mutual alienation between North and South. According to this reading, Beijing and Moscow are intent on exploiting some countries’ resentment of the United States and its wealthy world allies to consolidate an anti-Western counterweight to the venerable Group of 7 (G7), a process that is likely to paralyze global cooperation within other multilateral venues.

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Of particular concern is the future of the Group of 20 (G20). Even before BRICS expansion, it had become a microcosm of growing global rifts. A further hardening of these divisions would undercut the G20’s fundamental raison d’être: namely, to help bridge gulfs between—and leverage the capabilities of—important countries that are not inherently or necessarily like-minded.

With the rise of economies like China and India, many countries see BRICS as a platform to counterbalance the influence of traditional Western powers.  Recent global conflicts and increased US-China rivalry might push countries towards BRICS as a way to navigate complex geopolitical dynamics.

The push has been driven largely by China, now the world’s pre-eminent industrial power, which is trying to boost its global clout by courting nations traditionally allied with the US. South Africa and Russia have backed the expansion. India was initially hesitant because it was concerned that a bigger BRICS would transform the group into a mouthpiece for China, while Brazil was worried about alienating the West — although both governments eventually agreed to an enlargement.

The 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan is being held under the chairmanship of Russia from October 22-24, 2024. The Ministry of External Affairs said, “The Summit, themed ‘Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security,’ will provide an important platform for leaders to discuss key global issues” and work together to build and implement adequate solutions and adaptable responses to the new challenges that Presiden Xi has called on BRICS members to pursue and realize.

– Build a BRICS committed to peace, and act as defenders of common security.
– Build a BRICS committed to innovation, and act as pioneers of high-quality development.
– Build a BRICS committed to green development, and act as promoters of sustainable development.
– Build a BRICS committed to justice, and act as forerunners in reforming global governance.
– Build a BRICS committed to closer people-to-people exchanges, and act as advocates for harmonious coexistence among all civilizations.

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Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D. – Said Cherkaoui Ph.D.

Email contact: saidcherkaoui@triconsultingkyoto.com

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BRICS and the Building of Financial Great Wall

December 9, 2021 ★ Said El Mansour Cherkaoui, Ph.D. ★ Published on July 1, 2015 – 78 articles published at LinkedIn Great Wall and Great Break Banking Time for BRICS From July 2014 to July 2015, the BRICS group, the new emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create…Continue Reading → 

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui World Tour du Monde

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Dr. Said El Mansour Cherkaoui et le Tour du Monde: De Doukkala, Mazagan, El … Continue reading Said El Mansour Cherkaoui World Tour du Monde – REBUILDING MOROCCO

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New Economic Houses on BRICS and MINT

Nouvelles Eco-Demeures en BRICS et Menthe

 Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – Published Aug 24, 2015 – Email: Said El Mansour Cherkaoui

English Version: New Economic Houses on BRICS and MINT

The Financial Times estimated that the seven largest emerging economies can hypothetically be called a new G7: four BRICS members – Brazil, Russia, India and China and three countries of the so-called MINT – Mexico, Indonesia and Turkey, will have a combined GDP of $37.8 trillion in 2014 when calculated at purchasing power parity (PPS).

However, the long established G7 group of industrialized nations: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US are expected to have an output of $34.5 trillion.

More details at this website: http://en.itar-tass.com/economy/753399

Version Française: Les nouvelles puissances économiques du monde Bâtie sur BRICS et à la Menthe
Le Financial Times estime que les sept plus grandes économies émergentes peuvent hypothétiquement être appelés une nouvelle G7: quatre membres du BRICS – Brésil, Russie, Inde et Chine et trois pays de la soi-disant MINT – Mexique, l’Indonésie et la Turquie, aura un PIB combiné de $ 37,8 trillions en 2014 lorsqu’il est calculé à partir de la Parité de Pouvoir d’Achat (PPA).
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parit%C3%A9_de_pouvoir_d’achat
Cependant, le groupe du G7 établi de longue date par les pays industrialisés: le Canada, la France, l’Allemagne, l’Italie, le Japon, le Royaume-Uni et les États-Unis devraient avoir  un total de seulement $ 34,5 trillions.

http://en.itar-tass.com/economy/753399

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Building New Economic World Powerhouses on BRICS and MINT

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui

Updated on Sep 1, 2015

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Published Jul 1, 2015

Email: Said El Mansour Cherkaoui

BRICS and the Building of Financial Great Wall

GREAT BREAK TIME FOR BRICS:

From July 2014 to July 2015, the BRICS group, the new emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a new international financial institution capitalized with $200 billion of liquidity. This banking organization was projected to act as BRICS Development Bank with $100 billion along with a reserve currency pool worth over another $100 billion. 

On July 2015, in China, the New Development bank, also known as the BRICS Bank, has been approved by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress during its meetings that are actually taking place until July 1, 2015. India and Russia had already agreed on this creation and South Africa is expected to present ratification documents in July during a meeting of BRICS countries in the Russian city of Ufa.

THE BRICS FACTORY OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT:

In terms of demographic and economic standards, the BRICS are becoming heavy weights challengers for the New World Order inherited from the Presidency of Father Bush. The group BRICS has 42 percent of the world’s population and roughly 20 percent of the world’s economy based on gross domestic product, and 30 percent of the world’s GDP based on purchasing power parity. * The total trade between the BRICS’ countries is $6.14 trillion, or nearly 17 percent of the world’s total. They also account for 11 percent of global capital investment. China, India and Brazil are also ranked among the largest economies in the world with more than $2 trillion, €1.25 trillion by nominal GDP.

In 2015, the members of this privileged “Elite” club were the United States, China, Japan, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and India. Their ranking in respect to respective GDP in trillions of U.S. dollars is the following: USA $18.1 – China $11.2 – Japan $4.2 – Germany $3.4 – U.K. $2.9 – France $2.5 – India $2.3 – Brazil $1.9 – Italy $1.8 – Canada$1.6.

THE STRUCTURE OF NEW BRICS DEVELOPMENT BANK:

Each member of the BRICS will have a seat for their Finance Minister or Central Bank Chair at the Bank’s Representative Board. The other innovation is that membership is not just limited to BRICS economies such is the case in other international financial institutions. The BRICS Bank will be headquartered in Shanghai, with India presiding it during the first year, and Russia serving as the chairman of the representatives. During the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summits in the Russian city of Ufa, Anton Siluanov has been appointed Board Chairman of the New Development Bank, he is the current Russian Finance Minister. Similarly, it has been agreed that an African regional center of the NDB bank will be established in South Africa.

In recent interview conducted by RT, the New Development Bank president Kundapur Vaman Kamath declared a “significant part” of the bank’s activity could be carried out in local currencies. “I have not applied my mind as to what effect it will have on other currencies. But as far as our local currencies are concerned, our own countries are concerned, that will substantially reduce any exchange risk.” He also projected that by April 2016 the New Development Bank will issue its first loan. 

Mr. Kamath added: “I think clearly setting up of this bank is also a signal that developing countries are now able to stand on their feet in their own way and set up their own institutions. We are really looking at expanding the membership base in the future.” In this perspective, joining the Development Bank remains open to other emerging countries, such as Mexico, Indonesia, or Argentina, once it sorts out its debt burden.

The initial funding came from each BRICS member that will contribute an equal share in establishing a startup capital of $50 billion while the full participation is $100 billion. This capitalization represents a crisis lending fund and is called the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA). China contributed with $41 billion while Russia, Brazil and India will add in $18 billion, and South Africa, the newest member, will contribute $5 billion. The contribution of 39.5 percent will give China the largest voting rights.

On the 7/9/2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting BRICS leaders in an expanded format at the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summits in the Russian city of Ufa which took place on July 8-10, 2015. The Summit in the Russian City of Ufa become the cradle for the official launch of the New Development Bank and the designation of its leaders. in the same perspective, the BRICS countries agreed to put in place a $100bn reserve currency pool which aims to protect the member states – the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – from currency volatility shocks. This is one of the reasons, the summits agreed that the association will start using their local currencies for mutual settlements quite soon. 

In fact, the continuity of the financial imbalances of the western economies added to the unpredictability of their financial institutions and their budgetary deficits had added more concerns to the BRICS members and have motivated them to sustain the creation of the New Development Bank, an alternative and a supplement to existing international “hard currency” financial institutions. 

THE NEW ALTERNATIVE TO THE UNION OF WESTERN BANKS: 

The idea behind these financial moves is to create structures that will help to lessen dependency on the West and to create a more multi-polar world. Other implications are a design to protect against the instability and the fluctuations of the Western based currencies. The BRICS BANK is sought to provide also financial means and resources to counter the influence of Western-based lending institutions and the US Dollar, especially at the wake of the current financial turmoil traversing the western economies and the regional conflicts generated by the consequent race for the natural resources around the globe.

Within such frame, the long domination of the US Dollar since the signing of Bretton Woods Agreement and the Nixon Administration’s creation of the Petro-dollars (1973 oil crisis) are starting to show some fissures and weakness in the resolution, remittance and refinancing of international transactions. 

Furthermore, the western-based banking system and the recent Libor scandal and other related fraudulent behaviors and abuses coupled had increased the reluctance of Emerging economies to continue to be financed through a system that rely only on lending volume as the key metric for success. Similarly, the development and the integration of technology-oriented methods of resolution and transfer of assets and financial denominations have added more determinations to the Emerging economies to establish their own channels to finance their infrastructures and funnels directly their funds without intermediaries. These technological advances have also facilitated the consultation and the planning of infrastructural projects to be financed as joint development ventures by the BRICS economies for their own countries and for the rest of the developing world. 

Additionally, the need of alternative global financial instruments is increasing given that the trade is bilaterally developed among emerging economies and between them and the rest of the developing world. For these reasons, the financial institutions and facilities offered by western societies such as the IMF, the World Bank and the OPIC and their regional agencies are considered as organizations dominated by western shareholders which add more challenges for projects oriented toward the development of national resources and the related infrastructure. Within such perspective, the other bank being promoted by China as an alternative to existing development institutions, such as the IMF and the World Bank, is the new Asian Development Bank, known as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, that was established in October 2014. Britain and Germany are listed among its 57 member states.

To avoid such hurdles and to reduce cost and time in terms of realizations, the emerging economies are developing regional free trade blocs and treaties that are engaging their financial resources as well. For these reasons, the Members of BRICS are seeking to reinforce bilateral trade relations without relying on the evaluation or the approval by Western based decision making. The other aspect is the total fees charged by the related lending institution and the influence of the dollar in the development of the international trade of commodities and primary goods. 

The implications of all these new forms of competitiveness at the level of financial transactions and their far-reaching impact on the balance of payments, especially the current accounts of the countries concerned, it is without equivoque that new currencies are going to be emerging within certain trading blocs before to reach an international acceptance. The establishment of these regional banking institutions that aim to be a global player are the first signs of such move.

Additional Notes for Clarification:

For more on the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summits in the Russian city of Ufa, see the video on the following link: 

http://rt.com/on-air/putin-meets-brics-leaders/ 

N.B.: * The aforementioned indicators are reflective of tendencies and not realities of economic situations and social conditions. For this reason, they have to be considered as reflective of selective and comparative performances given the fact that the world economy can be defined, estimated, evaluated, but also can be expressed in various other forms and indications. “It is unclear, for example, how many of the world’s 7.13 billion people have most of their economic activity reflected in these [aforementioned] valuations.”

 Any comments or needs can be directly addressed to Dr. Said El Mansour Cherkaoui: saidcherkaoui@triconsultingkyoto.com

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GREAT BREAK TIME FOR BRICS:

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui, July 1, 2015 – 79 articles – Email: Said El Mansour Cherkaoui

From July 2014 to July 2015, the BRICS group, the new emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a new international financial institution capitalized with $200 billion of liquidity. This banking organization was projected to act as BRICS Development Bank with $100 billion along with a reserve currency pool worth over another $100 billion. 

On July 2015, in China, the New Development bank, also known as the BRICS Bank, has been approved by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress during its meetings that are actually taking place until July 1, 2015. India and Russia had already agreed on this creation and South Africa is expected to present ratification documents in July during a meeting of BRICS countries in the Russian city of Ufa.

THE BRICS FACTORY OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT:

In terms of demographic and economic standards, the BRICS are becoming heavy weights challengers for the New World Order inherited from the Presidency of Father Bush. The group BRICS has 42 percent of the world’s population and roughly 20 percent of the world’s economy based on gross domestic product, and 30 percent of the world’s GDP based on purchasing power parity. * The total trade between the BRICS’ countries is $6.14 trillion, or nearly 17 percent of the world’s total. They also account for 11 percent of global capital investment. China, India and Brazil are also ranked among the largest economies in the world with more than $2 trillion, €1.25 trillion by nominal GDP.

In 2015, the members of this privileged “Elite” club were the United States, China, Japan, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and India. Their ranking in respect to respective GDP in trillions of U.S. dollars is the following: USA $18.1 – China $11.2 – Japan $4.2 – Germany $3.4 – U.K. $2.9 – France $2.5 – India $2.3 – Brazil $1.9 – Italy $1.8 – Canada$1.6.

THE STRUCTURE OF NEW BRICS DEVELOPMENT BANK:

Each member of the BRICS will have a seat for their Finance Minister or Central Bank Chair at the Bank’s Representative Board. The other innovation is that membership is not just limited to BRICS economies such is the case in other international financial institutions. The BRICS Bank will be headquartered in Shanghai, with India presiding it during the first year, and Russia serving as the chairman of the representatives. During the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summits in the Russian city of Ufa, Anton Siluanov has been appointed Board Chairman of the New Development Bank, he is the current Russian Finance Minister. Similarly, it has been agreed that an African regional center of the NDB bank will be established in South Africa.

In recent interview conducted by RT, the New Development Bank president Kundapur Vaman Kamath declared a “significant part” of the bank’s activity could be carried out in local currencies. “I have not applied my mind as to what effect it will have on other currencies. But as far as our local currencies are concerned, our own countries are concerned, that will substantially reduce any exchange risk.” He also projected that by April 2016 the New Development Bank will issue its first loan. 

Mr. Kamath added: “I think clearly setting up of this bank is also a signal that developing countries are now able to stand on their feet in their own way and set up their own institutions. We are really looking at expanding the membership base in the future.” In this perspective, joining the Development Bank remains open to other emerging countries, such as Mexico, Indonesia, or Argentina, once it sorts out its debt burden.

The initial funding came from each BRICS member that will contribute an equal share in establishing a startup capital of $50 billion while the full participation is $100 billion. This capitalization represents a crisis lending fund and is called the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA). China contributed with $41 billion while Russia, Brazil and India will add in $18 billion, and South Africa, the newest member, will contribute $5 billion. The contribution of 39.5 percent will give China the largest voting rights.

On the 7/9/2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting BRICS leaders in an expanded format at the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summits in the Russian city of Ufa which took place on July 8-10, 2015. The Summit in the Russian City of Ufa become the craddle for the official launch of the New Development Bank and the designation of its leaders. 

In the same perspective, the BRICS countries agreed to put in place a $100bn reserve currency pool which aims to protect the member states – the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – from currency volatility shocks. This is one of the reasons, the summits agreed that the association will start using their local currencies for mutual settlements quite soon. 

In fact, the continuity of the financial imbalances of the western economies added to the unpredictability of their financial institutions and their budgetary deficits had added more concerns to the BRICS members and have motivated them to sustain the creation of the New Development Bank, an alternative and a supplement to existing international “hard currency” financial institutions. 

THE NEW ALTERNATIVE TO THE UNION OF WESTERN BANKS: 

The idea behind these financial moves is to create structures that will help to lessen dependency on the West and to create a more multi-polar world. Other implications are a design to protect against the instability and the fluctuations of the Western based currencies. The BRICS BANK is sought to provide also financial means and resources to counter the influence of Western-based lending institutions and the US Dollar, especially at the wake of the current financial turmoil traversing the western economies and the regional conflicts generated by the consequent race for the natural resources around the globe.

Within such frame, the long domination of the US Dollar since the signing of Bretton Woods Agreement and the Nixon Administration’s creation of the Petro-dollars (1973 oil crisis) are starting to show some fissures and weakness in the resolution, remittance and refinancing of international transactions. 

Furthermore, the western-based banking system and the recent Libor scandal and other related fraudulent behaviors and abuses coupled had increased the reluctance of Emerging economies to continue to be financed through a system that relay only on lending volume as the key metric for success. Similarly, the development and the integration of technology-oriented methods of resolution and transfer of assets and financial denominations have added more determinations to the Emerging economies to establish their own channels to finance their infrastructures and funnels directly their funds without intermediaries. These technological advances have also facilitated the consultation and the planning of infrastructural projects to be financed as joint development ventures by the BRICS economies for their own countries and for the rest of the developing world. 

Additionally, the need of alternative global financial instruments is increasing given that the trade is bilaterally developed among emerging economies and between them and the rest of the developing world. For these reasons, the financial institutions and facilities offered by western societies such as the IMF, the World Bank and the OPIC and their regional agencies are considered as organizations dominated by western shareholders which add more challenges for projects oriented toward the development of national resources and the related infrastructure. Within such perspective, the other bank being promoted by China as an alternative to existing development institutions, such as the IMF and the World Bank, is the new Asian Development Bank, known as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, that was established in October 2014. Britain and Germany are listed among its 57 member states.

To avoid such hurdles and to reduce cost and time in terms of realizations, the emerging economies are developing regional free trade blocs and treaties that are engaging their financial resources as well. For these reasons, the Members of BRICS are seeking to reinforce bilateral trade relations without relying on the evaluation or the approval by Western based decision making. The other aspect is the total fees charged by the related lending institution and the influence of the dollar in the development of the international trade of commodities and primary goods. 

The implications of all these new forms of competitiveness at the level of financial transactions and their far-reaching impact on the balance of payments, especially the current accounts of the countries concerned, it is without equivoque that new currencies are going to be emerging within certain trading blocs before to reach an international acceptance. The establishment of these regional banking institutions that aim to be a global player are the first signs of such move.

Unfortunately, the Fed’s first increase was a response to the financial obstruction of the UK economy but was met with OPEC’s decision to cut oil production, Russia’s decision to only accept rubble as a means of payment and the decision of the Chinese to make the payment only with the Yuan for all external transactions.

The conglomeration of all these geo-economic actions made the dollar the first higher than the euro in the international market while it also increased its vulnerability to emerging markets as it impacted more than 60% debt-ridden countries that are on the verge of default with Zambia, Sri Lanka and Ghana at the forefront of full default.

The recession was no longer on the periphery of Western economies, it was spreading beyond the surge in inflation of energy, commodities and the accessibility of basic foodstuffs by many countries.

Also, Japan has always played the role of antechamber and echo chamber for the American economy since the Reaganomics and Economic School of the Chicago Boys.

These changes have motivated producers of oil in the middle east to advocate change of direction for the OPEC and to seek payment alternatives than the dollar which is a kind of renegating on the era of the petrodollars. Within such scope, following the example of Iran, the hydrocarbon-exporting states of the Gulf Cooperation Council looked for alternative methods and means of payments for their energy production which can afford them “to broaden their ability to transact within both dollarised and de-dollarised zones of the global economy. While these states remain firmly embedded in the US-led economic and security architecture, they still see some advantages in reducing their reliance on the US and its currency.”

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BRICS Fortress to Shield Dollar August 13, 2023 In “BRICS”

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Chinese electric carmakers may be crying foul over the European Union’s imposition of additional tariffs, but they have several options to keep growing, including shifting production to the continent and using fat profit margins to absorb some of the hit.

Companies could also turn their attention to new markets in the Middle East, Latin America and Southeast Asia, where EVs comprise a small but growing segment of the passenger car market.

The European Commission on Wednesday formally notified automakers including BYD Co., Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. and MG owner SAIC Motor Corp. of the additional levies on battery electric cars, which will take tariffs to as high as 48% from next month. China’s EV manufacturers have been pushing more aggressively into Europe amid a domestic price war and years of building a lead in the technology.

“As Chinese automakers grow stronger, it’s natural for them to face trade actions like tariff increases,” said Cui Dongshu, secretary general of China’s Passenger Car Association. “Even if there’s suppression of cars exported from China, automakers are not going to be defeated by the added tariff. Instead, it will only make them stronger.”

BYD shares jumped as much as 8.8% in Hong Kong trading Thursday, leading gains among Chinese EV makers on a view the added tariffs are manageable.

EVs made in China, such as BYD’s Dolphin compact crossover and the MG 4, fetch roughly double on average in Europe compared to their home region, customs data show, giving the manufacturers a cushion against the new tariffs.

The Middle East has emerged as a new market for China’s EV makers too, including Chery Auto, Xpeng Inc. and Geely’s premium Zeekr brand. Nio Inc. Chief Executive Officer William Li earlier this month said the EU’s tariff push was going in “substantially the wrong direction” and the company will start expanding to the Middle East later this year.

Europe’s tariff hikes will have a “minor impact” on Chinese manufacturers because the region accounts for only a fraction of their total sales, according to Daiwa Securities analyst Kevin Lau. Europe contributed between 1% to 3% of overall sales for BYD, Geely and SAIC in the first four months of this year, he estimated.

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Chinese Competition on the Top and Under the Hood of Tesla

TRI CONSULTING KYOTO TRI CK USA – Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – Chinese competition on the Top and under the hood of Tesla Tesla Motors: Driving News, Dance and Transe Moves – BAGNOLE CHERKAOUI 1920 – 24 🌐 Tesla Global Car Development and Local Energy Production BAGNOLE CHERKAOUI 1920 – 24 AVRIL 14, 2019 – 11/24/2021 Said El Mansour Cherkaoui and 7/20/2024 Diaspora … Continue reading

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*The European Union has approved the imposition of a surcharge of up to 35% on imports of Chinese electric vehicles. *

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Unless there is a last-minute agreement with China, this surcharge will be implemented from the beginning of November 2024.
The context is as follows: achieving carbon neutrality requires doing without fossil fuels, with #oil being the most widely used of them. In terms of individual mobility, this will involve in particular (although not exclusively) electric cars. In other words, the global automobile industry will have to evolve quickly and profoundly to move from thermal engines (on which the EU has know-how) to electric vehicles.
For the European Union, it is a question of not losing its manufacturers in this forced transition, while China (and the United States, but that is another subject) strongly supports its industry. In other words, through various levers, the State and especially the Chinese provinces help their manufacturers, which allows them to offer less expensive vehicles than European manufacturers.
Historically, the EU has been satisfied with this situation by only seeing the consumption aspect: if it is cheaper because it is subsidized by a third State, it is advantageous for the European consumer. However, this situation is harmful to European companies, which pay salaries to consumers… It is also a loss of strategic autonomy and a worsening of dependencies, the most flagrant example of which is the production of photovoltaic solar panels, a devastated industry in Europe.
Since Covid and the war in Ukraine, a change of approach has been felt. The EU has become aware of its fragility and the need to fight against dumping from third countries, even if some Member States find it to their advantage and try to block this type of measure. Hence the imposition of a surcharge on imported Chinese vehicles.
There will certainly be retaliatory measures from China, but China’s dependence on Europe to sell its production, while the American market is increasingly closed, gives the EU leverage. In the event of an escalation towards a trade war, some heavily indebted Chinese provinces could find themselves in a complicated situation and the restructuring of overcapacity sectors would lead to serious economic and social problems. And China knows this.
In short, the strengthening of European trade policy is welcome. The challenge is to find a more balanced relationship with China, in which our manufacturers could compete in a more balanced way than today. The sustainability of European industry – and the strategic autonomy it provides – depends on it.
More reading on this topic:
Source: Maxence Cordiez original in French Language

President Biden will visit Angola on October 13-15, 2024.

President Biden’s visit will fulfill the commitment made during the U.S. Africa Leaders Summit in December 2022.  This is the first Presidential trip to Africa in over a decade demonstrating and celebrating the evolution of the U.S.-Angola relationship and the renewed importance of Angola in the investment of U.S. Capital in this part of Africa.

Read more: September 24, 2024
Statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on President Biden’s Travel to Germany and Angola

https://lnkd.in/gUfPqz3k

Statement from White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on President Biden’s Travel to Germany and Angola | The White House

whitehouse.gov

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© Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – initially published on 9/11/2024

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Angola Model and China Quest for Oil

Concerns are growing in the US and other countries regarding economic cooperation between China and Africa including the so-called “debt trap,” according to the narrative dominating the western-based media outlets. These news agencies present China’s activities in Africa are driven by its will to increase its influence by extending excessive loans to developing countries that are used as traps to corner and influence the African economies.

Angola and Angola Model is frequently used as a case of such debt trap based on the extraction of natural resources or supply of energetic and strategic minerals by African nations in exchange for loans provided by China State and Financial Institutions.

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According to a report from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: “In 2010, Angola was the world’s second-largest exporter of oil to China, after Saudi Arabia. But it has fallen down the list as Beijing has increasingly turned to the Arab states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Russia, and other Asian countries.

In the early 2000s, Angola received US$42.6 billion from Chinese lenders, more than a quarter of China’s total lending to African countries between 2000 and 2020, which made it the largest recipient of Chinese loans in all of Africa.  The School of Advanced International Studies-China Africa Research Initiative (SAIS-CARI), estimates that Angola was the top recipient of Chinese infrastructure loans, with US$ 43 billion worth of loan commitments, between 2000 and 2018.

However, the beginning of the end when between 2019 and 2023, Angola’s oil production fell 22% from 1.42 million barrels per day to 1.1 million barrels per day. The subsequent drop in business is straining Angola’s ability to keep up with its Chinese debt. As oil revenues have declined, by 2023, Angola had been bumped to number eight on this ranking of oil suppliers to China.” China receives nearly 72% of Angola’s oil exports, making it Angola’s largest oil importer. However, the recent drop in business is straining Angola’s ability to keep up with its Chinese debt. Since 2002, Angola has borrowed more than $45 billion from China, more than half of that going into its energy sector, according to Boston University.

Angola still owes Chinese lenders $17 billion. Chinese loans constitute about 40% of Angola’s total debt. Overall, debt payments consume about half of Angola’s national budget every year, placing it among African countries most vulnerable to a potential debt crisis, according to international credit rating agency S&P Global.

As oil revenues have declined, Angola has been forced to cover interest payments on its debt by tapping into a Chinese-held $1.5 billion escrow fund that was mandated as part of its loans. As China Buys Less Oil, as China has begun importing less oil from Angola and other African nations and more from Russia, the Persian Gulf, and Asia, Angola Struggles To Repay Debt.

Chinese lenders gave Angola a three-year reprieve on loan payments that ended in 2023 — just as Angola’s economy took a downturn. As oil revenues have declined, Angola has been forced to cover interest payments on its debt by tapping into a Chinese-held $1.5 billion escrow fund that was mandated as part of its loans. This year’s debt payment to Chinese leaders is estimated at $10.1 billion.

Angola recently left OPEC, the cartel of oil-producing countries, after a dispute over quotas. Angolan authorities hope that step will encourage more direct investment by China and other countries in its oil sector. In the meantime, the country’s leaders are trying to diversify their economy to reduce the impact of fluctuating oil prices. 

This shift has been driven, in part, by African countries’ lack of investment in new oilfields and infrastructure. Aging equipment and shrinking oilfields make the continent’s oil producers, including Angola, less reliable as exporters, according to researchers with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

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João Lourenço in the USA to participate in the 16th US-Africa business summit

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USAID Invests 3.5 Million Dollars in Environmental Issues in the Lobito Corridor

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Angola announced, this Wednesday, the investment of 3.5 million dollars to support environmental issues of local organizations in the Lobito Corridor, in the province of Benguela

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Lobito Port and Lobito Corridor:

Challenge of the Rivalry and Competition of the United States and China for Oil Resources of Angola and Mining Resources of Zambia

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United States – Angola: Rejevunating Courting Relationship

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© Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – 9/11/2024

Introduction – China-Africa Cooperation – FOCAC

This is a presentation of the relationship of China with Africa depicting several years of interactions that had been developed through indirect and direct investments and technical support provided to the African States by Chinese companies and engineers.

China has mastered the means and ways to offer services to African governments by becoming the model for the construction of large products that include infrastructure, urbanization, rehabilitation of regions and areas for the development of new logistical and transportation systems, and the distribution of energy, water, and other sources to supply cities and rural zones, including agriculture, building new offices and modernization of administrative and governmental offices.

In parallel to the modernization, the African States need, China has provided the financial leverage and resources for such projects. These complementary drives toward financing and realizing the projects gave China the upper hand in demonstrating its abilities to initiate, develop, and achieve the project without any interference or support from other nations. This kind of prominence has also made China to be trusted as the provider of services that will be completed in good condition with good standing. Read more here:

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Forum on China–Africa Cooperation – FOCAC

TRI CONSULTING KYOTO TRI CK USA – Aug 16, 2024  Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – Originally published on November 6, 2019, and updated on August 16, 2024 © Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Introduction This is a presentation of the relationship of China with Africa depicting several years of interactions that had been developed through indirect and direct investments and technical support provided to the African States by Chinese companies and … Continue reading

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Angola Model and China Quest for Oil and the Shift of China From Southwest Africa to the Middle East

Concerns are growing in the US and other countries regarding economic cooperation between China and Africa including the so-called “debt trap,” in which China increases its influence by extending excessive loans to developing countries. Angola and Angola Model is frequently used as a case of such debt trap based on the extraction of natural resources or supply of energetic and strategic minerals by African nations in exchange for loans provided by China State and Financial Institutions.

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According to a report from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: “In 2010, Angola was the world’s second-largest exporter of oil to China, after Saudi Arabia. But it has fallen down the list as Beijing has increasingly turned to the Arab states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Russia, and other Asian countries.

In the early 2000s, Angola received US$42.6 billion from Chinese lenders, more than a quarter of China’s total lending to African countries between 2000 and 2020, which made it the largest recipient of Chinese loans in all of Africa.  The School of Advanced International Studies-China Africa Research Initiative (SAIS-CARI), estimates that Angola was the top recipient of Chinese infrastructure loans, with US$ 43 billion worth of loan commitments, between 2000 and 2018.

However, the beginning of the end when between 2019 and 2023, Angola’s oil production fell 22% from 1.42 million barrels per day to 1.1 million barrels per day. The subsequent drop in business is straining Angola’s ability to keep up with its Chinese debt. As oil revenues have declined, by 2023, Angola had been bumped to number eight on this ranking of oil suppliers to China.” China receives nearly 72% of Angola’s oil exports, making it Angola’s largest oil importer. However, the recent drop in business is straining Angola’s ability to keep up with its Chinese debt. Since 2002, Angola has borrowed more than $45 billion from China, more than half of that going into its energy sector, according to Boston University.

Angola still owes Chinese lenders $17 billion. Chinese loans constitute about 40% of Angola’s total debt. Overall, debt payments consume about half of Angola’s national budget every year, placing it among African countries most vulnerable to a potential debt crisis, according to international credit rating agency S&P Global.

As oil revenues have declined, Angola has been forced to cover interest payments on its debt by tapping into a Chinese-held $1.5 billion escrow fund that was mandated as part of its loans. As China Buys Less Oil, as China has begun importing less oil from Angola and other African nations and more from Russia, the Persian Gulf, and Asia, Angola Struggles To Repay Debt.

Chinese lenders gave Angola a three-year reprieve on loan payments that ended in 2023 — just as Angola’s economy took a downturn. As oil revenues have declined, Angola has been forced to cover interest payments on its debt by tapping into a Chinese-held $1.5 billion escrow fund that was mandated as part of its loans. This year’s debt payment to Chinese leaders is estimated at $10.1 billion.

Angola recently left OPEC, the cartel of oil-producing countries, after a dispute over quotas. Angolan authorities hope that step will encourage more direct investment by China and other countries in its oil sector. In the meantime, the country’s leaders are trying to diversify their economy to reduce the impact of fluctuating oil prices. 

This shift has been driven, in part, by African countries’ lack of investment in new oilfields and infrastructure. Aging equipment and shrinking oilfields make the continent’s oil producers, including Angola, less reliable as exporters, according to researchers with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

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United States – Angola: Rejevunating Courting Relationship

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Press Release: Corporate Council on Africa announces Angola as host of the 2025 U.S.-Africa Business Summit Washington, D.C. – September 6, 2024 – The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) has the high honor of announcing that the Government of the Republic of Angola will host the 17th U.S.-Africa Business Summit in 2025 in the city of Luanda, Angola.   Following a meeting of CCA leadership with His Excellency João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola during the May 2024 U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) was developed and was signed today in Washington, DC by H.E. Mr. Agostinho Van-Dunem, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to the United States and Ms. Florizelle (Florie) Liser, President and CEO of CCA to officially mark this important collaboration.    The U.S.-Africa Business Summit is recognized as one of the most important business platforms that annually brings together African Heads of State and key Ministers, U.S. Cabinet officials and heads of major agencies, and CEOs and senior executives of U.S. and African companies to foster investment, trade, and commercial collaboration. The 2025 Summit marks a significant milestone as Angola celebrates the 50th anniversary of its national independence and assumes the Chairmanship of the African Union (AU). Thus, co-organizing and hosting the U.S.-Africa Business Summit during such a momentous year underscores Angola’s firm commitment to promoting a new phase in as well as strengthening economic ties between Africa and the United States. Angola’s selection as the host country is a testament to its remarkable progress and potential as a key player in the African economy. The Summit will showcase Angola’s diverse industries but will be continental in focus highlighting business and investment opportunities across the African continent in a range of sectors from energy and infrastructure to agriculture and technology, creative economy, manufacturing to digital economy and health.”We are delighted to bring the U.S.-Africa Business Summit to Angola in the Summer of 2025,” said Florie Liser, President and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa. “This year’s Summit promises to be a landmark event, highlighting not only Angola’s economic potential and strategic importance as a leader in Africa, but recognizing the African continent’s increasing importance as a strategic economic, trade, and business partner of the U.S. Government and private sector.” The 2025 Summit will be a crucial opportunity to identify effective and sustainable solutions to diversify the African economy and to increase trade, investment, and business in sectors with a high impact on the lives of African and American people, enterprises, workers, and consumers. Participants will engage in high-level discussions on the critical issues and challenges, key sectors, and opportunities impacting the U.S.-Africa trade and investment relationship as well as sign deals and advance new business ventures and commercial partnerships that will drive economic growth and development both in the United States and Africa. The 2025 U.S.-Africa Business Summit is expected to attract over 1,500 attendees, including African Heads of State, senior U.S. Government officials, CEOs, investors, and entrepreneurs. The event will feature plenary sessions, panel discussions, investment pitch sessions, networking opportunities, and an exhibition showcasing innovative products and services.

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China and the Middle East’s Economic Weight in the Balance of Multipolarism

The turning point for the loss of acceptance of the United States in the Arab World was the impact of October 7, 2023, which is a reminder of October 1973 and the shaking relation of the West in the Arab World. The recent decline in the United States’ standing in the Arab Middle East and China’s growing influence indeed have significant implications. A new public opinion survey reveals that Arab citizens’ views of the United States have sharply declined due to its support for Israel during the conflict in Gaza. China, surprisingly, emerges as the main beneficiary in the region.

Jun 11, 2024 — … United States, too. Because of the war in Gaza, Arab public opinion has turned sharply against Israel’s staunchest ally, the United States a …

China’s gains in the Middle East erupted from capitalizing on the Gaza War, reaping diplomatic rewards with minimal investment. China’s humanitarian aid, high-level visits, and rhetorical support for the Palestinians are paying off. China’s benefits extend beyond the Middle East to Southeast Asia. Public approval of the U.S. among Muslim-majority populations in Southeast Asia has also fallen sharply and Gaza has become the focus for now. Global perceptions of the U.S. used to be considered by U.S. political decision-makers, but today’s intense political polarization hinders such concerns.

According to the Western side of the stories on the Middle East, the longer the Gaza conflict persists, the more China’s standing grows in the Middle East and the Global South. In this complex geopolitical landscape, the balance of power is shifting, and China is strategically leveraging opportunities. 

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China’s Road to Ryad Passes by the Belt and Road Initiative

The New Silk Road is a collection of infrastructure and investment projects that connect China to other parts of the world. The BRI is made up of two parts: the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. 

The Silk Road Economic Belt is a network of roads, railways, and pipelines that connects China to Europe, Central Asia, Russia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is a network of sea routes that connects China to Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Africa, the South Pacific, and Europe. 

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Chinese premier to promote development strategies alignment, enhance ties with Saudi Arabia

Updated: September 11, 2024 13:48 Xinhua 

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China as Pelerin – Pilgrim in the Land of the Prophets: The Middle East

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RIYADH, Sept. 11 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived here Tuesday for the Fourth Meeting of the High-Level Chinese-Saudi Joint Committee and an official visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

Upon arriving at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, Li expressed his hope for both sides to further strengthen the alignment of their development strategies and elevate bilateral ties to a higher level.

Jon Alterman testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission about China’s diplomatic engagement with the Middle East and the country’s efforts to shape a new world order.

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Saudi Arabia has opted not to renew its 50-year petrodollar agreement with the United States, which expired on June 9, 2024.

The move allows Saudi Arabia to sell oil in multiple currencies, including the Chinese RMB, euro, yen and yuan, potentially accelerating the global shift away from the US dollar.

Saudi Arabia’s decision to sell oil in multiple currencies, including the Chinese RMB, euro, yen and yuan, signals a sea change in the dynamics of global energy trade.

The move challenges the US dollar’s long-standing dominance in the oil market, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing economic ties with China and Russia.

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🔸️The Newsweek article “Sphere of Influence” discusses Saudi Arabia’s expanding influence in the Middle East and its global impact. It highlights how Saudi Arabia uses its economic and political power to promote regional stability and its global standing.

🔸️The article emphasizes Saudi Arabia’s balanced diplomacy, strong relationships with Moscow and Beijing, and its role in shaping regional and international geopolitics. It also covers strategies for building alliances and enhancing its influence in major international issues.

🔸️The article sheds light on how Saudi Arabia addresses regional and international challenges to achieve its strategic goals and its growing role in global affairs.

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China’s Middle East Strategic Diplomatic and Economic Strategies

China seeks to undermine the U.S.-led global order and promote a more multipolar world. Overall, China’s engagement in the Middle East is multifaceted and strategic. While its economic influence is significant, its ability to shape regional politics is limited by the region’s complexities and the ongoing competition with the United States. China generally avoids direct involvement in regional conflicts, preferring to maintain neutrality. China focuses on economic cooperation and infrastructure development as its primary tools of influence.

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Global Risk Analysis

TRI CONSULTING KYOTO TRI CK USA – Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D. ★ Strategic Catalyst Driving U.S.-Morocco-Africa Investment, Trade, and Business Development ★ Senior Policy Adviser in International Affairs ★ Accomplished Public Speaker ★ Distinguished News Executive Editor ★ The recent decline in the United States’ standing in the Arab world and China’s growing influence indeed has significant implications. Let’s break down … Continue reading

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Noting the longstanding traditional friendship between China and Saudi Arabia, Li said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 34 years ago, bilateral relations have achieved leapfrog development through joint efforts, yielding fruitful results in practical cooperation.

During his stay, Li will engage in in-depth discussions with the Saudi crown prince and prime minister on bilateral relations and other issues of common concern to strengthen friendship and expand cooperation.

In December 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the first China-Arab States Summit and the first China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and paid a state visit to Saudi Arabia, said Li.

For over a year, both sides have actively implemented the key outcomes of the summits, continuously strengthening political mutual trust, steadily advancing exchanges and cooperation in various fields, maintaining close communication and coordination on regional and international affairs, and continuously enhancing the China-Saudi Arabia comprehensive strategic partnership, the Chinese premier said.

Li also expressed his expectation that the visit would further expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, deepen the friendship between the two peoples, and foster greater progress in China-GCC and China-Arab relations.

“The practical cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China is characterized by its comprehensiveness and strategic nature,” said Ibrahim Al-Shammari, research director of Riyadh Center for Political and Strategic Studies.

Al-Shammari said Saudi Arabia and China are driving the development of their economic and trade relations through major initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, which aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030.

Li’s visit to Saudi Arabia sends a strong signal that the two countries will continue to strengthen strategic cooperation in various fields, which demonstrates the importance both sides attach to their strategic partnership and the willingness to deepen practical cooperation, Al-Shammari added.

Saudi Arabia is the first leg of Li’s four-day visit to the Middle East, which will also take him to the United Arab Emirates.

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Saudi Arabia’s strategy as it looks beyond its traditional Western partners and deepens its relationship with China. For Saudi Arabia, China represents not only a vital trading partner but also a source of technological and cultural exchange. The influx of Chinese language teachers and tourists, along with major financial agreements, signals that this partnership is only set to grow.

“By strengthening bilateral ties with China, the ADS agreement opens doors for economic development across sectors, benefiting both nations,” Abdulrahman Ahmad Al-Harbi, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to China stated in June.

Saudi Arabia has ambitious tourism goals, with the government aiming for 70 million international visitors by the end of the decade. In 2023, 27 million international tourists visited Saudi Arabia, many for religious purposes. However, the kingdom is rapidly expanding its leisure offerings, with projects such as the Red Sea Project leading the way.

By 2030, the Red Sea Project aims to offer 8,000 hotel rooms spread across 50 resorts, including luxury brands like The Four Seasons, Rosewood, and the St Regis.

For China, Saudi Arabia offers a stable and rapidly developing market. The kingdom’s young population is increasingly tech-savvy and eager to engage in international commerce, presenting opportunities for Chinese companies like Huawei, which are looking to expand in the Middle East.

At the same time, these developments are reshaping the region’s geopolitical landscape. Saudi Arabia’s partnership with China represents a realignment of its global alliances, one that reflects a broader trend of Eastern economies taking on more prominent roles in global affairs. This growing cooperation is part of a larger shift that could redefine trade, business, and cultural exchanges in the region.

Ultimately, deepening ties between China and Saudi Arabia will present major new opportunities for luxury and lifestyle brands. As tourism and business collaborations expand, brands that cater to both markets can tap into the growing demand for high-end experiences and products.

With an influx of Chinese tourists and the rise of e-commerce among Saudi Arabia’s young, tech-savvy population, luxury brands have a prime opportunity to position themselves and benefit immensely from this evolving landscape.

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Said El Mansour Cherkaoui ©

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Dr. Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Developed Strategies and Directed Training on Market and Technology to Strengthen China Trade and Business in the United States, Africa, Europe and Middle East.

https://saidcherkaoui24.wordpress.com/?s=China

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Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Research, Publications, Consulting and Teaching on China APRIL 29, 2019 – 新年快乐 – Xīnnián Kuàilè ★ In Homage to André Malraux En Hommage a André Malraux ★ Said El Mansour Cherkaoui and China Invited by the Chinese Government to facilitate the international expansion of Chinese companies and to provide training to the leaders of Chinese … Continue reading

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Works on China

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Dr. Said El Mansour Cherkaoui was invited by the Chinese Government to facilitate the international expansion of Chinese companies and to provide training to the leaders of Chinese companies on the requirements of business internationalization and the development of logistics for market entry including distribution in Western Europe and the United States of America. This invitation followed the organization of a 3-month training course that I had prepared in Oakland and Berkeley within the Center for International Trade Development (CITD) in collaboration with academic and professional institutions located in Oakland and Berkeley in the San Francisco Bay and Northern California. These study and training programs provided to Chinese delegations were composed of businessmen, CEOs, and regional representatives of the authorities of central power and were part of the cooperation agreements between China and the United States. Read more

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Over the past twenty years, however, China has been progressing very rapidly. It is even the country in the world with the strongest economic growth. The GDP thus grew by 8.2% per year between 1975 and 2002 and by 8.6% per year between 1990 and 2002, a multiplication of 2.5 in 12 years, by almost 8 in 27 years! No other country can boast of such economic development which has placed the republic on the path which today makes it the second power in the world.

China: Yesterday Principles – Today Advanced Tech

Over the past two decades, China has become a manufacturing hub and the world’s largest exporter of goods, transforming from an emerging economy to an economic superpower.

According to the latest estimates of the economic outlook for IMF, the country will represent 18.8% of global GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP) this year.  A figure up by more than 10 percentage points compared to the early 2000s, when the  United States and the European Union were still far ahead in economic production.

Over the past twenty years, the United States and major European economies have seen their superiority challenged by the emergence of new powers, such as China, India, and other countries. While the United States saw its share of global GDP decline from 19.8% to 15.8% between 2002 and 2022, that of the European Union fell from 19.9% ​​to 14.8% over the same period (keeping in mind that the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU also contributed to this decline).

The gap between China, the United States, and the EU is likely to widen in the coming years, as the outlook is rather bleak for the latter two economies, which are at risk of entering a recession, while the Chinese economy should be able to continue to post single-digit growth rates (close to 5%).

China is working on establishing all these milestones and beyond.

Battling China is the reward given to China as recognition of its outstanding performances realized during just 5 presidents du Developpement Global de la Chine – 4 Leaders Pieds de la Table de Jeu Technologique de la Chine and 50 years of hard work and devotion to national development policies and goals.

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Presiding and Leading Negotiations with Officials and Entrepreneurs in Guiyang, China as Representative of the East Bay Center for International Trade Development, Berkeley, California, USA. 

The Beauty is to be Invited by the Government of China and the Provincial Government of Guizhou

Marathon around the World From Doukkala Mazagan El Jadida next to Sidi Moussa Ben Amerane to the Mongolian border of Genghis Khan and especially Kubilai Khan’s China with the Great Yuan Dynasty, the first dynasty, not Han in the entire dynastic history of China

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Said El Mansour Cherkaoui

Happy New Year to my Sista – Bro in China and around the World: Spring Festival – Chinese New Year

Bonne année à mes sœurs – Frères en Chine et dans le monde : Fête du printemps – Nouvel an chinois…

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Said El Mansour Cherkaoui

Tri Consulting Kyoto – TRI

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Shared with Your friends Dr. Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – CITD – Center for International Trade Development in China

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui, Ph.D. – saidcherkaoui@triconsultingkyoto.com – https://www.triconsultingkyoto.com

Dr. Said El Mansour Cherkaoui and the East Bay Center for International Trade Development in China, Guiyang, Guizhou.

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Said El Mansour Cherkaoui

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I have worked with the CITD in Oakland and Berkeley. I was among the first members who joined this organization in 1992-1993 and worked with the CITD which was located within the Vista Community College.

I participated in the first Statewide meeting of the CITD and contributed to drawing the organizational and working strategies of the California CITD.

At this date, only 5 CITDs existed and Dr. Barbara Beno was the President of Vista Community College. I have during the years 1994 to 1998 and from 2001 to 2007, I drafted all the strategies and the planning of the activities of the CITD and the East Bay Center for International Trade Development respectively located in Berkeley, Oakland, and later on in Berkeley again.

Furthermore, I have organized several outbound and inbound trade delegations from many countries including China (several delegations), Egypt, Morocco, Eastern and Western African countries, Vietnam, and Japan along with visits by entrepreneurs.

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Dr. Said El Mansour Cherkaoui en Chine — in Guizhou.

• Said El Mansour Cherkaoui

• https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=525774764252883&set=a.200000546830308.1073741825.100004610916009&type=3&theater

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★ Global Engagements ★ U.S. Endeavors ★ Said El Mansour Cherkaoui ★

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By Said El Mansour Cherkaoui

Business Development, Dr. Said El Mansour Cherkaoui, International Business, International Marketing, international trade, Said El Mansour Cherkaoui

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Research and Publications on China Tech and Telecom Development

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Cherkaoui has managed, directed, and provided technical assistance and consulting since 1993. He served as a Consultant for both the East Bay Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Center for International Trade Development (CITD) based in Oakland, serving the Bay Area and Northern California.  Similarly, Cherkaoui has been an adjunct associate professor at Golden Gate University and at many other academic institutions for online and onsite training and educational programs that address entrepreneurship, business functionalities, marketing, global trade, international business, international logistics, and marketing.  Cherkaoui’s work focused on closing the divide between entrepreneurs, businesses, and educational and professional institutions eager to develop their operations and/or enter the international market.  He has also provided training to foreign delegations of executives and senior managers from China, Mexico, France, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, and Spain.

On the side of this, he has also managed his businesses in the fields of ERP and Technology, Consulting, and Food and beverage enterprises.

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Dr. Said El Mansour Cherkaoui has created and conducted lectures and studies programs, organized international conferences, training sessions, professional seminars, and business events for several Chinese delegations, and published extensively on China. Dr. Cherkaoui has established professional and friendly relations with China and taught many courses on China’s model of development at several universities in the Bay Area of San Francisco.  He conducted also research on China and presented the corresponding papers while preparing for his doctoral studies in France.

Similarly, Dr. Cherkaoui organized several visits by trade and meetings for business delegations to the Bay Area of San Francisco, including the first of its kind with Mr. Liu, the Vice Mayor of Beijing, and Senior Executives and High Regional Officials from Dalian, Yunnan, and Guiyang. For such involvement, Dr. Cherkaoui was invited by the Central and Provincial Authorities of China where he directed training and strategies on Market Development and Implementation of Technology to develop relations and investments in the United States, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

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Said El Mansour Cherkaoui / France-USA

Profile at Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsaidcherkaoui

★ A Presentation of my Professional and Entrepreneurial Profile with proven track of records, pictures, and letters of reference provided upon request at saidcherkaoui@triconsultingkyoto.com
★ Initiated and organized international business visits and negotiated contracts for global high-tech, franchising, retail, and food companies for U.S. companies with their peers in France, Spain, Italy, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, India, Japan, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, and South Africa.
★ Organized international conferences and executive meetings to expand the outreach of California’s small and mid-sized companies in Africa (North and Subsaharan regions), Asia, and Europe (South Mediterranean Region).
★ Conducted research and published studies in France and the US on North American and Mexican Marketplaces, Latin American countries, African Economies, Development of Technology in China, international trade, and global business development.
★ Served as Advisor and Expert Consultant to U.S. executives, and foreign decision-makers, and governmental agencies in California, Guiyang, Shanghai, Yunnan, and Dalian in China, Mexico, France, Ghana, Cameroon, and Egypt.
★ At US academic institutions, introduced new courses on technology and telecommunications, taught international management program studies, and mentored doctorate thesis on technology development, and international trade development.
★ Well-versed in challenges within high-tech start-ups and IT / Telecom companies with the ability to enact innovative business strategies and market-oriented solutions.
★ Experienced in writing in English and French languages, articles, messaging, analytical content, and collateral for U.S.-based enterprises, and regional and international operations.
★ Recognized Author and Scholar by his peers and Executive Editor of http://www.cherkaouijournal.com with extensive written and published articles on Linkedin and other social media.
★ Fluency in English, French, and Arabic (Dialectal and Classic), advanced knowledge in Spanish with working knowledge in German, Italian, and Portuguese.

Profil a linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsaidcherkaoui/?locale=fr_FR

★ Solide expérience dans la gestion des projets commerciaux aux Etats-Unis, en Afrique, en Asie, en Europe, au Moyen-Orient et en Amérique Latine, une présentation de certains de ces acquis.
★ Grande compétence dans l’organisation des visites d’affaires internationales et la négociation des contrats pour des sociétés mondiales de haute technologie, de franchisage, les grandes surfaces de vente de produits alimentaires tant aux Etats-Unis qu’en France, Espagne, Italie, Chine, Taïwan, Vietnam, Inde, Japon, Maroc, Algérie, Tunisie, Égypte, Côte d’Ivoire, Sénégal, Ghana, Cameroun, Nigéria et Afrique du Sud.
★ Organisation de conférences internationales et de réunions de direction pour l’expansion internationale des petites et moyennes entreprises californiennes en Afrique (régions du Nord et Subsaharienne), en Asie (régions du Sud-ouest) et en Europe (régions de la Méditerranée du Sud).
★ A agi en tant que conseiller et consultant expert auprès de cadres américains, de décideurs étrangers et d’agences gouvernementales en Californie, Guiyang, Shanghai, Yunnan et Dalian en Chine, au Mexique, en France, au Ghana, au Cameroun, Nigeria et en Égypte.
★ Enseignang academique aux Etats Unis, introduit de nouveaux cours sur la technologie et les télécommunications, a enseigné la gestion internationale, a encadré des thèse de doctorat sur le développement technologique, le développement du commerce international.
★ Bien familiarisé avec les défis des start-ups de haute technologie et des entreprises IT / Telecom avec une expertise à adopter des stratégies commerciales innovantes et des solutions appropriées.
★ Expérimenté dans la rédaction en anglais et en français d’articles analytiques, la préparation de messagerie, du contenu analytique pour les entreprises basées aux États-Unis et sur les opérations régionales et internationales.
★ Auteur et érudit reconnu par ses pairs et rédacteur en chef du journal en linge: http://www.cherkaouijournal.com en biais a la publication de nombreux articles écrits et publiés sur Linkedin et d’autres médias sociaux.
★ Maîtrise de l’Anglais, du Français et de l’Arabe (dialectal et classique) avec connaissance avancée de l’Espagnol avec une compréhension des langues Allemande, Italienne et Portugaise.

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui ©

triconsultingkyoto.com and Said El Mansour Cherkaoui by Dr. Said El Mansour Cherkaoui is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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Originally published on November 6, 2019, and updated on August 16, 2024, © Said El Mansour Cherkaoui

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Forum on China–Africa Cooperation

Description
The Forum on China–Africa Cooperation – FOCAC – is an official forum between the People’s Republic of China and all African states except for the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Next date: Tue, Sep 3, 2024 – Sun, Sep 8, 2024

FOCAC is a multilateral forum established to promote dialogue and practical cooperation between China and African countries.

China has invested heavily in infrastructure projects in Africa, such as railways, roads, and ports and it has become a major trading partner and investor for many African countries.

China is expected to announce new investments in infrastructure projects in Africa, such as railways, roads, and ports it has also provided loans financing some of these infrastructural projects. The summit will likely address the importance of the digital economy and the need for Africa to develop its digital infrastructure as complementary to the physical one.

For some infrastructural works, China has provided debt relief to several African countries, during this China-Africa meeting, the Chinese government may announce new measures to provide debt relief to African countries which can elevate the burden of servicing the debt and limit the capacity of African States to expand their international trade operations. For this reason, China aims to increase trade with African countries. This China-Africa summit will be the appropriate frame for discussion to increase trade and investment and discuss ways to promote green development and climate change mitigation in Africa.

Overall, the FOCAC Summit is expected to be a major milestone in the relationship between China and Africa. It will allow both sides to strengthen their cooperation, discuss ways to promote people-to-people exchanges between China and Africa and address the continent’s challenges.

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D. – Said Cherkaoui Ph.D. #Africa #China #Saidelmansourcherkaoui #Trickusa #Triconsultingkyoto

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The Beijing Summit and Ninth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held in Beijing from September 4 to 6, 2024. The Heads of State, Government, and delegation of China and 53 African countries, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (…) and their ministers of foreign affairs and economic cooperation attended the summit and ministerial conference respectively.

1.2 The two sides speak highly of FOCAC’s achievements over the past 24 years. It has kept pace with the prevailing trend of peace, development, and win-win cooperation, overcome challenges posed by the changing and turbulent international environment, sluggish global economic recovery, and the COVID pandemic, and promoted the comprehensive and in-depth development of friendship and cooperation between China and Africa. It has become an efficient platform for South-South cooperation and a shining example of catalyzing international cooperation with Africa.

President Xi delivered a speech on Thursday, September 4, 2024, at an international conference called the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation that opened in the Chinese capital Beijing on the previous day.

Leaders from 53 African nations are taking part in the China-Africa summit.

• President Xi proposed in the address that bilateral relations between China and all African countries having diplomatic ties with China should be elevated to a more strategic level.
• President Xi also said the Chinese government will make financial contributions to African nations worth 360 billion yuan, or about 50 billion dollars, over the next three years.

This assistance program covers areas from infrastructure, and agriculture, to trade and includes the military such as joint exercises.

• President Xi said that the Western approach to modernization has “inflicted immense sufferings on developing countries”.
• President Xi added that “China and Africa’s joint pursuit of modernization will set off a wave of modernization in the Global South”.

Africa-China

All 53 African States fully supported the three (3) global initiatives announced by China, which are the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).

In his keynote address, H.E. President Xi Jinping announced, for the next three years, ten (10) partnership actions for modernization, to deepen China-Africa cooperation and spearhead the Global South modernization. Those actions are for

1) Mutual Learning among Civilizations,

2) Trade Prosperity,

3) Industrial Chain Cooperation,

4) Connectivity,

5) Development Cooperation,

6) Health,

7) Agriculture and Livelihoods,

8) People-to-People Exchanges,

9) Green Development and

10) Common Security.

To implement these ten partnership actions, the Chinese government will provide around 50 billion USD of financial support, including 29 billion USD of credit line, 11 billion USD of assistance in various forms and 10 billion USD of investment in Africa by Chinese companies.

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China’s Energy Tight-Belt Road Initiative

TRI CONSULTING KYOTO TRI CK USA © Said El Mansour Cherkaoui © 9/11/2024 Introduction – China-Africa Cooperation – FOCAC This is a presentation of the relationship of China with Africa depicting several years of interactions that had been developed through indirect and direct investments and technical support provided to the African States by Chinese companies and engineers. China has mastered the … Continue reading China’s Energy Tight-Belt Road Initiative

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Reaching Another Level in Sino-African Trade Relations

“China’s cooperation with Africa is targeted at the major bottlenecks to development,”

“Resources for our cooperation are not to be spent on any vanity projects, but in places where they count the most.”

China’s President Xi pledges another $60 billion for Africa

President Xi said, in a possible preview of his speech to the summit. Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Africa the week of 7/20/2018 as Beijing moved to further cement its role as one of the continent’s closest economic and diplomatic allies.

On Monday, September 3, 2018, Xi outlined eight major initiatives in Africa over the next three years, including plans to establish a China-Africa trade expo, provide one billion renminbi ($146 million) in food aid, extra imports to China from Africa, and a push for green development.

Xi also invited African business leaders to help his country in building the Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious collection of trade and infrastructure projects involving 68 countries. Leaders of 53 African nations descended on the Chinese capital Monday for the start of the two-day summit, largely seeking financial support for their developing economies.  

The announcement was made during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, a triennial meeting between senior Chinese leaders and their counterparts from across Africa.   The financial package is the same amount Beijing pledged at the previous FOCAC summit in 2015, and is in line with analysts’ expectations that Xi would not vastly increase the amount of Chinese money flowing into Africa.   Africa has borrowed about $130 billion from China since 2000, with loans generally used to finance infrastructure projects. 

A report published this month by the Johns Hopkins SAIS China-Africa Research Initiative found that Chinese loans are “not currently a major contributor to debt distress in Africa.”

“We’re emerging into a new phase of a China-centric world order,” says Solange Chatelard, academic and research associate at the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium. “The former hegemonic powers are having a hard time adjusting to their decline.”

Lina Benebdallah, assistant professor of politics and international affairs at Wake Forest University, North Carolina, however, cautions that the China-Africa relationship is “asymmetric.” In 2016, for example, China exported $88 billion in goods to Africa, but only imported $40 billion from the continent.

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Earlier this year, the IMF warned that the African continent is facing a debt crisis, with 40% of low-income countries now in debt distress or at high risk of this.  The pledge in 2015 was three times the figure announced at the 2012 forum.  Over the past nearly two decades, the numbers coming out of FOCAC have generally risen with each event.   Scholars from the China-Africa Research Initiative (CARI) at Johns Hopkins University found that Chinese loans were not yet a major contributor to this debt distress for most nations. Zimbabwe, for example, still owes 77% of its national debt to the Paris Club. In Djibouti, however, China holds 77% of the national debt, while Zambia’s $6.4 billion in Chinese loans represents the lion’s share of its commitments.

The levels of debt owed by African and South Asian nations to China have raised concerns in the West and among citizens – but roads and railways have been built that would not exist otherwise:

It has already funded trains, roads, and ports, with Chinese construction firms given lucrative contracts to connect ports and cities – funded by loans from Chinese banks.

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China’s annual foreign direct investment outflows declined in 2017 for the first time on record, according to a government report released Friday. Beijing would like to stem capital flight, while the Trump administration is citing national security reasons for slowing or preventing Chinese acquisitions of U.S. companies. The drop came as leaders of the world’s two largest economies increased scrutiny on cross-border deals, following a surge of Chinese investments in the U.S. — which included the high-profile purchase of New York’s landmark Waldorf Astoria hotel by Chinese insurer Anbang in 2015.

In 2015, China’s annual outward direct investment dropped 19.3 percent to $158.29 billion, from $196.15 billion in 2016, according to government statistics. That marked the first decline recorded in data going back to 2002, according to the report from China’s Ministry of Commerce, National Bureau of Statistics and State Administration of Foreign Exchange.

Figures from 2002 to 2005 include only non-financial outward foreign direct investment, while numbers from 2006 onward include all industries.

Chinese investments in the U.S. was $6.43 billion in 2017 — down 62.1 percent from a year ago, the report showed. In contrast, flows to Europe rose to a record $18.46 billion in 2017, or 72.7 percent higher than a year ago, the report said.

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China Direct Investment in Africa and Decline in Global Chinese Investment

9/29/2018 

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China’s annual foreign direct investment outflows dropped for the first time ever in 2017, per a government report. The decline comes after a “surge” of Chinese investments in the U.S., including the purchase of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in 2015, per CNBC. Cross-border deals between both countries have been under more scrutiny; Beijing’s intensified scrutiny of outbound flows wants “to stem capital flight,”  and the Trump administration says “national security [is] slowing or preventing Chinese acquisitions of U.S. companies,” which include tougher US regulatory reviews of inbound Chinese acquisitions through the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), the primary government body responsible for reviewing foreign acquisitions of US companies for national security risks.

On June 27, the White House released a statement from President Trump announcing his support for bipartisan legislation currently under consideration in Congress to broaden CFIUS’s authority.

“This legislation, the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (FIRRMA), will enhance our ability to protect the United States from new and evolving threats posed by foreign investment while also sustaining the strong, open investment environment to which our country is committed,” said President Donald Trump in a statement. Both chambers of Congress recently passed different versions of FIRRMA, which means the House and the Senate will need to reconcile their bills before President Trump can sign the legislation into law. Both versions would broaden the scope of investments subject to CFIUS review to include nonpassive investments in “critical technology” or “critical infrastructure” companies. “Should Congress fail to pass strong FIRMMA legislation that better protects the crown jewels of American technology and intellectual property from transfers and acquisitions that threaten our national security—and future economic prosperity—I will direct my administration to deploy new tools, developed under existing authorities, that will do so globally,” Trump said.

The 2016 boom in Chinese FDI was driven by just four Chinese firms seeking to diversify their holdings. As Beijing moves to reduce the leverage of its heavily indebted private conglomerates, many Chinese companies are now being pushed to sell their overseas assets to pay off loans. As a result, Chinese companies are divesting their assets in the United States at an unparalleled pace: in the first five months of 2018, Chinese investors sold $9.6 billion worth of US assets, with another $4 billion of sales pending, making net FDI inflows to the United States negative by some $7.8 billion.   Another report, released in June by the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development, found that growth in FDI around the globe is on the decline. Global FDI flows fell by 23 percent in 2017, to $1.43 trillion from $1.87 trillion a year earlier. Flows to developed economies dropped by one-third, while investment into the United States fell by 40 percent, to $275 billion from $457 billion in 2016.

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China – Sub-Saharan Africa – Trade – Development – Foreign Aid

➲ In Uganda, Chinese millions built a 50 km (30 mile) road to the international airport

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➲ In Tanzania, a small coastal town may become the continent’s largest port

➲ GHANA_October: The Standard Bank Group, parent company of Stanbic Bank Ghana, and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC), signed two agreements which will provide a framework for cooperation in trade and the settlement of netting of precious metals transactions.

➲ DR CONGO_September: Minmetals Resources Ltd. announced it will buy Congo-focused copper miner Anvil Mining Ltd. for $1.29 billion, which will create a platform for Minmetals to expand further into the central African copper belt and southern Africa.

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➲ SOUTH AFRICA_September: China agreed to $2.5 billion in investment projects with South Africa during a three-day trip to China by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe. In addition to the agreement between the Development Bank of South Africa and China Development Bank, the two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding on geology and mineral resources.

➲ ETHIOPIA_October: Coal-mining company LontohCoal signed a two-year HK$800-million agreement with China-based Chuanhui Group for the delivery of 480,000 t/y of coal. The company will transport anthracite from its Kwasa Anthracite colliery, in Mpuma- langa, to China Chuanhui Group subsidiaries Huangshan Cement and CH Clinker, in Ethiopia. The first shipment comprising 25,000 t is expected to be delivered in September.

➲ MOZAMBIQUE_September: Prime Minister Aires Ali laid the first stone for the construction of $439 million housing complex in the city of Matola, which will be built by China’s Henan Guoji Industrial and Development company and include 5,000 houses, roads, schools, clinics, and shopping center along with infrastructure for electricity, water and sanitation.

➲ MOZAMBIQUE_October: The Mozambican government granted a heavy sands prospecting license to Africa Great Wall in the Angoche district of Nampula province. Africa Great Wall will invest $30 million to achieve the production of 200,000 tons of ilmenite, zircon, and rutile at the Sangage mine, to be used in aviation, manufacturing orthopedic items, paints, plastics, and for other purposes. Source: www.thebeijingaxis.com

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September 2018 China’s Energy Needs

China’s economy, which had averaged an annual growth rate of 10 percent for three decades until 2010, requires substantial levels of energy to sustain its momentum. It has become the world’s largest energy consumer and producer [PDF] in the world. Though China relies on coal for much of its energy needs, its oil consumption is second worldwide. Once the largest oil exporter in Asia, China became a net importer in 1993 and has surpassed the United States as the world’s largest importer of oil in recent years. The International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2014 [PDF] projected that China will become the world’s largest consumer of oil by the early 2030s.

China’s second-largest source of crude imports after the Middle East is Africa, from which it receives 1.4 million barrels per day, or 22 percent [PDF]. Angola was China’s third-largest oil supplier in 2016. Other African oil suppliers include the Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

Economic ties between China and the African continent have deepened as China’s economy has thrived. China surpassed the United States as Africa’s largest trade partner in 2009. China is a destination for 15 to 16 percent of sub-Saharan Africa’s exports and the source of 14 to 21 percent of the region’s imports, according to estimates from Thomson Reuters and the World Bank. While the majority of Africa’s exports to China are comprised of mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials, it also exports iron ore, metals, and other commodities, as well as small amounts of food and agricultural products. China exports a range of machinery, transportation, and communications equipment, as well as manufactured goods to African countries.

China is a significant source of foreign direct investment in Africa; offers development loans to resource-rich nations, like Angola; invests in agriculture; and develops special trade and economic cooperation zones in several states, including Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Zambia. “Chinese banks and companies are offering finance that allows them to secure a greater share of the business deals [PDF] in Africa as part of their move to ‘go global.’ This brings with it risks for African borrowers—but also opportunities,” write Brautigam and Jyhjong Hwang of SAIS-CARI.

Diversification of China’s Interests in Africa

Chinese financing comes often in the form of loans and credits provided by the People’s Bank of China, the China Development Bank, the Export-Import Bank of China, and the China-Africa Development Fund. Between 2000 and 2014, Chinese banks, contractors, and the government loaned more than $86 billion to Africa, according to SAIS-CARI. Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sudan were the top recipients. However, these large loans are beginning to raise questions about debt loads in African countries, showing indications of a potential debt crisis.

Beijing has steadily diversified its business interests in Africa. China has participated in energy, mining, and telecommunications industries and financed the construction of roads, railways, ports, airports, hospitals, schools, and stadiums. Investment from a mixture of state and private funds has also set up tobacco, rubber, sugar, and sisal plantations. Domestic economic conditions drove Chinese firms to break into new markets for its consumer goods and excess industrial capacity as part of China’s “going out” or “going global” strategy. Chinese investment in Africa also fits into Chinese President Xi Jinping’s development framework, “One Belt, One Road,” which joins a continental economic belt and a maritime road to promote cooperation and interconnectivity from Eurasia to Africa.

More on:

China in Africa | Council on Foreign Relations

– China-africa

– China has become Africa’s largest trade partner and has greatly expanded its economic ties to the continent, but its growing, … Read more

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The question is why is China spending huge amount of money for projects in Africa?

What diplomatic benefits accrued to Africans by this gesture?

Africa: A Reflection of China?

04/07/2013

When the then recently built African Union (AU) headquarters was unveiled in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, earlier this year, the $200 million structure now the capital city’s tallest building caused a splash. But it wasn’t just the mammoth building’s impressive spec sheet that drew comment, it was also the project’s bankroller; China. It is believed that China spent over 200 Million Dollars for the construction of this edifice.

The Chinese government has been leading a construction boom across Africa, setting up huge dams and infrastructure projects, soccer stadiums, and even the world’s third-largest mosque in Algeria. And the lavish new AU headquarters was paid for in its entirety by the Chinese government.

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The Long Road to Reform AU, Beyond Reach

When African leaders established the African Union Institutional Reform Program in 2016 and charged the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, with leading the reform efforts, there were great expectations that the continental body, which has been taking on more than it can handle, would be somewhat reformed. However, as time passes, the arduous goal is … Continue reading

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The towering edifice houses three conference centers, its helipad, and enough office space to accommodate 700 workers. The 20-story high complex, designed by the Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tongji University, also features an impressive entrance.

However, it is widely believed that Chinese companies refuse to hire Africans and bring in all their own workers to execute their projects.

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Algeria Tall Minaret Built with China Prayers

In February, the government of Algeria signed a contract with the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) to build what will be the third-largest mosque in the world and the largest outside Saudi Arabia. The facility which will be stretched across a 49-acre compound, boasts a 900-foot-tall minaret and has room for 120,000 worshippers. This is a means for the Algerian President to leave his mark on the history of Algeria.

Ghana and the Water Dam Engineered by China

Ghana also gave out a project for the construction of the dam by China’s Sinohydro in 2009 which is due to be completed next year. As many as 2,600 people are being relocated for the 300-foot dam, which will flood a significant portion of the Bui National Park, home to two populations of black hippos as well as rare species of monkeys, lions, and leopards. The project will join Sudan’s Merowe dam, whose 174 square kilometer reservoir forced the relocation of 50,000 people, and Ethiopia’s Tekeze Dam, which at over 600 feet is the continent’s tallest, among China’s most ambitious hydroelectric projects in Africa.

Equatorial Guinea and China’s Prowess in Construction

The congress center in Equatorial Guinea, built by CSCEC, was originally commissioned for the purpose of hosting the 2011 African Union Heads of State Summit. The glass-encased avant-garde structure was designed by a Turkish architecture firm and built to filter in external light without overheating, while still providing stunning views of the Malabo oceanfront. The convention center which has been shortlisted for international architecture prizes is part of a new “city” of mansions and construction centers built near Malabo by the notoriously kleptocratic Obiang regime. It’s just one of many Chinese-built projects that recently went up in the capital of the oil-rich but impoverished West African country, including a 15,000-seat stadium built for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Angola Housing Built in China

Even though half of Angola’s population lives on less than $2 a day, a thriving oil sector and a housing shortage have made the capital city of Luanda one of the most expensive places to live in the world. So it is not surprising that the budding petrostate’s government is thinking big in terms of new housing projects. Some 20 miles south of Luanda, Chinese contractors are at work on a new city known, for now, as Kilamba Kiaxi, the first phase of which is due for completion in December 2012, which will provide housing for 120,000 people in 710 apartment buildings, as well as schools, shops, and parks. Incredibly, Kilamba Kiaxi is just the largest of seven new cities the government plans to build throughout the country.

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Kilamba Kiaxi is a new underpopulated city outside Luanda, Angola built by Chinese construction company CITIC and financed by Hong Kong-based China International Fund.  “Even in China, I didn’t see such a big, large-scale project,” said Wu Zhixin, chief engineer for CITIC, the contractor on Kilamba Kiaxi. “In China, 500,000 square meters would be a big project. This one is 3.3 million square meters.”

Kenya Road and Infrastructure with China Know-How

In Kenya, the 31-mile-long road being built by three Chinese firms connecting the capital city of Nairobi to the central Kenyan hub of Thika will be the largest road in East Africa in some places, 16 lanes wide. Apartment buildings are already springing up along the road, which it is hoped will help cut back on the notorious Nairobi traffic and help link the Kenyan economy with Ethiopia to the north. Unlike other countries, where China has launched major road-building projects the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria, for instance, Kenya is not resource-rich. But projects like this one may help Chinese businesses set up an early foothold in one of the continent’s main economic centers. Chinese exports to Kenya are already over $800 million per year.

Nigeria and China Tech and Telecom

In Nigeria communications satellite NigComSat 1 was successfully launched in 2007 in China but de-orbited in November 2008 due to malfunction of the solar array deployment assembly. China decided in 2009 to build NigComSat 1-R to replace the defunct one without adding additional costs to Nigeria.

NigComSat-1R, covering Central, Western, and Southern Africa, Central and Eastern parts of Europe, and some areas of Mid-Asia, will be mainly used for communications, broadcasting, tele-education, broadband multimedia service, and navigation service.

Source: http://africanleadership.co.uk/africa-a-reflection-of-china

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Growth and Change in Africa

China Econometer – The Econometer – VOL. 3 November 2011

According to the latest projections from the African Development Bank (ADB), Africa’s middle class will triple to more than 1 billion people in the next half-century as it predicts gross domestic product growth in the continent will exceed 5 percent a year over the same period.

In recent years, Africa has been a somewhat overlooked source of stable growth amidst global economic turmoil which has brought growth in developed markets to a standstill. China’s increased engagement with the continent is well documented, with trade between China and Africa exceeding $110 billion in 2010, a tenfold increase over the past decade.

To accommodate the needs of Africa’s growing middle-class ranks, China will continue on the current path, with a few minor changes.

According to the ADB, Chinese investment in African infrastructure has remained stable at about $5 billion a year. However, much of that is a result of direct engagement with national governments.   China must engage with regional bodies, with investment projects that transcend national boundaries, so that the impact can be greater. Investing in regional projects will require China to work closer with African regional groupings such as the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community, and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.

With pressing infrastructural demands in landlocked African countries that need access to the nearest seaports, including Uganda, South Sudan, Zambia, and Malawi, establishing regional transport infrastructures will also significantly reduce the costs of Sino-African trade and improve Chinese exporters’ accessibility to Africa’s growing consumer markets.

Currently, global manufacturers looking to shift production to lower-cost countries complain that African transport prices are too high. Chinese manufacturers to establish manufacturing faculties in Africa itself, to directly serve the African market. Developing industry in Africa will help diversify its economy, commercialize its agricultural sector, and become less dependent on the price of commodities. By 2060, China is projected to receive 60 percent of African exports, up from 5 percent today.

To realize this projection, Africa’s leaders will need to complement Chinese regional engagement by realizing a common vision and moving beyond free-trade agreements to real integration of licensing, border control visas, etc., to better engage with the Chinese government, EPC contractors, and other Chinese entities. Rather than having a few select countries become relevant on the world stage, greater coordination between leaders and regions will help ensure Africa will become a global force. Only then can Africa and China fully take advantage of the opportunities presented in this new era of Sino-African relations?

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Silk Road to China

Media Contact:

info@triconsultingkyoto.com

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Behind these sectors, you have every aspect of industrial productivity and supply chain management that is feeding all sectors from the automotive to the apparel industry and what is between the two: every single aspect of the robotic, logistic, and other directly related computerized systems of operation and production if not organizing the flow between all these sectors.

Touching upon a critical aspect of the tech industry, particularly in the United States. The U.S. government recognizes the importance of semiconductor supply chains. The CHIPS for America investments aim to strengthen these chains and enhance resilience.

The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in the supply chain, emphasizing the need for strategic investments. The Biden administration contemplates a Huawei-caliber ban on China’s access to technology that fuels its supercomputing, data center, and AI industrialization. The sweeping export ban will include all global companies that procure US technology, software, or equipment in their semiconductors.

Tech War – US-China Proxy Tech Conflict

More US semiconductor restrictions loom for China. The United States government is expected to impose more semiconductor restrictions on China, after banning Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) from selling advanced chips used for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing work to the world’s second-largest economy.

More US semiconductor restrictions loom for China

The United States government is expected to impose more semiconductor restrictions on China, after banning Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) from selling advanced chips used for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing work to the world’s second-largest economy.

“We believe the next risky areas are autonomous driving chips from Nvidia, Intel-owned Mobileye, and Qualcomm,” the Jefferies report said. It indicated that chips used for self-driving vehicles could arguably be used for military applications.

“Worst of all, high-end CPUs from Intel and AMD [could follow],” the report said. It pointed out that high-end central processing units based on 7-nanometre or 5-nm semiconductor manufacturing processes “are key to a wide range of applications”, including cloud computing servers, 5G base stations, personal computers, and high-end military equipment.

“The worst-case scenario is for the US to subject all Chinese companies to the Direct Product Rule, which means no [semiconductor] foundries would be allowed to supply Chinese integrated circuit design firms, including Chinese foundries,” the report said.

“We are not there yet, and the US will likely evaluate the effectiveness of each incremental step before more drastic action is considered.”

The potential actions that the US could initiate reflect the urgency faced by China in safeguarding its hi-tech industries, especially its semiconductor sector. 

The latest chip restrictions follow US export controls on technologies for the production of advanced semiconductors and gas turbine engines announced last month by the Bureau of Industry and Security, an agency under the US Department of Commerce.

The US tech export controls escalated Washington’s efforts to boost America’s hi-tech advantage over China after US President Joe Biden signed into law the Chips and Science Act that earmarks nearly US$53 billion in incentives for semiconductor manufacturing on US soil.

In July, Washington intensified its push to form the so-called Chip 4 Alliance – a partnership that includes South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. 

Beijing considers that alliance as a plot by the US government to exclude China from global semiconductor supply chains.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government’s likely response to the Nvidia and AMD bans is to accelerate the adoption of local products as substitutes, according to Jefferies analysts. They also expected the affected companies, which include internet firms and communications service providers, to use multiple lower-end Nvidia graphics processing units, which are not banned, to somehow replicate the processing power of the now-restricted chips. Large semiconductor supply chain projects, including materials and manufacturing equipment facilities, are being funded with capital investments exceeding $300 million along with Smaller projects are also part of the plan to bolster the industry

Department of Commerce Announces Strategic Vision and Application Process for Semiconductor Supply Chain Projects, Nearly 400 Companies Interested in CHIPS Incentives

“Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce shared the Biden-Harris Administration’s strategic vision to strengthen the semiconductor supply chain through CHIPS for America investments. To advance this vision, the Department announced a funding opportunity and application process for large semiconductor supply chain projects and will release later in the fall a separate process for smaller projects. Large semiconductor supply chain projects include materials and manufacturing equipment facility projects with capital investments equal to or exceeding $300 million, and smaller projects are below that threshold.” 1.

The goal is to advance U.S. technology leadership by incentivizing major U.S. manufacturing equipment and materials suppliers by encouraging these suppliers to increase their presence within the United States. In parallel, the U.S. Government seeks also to attract non-U.S. suppliers of advanced equipment, materials, and subsystems to establish large-scale footprints here contributes to leadership. 1. This strategy of integration aims to create clusters for Each CHIPS-funded production to be backed by an ecosystem of reliable suppliers. Such clustering within the United States will also stimulate innovation, economic growth, and job creation while allowing the United States to acquire and build robust support for these fab clusters, the U.S. aims to maintain its competitive edge in the global tech landscape1.

On Monday, August 5, 2024, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo convened a roundtable discussion with investors to discuss non-market actions from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) that threaten to distort the market for mature node (or “legacy”) semiconductors. Secretary Raimondo emphasized her concern that over the past few years, the U.S. has seen signs of concerning practices from the PRC to overproduce legacy chips and prevent U.S. companies, and those in like-minded countries, from competing on a level playing field. The Secretary underscored that securing the semiconductor supply chain is an economic and national security priority and reiterated the actions that the Department of Commerce—and the whole federal government—are taking. Those actions include imposing targeted tariffs on semiconductors imported from the PRC, an industrial base survey of the U.S. semiconductor supply chain, joint efforts with international partners, and restrictions on the use of PRC semiconductors in U.S. government procurement. Investors discussed how companies are thinking about oversupply and overconcentration risk, and how additional U.S. government actions could most effectively support resilient semiconductor supply chains. Source

The collaboration between government, industry, and research institutions is pivotal for sustained growth and technological advancement. This extends beyond semiconductors to impact various sectors, from automotive to apparel, and everything in between. 2 3.

The US currently leads in the global semiconductor industry, but China is making progress and the competition is impacting the world economy. The US dominates the value chain by 39%, while China controls 7% of the global chip market.

However, China is building more semiconductor plants than any other country and is working on domestic alternatives to advanced silicon. 

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China Is Losing the Chip War – Propaganda or Misinformation?

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Jun 6, 2024 — In semiconductors, however, China still lags. American companies command half o…

The escalating chip war between China and the West – GIS Reports

Apr 29, 2024 — Industry experts believe that China has the technical know-how to produce adva…

Some say that China will continue to make progress but fall further behind as Western firms race ahead. Others say that China is years behind or on the verge of catching up. The conflict is likely to leave its mark on the world economy, and the IMF urges its resolution. 

Chip Technology Spending Gets $81 Billion Boost in China Rivalry

May 12, 2024 — China’s Building Boom … and Broadcom Inc. lead the world in the design of chips …

Tech titans clash: Inside the US-China battle for chip market …

May 9, 2024 — This clash between the two great powers will undoubtedly leave its mark on the …

Here’s a breakdown of the competition:

• TechnologyThe US leads in frontier technology, with Nvidia’s AI chip being 16 times faster than Huawei’s. However, some say China is at the forefront of carbon and photonic chip technology, where the US is behind.
• ProductionThe US has a 10% global share of production, but China is building more semiconductor plants than any other country. Some say China cannot scale up production of advanced chips.
• RegulationsIn 2022, the US banned the export of advanced chips and the equipment used to make them to China.
• GoalsChina aims to become a technology powerhouse and reduce its dependence on foreign technology. The US aims to boost domestic chip production with the CHIPS and Science Act, which allocates $52.7 billion over five years.
• Economic impactThe IMF estimates that eliminating high-tech trade between the US and China could cost the global economy $1 trillion annually. 

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Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – Chinese competition on the Top and under the hood of Tesla

Tesla Motors: Driving News, Dance and Transe Moves – BAGNOLE CHERKAOUI 1920 – 24

🌐🌐🌐🌐🌐🌐🌐🌐🌐🌐🌐🌐🌐🌐🌐🌐🌐🌐🌐🌐🌐 Tesla Global Car Development and Local Energy Production BAGNOLE CHERKAOUI 1920 – 24 AVRIL 14, 2019 – 11/24/2021 Said El Mansour Cherkaoui and 7/20/2024 Diaspora of African Executives Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D. • • • 1 minute ago UN CONSEIL DE la PART d’un FRÈRE AFRICAIN A CELLES ET CEUX QUI PEUVENT AVOIR UN TEL ENGIN DE TESLA 🌐 … Lire la suiteTesla Motors: Driving News, Dance and Transe Moves

Times are starting to get tough for  Tesla

Tesla and China: an electrifying automotive idyll

JUNE 22, 2023  $  July 6, 2023 $ July 7, 2024 $ July 30, 2024

The Jiangsu government intends to address these concerns by claiming that the Tesla Model Y is “a domestic, not imported car,” according to a report published by the National Business Daily, a state-owned company, citing a government employee.

For the premiere, Tesla cars were placed on a Chinese government procurement list, according to state media Paper.cn. Tesla is the only rare electric vehicle brand listed on the procurement list released by the government of Jiangsu province in eastern China. July 5, 2024 For the premiere, Tesla cars are placed on a Chinese government procurement list, according to state media Paper.cn.

Tesla is the only rare electric vehicle brand listed on the procurement list released by the government of Jiangsu province in eastern China. Other brands mentioned include Volvo, the defunct Chinese Geely, and SAIC, the defunct state-owned company.

This means that government agencies and public groups in the province can buy them as service vehicles, which is the relationship between the Chinese entrepreneur and Elon Musk’s company.

The development may go viral on Chinese social media, with some users asking if the rare vehicles should be intended for use by the government.

The Jiangsu government intends to address these concerns by claiming that the Tesla Model Y is “a domestic, not imported car,” according to a report published by the National Business Daily, a state-owned company, citing a government employee.

Tesla, which has a giant footprint in Shanghai, will be manufacturing 947,000 cars in China by 2023, with most of them at its location.

The Jiangsu government did not respond to CNN’s phone calls. In the government’s procurement catalog, the Shanghai-made Tesla Model Y was priced at 249,900 yuan ($34,377).

China is becoming a major market for Tesla, as the country accounts for the majority of total global electric vehicle sales. Last year, Tesla accounted for a quarter of China’s total sales.

But the American carmaker is also facing a crush of Chinese rivals. BYD overtook Tesla in the last quarter of 2023 and is also a major seller of electric vehicles on the planet. Tesla regained its position in the first half of this year but is on the brink of collapse.

Tesla vehicles are now banned from accessing some government and military complexes in China due to spying and user security concerns.

These restrictions were imposed in April 2024, when a major automobile association announced that Tesla vehicles meet the security requirements of Chinese transporters. The announcement to this day that Musk returned to Beijing and met Premier Li Qiang, who hailed Tesla as a “success model” of collaboration between the United States and China.

EU border crossings More, on the borders, tensions between China and the West are intensifying.

The European Commission has confirmed that it is imposing additional double duties of 37.6% on imports of electric vehicles made in China.

The custom tariffs, announced for the premiere since its debut in June, are adopted as a necessary measure of the EU to deter a fleet of Chinese voitures bon marché built with the solution of the “unfair” government.

Tesla, a major exporter of electric vehicles made in China to Europe, has demanded a separate calculation of the partner rights, according to the Commission. The company is currently facing an additional double profit right of 20.8% within the framework of a group of cooperative companies with the EU survey.

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TESLA BEHIND SCREEN OF UNCERTAIN NEW STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
7 24 24 – Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D. – Said Cherkaoui Ph.D.

Times are starting to get tough for Tesla

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1.85 Million Cars Recalled by Tesla 📉 stock fell in response, down 1.5% on open.

Tesla rolling out a software fix for 1.85 million vehicles in the U.S., which have been recalled for failing to alert the driver when the hood is unlatched. It’s the company’s largest recall since December 2024, when nearly all Teslas were recalled over issues with its Autopilot system. The concern this time is that an unlatched hood could fly open and block the driver’s view, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Tesla has already started deploying a free over-the-air software update to address the issue, which affects recent Model 3, Model S, Model X and Model Y cars.

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While Tesla’s auto sales face challenges, Musk remains optimistic about growth.

Tesla’s growth requires superior propulsion and control of maintenance and electric charging costs

Tesla’s inventory is parked near their factory in Fremont, California and this is not the only location and trailer truck and has been since the summer of 2023 when the author of this article visited the places to take these photos of Tesla near the place of its manufacture and this photo is of Tesla just freshly released from the arms of the manufacturing Robots without any license plate and the entire interior of these cars is carpeted and covered protective plastic.

Times are starting to get tough for Tesla. The electric vehicle automaker was growing, with quarter after quarter of successive growth and plenty of profits in the process. But of late, that success has been mainly due to a series of price cuts intended to entice customers to buy an aging range.

In March 2024, the company recorded its first quarterly decline since 2020. It now plans to lay off more than 10% of its workforce, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters . “As we prepare the company for our next phase of growth, it is extremely important to examine all aspects of the business to reduce costs and increase productivity,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk told the employees in the note. Musk has pursued a strategy of relentless cost cutting, but all those price cuts have meant that Tesla’s once-envied profit margins are no longer anything special.

JUNE 22, 2023 – APRIL 15, 2024

Internal memo seen by  Reuters  . “As we prepare the company for our next phase of growth, it is extremely important to examine all aspects of the business to reduce costs and increase productivity,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk told the employees in the note. Musk has pursued a strategy of relentless cost-cutting, but all those price cuts have meant that Tesla’s once-envied profit margins are no longer anything special.

Tesla cuts 10% of its workforce

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Tesla Global Car Development and Local Energy Production

AVRIL 14, 2019 – 11/24/2021 Said El Mansour Cherkaoui and 7/20/2024 Diaspora of African Executives Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D. • • • 1 minute ago UN CONSEIL DE la PART d’un FRÈRE AFRICAIN A CELLES ET CEUX QUI PEUVENT AVOIR UN TEL ENGIN DE TESLA 🌐 Tesla Motors: Driving News, Dance, and Transe Moves 🌐🌐Design and Creative Photographic Shoots on Cars 🌐Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D. … Lire la suite

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LG Energy Solution 

A unit of LG Chem, this South Korean battery supplier is neck and neck with CATL as the world’s leading supplier of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.

While there has been some controversy along the way – LG Chem successfully sued rivals SK Innovations not long ago for stealing trade secrets – the future looks bright for the company, with LG Energy Solution starting production of 4680 cells in 2023, the same cells. which constitutes Tesla’s most advanced battery to date. 

Large-format 4680 cylindrical cells would increase power six-fold and energy five-fold, and increase the range of an electric vehicle by up to 54 percent. 

These 4,680 cells should also bring the price of Tesla electric vehicles down to around $25,000, according to Tesla founder Elon Musk.

The company also has a $303 million factory in Holland, Michigan, capable of producing enough cells per year to build between 50,000 and 200,000 batteries for hybrid manufacturers  like  Ford , General Motors, Hyundai,  Volvo ,  Renault  and  Chevrolet . 

By 2025, all factories in South Korea, North America, Europe and China will run 100% on renewable energy. 

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio has unveiled the first car from its new lower-priced brand Onvo, in a direct challenge to Tesla’s best-selling car.May 15, 2024

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Beyond Dream – BYD

Formerly written off by Elon Musk, the Chinese   BYD  proved its detractors wrong by becoming the world’s leading seller of electric vehicles in July 2022, after having sold 641,000 vehicles in the first half of 2022, almost 80,000 more electric vehicles than Tesla . 

On Monday, July 1, 2024, BYD reported EV sales of 426,000. That is 21% more than a year ago, as BYD continues to close the gap on Tesla. In the fourth quarter, BYD briefly passed Tesla in global EV sales.

Although it has gained a strong foothold in the electric vehicle market, BYD began life as a rechargeable battery manufacturer in 1995 and in 2021 built a new factory in Chongqing, China to produce its blade batteries, which are thinner and longer than conventional lithium batteries ion cells.

Blade batteries are also considered the safest EV batteries because they are much less likely to catch fire in the event of an accident. They are also 50% smaller than other battery packs, resulting in lighter, more efficient electric vehicles. 

There appear to be no hard feelings between the Chinese giant and Elon Musk: BYD Executive Vice President Lian Yubo now claims that BYD is “good friends” with Mr. Tesla and plans to supply his company batteries for electric vehicles.

Panasonic 

Panasonic is another one of the largest lithium-ion battery manufacturers in the world. The electronics giant has partnered with Tesla to build Giga Nevada – or Gigafactory 1, as it is also known – a $5 billion factory for lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicle components. Dollars located in Storey County, Nevada. , which produces a Panasonic EV battery exclusively for Tesla’s Model 3, Model S and Model X SUVs. 

Panasonic reportedly invested $1.6 billion in Gigafactory 1 to become Tesla’s main supplier of electric vehicle batteries, with raw materials supplied by a mining company that extracts lithium from a site 200 miles from the factory.

Jointly designed and manufactured by Tesla and Panasonic, the “2170” battery has been mass-produced since January 2017, and the new and improved 4680 battery cell, which features significant capacity improvements, will enter production in 2023. 

Looking to the future, Shoichiro Watanabe, CTO of Panasonic Energy, says the company will achieve a 20% improvement in the energy density of its battery cells by the end of the decade. 

In the same way that Tesla has partnered with other electric vehicle battery makers in other international markets, Panasonic has also partnered with Toyota to build a lithium-ion battery factory in Japan that will supply batteries for Toyota electric vehicles.  Source:

Tesla’s Tracks of Creativity, Road of Success, and Path for Energy Sustainability

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui, Ph.D. April 24, 2023 – Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy Tesla’s Electric Pickup Truck: Tracks of Creativity, Road of Success and Path of Energy Sustainability Four years ago, Elon Musk unveiled Tesla’s electric pickup truck, and two years behind schedule and nearly 2 million preorders later, Tesla’s Cybertruck will finally go out to customers on … Continue reading 

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Tesla will cut more than 10% of its global workforce or up to 14,000 employees

Tesla, the electric car manufacturer, is indeed planning significant workforce reductions. According to an internal email from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the company will cut “more than 10%” of its global workforce. The move comes as Tesla grapples with slowing demand and challenges in the electric vehicle (EV) market around the world .

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Here are the key points:

Number of employees: Tesla ended 2023 with more than 140,000 employees worldwide, meaning the cuts could affect more than 14,000 people .

Reasons for layoffs: The company’s decision to downsize is driven by the need to reduce costs and increase productivity. Tesla has warned investors that sales growth could be “significantly lower” in 2024 compared to its stated goal of 50% growth each year. Additionally, Tesla is currently between production cycles, with the expensive Cybertruck recently entering production and the popular Model Y entering its fourth year without significant updates.

Executive departures: On the same day as the layoffs, two high-level executives left Tesla. Drew Baglino, Tesla’s senior vice president of powertrain and energy, and Rohan Patel, vice president of public policy and business development, have both left the company. Baglino oversaw the engineering of the company’s powertrain and battery technologies, while Patel had experience in climate and energy policy. Their departures come as part of the company’s restructuring efforts.

In the memo, CEO Elon Musk writes that duplication of roles and the need to cut costs are behind the layoffs. The automaker had nearly doubled its workforce over the past three years by increasing production at several factories, but last month recorded its first quarterly drop in deliveries in four years. Tesla shares have fallen 31% this year, putting it among the worst performers in the S&P 500.

Elon Musk expressed gratitude for their contributions but emphasized the need to reduce costs and increase productivity as Tesla prepares for its next phase of growth. This situation reflects the challenges facing the electric vehicle industry and the need for companies like Tesla to adapt to changing market dynamics.

Overall electric vehicle sales slowed in the first quarter, increasing less than 3%, while hybrid sales increased 43%.

Tesla’s difficulties have largely contributed to the C’s lukewarm performance, since the company’s cars represent about half of the US electric market, according to research firm Motor Intelligence.

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Storyline feed updates

Is the Cybertruck killing Tesla?

Tesla’s only product launch in the past six years has exhausted enormous resources and is still not ready for prime time. The Cybertruck is having a hard time selling to ardent fans at its current price. Tesla’s future is tied to robo-taxis that may or may not come into service this decade. Faced with growing Chinese competition, Tesla has a million reasons to worry. #ElonMusk is just one of them.

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Tesla Motion and Evolution by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui

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Jul 13, 2018 – China powers up US business outreach in talks with Elon Musk – China rolled out the red carpet for US business again on Thursday, with a meeting between Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan and Tesla chief Elon Musk under the shadow of more American tariffs – November 12, 2019

Tesla cuts 10% of its workforce

Tesla will cut more than 10% of its global workforce, or up to 14,000 employees,

Tesla, the electric car manufacturer, is indeed planning significant workforce reductions. According to an internal email from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the company will cut “more than 10%” of its global workforce.  The move comes as Tesla grapples with slowing demand and challenges in the electric vehicle (EV) market worldwide .

Tesla (TSLA) is rumored to be preparing a massive round of layoffs

electrek.co • 2 min read

Tesla layoffs an ‘ominous sign’ for the company, analyst says

finance.yahoo.com • 3 min read

Tesla announced a significant reduction in its workforce following a disappointing first-quarter delivery report, following in the footsteps of traditional automakers and pure-play EV makers, according to an internal memo. Famed Tesla bull Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities warned that the layoffs were a negative sign for Tesla, as seen in Monday’s stock decline. Ives has a price target of $300 and a buy rating on the stock. “This is a worrying signal of tough times ahead for Tesla as Musk weathers this Category 5 storm,” Ives said in a comment to Yahoo Finance. “Demand has been weak globally, and this is unfortunately a necessary move for Tesla to reduce costs with a more moderate growth outlook.”

Tesla layoffs an ‘ominous sign’ for the company, analyst says

finance.yahoo.com • 3 min read

For decades, the UAW’s efforts to unionize large foreign auto plants in the American South failed. It now appears that this is about to change, with far-reaching consequences. I’ve traveled multiple times to Tennessee and Alabama to report on why the union is poised for a historic victory this week at Volkswagen in Chattanooga, and how it could bolster its efforts everywhere from Mercedes to Tesla. “When we started this campaign, you didn’t talk very openly about a union in the factory,” one of the hundreds of VW workers who sat on the union’s organizing committee told me. “Now that’s all we talk about.”

How the UAW Is Winning Over New Plants — Starting with Volkswagen  –  bloomberg.com • 1 min read

Elon Musk announced in an internal memo that Tesla plans to cut more than 10% of its global workforce. Tesla’s CEO said that as the electric vehicle maker has rapidly expanded, there has been some “duplication” of roles. He added that the cuts will help it become “simple, innovative and hungry for the next phase of growth.” »

Read the memo Elon Musk sends Tesla staff announcing that the company is laying off more than 10% of the workforce  –  businessinsider.com

Executive exodus and 10% reduction in workforce at Tesla. We reported that Drew Baglino had resigned from  Tesla  . Baglino had worked at Tesla since 2006 and was senior vice president of powertrain engineering and energy. He was one of four executives named and integral to the work the company was doing in everything from electric vehicles to energy storage and next-generation 4680 cells. Drew posted on social media a few hours after our story to confirm his departure. Rohan Patel, Tesla’s head of public policy, also left the company, we reported. Factoring in the departure of key names from Tesla’s semiconductor team earlier this year and the departure of Zach Kirkhorn in August, that’s a lot of intellectual capital and experience. Still: I’m told things are going well – particularly in the energy division – and one of the reasons for Baglino’s departure is that he felt the place was in good hands. Last night, Musk told staff around the world that Tesla would cut 10% or more of its global workforce. The reasons are clear: continued cost reduction and productivity in a difficult environment. But Tesla has grown rapidly. And Musk cited the number of duplicate roles in his justification for the RIF. 10% of Tesla’s workforce represents approximately 14,000 people. It is therefore large in size, the largest RIF ever seen.

Tesla Executive Baglino Leaves as Musk Loses Another Top Deputy  –  bloomberg.com • 1 min read

Here are the key points:

Number of employees: Tesla ended 2023 with more than 140,000 employees worldwide, meaning the cuts could affect more than 14,000 people .

Reasons for layoffs: The company’s decision to downsize is driven by the need to reduce costs and increase productivity. Tesla has warned investors that sales growth could be “significantly lower” in 2024 compared to its stated goal of 50% growth each year.  Additionally, Tesla is currently between production cycles, with the expensive Cybertruck recently entering production and the popular Model Y entering its fourth year without significant updates .

Executive departures: On the same day as the layoffs, two high-level executives left Tesla. Drew Baglino, Tesla’s senior vice president of powertrain and energy, and Rohan Patel, vice president of public policy and business development, have both left the company. Baglino oversaw the engineering of the company’s powertrain and battery technologies, while Patel had experience in climate and energy policy.  Their departures come as part of the company’s restructuring efforts .

In the memo, CEO Elon Musk writes that duplication of roles and the need to cut costs are behind the layoffs. The automaker had nearly doubled its workforce over the past three years by increasing production at several factories, but last month recorded its first quarterly drop in deliveries in four years. Tesla shares have fallen 31% this year, putting it among the worst performers in the S&P 500.

Elon Musk expressed gratitude for their contributions, but emphasized the need to reduce costs and increase productivity as Tesla prepares for its next phase of growth . This situation reflects the challenges facing the electric vehicle industry and the need for companies like Tesla to adapt to changing market dynamics.

Overall electric vehicle sales  slowed  in the first quarter, increasing less than 3%, while hybrid sales increased 43%.

Tesla’s difficulties have largely contributed to the C’s lukewarm performance, since the company’s cars represent about half of the US electric market, according to research firm Motor Intelligence.

Storyline feed updates

Is the Cybertruck killing Tesla? Tesla’s only product launch in the past six years has exhausted enormous resources and is still not ready for prime time. The Cybertruck is having a hard time selling to ardent fans at its current price. Tesla’s future is tied to robo-taxis that may or may not come into service this decade. Faced with growing Chinese competition, Tesla has a million reasons to worry.  #ElonMusk  is just one of them.

Tesla Motion and Evolution by Said El Mansour Cherkaoui

Jul 13, 2018 – China powers up US business outreach in talks with Elon Musk – China rolled out the red carpet for US business again on Thursday, with a meeting between Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan and Tesla chief Elon Musk under the shadow of more American tariffs – November 12, 2019

Before and After Mark Davenport• 3rd+Senior Manufacturing Engineer at Tesla 2 p.m. • Edited • 7/23/2020 Less than … Read more

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Initially published – September 25, 2023, 3:43 am – updated June 28, 2024

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🌍RISE OF CHINESE CARS OUTSIDE OF CHINA

The race to win: How automakers can succeed in a post-pandemic China – August 13, 2021 | Report

🚗

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D.  ★ Email: saidcherkaoui@triconsultingkyoto.com

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui – Said Cherkaoui – saidcherkaoui@triconsultingkyoto.com

Introduction

How do U.S. car producers based in the United States, other foreign car producers in the United States, European Car Manufacturers selling cars in the United States, and other Asian car producers selling or/and manufacturing cars in the United States, all these car manufacturers react and consider the arrival, establishment and expansion of Chinese made cars and Chinese EV cars and trucks and buses in the United States and Europe and Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.  

What is going to be the scenario, the new global, local, regional, and national trends and perspectives of the competition in the car industry around the world given the rise of Chinese Cars

Chinese car brands still need to be added to the US market, but Chinese-made cars are still sold in the US. 

• Americans bought 104,000 Chinese-made cars in 2023 and nearly 28,000 in the first quarter of 2024.

• Buick, Lincoln, Polestar, and Volvo all sell US cars made in China.

What some people may not realize, however, is that tens of thousands of cars manufactured in China are sold in the US every year. Volvo’s S60L sedan was one of the first Chinese-made cars to be sold in the US starting in 2016, followed by Buick’s Envision SUV and Cadillac’s CT6 hybrid.

US consumers purchased more than 104,000 Chinese-made vehicles in 2023, up 45% from 2022. Americans bought another 28,000 Chinese-made cars during the first quarter of 2024.

Buick, Lincoln, Polestar, and Volvo sell Chinese-made vehicles in the US. Of those, the only Chinese-made EVs come from Polestar, a brand owned by Volvo and its parent company, Geely. The EV brand imported just 2,217 cars in the first three months of 2024. Polestar is expected to start production in South Carolina this year. Will the U.S. government discourage the domestic output of Polestar? Source: Gene Detroyer

Global Rise of Chinese Cars

AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY, FORD

Shocks from China Gets Chills to Ford and $9.2B for EV batteries

DOE Loan Programs Office

It’s another landmark day for domestic EV battery manufacturing in the U.S.! Today, LPO announced a conditional commitment for a loan of up to $9.2 billion to BlueOval SK, LLC (BOSK) for the construction of three manufacturing plants to produce batteries for Ford Motor Company’s future Ford and Lincoln electric vehicles (EVs). This marks the eighth conditional commitment for a loan—and the largest-ever to date—that LPO has announced in the last 15 months under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program, with two of those loans having since been finalized and issued:

Together, the plants, one located in Tennessee and two in Kentucky, will enable more than 120 gigawatt hours of U.S. battery production annually and displace more than 455 million gallons of gasoline per year for the lifetime of the vehicles powered by these batteries. The project is expected to create a total of approximately 5,000 construction jobs in Tennessee and Kentucky, and 7,500 operations jobs once the plants are up and running.

This effort supports President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to onshore and re-shore domestic manufacturing of technologies that are critical to reaching a clean energy and transportation future. Expanding domestic production of American-made batteries is critical to reaching the Biden-Harris Administration’s goals to have EVs represent at least 50% of all new car sales in the U.S. by 2030, reach net-zero electricity by 2035, and a net-zero economy by 2050.

As with all conditional commitments that LPO offers, it’s important to note that the expected U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) loan will only be issued pending the satisfaction of certain conditions, including final legal, contractual, technical, and financial requirements that the conditional commitment specifies.

LPO Announces Conditional Commitment for Up to $9.2 Billion Loan for BlueOval SK to Further Expand U.S. EV Battery Manufacturing Capacity

www.energy.gov • 3 min read – 6/22/2023

Uncle Sam’s clean-energy push is giving Ford a major boost. The Energy Department has awarded the automaker a massive $9.2 billion loan to fund the construction of three EV battery plants.

a move Bloomberg reports is « by far the biggest government backing for a U.S. automaker since the bailouts in the 2009 financial crisis. »

The U.S. is trying to reduce its battery reliance on China, which has dominated the market for years and has roughly 80% of the world’s manufacturing capacity. Ford, which made about 132,000 EVs in 2022, hopes to produce 2 million of the vehicles by 2026.

The plants — two in Kentucky, one in Tennessee — are already in the works as part of BlueOval SK, a partnership between Ford and South Korean battery firm SK On. The total projected cost is $11.4 billion.

The U.S. Energy Department said Thursday it plans to lend up to $9.2 billion to a joint venture of Ford Motor and South Korea’s SK On to help it build three battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky, a record-setting loan for a vehicle supply chain project. The conditional commitment for the low-cost government loan for the BlueOval SK joint venture comes from the government’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program. Jigar Shah, the head of the loan program office, told Reuters the loan could close as soon as within 10 weeks.

SCOOP: Ford Motor Company & South Korean battery maker SK On are getting a $9.2 billion loan from the US Department of Energy for three battery plants under construction in Kentucky & Tennessee. It’s a watershed moment in the US race to catch China in green vehicle technology.

Community colleges in Tennessee and Kentucky stand to benefit from the government’s $9B+ investment in battery production. New workforce development and academic programs, as well as re-tooled facilities, will be needed to support the 7,500 operations jobs associated with these new plants.

Blade Batteries

Global Delocalization of Batterie Manufacturers: Example of Morocco

Let us quickly recall here the advantages which attract investments in new technologies within the countries of the South both from China and from Western countries or other nationalities aiming to relocate certain phases of their production.

The cost of intermediate production, the cost and local availability of raw materials, labor, the proximity of car suppliers and buyers, financial facilities and tax incentives, the flexibility of pollution laws, flexibility of work, the docility of social demands movements, and the rate of social charges and recovery of retirement pensions, health insurance as well as the level of unionization, the cost of land ownership and supply of these lands by the State, the level of logistical infrastructure, the ease of movement of capital, taxation and the rate of social charges and recovery of retirement pensions as well as the level of unionization, remittance and export profits as well as the company’s appropriation ratio. Not to mention the integration of operators and managers from the country of origin benefiting from all the financial and tax advantages recognized by the public authorities. 1/7/2024

First Batch of SHACMAN X6000 Series Products Rolled off the Assembly Line. Congratulations.

Asian Firms to build joint LFP cathode plants in Morocco

CNGR Advanced Material Al Mada Recycling

The focus will be on producing precursors for NCM and LFP cathode materials. The plant will also include recycling facilities. The companies are planning annual capacities of 120,000 tonnes for NCM precursors, 60,000 tonnes for LFP precursors, and 30,000 tonnes for the recycling of battery materials in the first phase. The planned annual production is 70 GWh. That should be enough for more than one million electric vehicles.

Production is mainly for export to meet the high demand in Europe and America – but the partners do not name potential customers. Construction will begin this year after the necessary permits have been obtained and production is scheduled to start in 2025. Source: Info via email

“Morocco aims to open EV battery gigafactory”

Announced on July 22, 2022, at Marrakesh.

Asian Companies Building Battery Factories in Morocco to export to Europe and the U.S.

During the summer of 2022, the Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade declared that Morocco was negotiating with electric vehicle battery manufacturers to set up a plant in the country to mesh with its existing automotive sector and cobalt output.

“We hope to sign a deal for the plant before the end of this year,” the minister said in an interview with Reuters but declined to name the companies.

He did not say how much investment it would require but referred to it as a “gigafactory,” a term widely used for very big production facilities. The planned factory for EV batteries will “offer a huge momentum for the local automotive sector” and will benefit from the availability of renewable energy and raw materials such as cobalt and phosphates in the country, he said.

Morocco is home to Renault and Stellantis production plants, with a combined production capacity of 700,000. The Dacia Sandero and Peugeot 208 are examples of popular models that are built in Morocco. Demand for such batteries is growing outside and within Morocco, where Citroen plans to double its production capacity within two years from 50,000 EVs, Mezzour said.

Exports by about 250 automakers and suppliers in Morocco have topped the country’s industrial exports over the past seven years, surpassing phosphate sales. Up to May this year, Morocco’s automotive sector sales stood at $4.13 billion, up 24 percent. To increase competitiveness in the face of competition from China and India, Morocco plans to increase the rate of locally made parts in the cars it exports to 80 percent, up from 65 percent currently, Mezzour said.

“We are targeting 1 million within the next three to four years,” Mezzour said. Source:

And what is Europe doing for its renewable industry?

US Billions are flooding into US-based investments, so even European companies are now moving to the US for their investments.

In 2022, the top five manufacturers control more than 80 percent of the battery market.  With an increased interest in EVs – global sales of electric cars totaled 4.2 million units in 2021, up by 108 percent compared with 2020 – there’s been concern that a long list of car companies may soon face an EV battery shortage from electric car battery manufacturers.

The advantages which attract investments in new technologies within the countries of the South both from China and from Western countries or other nationalities aiming to relocate certain phases of their production. The cost of intermediate production, the cost and local availability of raw materials, labor, the proximity of car suppliers and buyers, financial facilities and tax incentives, the flexibility of pollution laws, flexibility of work, the docility of social demands movements, and the rate of social charges and recovery of retirement pensions, health insurance as well as the level of unionization, the cost of land ownership and supply of these lands by the State, the level of logistical infrastructure, the ease of movement of capital, taxation and the rate of social charges and recovery of retirement pensions as well as the level of unionization, remittance and export profits as well as the company’s appropriation ratio. Not to mention the integration of operators and managers from the country of origin benefiting from all the financial and tax advantages recognized by the public authorities.

1/7/2024

LG Energy Solution 

A unit of LG Chem, this South Korean battery supplier is neck and neck with CATL as the world’s number one supplier of lithium-ion EV batteries.

Although there has been some controversy along the way – LG Chem successfully sued rivals SK Innovations not too long ago for stealing trade secrets – the future looks bright for the company, with LG Energy Solution beginning production of 4680 cells in 2023, the very same cells which make up Tesla’s most advanced battery pack yet. 

The large format 4680 cylindrical cells are said to increase power by six times and energy by five times, as well as boost an EV’s range by up to 54 percent. 

These 4680 cells are also expected to bring the price of Tesla EVs down to around $US25,000, according to Tesla founder Elon Musk.

The company also has a US$303 million plant in Holland, Michigan, capable of producing enough cells per year to build between 50,000 and 200,000 battery packs for EV and hybrid manufacturers like Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Volvo, Renault and Chevrolet. 

By 2025, all factories in South Korea, North America, Europe, and China will operate on 100 percent renewable energy. 

BYD

Once written off by Elon Musk, China’s BYD has proven the haters wrong by becoming the world’s top seller of EVs in July 2022, having sold 641,000 vehicles in the first half of 2022 – nearly 80,000 more EVs than Tesla. 

Although it’s gained a strong footing in the EV market, BYD began life as a rechargeable battery manufacturer in 1995, and in 2021 it built a new facility in Chongqing, China, to produce its blade batteries, which are thinner and longer than conventional lithium-ion cells.

Blade batteries are also considered to be the safest EV batteries because they are far less likely to catch fire in an accident. They are also 50 percent smaller than other battery blocks, resulting in lighter and more efficient EVs. 

There seems to be no hard feelings between the Chinese behemoth and Elon Musk: BYD executive vice president Lian Yubo now says BYD is “good friends” with Mr Tesla, and has plans afoot to supply his company with EV batteries.

Panasonic 

Panasonic is another of the world’s largest lithium-ion battery manufacturers, the electronics giant partnering with Tesla on Giga Nevada – or Gigafactory 1, as it’s also known – a $5 billion lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle component factory located in Storey County, Nevada, which produces a Panasonic EV battery exclusively for Tesla’s Model 3, Model S and Model X SUV. 

Panasonic is said to have invested US$1.6 billion in Gigafactory 1 to make itself Tesla’s prime supplier of EV batteries, with raw materials being supplied by a mining company that extracts lithium from a site located 320km away from the factory.

Jointly designed and engineered by Tesla and Panasonic, the ‘2170’ battery has been in mass production since January 2017, with the new and improved 4680 battery cell, which has significant capacity improvements, going into production in 2023. 

Turning an eye to the future, Shoichiro Watanabe, CTO of Panasonic Energy, says the company will achieve a 20 percent improvement in energy density in its battery cells by the end of the decade. 

In much the same way that Tesla has partnered with other EV battery manufacturers in other international markets, Panasonic has also partnered with Toyota to build a lithium-ion battery plant in Japan that will supply batteries for Toyota EVs. Source:

Present Outlook of the World Battery Manufacturing Capacity

With the world gearing up for the electric vehicle era, battery manufacturing has become a priority for many nations, including the United States. However, having entered the race for batteries early, China is far and away in the lead.

This was originally posted on Elements. 

Predominance of China’s World Manufacturing Capacity

– China controls raw materials –

Another key factor in China’s supremacy: is control over the raw materials needed to manufacture the batteries: lithium and cobalt.

According to Bloomberg, the Chinese firms Ganfeng and Tianqi control 17 and 12 percent respectively of the world production of lithium thanks to their investments in mines in Australia and South America.

Tianqi bought a 24 percent stake in Chilean miner SQM for $4.1 billion in December 2018. Together with the US firm Albemarle it also controls the huge Greenbushes mine in Australia.

Meanwhile, Chinese firms control at least half of the cobalt extracted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where 70 percent of global output comes from, according to estimates cited by Bloomberg.

China Molybdenum bought a major site from the US firm Freeport-McMoran for $2.65 billion in 2016. China also has 80 percent of the world’s capacity to produce refined cobalt using chemical processes.

This is not a basic skill (“We are a car manufacturer, not chemically,” said Marianne Battalion, Renault E’s project manager last year), but second, whether the production was outsourced to Koreans or Chinese, many unemployed motor factories instead.

China has 6 of the top 10 EV battery makers with 60 percent market share, led by CATL and Warren Buffett-backed BYD.

• Besides CATL and BYD, CALB, Gotion High-tech, Sunwoda, and Eve Energy feature among the world’s top 10 EV battery makers, according to SNE Research
• CATL installed 165.7 gigawatt hours of battery cells in the first 11 months of last year, giving it a global market share of 37.1 percent

China’s well-established advantage is set to continue through 2027, with 69% of the world’s battery manufacturing capacity. With nearly 900 gigawatt-hours of manufacturing capacity or 77% of the global total, China is home to six of the world’s 10 biggest battery makers. Behind China’s battery dominance is its vertical integration across the rest of the EV supply chain, from mining the metals to producing the EVs. It’s also the largest EV market, accounting for 52% of global sales in 2021.

The U.S. is projected to increase its capacity by more than 10-fold in the next five years. EV tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act are likely to incentivize battery manufacturing by rewarding EVs made with domestic materials. Alongside Ford and General Motors, Asian companies including Toyota, SK Innovation, and LG Energy Solution have all announced investments in U.S. battery manufacturing in recent months.

Europe will host six of the projected top 10 countries for battery production in 2027. Europe’s current and future battery plants come from a mix of domestic and foreign firms, including Germany’s Volkswagen, China’s CATL, and South Korea’s SK Innovation.

Combating China’s dominance will be expensive. According to Bloomberg, the U.S. and Europe will have to invest $87 billion and $102 billion, respectively, to meet domestic battery demand with fully local supply chains by 2030.

Within such an unbalanced world of Battery Manufacturing Capacity and given that Europe is using a mixed approach, Morocco is positioned to benefit from Europe’s reliance on domestic and foreign manufacturers of batteries.

Morocco, Regional Hub for Battery Material Plants

South Korea’s LG Chem partnering with China Huayou Group announced a project to build in Morocco a joint electric vehicle (EV) battery material plant. On the other side, CNGR, Chinese Battery-Parts Maker, and African Fund Al Mada aim to build an industrial base in Morocco for a battery materials production and recycling facility. All the Production of these facilities is intended for export to meet high demand in Europe and America.

 🇺🇸🚗- 🌍 AFRICANA🌍 ENTERPRISE🌍 – 🌐Morocco🌍Tech🌐 –
African-Moroccan Diaspora – Tateyoko Research Institute – USA – Tateyoko Research Institute

Articles Similaires

https://www.energy.gov/lpo/listings/projects

• What is a Conditional Commitment? https://www.energy.gov/lpo/articles/getting-know-lpo-what-conditional-commitment

• Advanced transportation project financing available through LPO’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program: Energy.gov/LPO/ATVM

• President Biden’s « Investing in America » agenda: https://www.whitehouse.gov/invest

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Read more below via Ars Technica.

Read the full BlueOval SK project conditional commitment announcement for more details: https://www.energy.gov/lpo/articles/lpo-announces-conditional-commitment-loan-blueoval-sk-further-expand-us-ev-battery

The Mexican-Japanese-US Model for Auto Assembly in Northern Mexico – September 29, 2020 – “AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY”

Global Liberalism and U.S. State Interventionism: Electric Auto Industry – Mai 19, 2021 – “ELECTRIC VEHICLE”

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Contact: saidcherkaoui@triconsultingkyoto.com

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Morocco – Maroc – BAGNOLE CHERKAOUI 1920 – 24
   Articles traitant de Morocco – Maroc écrits par Said El Mansour Cherkaoui

https://bagnolecherkaoui.wordpress.com/category/morocco-maroc/

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Reciprocity and Rationality in International Trade

Educating people about international trade, investment, and the global economy is a great way to foster understanding and collaboration across different cultures and societies. By sharing information and insights, you’re helping to bridge cultural gaps and promote a more interconnected world.

Your work is not only informative but also contributes to the larger goal of global unity and mutual understanding. It’s efforts like yours that can make a significant difference in how we perceive and interact with the world around us.

It’s concise, clear, and directly communicates the main theme of your discussion. “Rationality in International Trade Means Reciprocity in Exchanges” effectively captures the essence of the points you’ve raised about the importance of reciprocity and fairness in international trade.

This version emphasizes the goal (achieving reciprocity) and the means to that end (rationality).

The suggestion sparked some thoughts! The French expression “Bonnet Blanc – Blanc Bonnet” is often used to indicate that two things are essentially the same, despite appearing different. It’s interesting to see how this concept can be applied to the discussion of international trade and reciprocity. Just like “Bonnet Blanc – Blanc Bonnet”, different trade strategies might appear distinct but could lead to similar outcomes when the principle of reciprocity is upheld. Keep up the insightful work! 

Europe does not play the Scarecrow given its continental exposition to Eastern Europe, Russia, Turkey, the Middle East, India, Vietnam, Korea, China, and Japan.

The United States has Canada, Central, and South America as Leverages and Cushions for Readjustments of the Terms and Conditions of International Trade and the Changes in the World Economy as well as the Fluctuations of the International Monetary and Financial Policies.  

Rationality in International Trade Means Reciprocity in Exchanges

Rationality in international trade indeed implies reciprocity in exchanges. Countries trade with each other to leverage their comparative advantages, and this exchange is typically reciprocal. Each country exports goods and services that it can produce more efficiently and imports those that other countries can produce more efficiently.

Europe’s Position: Europe’s geographical location indeed gives it a unique advantage in terms of access to diverse markets such as Eastern Europe, Russia, Turkey, the Middle East, India, Vietnam, Korea, China, and Japan. This allows for a wide range of trade opportunities and partnerships.

The United States’ Leverages: The United States, with its proximity to Canada, Central, and South America, indeed has significant leverage. These regions not only provide a substantial market for U.S. goods and services but also a source of raw materials and labor. The U.S. can use these advantages to adjust to changes in the world economy and fluctuations in international monetary and financial policies.

However, it’s important to note that while geographical proximity provides certain advantages, the dynamics of international trade are also significantly influenced by other factors such as trade policies, economic stability, technological advancements, and diplomatic relations among others.

In conclusion, both Europe and the United States, given their unique positions and advantages, play crucial roles in the global trade ecosystem. Their strategies and policies can have far-reaching impacts on the global economy. 

As such, these regions need to promote fair trade practices, uphold ethical standards, and work towards sustainable economic development.

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Achieving reciprocity in international trade requires cooperation and negotiation between countries. It’s a complex process that involves balancing the interests of different stakeholders, including businesses, consumers, and governments. Despite these challenges, reciprocity remains a key principle of fair and equitable trade.

Achieving Reciprocity: Role of Rationality in International Trade

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Reading on International Trade with Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D. – Said Cherkaoui Ph.D.
Oakland – East Bay of San Francisco – California – USA – 6/5/2024

For engagement, forwarding unsolicited RFP, RFQ, Request for Tender(RTF), Request for Quote(RFQ), and Request for Expression of Interest (EOI), please send an email to:

saidcherkaoui@triconsultingkyoto.com and/or support@triconsultingkyoto.com

Said El Mansour Cherkaoui Ph.D. – Said Cherkaoui Ph.D. – 8/15/2024

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