标签： Asia

In a significant development impacting the global oil market, Iranian oil discounts in China have expanded due to record-high stock levels and a shortage of import quotas as the year-end approaches. This situation has been exacerbated by US sanctions targeting Qingdao Port, a key hub for Iranian oil imports. The sanctions, imposed on August 21, specifically target Qingdao Port Haiye Dongjiakou Oil Products, a terminal previously handling 130,000-200,000 barrels per day of Iranian crude. Following the sanctions, the terminal suspended operations, leading to a 65% decline in crude imports at Dongjiakou port this month, according to data analytics firm Kpler. Despite the sanctions, Iranian oil shipments have been diverted to nearby terminals, such as Huangdao, where imports are expected to double in September compared to August. The widening discounts, now over $6 a barrel for Iranian Light crude versus benchmark ICE Brent, reflect both the oversupply in Shandong province and the additional costs borne by customers due to sanctions. China, which has purchased over 90% of Iranian oil exports in recent years, continues to defend its trade with Iran as compliant with international law, dismissing US sanctions as unilateral and illegitimate. The situation underscores the complex interplay between geopolitical tensions, market dynamics, and energy trade.

Japan’s export sector faced another challenging month in August 2025, marking the fourth consecutive decline, as elevated U.S. tariffs continued to weigh heavily on key industries such as automotive and manufacturing. According to government data released on September 17, total exports by value fell by 0.1% year-on-year, a smaller drop than the 1.9% decrease forecasted by economists. However, exports to the United States plummeted by 13.8%, the steepest decline since February 2021, driven by significant drops in automobile and chipmaking equipment shipments. The volume of U.S.-bound exports also decreased by 12.0%, exacerbating the trade surplus reduction with the U.S. to 324 billion yen ($2.21 billion), the smallest since January 2023. While exports to China dipped slightly by 0.5%, shipments to Asia and the European Union saw modest gains, partially offsetting the U.S. downturn. On the import side, total imports fell by 5.2% year-on-year, largely due to lower oil prices, resulting in a trade deficit of 242.5 billion yen ($1.66 billion), significantly less than the forecasted 513.6 billion yen. Despite some relief from a reduced baseline tariff rate of 15% on Japanese imports, down from the initial 27.5%, the impact remains severe for Japanese automakers and auto parts suppliers, who previously enjoyed a 2.5% rate. Economists predict a contraction in Japan’s economy by an annualized 1.1% in the current quarter, reflecting weak overseas demand. Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda has pledged to proceed cautiously with rate hikes, given the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. tariff impact. Meanwhile, corporate spending on plant and equipment surged by 7.6% in the April-June quarter, with the automotive sector leading the charge with a 43.4% increase, driven by investments in electric vehicle production, despite a 30.7% plunge in operating profits.

Foreign investors are increasingly turning their attention back to China’s stock markets, marking a significant shift from their previous stance of labeling them as uninvestable. This renewed interest is driven by the burgeoning opportunities in technology, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and innovative pharmaceuticals. The U.S.-China tariff truce and a domestic monetary easing environment have further bolstered investor sentiment, leading to notable market rallies. Last week, the Shanghai Composite index reached a decade high, while Hong Kong stocks hit a four-year high.

In a landmark agreement, TikTok will continue its operations in the United States under U.S.-controlled ownership, resolving a prolonged dispute between the U.S. and China. The deal, announced by President Donald Trump on Tuesday, mandates the transfer of TikTok’s American assets from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to a consortium of U.S. investors. ByteDance will retain a 19.9% stake, just below the 20% threshold, while the remaining 80% will be held by a group including existing shareholders like Susquehanna International Group, General Atlantic, and KKR, alongside new investors such as Andreessen Horowitz and Oracle. The U.S. entity will feature an American-dominated board, with one member designated by the U.S. government, ensuring national security safeguards. The deal, expected to close within 30 to 45 days, marks a significant step in easing tensions between the two economic giants. The White House extended the divestiture deadline to December 16, allowing ByteDance additional time to finalize the complex transaction. The agreement reflects a compromise that addresses both U.S. national security concerns and Chinese interests, potentially paving the way for smoother bilateral relations.

Southeast Asia’s leading online used-car marketplace, Carro, has successfully raised $60 million in a recent funding round spearheaded by Japan’s sovereign wealth fund, Cool Japan Fund. Announced on Wednesday, the investment is earmarked for promoting Japanese vehicles, particularly plug-in hybrid electric models, across the Asia-Pacific region. Carro expressed confidence in its ability to significantly enhance the market presence of these vehicles in the area.

Carro, which operates in multiple markets including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, is also eyeing expansion into Australia. CEO Aaron Tan recently hinted at the company’s plans for a dual listing, with sources indicating a potential U.S. initial public offering (IPO) that could value the company at over $3 billion. This would mark the largest Southeast Asian listing in the U.S. since SEA’s $989.3 million debut in 2017 and the first major automotive tech and commerce startup from Singapore to go public in the United States.

Backed by prominent investors such as Temasek and SoftBank Group, Carro’s digital platform facilitates vehicle transactions between consumers and dealers, while also offering insurance, financing, and after-sales services. Cool Japan Fund, a government-backed private fund, aims to bolster Japan’s economy by increasing international demand for its products and services.

This strategic investment underscores Carro’s ambitious growth trajectory and its commitment to transforming the automotive market in the Asia-Pacific region.