Market Flash

Brazil’s inflation rate continues to heat up, with official data showing the IPCA rose by 0.56% in March, bringing the 12-month inflation tally to 5.48%.

UMI Coatings is focused on providing protective technologies and technical services, delivering high-performance solutions designed to protect and maintain assets across a wide range of industries and environments.

• UMI Coatings

Amcor, a developer and manufacturer of responsible packaging solutions, has announced the completion of its state-of-the-art medical packaging coating plant in Selangor, Malaysia.

• Amcor

In a major strategic move, Karen Shares announced on the evening of April 2 its intent to acquire a 51% stake in Suzhou Jiazhicai Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. through a cash transaction totaling 4.83 billion yuan.

On April 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced it had initiated anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations targeting polypropylene corrugated boxes from China, and a parallel anti-dumping investigation into imports from Vietnam.

On April 9, China’s State Council Information Office released a white paper titled “China’s Position on Several Issues Concerning China-US Economic and Trade Relations,” aiming to clarify facts, reaffirm policies, and counter recent U.S. narratives regard

On April 9, China’s Tariff Commission of the State Council issued a formal announcement confirming that, starting 12:01 PM on April 10, it will raise tariff rates on U.S. goods from 34% to 84%, a dramatic escalation in the ongoing trade dispute.

On April 8, China National Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd. (CNCEC) revealed its March 2025 performance data, reporting a remarkable 60.71% year-on-year increase in newly signed contracts, reaching 59.79 billion yuan.

On April 9, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a significant escalation in the trade conflict with China by increasing tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%.

While the White House confirmed that drugs won’t immediately face the new trade measures, panic has already rippled through Asia-Pacific markets, underscoring how fragile global supply chains remain in this escalating economic confrontation.

In a bold response to potential import tariffs on pharmaceuticals, Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis has unveiled a sweeping $23 billion investment plan to fortify its presence in the United States.

Strategic Value Partners (SVP) and Blantyre Capital Limited (Blantyre) recently announced the acquisition of OQ Chemicals (Oxea), a leading global producer and trader of oxygenated chemicals.

• Strategic Value Partners
• Blantyre Capital Limited
• OQ Chemical

Solvay officially inaugurates its rare earth production line for permanent magnets at its La Rochelle site, marking an important milestone in the Group's commitment to its European strategic objectives.

• Solvay
• rare earth

As global markets tremble under the weight of escalating U.S. tariffs, China’s chemical giants are pushing back with bold financial moves. April 7 marked a “Black Monday” for Chinese equities, with A-shares experiencing a significant dip.

WACKER Chemie AG is set to implement a price increase of up to 5% on its emulsion and redispersible polymer powder products produced in Europe and the United States, effective May 1, 2025, or sooner if current customer agreements allow.

On April 3, 2025, Brazil’s Foreign Trade Secretariat under the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services released Preliminary Determination No. 23/2025, confirming preliminary evidence of dumping concerning galvanized and aluminized flat steel

On April 7, NHU (Xinhua Pharmaceutical) announced that its core vitamin and coenzyme Q10 product lines are included in the latest U.S. tariff exemption list, shielding a major portion of its exports from new duties.

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has unveiled its 2025 industrial standards roadmap, signaling a powerful push to modernize the nation’s industrial foundation.

On April 7, 2025, Malaysian specialty chemicals producer SumiSaujana Group announced a major step in its green transformation journey, just weeks before its upcoming listing on Bursa Malaysia’s ACE Market.

On April 7, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a bold announcement in Salt Lake City, declaring he will direct the CDC to stop recommending fluoride in public drinking water nationwide.