India-New Zealand FTA unlocks duty-free access for autos and components On December 22, India concluded a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand. The FTA provides major duty-free access for Indian exports, protects sensitive domestic sectors, and supports inclusive and resilient economic growth. The FTA improves market access for Indian goods and also opens opportunities in the wider Oceania and Pacific Island markets. For the autom...

News  Updated at: 2025/12/23

nsumer spending power and tighter bank lending policies, driven by elevated household debt, continue to suppress demand. The company also called on the government to reduce import duties, pointing out that seven-seat vehicles are taxed at 80% and 11-seat models at 32%, while Chinese imports receive FTA exemptions, resulting in an unfair competitive balance. (From an article of Bangkok Post on December 4, 2025)...

News  Updated at: 2025/12/08

th respect to Strategic Investments (MOU). The two countries agreed that Korea will not be required to fund an aggregate amount of U.S. dollars greater than USD 20 billion in any calendar year.   Regarding tariffs, the U.S. will apply the higher of either the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) or U.S. Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff rate, or a tariff rate of 15% on Korean goods for purposes of the reciprocal tariff provided under Execu...

News  Updated at: 2025/11/15

taking advantage of favorable policies, trade agreements, and as ways to bypass anti-dumping tariffs. The Ministry of Commerce highlighted car tires as a promising export product, noting that free trade agreements, including Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Cambodia-China FTA, have expanded market access.  Car tire exports currently account for around 4.18% of Cambodia’s total exports. (From an article of Khmer Times...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/26

Thailand’s FTA trade in H1 2025 hits USD 44.79 billion, motor vehicles among top exports Reported on September 10, 2025, Thailand’s trade under free trade agreements (FTAs) continued to grow. According to the Department of Foreign Trade, in the first half of 2025, total FTA utilization reached USD 44.79 billion (around THB 1.4 trillion), or 79.64% of eligible trade, up 10.22% from the same period in 2024. Motor vehicles remained among t...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/11

ported to international markets, contributing to a EUR 100 billion trade surplus. The Mercosur deal will eliminate tariffs of up to 35% on EU-made vehicles, opening the doors to a market of around 3 million vehicles. At a time when access to other important markets is being restricted, the Mercosur FTA could lead to a threefold increase in EU-made automotive goods exports by 2040. The agreement also strengthens Europe’s economic resilience by s...

News  Updated at: 2025/09/04

on electric pickup trucks. A ministry source, speaking anonymously, said the proposal is part of a broader strategy to support local production of electric pickups. The higher tax would primarily affect EVs imported from China, which currently enter Thailand duty-free under a free trade agreement (FTA). However, if these vehicles lack a minimum level of local content, they could face higher excise taxes. Officials believe this move would help ba...

News  Updated at: 2025/07/21

UK-India trade deal to cut auto tariffs, boost bilateral automotive trade On May 6, the United Kingdom and India concluded talks on a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that is set to benefit the automotive sectors in both countries.  As part of the agreement, after staging over 10 years, India will eliminate tariffs on 85% of tariff lines covering 66% of existing UK exports. The deal covers tariff reductions on components such as auto par...

News  Updated at: 2025/05/07

ted circuit boards (PCBs). Swedish businesses were encouraged to expand their investment in Thailand, particularly in sectors where Sweden has strengths, such as electric vehicles (EVs), clean energy, and sustainable products. Both sides also exchanged views on the Thailand-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, which have been progressing satisfactorily.In 2024, bilateral trade between Thailand and Sweden was valued at USD 1.247 billion (ap...

News  Updated at: 2025/04/29

for 50 New Flyer zero-emission buses. The order consists of 40 Xcelsior CHARGE FC 40-foot hydrogen fuel cell-electric buses and 10 Xcelsior CHARGE NG 40-foot battery-electric buses. The units were added to NFI’s Q4 2024 backlog and are supported by a combination of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and local funding. OCTA manages key transportation infrastructure for 3.2 million residents across 34 cities in Orange County, delivering more th...

News  Updated at: 2025/02/27

Cambodia – South Korea bilateral trade up 11.5% in 2024, supported by FTA Reported on January 3, 2025, the Cambodia-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) drove growth in the 2024 bilateral trade between Cambodia and South Korea, which reached USD 762 million, up 11.5% YoY. Following the first meeting of the CKFTA Joint Committee held in South Korea, Cambodia will host the second CKFTA Joint Committee meeting in 2025. Both sides aim to boost cooper...

News  Updated at: 2025/01/07

Thailand-South Korea to start 3rd round of negotiations on EPA (FTA) Reported on December 15, 2024, Thailand’s Commerce Minister has recently talked with the South Korean Ambassador to Thailand regarding the economic partnership negotiations between the 2 countries. Their FTA, which will be called “Thailand-South Korea Economic Partnership Agreement” (EPA), is expected to boost bilateral trade, services, and investment, while expanding coop...

News  Updated at: 2024/12/17

I is focused on attracting responsible investments in key sectors, including renewable energy, energy storage systems, electric vehicles, semiconductors, etc. The 2 countries are set to strengthen their economic partnership through the full implementation the Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA).  The forum, co-organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Korean Industries, also celebrated the 75th a...

News  Updated at: 2024/10/24

xport to Europe, said SAIC Motor-CP. The company is also aiming to export EVs to European markets.  Chinese EVs manufactured in Thailand must contain over 40% locally made parts in order to be considered as “originated from Thailand”. What the Thai govt. is expected to do is (i) to complete an FTA negotiation with the European Union by 2024, which would help open doors to EU markets for Thai EV firms and (ii) to promote the establishment of ...

News  Updated at: 2024/08/27

Cambodian govt. encouraging more EV investment; VOLTRA says clearer development plan required Reported on May 1, 2024, the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce (MoC), during the inauguration ceremony of the recently held ‘First Auto Show 2024’, encouraged investors to set up more car factories, especially the electric vehicles (EVs) and reap benefits from the FTAs that Cambodia has with many partners and the preferential tariffs received from devel...

News  Updated at: 2024/05/07

Thailand-South Korea FTA to benefit EV-related investments; EPA talks to start in 2024 Reported on March 28, 2024, the Thai Commerce Minister revealed that Thailand and South Korea are opening negotiations for an economic partnership agreement (EPA). A signing ceremony on EPA negotiations has been held. The first round is expected to start by the middle of 2024. The EPA is expected to pave the way for the bilateral free trade agreement by late 20...

News  Updated at: 2024/04/01

’s EV manufacturing hub under its 30@30 policy and stands ready to discuss cooperation with France in automobiles and clean energy. Moreover, the Thai PM expressed confidence that mutual trade and investment value between Thailand and France will significantly grow if the negotiation of Thailand-EU FTA is finalized by 2025.  The Thai PM has also met with executives of over 20 France’s leading companies in the fields of automobiles, aviation,...

News  Updated at: 2024/03/12

U.S. Department of Transportation announces USD 1.5 billion for bus manufacturing On February 8, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of approximately USD 1.5 billion to support American transit vehicle manufacturing, including zero-emission buses, help build bus facilities, and promote workforce development.  In Fiscal Year 2024, USD 1.1 billion will be authorized for the Low-No...

News  Updated at: 2024/02/15

l revenue growth of more than 30% for two consecutive years by actively responding to strong market demand in North America," said Chang Sil Lee, CFO of LG Energy Solution. "Last year, we have also established sound supply chain by expanding sourcing of IRA-compliant critical minerals from the U.S. FTA countries and reinforcing strategic cooperation for recycling business with partners by region. In Q4 2023, LGES reported operating profit reachin...

News  Updated at: 2024/01/27

interested in investing in Thailand, after being encouraged by the Thai government during the roadshow in the U.S. Meanwhile, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) pointed out that Chinese and Japanese car companies also enjoy other trade privileges, such as the ASEAN-China free trade agreement (FTA) and the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement. However, companies from certain countries, especially in Europe and the U.S., have yet to ...

News  Updated at: 2024/01/17