With Japan’s decision to remove South Korea from its “white list” of trusted export destinations, the two countries increasingly appear to be headed for a long-term standoff.

The EU wants to promote the relationship with Vietnam and other ASEAN nations, among those, Vietnam is the one which signed the most agreements and co-operation programs with the EU and had the highest number of students studying in the union. 

South Korea is fifth among countries in trade volume with Saudi Arabia. 

Accuses U.S. of violating ‘consensus’ reached in Osaka on not raising further duties

The Japanese move is likely to disrupt supply chains and escalate tensions with South Korea. Tokyo said the decision was taken for national security reasons, but Seoul views it as retaliation. 

 Britain plans to create up to 10 freeports to boost trade and manufacturing by cutting cost and bureaucracy after it leaves the European Union, the government said on Thursday.

President Donald Trump abruptly escalated his trade war with China, announcing that he would impose a 10% tariff on a further $300 billion in Chinese imports in a move set to hit American consumers more directly than any other in his trade wars so far.

The signing of two important agreements, including the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), not only opens a new chapter in trade and investment relations between the two economies but also makes Vietnam become a focal point of global trade and investment flows.

The brief trade talks in Shanghai this week between top U.S. and Chinese officials were "constructive," the White House said Wednesday, adding that negotiations are expected to pick up again in Washington, D.C., in early September.

Vietnam, the apparent candidate to pick up the windfalls of the China-US trade war, is showing concerns over its long- and short-term economic development, although the country has seen months of encouraging trade statistics.