International Trade and World Market

• Trump’s $100 Billion Venezuela Oil Plan Gets a Cool Reception - President Trump met with oil and gas executives on Friday in an effort to push them to invest money in Venezuela, a plan many of them are reluctant to embrace.
• Volkswagen Suffers More Than Rivals From Auto Industry Woes - The German automaker’s sales in the United States plunged last year, hit by tariffs and the end of tax credits for electric vehicles.
• Trump Is Making a Power Play in Latin America. China Is Already There. - China built a dominant strategic position in the region as the leading lender and trading partner. It is watching President Trump’s next moves closely.
• E.U. and South America to Form Free-Trade Zone With 700 Million People - The agreement represents a push for deeper global cooperation, in contrast to the United States turning to coercion in its dealings with other countries.
• U.S. Trade Deficit Fell to Lowest Level Since 2009 in October, Data Show - The monthly trade deficit continued to shrink after President Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on foreign imports.
• China’s Threat to Block Rare Earths Has Put Japan on High Alert - Tokyo is concerned at signs that Beijing may be laying the groundwork to restrict access to the metals vital to manufacturing.
• China Touts Hainan, Its Duty-Free Island, Amid $1 Trillion Trade Surplus - Policies meant to lure importers to Hainan, a resort island off China’s coast, signal an opening up, Beijing says. One expert calls it a “bait and switch.”
• How Venezuela’s Oil Could Shake Up the World Supply - The country could, eventually, attract investment and re-emerge as a force in the oil markets, but many analysts are concerned about an oversupply.
• Venezuela Braces for Economic Collapse From U.S. Blockade - Venezuela could lose the bulk of its export revenues this year if the U.S. blockade stays in place, according to internal government estimates, a scenario that would set off a humanitarian crisis.
• Will the A.I. Boom Continue to Drive Up Stocks in 2026? - The boom in artificial intelligence was the biggest driver of gains in the stock market. That could pose a risk in 2026.