Major figures from across the world of trade and customs will convene in London this week for the Import Export Show, hosted by the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade.
Elsewhere, Donald Trump will be meeting with Saudia Arabia’s de facto leader and China will receive the German finance minister. There is also a word of warning from the US trade representative to the EU on the bloc’s levies on American goods.
Import Export Show
This week is a major one in the trade calendar, as the Chartered Institute hosts the 2025 edition of the Import Export Show in London.
The show will feature practical and strategic insights on international trade. There will be keynote addresses from the Chartered Institute’s director general Marco Forgione, John Drummond, a head of division at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and Melinda Bohannon, director general for global issues at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Practical guidance to help traders navigate geopolitical uncertainty and customs changes will be on offer, while there will also be gongs for outstanding trade professionals and businesses as part of the International Trade Awards.
Charlie Laycock, the Chartered Institute’s head of events, said of the occasion:
“This year’s focus on equipping professionals with the foresight and expertise to navigate complex trade challenges could not be more timely. Please join us to gain valuable insights, engaging in strategic discussions, and strengthening connections across the trade community.”
The event comes at a perfect time on Wednesday, as it follows the 90th anniversary of the Chartered Institute’s founding tomorrow. Also featuring during Wednesday’s events is the Chartered Institute’s annual general meeting (AGM).
Today’s news: Freight crime now ‘more sophisticated’
The BBC has published a report on how criminal gangs are purchasing haulage firms in order to steal whole lorries of goods.
One such firm was bought out by a gang, which then acted as a subcontractor taking on cargo from a manufacturer. The cargo subsequently vanished.
Such freight theft hit £111m last year, according to the report. The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) has said that this form of crime is becoming "more sophisticated” and “more organised”.
Managing director of the Road Haulage Association, Richard Smith, told the BBC that “our industry is under attack” by “highly organised criminal gangs”.
US voices EU irritation
The US trade representative, Jamieson Greer, has voiced discontent with the EU over tariffs, despite the deal agreed between his country and the bloc earlier this year.
In conversation with the FT, Greer said that “we did not solve every problem in our relationship with our joint statement from earlier in the year”, arguing that Brussels had been slow to implement the provisions of the agreement.
“Trade has always been a flashpoint. They have many regulations and non-tariff barriers that block our exports and reduce our effective market access over there, while we historically have had very broad access for them. It’s quite unbalanced.”
Levies on US goods had not been cut as quickly as hoped, he added, and he warned that US president Donald Trump could again take a harder line with the EU going forward:
“I think that we’re in a moment where the president has changed his views on Europe and approach to Europe in the past six months. I hope that Europe doesn’t miss its opportunity to capitalise on the president’s current approach.”
Saudi-US and Germany-China talks
This will be a significant week for bilateral meetings, with the US set to host the de factor leader of Saudi Arabia and China-Germany discussions to take place.
Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia will visit the White House tomorrow to talk investment, AI and nuclear energy, with the US$600bn in promised Saudi investment into the US likely to be a focus again. There could also be a defence pact struck between the two nations.
German finance minister Lars Klingbeil is visiting China this week, meanwhile, in a bid to secure more “reliable access” to rare earths at a time when supplies of the minerals has come under pressure from restrictive measures introduced (then delayed) by China.
It is the first visit by a cabinet minister in the current German government to China and reflects something of a thaw in relations.
Foreign minister Johann Wadepuhl cancelled a trip to China in October when it became apparent China would only send some high-ranking officials to meet with him. Wadepuhl has previously been outspoken about China’s approach to Taiwan, as well as its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and issues around trade.
Elsewhere in the headlines
· Japan’s economy experienced its first contraction in six quarters as the effects of US tariffs weighed on its performance
· Samsung is increasing the prices of some of its memory chips by 60% as supply chains are strained by demand from AI data centres
· Germany is to resume arms exports to Israel from 24 November after last month’s Gaza ceasefire agreement
Other dates for the diary
Monday: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Heads of Government meeting begins in Moscow
Tuesday: European Commission EU Enlargement Forum takes place in Brussels
Wednesday: US Federal Reserve due to publish minutes of interest rate meeting, UK inflation data published
Thursday: EU-Indo Pacific Ministerial Forum begins
Friday: COP30 scheduled to end
Saturday: G20 leaders’ summit begins in South Africa
Sunday: Elections in Republica Srpska and Guinea-Bissau
