The Mercury Group

Why the Shipping Industry Isn’t Rushing Back to the Red Sea The companies that operate large container ships say they plan to keep going around Africa as violence flares in the region. The New York Times Peter Eavis When President Trump ordered military strikes last weekend against the Houthi militia in Yemen, he said the militia’s attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea had harmed global trade. “These relentless assaults have cost the U.S. and World Economy many BILLIONS of Dollars while, at the same time, putting innocent lives at risk,” he said on Truth Social. But getting shipping companies to return to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal could take many months and is likely to require more than airstrikes against the Houthis. For over a year, ocean carriers have overwhelmingly avoided the Red Sea, sending ships around Africa’s southern tip to get from Asia to Europe, a voyage that is some 3,500 nautical miles and 10 days longer. #redsea #yemen #terrorism #war #maritime #ships #shipping #crime #transportation #supplychain #trade #oceanfreight #globaltrade #military

BIMCO #shipping #ships #china #shipbuilding #maritime #merchantmarine #jonesact #usflag #trade #ports #agriculture #energy #mining #logistics #supplychain #transportation

‘ABCD’ agricultural traders struggle to escape boom-bust cycle Companies that dominate global supply of grain and oilseed suffer from latest downturn despite efforts to diversify Financial Times Susannah Savage Less than three years ago, the world’s biggest agribusinesses were riding their latest high as they cashed in on market chaos after Russia’s assault on Ukraine upended the global food supply chain and sent grain and oilseed prices soaring. Now the “ABCD” giants — ADM, Bunge. Cargill and Louis Dreyfus Company — have fallen on tougher times, underlining their struggle to diversify as they seek to break free from the sector’s cycle of booms and slumps tied to global commodity prices. ADM and Bunge, the two listed members of the group, last month reported plunges in their annual profits, down 48 per cent and 49 per cent, respectively in 2024 — and the pain is far from over, with both expecting even steeper slides this year. #soybeans #wheat #corn #agriculture #crops #Commodities #farming #farms #farmers #markets #trade #commerce #drybulk #china #globaltrade #oilseeds

Copper price hits $10,000 on US tariff fears Futures price in London for the red metal climbed to a 5-month high Financial Times Camilla Hodgson The London price of copper climbed to a five-month high on Thursday, surpassing $10,000 per tonne as growing demand and the threat of tariffs fuelled buying. Three month futures on the London Metal Exchange for the red metal crossed the threshold in early trading, rising to a level last seen in October. New York copper traders are also paying a record premium over the price in London to buy copper, as they try to secure supply ahead of possible US tariffs. London Metal Exchange CME Group #tariffs #mining #copper #metals #commodities #basemetals #markets #trade #commerce #investing #investments #equities #globaltrade #derivatives

?? Immediate Actions to Boost American Mineral Production ?????? The new Executive Order is out. Here’s what’s happening: ?? Fast-Tracking Permits – Within 10 days, agencies must list all pending mineral production projects and identify those eligible for immediate approval. ?? Expanding Land Access – Federal lands with mineral reserves will be prioritized for mining, with expedited permitting and leasing processes. ?? Clarifying the Mining Act – Recommendations will be made to Congress on how to modernize regulations for waste rock, tailings, and mine waste disposal. ?? Mobilizing Capital – The Department of Defense and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) will deploy Defense Production Act (DPA) funds and other financial tools to support mineral producers. ?? Strategic Stockpiling & Procurement – The U.S. government will increase domestic offtake agreements for minerals critical to defense, technology, and energy. ?? What’s Included? "Critical minerals" include rare earth elements, lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and other materials essential for national security and economic growth. This order expands the definition to include gold, copper, uranium, and potash, ensuring a robust supply of minerals for batteries, semiconductors, defense systems, and renewable energy projects. #mining #energy #criticalminerals #minerals #trump #executiveorder #publicpolicy https://lnkd.in/gnqFZKiU

THE GREAT JONES ACT DEBATE With Colin Grabow and Sara Fuentes Listen now: https://lnkd.in/eQRnQ-rX

The 1960s ‘Chicken Tax’ Shows the Lasting Impact of Tariffs Imported pickups have long incurred a 25% tariff, keeping production within North America but raising little revenue for Washington The Wall Street Journal Stephen Wilmot Nothing is more American than the pickup truck. One big reason why: the “chicken tax.” The U.S. has imposed a 25% tariff on imported trucks ever since President Lyndon Johnson hit back at European levies on American poultry in 1963, less than two weeks after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. As the Trump administration pursues a barrage of new tariffs, the longstanding tax on pickup trucks bears witness to the power of high duties to reshape global trade, competition and industry over decades, with effects far exceeding their original purpose. Like today’s tensions, the dispute that became known as the “chicken war” was punctuated by worries about the trade deficit, accusations of protectionism and threats to cut Europe loose from America’s defense umbrella. #tariffs #trade #automobiles #chickens #poultry #cars #trucks #manufacturing #supplychain #politics #markets ITFA