China's opposition to unilateral US sanctions on Iran has disrupted trade in sanctioned oil, pushing Chinese and Indian refiners to buy non-sanctioned oil. As a result, spot premiums for Middle East crude have risen by over 70% to $3 a barrel, with Brazilian crude also seeing a significant increase in premiums. Yulong Petrochemical, a new Chinese refiner, has purchased 4 million barrels of Abu Dhabi's Upper Zakum crude from TotalEnergies' trading arm Totsa, and is now in talks to buy more oil from West Africa and Canada. Indian refiners such as Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd have also been looking for more cargoes after buying spot Middle East crude before the sanctions were announced. The disruptions are expected to be mainly on shipping, with complications arising if a ship is owned or managed by companies involved in sanctioned tankers.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/china-india-refiners-scour-the-world-for-oil-amid-us-sanctions-on-russia-7463573Russia's oil exports may face a temporary disruption due to US sanctions on tankers, which are set to take effect from March. The sanctions will limit the ability of Russian ships to sell crude oil and oil products on international markets, potentially leading to a short-term increase in the discount for Russia's flagship Urals oil blend. However, India, which accounts for over 60% of Russia's seaborne oil exports, does not expect any disruption to Russian oil supply in the next two months as US-sanctioned tankers are allowed to discharge crude until March. Russia's shadow fleet, which includes around 800 tankers that use various techniques to bypass international sanctions, may be partially limited by the new restrictions. Despite this, some analysts believe that companies will find a way out of the situation within three to six months and that the decline in overall Russian crude oil exports could be limited.
https://channelnewsasia.com/world/russia-faces-higher-costs-sea-borne-oil-exports-due-new-us-sanctions-4855231Danish leadership has been criticized by a US official for not adequately securing Greenland's interests. This has created an opportunity for the United States to take a leading role in protecting its own national security and ensuring the development of Greenland's natural resources, which are considered valuable.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3948023-us-not-intending-to-use-military-force-in-greenland-jd-vance.htmlThe US government has concluded that China is unfairly dominating the global shipbuilding and logistics sectors through a range of unfair practices, including financial support for its own companies, barriers to entry for foreign firms, forced technology transfer, intellectual property theft, and procurement policies that favor domestic businesses. The investigation, led by US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, found that these practices have burdened US commerce and may lead to penalties under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
The US has imposed sanctions on several individuals and entities, including 14 members of the Rosatom Corporation board of directors, in an effort to restrict Russia's energy sector. The move targets companies involved in the Russian defense industry, such as Rosatom, which supports the country's nuclear program and is implicated in the control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. This action aims to limit Russia's ability to fund its war efforts against Ukraine by causing multibillion-dollar losses to the Russian economy.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3948004-explaining-latest-us-sanctions-against-russia-captured-north-korean-soldiers-ukraines-role-in-global-food-security.htmlThe US has imposed sanctions on two Chinese oil logistics firms, Shandong United Energy Pipeline Transportation Co Ltd and Guangrao Lianhe Energy Pipeline Conveyor Co, both based in China's Shandong province, a major refining hub. The companies primarily transport oil to domestic refiners using the Chinese yuan for payment, which is expected to minimize the impact of the sanctions.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/energy/china-india-refiners-scour-the-world-for-oil-supplies-as-us-sanctions-to-curb-russian-supplySerbian President Aleksandar Vucic has suggested that Serbia would be a suitable location for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin due to its neutral status outside of military blocs, as well as the high level of support both leaders have in the country. Vucic stated that no other European country can compare to Serbia's level of support for Trump, while also noting that Putin remains popular in the country. He expressed his intention to discuss various topics with the US administration, including sanctions imposed on Serbian oil company NIS.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/941154-proposal-putin-trump-meeting-in-serbia-would-end-the-war-in-ukraineJapanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Iwaya is set to visit Seoul on Tuesday, where he will meet with acting President Choi Sang-mok amidst a political crisis in South Korea. The crisis has been ongoing for weeks following the failed martial law bid and impeachment of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is currently facing a Constitutional Court case and an investigation into insurrection charges. Despite the turmoil, Tokyo has reaffirmed its commitment to developing bilateral ties with Seoul, which will remain consistent and unwavering under any circumstances. Iwaya's visit comes as South Korean officials seek to reassure allies of the country's stability, particularly in light of potential presidential elections within 60 days if Yoon is removed from office.
https://www.rawstory.com/japan-fm-in-south-korea-for-talks-before-trump-takes-office/The US government's actions against Chinese companies have been criticized by Maria Zakharova, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson. She pointed out the hypocrisy of the US imposing sanctions on Chinese companies for alleged human rights abuses while using prison labor in its own country to fight wildfires. In California, 783 incarcerated individuals are working alongside firefighters from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) for up to $10.24 per day, a practice that has been condemned as exploitative by activists and advocacy groups. This criticism comes as the US has blacklisted over 100 Chinese companies under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which aims to prevent goods made with forced labor from entering the US market.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/sick-of-this-hypocrisy-russia-comes-to-chinas-rescue-bashes-us-on-forced-labour-use-in-fighting-la-fires-13852165.html