Author: Muhammet Ali Zurnacı
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U.S. Slaps Port Fees on China-Linked Ships
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) initiated an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 into China’s practices aimed at dominating the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. This probe, prompted by a petition from U.S. labor unions in April 2024, concluded that China’s subsidies, non-market practices, and dual-use infrastructure (supporting both commercial and…
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Japan Unveils $550B U.S. Investment
On September 26, 2025, Japan’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) formally announced the creation of a new dedicated investment facility at the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), a wholly state-owned policy-based financial institution specializing in financing Japanese firms’ overseas projects. This facility is designed to operationalize Japan’s commitment to a $550 billion investment package as…
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Turkey Inks 20-Year, $43B Deal with Mercuria
On September 24, 2025, Turkey’s state-owned energy company BOTAŞ (Petroleum Pipeline Corporation) signed a 20-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreement with Swiss-based energy trading firm Mercuria Energy Group Ltd. The deal, announced by Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, secures approximately 4 billion cubic meters (bcm) of US-sourced LNG annually, starting in 2026 and running…
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AI-Powered Virtual Power Plants Poised to Reshape Global Grids
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) projects that virtual power plants (VPPs) could triple by 2030 — helping offset AI-driven demand growth and saving billions of dollars. Tools such as NVIDIA’s AI Enterprise accelerate development of demand forecasting and grid-management applications, enabling utilities to modernize legacy systems without massive capital outlays. What is your most…
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Trump Urges NATO to Down Russian Jets
On September 23, 2025 (a Tuesday), during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York City, President Donald Trump was asked by reporters whether NATO member countries should shoot down Russian aircraft that violate their airspace. Trump responded affirmatively, saying “Yes, I…