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Tag: asia

  • Over 600 Lexus cars recalled in Vietnam

    Over 600 Lexus cars recalled in Vietnam

    Toyota Vietnam has issued a recall for 634 Lexus cars in Vietnam due to potential issues with their cameras and fuel injectors.

    Most of the recalled vehicles were produced between November 2022 and August 2023, according to Vietnam Register.

    The cover of the front and rear cameras of these units can be exposed after time, allowing water to enter and causing internal short circuit that can disable them.

    Among the recalled vehicles are 26 units that have fuel injectors which can be distorted over time, increasing risks of explosion.

    While no incidents have been reported so far, the manufacturer is recalling these vehicles as a precautionary measure.

    Owners of the affected vehicles are entitled to a free replacement of these parts at Lexus dealerships in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The recall service will be available for three years, starting from Aug. 13.

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  • Google Messages to receive a much-needed update to improve RCS media quality

    Google Messages to receive a much-needed update to improve RCS media quality

    Google has been working on improving communication between Android and iPhone users, and it looks like they’re making some great strides. The latest Google Messages beta reveals a new feature that allows Android users to send high-quality media to iPhone users over RCS.

    Currently, Google Messages compresses media heavily before sending it, which means that iPhone users often receive blurry or pixelated images and videos, even on RCS. This is a major pain point, especially when trying to share important memories or documents. Now that iOS will soon have RCS support, this is an issue that must be remedied as soon as possible.

    Fortunately, as discovered in the latest beta version of the Messages app, Google is finally addressing this issue by giving users the option to send media in its original quality. In the latest beta, users will be prompted to choose between two options when sending media:

    • Optimized for chat: Send faster with reduced quality
    • Original quality: Send with no changes to quality, uses more date

    Once you make your selection, this option will apply to all current and future chats.

    This update is a big deal for a couple of reasons. First, it means that Android and iPhone users will finally be able to share high-quality media with each other seamlessly. No more blurry photos or pixelated videos. Second, it shows that Google is committed to improving the RCS experience. They’re listening to user feedback and making the necessary changes to make RCS a viable alternative to traditional SMS.

    It’s also worth noting that this update is just one of many that Google has made to Google Messages in recent months. The company has been working hard to improve the app’s overall experience, and it’s clear that they’re committed to making it the best messaging app on the market.

    That said, there are still a few unknowns. We don’t know when this feature will roll out to all users, and we don’t know when Apple will fully enable RCS support on all iPhones, as it is still in beta. However, it’s likely that both of these things will happen in the near future.

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  • Google Maps rolls out redesigned pins and new colors

    Google Maps rolls out redesigned pins and new colors

    Last week, Google Maps rolled out a simplified bottom bar on mobile. Now, we’re getting an update that brings new pin colors and shapes.

    The iconic pin shape with a sharper point at the bottom is now gone. However, it’s still in the app icon. Instead of it, with this new update, we’re getting something shorter and more rounded with a white background. The icon that shows the category is housed in an inner circle. This matches the existing icon design for starts, flags, and hearts.

    Most pins have remained the same while some have changed. For example, the one for museums is now purple instead of teal. Other color tweaks with the update are more subtle like the zoo icon going lighter. The change is also applied to text.

    The new pin design makes the icons smaller which might allow Google to show more per map view. This server-side update is now rolling out for Android, iOS, and the web version.

    I like the new design for the pins as it really does seem to allow for a more simple map, and can fit more information in it. The smaller pins give a cleaner look, and I’m all for that.

  • WestJet Cargo expands pet transportation services to major European destinations on International Dog Day

    WestJet Cargo expands pet transportation services to major European destinations on International Dog Day

    As the world marks International Dog Day on August 26, WestJet Cargo is pleased to announce the expansion of its pet transportation services to three major European airports: London Gatwick (LGW), London Heathrow (LHR), and Edinburgh (EDI). This expansion comes in response to the growing demand for secure and reliable international pet travel between Canada and Europe, reinforcing WestJet Cargo’s commitment to providing specialized care for pets during their journey.

    “At WestJet Cargo, we recognize that pets are beloved members of the family, and their safety and comfort during travel are our utmost priorities. By extending our pet transportation service to LGW, LHR, and EDI, we are enhancing connectivity for pet owners and ensuring that their pets receive the highest standard of care throughout their journey,” said Kirsten de Bruijn, Executive Vice President of WestJet Cargo.

    WestJet Cargo’s pet transportation service is tailored to meet the specific needs of all pets, including brachycephalic breeds, which require special attention during air travel. The airline strictly adheres to IATA’s Live Animals Regulations, and all pet transport occurs in pressurized, temperature-controlled cargo holds to ensure a safe and comfortable environment. Pet owners are provided with comprehensive pre-flight preparation guidelines, and WestJet Cargo maintains open communication throughout the journey, offering support in the event of any unexpected changes.

    Pet owners and specialized freight forwarders can easily arrange transportation through WestJet Cargo’s customer service or online booking system. The service is designed to comply with European regulations, accommodating the specific requirements of international pet travel.

    In addition to the new routes, WestJet Cargo has been operating year-round pet transportation services to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) since this year. In response to continued strong demand, some of the routes scheduled to pause later this year will resume next year. Looking forward, WestJet Cargo plans to leverage its strong passenger network to expand its pet transportation services across Europe further.

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  • Vietnam’s economy projected to grow 6.1% this year

    Vietnam’s economy projected to grow 6.1% this year

    Vietnam’s economic growth is expected to pick up in 2024, driven by a rebound in manufactured exports and tourism, and recovering consumption and business investment, the World Bank (WB) said on August 26 in a new report.

    The economy is forecast to grow 6.1% in 2024, and 6.5% in both 2025 and 2026, up from 5% last year, according to the bank’s latest bi-annual economic report on the country Taking Stock.

    The report, “Reaching New Heights in Capital Markets,” highlights the resilience of the Vietnamese economy despite rising global challenges. However, it notes that the economy is not yet back on its pre-pandemic growth path.

    Enhanced public investment would provide short-term stimulus while also addressing emerging infrastructure gaps – for example in energy, transport, and logistics – which are becoming a growing constraint on growth, it said. Bank asset quality remains a concern given rising non-performing loans and should be closely monitored by the authorities.

    “During the first half of the year, Vietnam’s economy benefited from the rebound in export demand,” said WB East Asia and Pacific Practice Manager for Macroeconomics, Trade, and Investment Sebastian Eckardt. “To sustain growth momentum not only for the rest of the year but over the medium-term, the authorities should deepen structural reforms, step up public investment while carefully managing emerging financial risks.”

    A special chapter of the report finds that development of capital markets would provide a vital source of long-term funding for Vietnam’s economy and help the country achieve its goal of becoming a high-income nation by 2045. The report highlights key challenges, including underdevelopment of the institutional investor base and underutilization of the Vietnam Social Security fund (VSS).

    The report recommends a stronger policy framework, in which VSS could be a force in driving capital market development. Policies that would allow markets to reclassify Vietnam from Frontier Market status to Emerging Market status would help attract more foreign investors, as would reforms to enhance market transparency and investor protection. Effective coordination among financial regulators is crucial for achieving these goals.

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  • Google launches new quick reply experience for Gmail users on Android

    Google launches new quick reply experience for Gmail users on Android

    Google is adding a new quick reply experience to Gmail on Android devices, which will allow users to skip a few steps when they want to reply to emails. The new quick reply experience is available starting today on Android only, Google announced.

    Up until now, Gmail offered Android users multiple options such as Reply, Reply all or Forward a message when in the conversation view of an email. Once the users selected one of the options, they would be directed to a full screen compose view to send their reply.

    Thanks to the updated quick reply experience, users can reply to emails directly from the bottom of the conversation, without having to open a new screen. This option has been specifically designed for quick, lightweight replies, so for longer responses, users can expand the text box to access more formatting options.

    Although Google announced that the new quick reply experience is only available on Android device, the search giant confirmed iOS users will get it too sometime later this year.

    To start using the quick reply experience, simply open an email, click into the text box at the bottom, type your reply, and then tap the send icon. As mentioned earlier, for more formal replies, you can tap the “Expand to full screen” icon to switch to the full screen compose view.

    The new feature is available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts.

    As far as availability goes, Google announced that Workspace customers will get it in the next two weeks, while Google accounts and Workspace Individual subscribers already benefit from the new quick reply experience.

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  • Chrome on Android now vibrates when you pull to refresh

    Chrome on Android now vibrates when you pull to refresh

    Chrome 128 for Android now has a small but useful feature: a subtle vibration when you pull-to-refresh a page. This adds a tactile element to the usual visual cues, like the spinning icon and loading bar. It’s a small detail that could make refreshing pages feel a bit more responsive.

    The vibration only happens when you pull down from the very top of the page, not when you use the refresh button in the three-dot menu. This seems like a good choice, as it helps distinguish between the two actions.

    So far, this feature has been spotted on Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones. It’s not clear if other Android devices will get it too, but it seems likely.

    Besides the vibration feedback, Chrome is also expected to replace the Chrome Sync option with a simple Google Account sign-in. This will simplify the process of syncing all of your personal data, such as browsing history, cookies, passwords, or bookmarks and tabs, from your desktop to your Android device

    While the addition of haptic feedback for page refreshes might seem like a minor update, it’s part of a larger trend towards making our digital interactions more engaging and intuitive. Subtle cues like vibrations can provide valuable feedback and enhance the overall user experience.

    Chrome 128 itself is currently rolling out gradually through the Play Store. If you don’t have it yet, you might need to wait a bit. But it’s worth keeping an eye out for, especially if you’re the type who refreshes pages a lot.

    Of course, Chrome 128 is just one update in a long line. There’s always something new on the horizon, and it’ll be interesting to see what Google has in store for us next. For now, though, let’s enjoy the little things, like a gentle vibration when we refresh a page. It’s a small reminder that our phones are getting smarter and more intuitive all the time.

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  • Thai durian dominates Chinese market

    Thai durian dominates Chinese market

    Thailand is consolidating its position as the leading supplier of durians to China, reported the South China Morning Post.

    Shipments of fresh durians from Thailand to China – the world’s top consumer of the pungent fruits – rebounded in the second quarter after a drop earlier this year. It is attributed to a seasonal harvest spike and a lasting reputation for quality.

    Data from China Customs showed that durian imports from Thailand reached nearly $2.67 billion, accounting for 75% of total fruit imports. This figure is a significant improvement compared to the 42.5% recorded in the first quarter of this year. In addition, Thailand accounted for 68% of China’s durian import market share in 2023.

    Thailand’s main competitor, Vietnam, supplied almost all of the remaining shipments in the second quarter. Vietnamese durians are more competitive in terms of price than their Thai peers in China due to lower transport costs thanks to the use of land border.

    According to Liang Yan, an economist at Willamette University in the U.S. state of Oregon, Thailand has long had a “first mover advantage” among Chinese consumers.

    The second quarter of each year marks the major harvest season for Thai durians, observers said, while consistency of flavour and brand recognition grant additional appeal.

    Thailand’s increased share in the second quarter can be mainly attributed to the seasonal peak of Thai durian production, their strong and established trade networks, and consumer preference for Thai durians during this time, said Lim Chin Khee, an adviser with the Durian Academy, an institution that trains Malaysian growers.

    China, the world’s biggest buyer of durians, imported 1.4 million tonnes in 2023. Dubbed “king of fruits” by many consumers, it is treated as a delicacy and has even been given as a gift to celebrate special occasions such as weddings.

    Thai durians remain popular in China largely because the flavour seldom wavers, though the fruits lack the variety of taste, said Song Seng Wun, an economic adviser at the Singapore-based financial services firm CGS.

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  • Chinese tourists drive up Louis Vuitton

    Chinese tourists drive up Louis Vuitton

    Chinese tourists are fueling a surge in luxury goods sales in Japan, capitalizing on the weakened yen, which has plummeted to its lowest level in decades this year.

    Major luxury brands, including Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, and Burberry, have reported significant sales growth in Japan during the first six months, despite experiencing weaker results in other markets.

    French fashion house Yves Saint Laurent’s sales jumped 42% in Japan “due to strong growth in the number of tourists visiting from China and Southeast Asia, who were attracted by the pricing differential arising from the favorable exchange rate,” its parent company Kering said recently.

    Another French brand, Louis Vuitton, operated by conglomerate LVMH, saw “exceptional growth in Japan arising in particular from purchases made by Chinese travelers.

    British brand Burberry has seen slower sales in China, its biggest market. But Japan posted a 6% growth, thanks to a surge in tourists’ spending, especially those from China, it said in a financial report last month.

    “Globally, the Chinese customer group also declined but held up better than mainland China as spend was diverted offshore,” it said.

    “Japan continued to grow, benefiting from strong tourism spend mainly from Chinese and near shore customers in Asia, whilst locals remained soft,” it added.

    The number of Chinese tourists in Japan quadrupled year-on-year in the first six months to 3.1 million, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

    The Japanese yen has been the one of the most depreciated currencies in the world this year and is hovering around the lowest in nearly four decades against the U.S. dollar.

    The Chinese yuan has risen 6.9% against the yen so far this year. Last month it reached a 24-year high against the Japanese currency.

    This currency disparity created opportunities for Chinese nationals like Snow and her boyfriend, who spent their first Japan visit indulging in luxury purchases.

    At a Gucci shop in Tokyo, the 30-year-old spent US$3,390 on a bag and two accessories.

    Another tourist who visited Japan in June said: “With the effect of the weak yen, shopping is quite affordable.”

    “You could buy a Bulgari necklace that costs 368,000 yen in mainland China for 300,000 yen in Japan.”

    Interest among affluent Chinese households in visiting Japan increased by 5 percentage points in May compared to a survey conducted last September, according to a study by consulting firm Oliver Wyman.

    Their travels are motivated by affordability. Prices for a range of luxury products in Japan were 10% to 30% lower than in mainland China, it added.

    Foreigners visiting Japan spent JPY2.14 trillion in the second quarter, a new quarterly record, according to the Japan Tourism Agency. Apart from mainland China, other major inbound tourism markets included South Korea, Taiwan and the U.S.

    Large department stores have also reaped the benefits of the luxury shopping boom. Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings’ three flagship stores in Tokyo experienced a 20% year-over-year sales increase in the first half of July.

    Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores’s tax-exempt sales jumped nearly 22% during the same period.

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  • WeTransfer on mobile now lets you extend link expiration dates

    WeTransfer on mobile now lets you extend link expiration dates

    If you often send files online, you’ve likely heard of WeTransfer, a go-to platform for sending large files. And if you’ve used it, you probably know that the expiry dates for files can be a hassle. If you don’t download the files right away, it is easy to forget before the link expires, leading to the annoying need to ask for a resend. But here is some good news: a new feature for the mobile app is set to change this.

    WeTransfer has rolled out a new feature that lets you tweak the expiry date of files right from the mobile app. With the new “Save for Later” option, you can now hang onto a transfer for up to 30 extra days. This gives you more time to check out or download files on your mobile or even send them to yourself to access later on your desktop.

    Your saved transfers will be sorted in a special section of the WeTransfer app, so you can quickly grab what you need. You will also have the freedom to decide how long you want to keep access to your files (well, within 30 days), which means no more awkward follow-ups for resends. Curious about trying out this new feature? Here is how to get started:

    1. Download and launch: Grab the WeTransfer app from the App Store or Google Play, then open it and log in to your account.
    2. Receive a transfer: Whenever you get a new transfer, just open the WeTransfer app.
    3. Save for later: Tap on the transfer you want to keep, then hit “Save for Later.”
    4. Extend expiry dates: Need more time? You can extend the file’s expiry date up to 30 days right from the saved transfers section. Just select the file and choose a new date.
    5. Quick access: Access your saved files whenever you need them. The app stores everything in one easy-to-find section, so your files are always within reach.
    Actually, WeTransfer kicked things off with a bit of a mix-up on its X account. It announced that users could extend link expiration for up to 30 days in the mobile app and claimed that “WeTransfer links will no longer expire.” But let’s be real – 30 days isn’t exactly forever, right? To make things even trickier, a shared image  on the company’s blog showed an option for extending to 60 days, while the blog post stuck with the 30-day claim.

    Eventually, the company clarified that how long users can extend the expiry really depends on their plan and that if you don’t use that save option, your links can still vanish, so they can expire after all.

    While you still have to take steps to keep the link from expiring in just three days, I think this new feature is a welcomed addition. It is perfect for those times when you can’t download files right away but want to grab them later without digging through your email.

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  • J&T Express turns to net profit in H1 2024

    J&T Express turns to net profit in H1 2024

    J&T Global Express Limited a global logistics service provider, announced its 2024 interim results for the first half of 2024. In the first half of the year, J&T’s revenue reached US$4.86 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of 20.6%. Revenue of its core business, express delivery services, reached US$4.74 billion, marking a YoY increase of 33.7%. Gross profit showed a YoY increase of 176.8% to US$540 million.

    In H1 2024, all of J&T’s profit metrics swung to positive. The Company reported a net profit of US$31.026 million, a significant turnaround compared to the loss of US$670 million over the same period last year. Adjusted net profit was US$63.248 million, compared to a loss of US$260 million over the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA soared by 795.6% to reach US$350 million. Adjusted EBIT also turned positive and reached US$120 million, underlining a healthy and sustainable level of profitability.

    During the Period, J&T’s total parcel volume increased by 38.3% YoY to 11.01 billion. The business scale of all operating regions continued to expand, with parcel volume consistently achieving double-digit growth. In Southeast Asia, parcel volume increased by 42% YoY to 2.04 billion, raising its market share to 27.4%. In China, parcel volume grew by 37% to 8.84 billion. In newer markets such as Saudi Arabia and Mexico, parcel volume surged approximately 64% to 140 million.

    China’s parcel volume growth leads the industry; cost per parcel reduction drives adjusted EBIT to profitability for the first time
    During the Period, J&T’s market share continued to rise, with a 37% YoY growth in parcel volume outpacing its peers. J&T’s market share, in terms of parcel volume in China, reached 11%, up 1.1 percentage points YoY. This was primarily driven by J&T seizing the growth opportunities brought by the rapid growth of social e-commerce and enhancing customer acquisition with cost-effective services. At the same time, J&T continued to explore its business development in China’s lower-tier markets, cooperating with a number of e-commerce platforms to undertake consolidation delivery business targeting at remote areas, thereby helping e-commerce vendors and e-commerce platforms to expand to areas that were originally difficult to reach.

    In the first half of the year, J&T revenue in the Chinese market was approximately US$3 billion, a year-on-year increase of about 36%. The adjusted EBITDA reached US$200 million, and the adjusted EBIT turned positive for the first time, reaching US$59.595 million. This is mainly due to the Company’s relatively stable revenue per parcel in the first half of the year, with the unit cost per parcel of express delivery continuing to decline. Specifically, the unit cost per parcel dropped by about 6% to US$0.32. Benefited from to the continuous implementation of refined management and operational optimization in each process in China, which has continually enhanced the strength and efficiency of our entire network.

    Maintaining its lead in SEA for four consecutive years with growing market share; continually optimizing service quality
    J&T’s full coverage and well-established logistics network in SEA, as well as its cost-effective services and strong customer relationships, have continued to serve as competitive advantages. As a result, the Company’s parcel volume in the region increased by 42% YoY. J&T’s market share reached 27.4%, up 2 percentage points compared to 2023.

    In SEA, J&T continues to seize opportunities in the e-commerce market and actively develop non-e-commerce platform customers. The Company also benefits from both the overall rise in e-commerce volume and the emergence of social commerce, while maintaining a strong commitment to service quality. In H1 2024, the Company’s average parcel delivery time in SEA was shortened by 13.8% YoY.

    In the first half of 2024, revenue of the Company’s SEA operations increased by 22% to US$1.52 billion, adjusted EBITDA grew by 13% to US$210 million, and adjusted EBIT grew by 46% YoY to reach US$130 million.

    New Markets business maintained rapid growth and actively expands local e-commerce customer base
    J&T continues to penetrate new markets, rapidly expanding its business scale. The volume of packages in J&T new markets is growing at a high speed. While maintaining close cooperation with Chinese cross-border e-commerce platforms, we are actively developing and maintaining good relationships with major local e-commerce platforms such as Noon in the Middle East and Salla in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, the demand for parcel services from individual customers and commercial organizations in new markets is increasing. To better serve this need, we have launched the J&T SPEED product in the Middle East.

    In 1H 2024, revenue from new markets reached US$290 million, representing a near 1.2x YoY increase. This growth was fuelled primarily by a 64% YoY surge in regional parcel volume. During the Period, gross profit turned positive, reaching US$35.022 million, while the adjusted EBITDA loss narrowed significantly to US$7.84 million compared to the same period last year.

    Continue to enhance service experience: Solidifying the path to global development
    J&T is committed to providing customers with an enhanced logistics service experience by continuously building its own sorting centers, enhancing the efficiency of self-operated transportation fleets, and investing in automated equipment across various markets. As of 30 June 2024, the Company had approximately 8,000 network partners and around 19,900 outlets. The Company operated 237 sorting centers equipped with 254 automated sorting lines. Its transportation network comprised over 4,100 line-haul routes, utilizing more than 9,900 vehicles, including over 5,700 that were company-owned.

  • Japan’s biggest sushi chain Sushiro launches first Beijing store

    Japan’s biggest sushi chain Sushiro launches first Beijing store

    Japan’s biggest sushi restaurant chain Sushiro opened its first store in China’s Beijing Wednesday as part of its expansion in the world’s most populated country.

    Its new store, located in the Xidan Joy City shopping mall, has four private rooms, each allowing up to 10 customers, who can order from a touch screen and pick up their food from a conveyor belt, according to Nikkei Asia.

    This is Sushiro’s 45th location in China. It launched the first store in Guangzhou in 2021 and has expanded to several cities since.

    Sushiro, headquartered in Osaka, has over 500 restaurants in Japan. It was founded 30 years ago and is now present in many Asian countries including South Korea, Thailand and Singapore.

    Its competitor Hama Shushi has also been expanding in China and opened the first Beijing store earlier this year.

    China has prohibited the import of seafood from Japan due to the discharge of treated radioactive wastewater. In China, conveyor belt sushi restaurants primarily offer locally sourced seafood.

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  • EU slashes tariffs on Chinese-made EVs

    EU slashes tariffs on Chinese-made EVs

    The European Union has slashed its planned extra tariff on Tesla electric vehicles imported from China by more than half, the bloc’s executive said on Tuesday, following further investigations requested by the company.

    The European Commission also revised its proposed punitive duties on imports of Chinese-made EVs in draft findings, in the highest profile EU investigation of alleged Chinese subsidies, which has provoked threats of retaliation from Beijing.

    It set a new reduced extra rate of 9% for Tesla, lower than the 20.8% it had indicated in July, and said some Chinese companies in joint ventures with EU automakers may also receive lower planned punitive duties on Chinese-made EV imports.

    The tariffs are on top of the EU’s standard 10% duty on car imports, a measure the Commission says is aimed at levelling the playing field and countering what it says are unfair subsidies.

    Tesla had requested a recalculation of its rate, to be based on the specific subsidies the company had received. The Commission said on Tuesday it had verified that it received less subsidies from the Chinese government compared with the country’s EV makers which Brussels had investigated.

    The Commission, which sets EU trade policy, said it still believed Chinese EV production has benefited from extensive subsidies and proposed duties on other companies of up to 36.3% – slightly lower than the maximum initial planned duty of 37.6% set in July for companies that did not cooperate with the EU’s anti-subsidy investigation.

    China’s commerce ministry said in response it is “firmly opposed to and highly concerned” about the findings, and vowed to take all necessary measures to protect Chinese firms.

    The draft findings were based on “facts unilaterally determined by the EU side, not on facts mutually agreed upon,” the ministry said in a statement.

    China hopes the EU side will expedite the exploration of proper solutions in a rational and pragmatic manner, and take practical actions to avoid the escalation of trade frictions, it added.

    Beijing launched a challenge at the World Trade Organization earlier this month.

    Lower duties

    Tesla was among the companies classed as cooperating with the EU investigation. It did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

    The Commission said three companies it had sampled would each receive slightly lower provisional duties than indicated in July. China’s BYD would face a rate of 17.0% from 17.4% levied in July, Geely 19.3% versus 19.9% and SAIC 36.3% from 37.6%.

    Chinese firms in joint ventures with EU producers may also be eligible for the lower duties planned for the Chinese companies in which they are integrated, the Commission said.

    Volkswagen’s SEAT subsidiary was now expecting to receive a lower tariff of 21.3% on its Cupra Tavascan, which is produced by a joint venture in China majority-owned by the German automaker, a source close to the matter told Reuters.

    A spokesperson for SEAT said it was working with the VW Group to reduce the impact of the tariffs further.

    BMW said in a statement its joint venture in China which produces the electric Mini was also classed as a “cooperating company”, qualifying it for a lower duty of 21.3%, versus the 37.6% Brussels had indicated last month.

    The planned tariffs could become the EU’s final measure on Chinese-made EVs once its investigation is concluded in about two months.

    Interested parties have until Aug. 30 to submit their comments on the Commission’s findings.

    The proposed final duties will be subject to a vote by the EU’s 27 states. They will be implemented unless a qualified majority of 15 EU members representing 65% of the EU population vote against.

    It is a high hurdle that is rarely reached, although this is a politically charged file.

    In an advisory vote in July, 12 EU members supported the provisional tariffs, four voted against and 11 abstained, sources said.

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  • Pattern Creators Launches Next-Gen Ambassador Marketing

    Pattern Creators Launches Next-Gen Ambassador Marketing

    Leading global ecommerce and marketplace accelerator Pattern, today announced the launch of ‘Pattern Creators’ to help Australian brands reach new audiences, build brand equity and create engaging user-generated style content  through ambassador-led marketing. Pattern Creators, is fuelled by its own proprietary software ‘Current’. The platform centralises all aspects of creator marketing, enabling brands to truly scale their ambassador programs, from recruitment and product seeding to content approvals, campaign management and revenue tracking.

    In 2024, social media is a crucial source of product information for consumers, with around a third (36%) of Australians using their social networks to find information about brands and products.

    “Today’s consumers have a highly tuned radar for inauthenticity. They seek genuine and credible voices. Influencers bring a level of relatability and trust that is unparalleled, making them a critical component in any modern marketing strategy. Pattern Creators helps to bridge the gap between consumer trust and brand engagement and by leveraging authentic ambassador connections, brands can grow awareness and their customer base,” said Merline McGregor, General Manager of Pattern Australia.

    An increasing number of brands are partnering with micro-influencers to promote products, as 67% of Australian brands looked to increase their influencer budgets from the start of 2023. This surge in investment reflects the fact that 61% of Australian brands planned to repeat partnerships with influencers, highlighting the need for brands to build their own team of creators, rather than repeatedly sourcing new individuals who don’t have an ongoing affiliation with the brand.

    “In a world where social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram thrive on authentic user-generated content, over highly polished branded content, Pattern Creators enables brands to seamlessly engage with existing and potential customers on a deeper level. It does this by generating robust AI-driven ambassador prospect lists with a few simple prompts, allowing brands to identify influencers who can genuinely and effectively tell a brand’s story,” commented McGregor.

    Pattern Creators enables brands to centralise their influencer management across central functions including recruitment, product seeding, contracting, reporting, content approvals and communications. This allows brands to truly scale their ambassador programs, reducing the time and effort typically required to source and manage bespoke influencer talent and content production.

    Measuring the true impact of ambassador marketing can be challenging, but Pattern Creators has transformed this process. It allows brands to develop their own direct relationship with ambassadors to negotiate diverse commission models, utilise promo codes, and monitor affiliate links, providing clear insights into how an influencer’s endorsement translates into product sales.

    “Traditional influencer management platforms typically rely on a pool of existing ambassadors shared amongst all brands. What sets Pattern Creators apart is that we recruit unique creators specifically for each brand we work with,” explained McGregor. “We also ensure that the brand themselves directly own the relationship with these ambassadors. This approach results in unique and authentic partnerships resulting in quality content production, reflecting the individual needs and identity of each brand.”

    “Brand leaders understand that scaling a community of creators is incredibly challenging. Our platform supports brands to navigate these complexities much more effectively. By developing strong ambassador programs, this solution sets brands up for success in the next frontier of social media marketing,” McGregor concluded.

    For more information about Pattern Creators and how it can elevate your brand, reach out at au@pattern.com.

    About Pattern Inc

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  • Vietnam gains approval to export frozen durian

    Vietnam gains approval to export frozen durian

    Vietnam is allowed to export frozen durian and fresh coconuts to China under an official quota, following the signing of protocols between the two countries on Monday.

    These protocols signed by Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and China’s General Administration of Customs in Beijing under the witness of Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary and President To Lam and China’s Communist Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping are expected to increase shipment of the fruits.

    Another protocol that was signed allow the export of Vietnamese crocodiles to China under official quota.

    The protocols, which are key components of the Goods Trade Agreement and took effect immediately upon signing, include specific requirements for animal and plant quarantine as well as food safety.

    The protocols, which integral parts of the Goods Trade Agreement and took effect immediately after signing, consist of specific requirements on animal and plant quarantine and food safety.

    All exporters that have completed necessary procedures and meet the import country’s quarantine requirements can deliver their products across the border.

    Agriculture minister Le Minh Hoan said that the three protocols are the results of negotiations between the two countries, which allows Vietnamese frozen durian and fresh coconuts to reach a market of 1.4 billion people.

    Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of Vietnam Fruits and Vegetables Association, said that the majority of Vietnamese frozen durian has so far been exported to mostly Thailand, the U.S. and Europe with a total value of several hundred million U.S. dollars a year.

    With China opening its door, exports of this fruit will likely surge, he added.

    Last year Vietnam exported 500,000 tons of fresh durian with a total value of $2.3 billion, in which China bought 90%.

    Vietnam now has 154,000 hectares of durian with a total yield of 1.2 million tons, and the latter figure grows around 15% a year.

    The country is also a major exporter of coconuts with 175,000 hectares of the fruit, mostly in the Mekong Delta region.

    With the new protocols signed, frozen durian exports are expected to reach $400-500 million this year, while fresh coconut exports are set to increase by $200-300 million.

    To Lam and his spouse are on a state visit to China from Aug.18-20.