The newly announced U.S. tariffs on imported automobiles are reverberating across Japan and South Korea, threatening industries that have been central to the economic development and national identity of both countries. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on foreign cars and light trucks starting April 3 immediately triggered a selloff in shares of leading automakers such as Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, and Kia, wiping out an estimated $16.5 billion in market value.

The tariffs strike at the heart of two of Asia’s most vital manufacturing sectors. In both countries, the auto industry is not only a significant contributor to GDP and exports, but also an anchor of employment and innovation. Japan’s automobile industry alone represents about 3% of the country’s GDP, with a supply chain encompassing around 60,000 companies and supporting over 5 million jobs—roughly 8% of the national workforce.

The enforcement of China’s export restrictions on gallium, a vital material in chipmaking, has led to a rapid 50% price increase within just seventeen days since the regulations came into effect on August 1st. Gallium is a critical element used in chip production, particularly in the creation of advanced semiconductors like gallium arsenide (GaAs) and gallium nitride (GaN). China dominates the gallium production landscape, accounting for as much as 80% of the global output, giving it significant leverage in the ongoing economic tensions between the U.S. and China.

Italian energy company Eni has reached a significant agreement with the UK government regarding the terms and conditions for providing services in a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in the country. Eni operates as the carbon dioxide (CO2) transport and storage operator…