【Overseas News】Trump visits china, us auto industry issues collective appeal; china-us economic and trade talks held in south korea; celanese announces price increase

International News Digest:

Raw Material News - Celanese Raises Global Acetyl Product Prices Due to Surge in Commodity Costs

Automotive News – As Trump Visits China, the U.S. Auto Industry Speaks Out in Unison

Electronics News - All-night negotiations fail; Samsung Electronics faces an “18-day strike starting May 21”

Packaging News - Shortage of Blister Packaging Materials Leads to Suspension of Various Food Products in Japan

Major News - China-U.S. Economic and Trade Consultations Begin in South Korea

Price News - The central parity rate of the yuan against the U.S. dollar was set at 6.8431, down 5 points.

International news details below.：

Celanese raises global prices for acetyl products due to soaring commodity costs.

Due to the global increase in raw material costs, supply chain disruptions, and inflationary pressures, Celanese Corporation has announced a price increase for its acetyl products worldwide.

Celanese Corporation announced a significant price increase for its entire portfolio of acetyl products, effective immediately or according to existing contract terms. This move aims to address the rising costs of commodities and maintain the company's profit margins in a challenging market environment. The price adjustments cover various acetyl derivatives, including acetic acid, vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), ethyl acetate, and acetic anhydride, affecting regions including the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

The core driving factors behind this price increase are the continuous rise in raw material costs and ongoing disruptions in the global supply chain. As a key chemical intermediate, acetyl products are highly dependent on raw materials such as acetic acid and thionyl chloride, which have recently experienced significant price fluctuations. Geopolitical tensions and changes in trade patterns have further exacerbated supply chain instability, increasing logistics and compliance costs. As one of the largest acetic acid producers globally, Celanese is particularly affected by these price fluctuations.

New 10,000-Ton Recycling Production Line! Polykemi and Rondo Plast Expand Recycled Engineering Plastics Applications

Over the past two years, Polykemi and Rondo Plast have invested a total of approximately €2.3 million to expand plastic recycling capacity at their Swedish site. The newly commissioned supporting facilities can enable the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials in engineering plastics, while improving the quality of recycled materials and the stability of raw material supply.

The new ReadyMac equipment at the Swedish production facility is now operational, with an annual processing capacity of 2,500 tons.

Two companies began production of a recycling line with an annual capacity of 5,000 tons of Erema in 2024. In March 2026, the facility added a ReadyMac production line, which can process an additional 2,500 tons of recycled plastic each year. With the new production lines, the companies can intervene in the material processing stage in advance and accurately match processing stabilizers, effectively improving the quality of recycled materials.

ITA Polymers expands its range of plastic materials through a partnership network of eight enterprises.

Formula developers engaged in plastic application R&D can now, through this.ITA PolymersSelect a broader range of product categories.Additives, flame retardants, masterbatches, modified materials, thermoplastic elastomers, and recycled polymersThe partnership brings together eight Italian companies: Celloplast, DIAP, GF Plast, Greenchemicals, MIFE, Pick Up, Polichem, and Seta Polymers.

According to the companies, this alliance model allows each memberMaintain its independent brand identityAt the same time, integrate technological strength and a full range of products under a unified brand.

4. Trump Visits China, U.S. Auto Industry Speaks in Unison

On May 13, Trump will officially begin a three-day visit to China—the first visit to China by a U.S. president in nine years. Among the topics, the competitive and cooperative relationship between the Chinese and American auto industries may become one of the most important and sensitive issues during the visit.

Image source: The White House

In fact, even before Trump’s visit to China, a debate had already been rapidly heating up in the United States over whether the U.S. market should be opened to China’s auto industry. More importantly, stakeholders across the American automotive supply chain—from bipartisan members of Congress to automakers, parts suppliers, as well as steel producers and labor unions—were all calling on Trump to oppose the entry of Chinese-branded vehicles into the U.S. market. This anxiety and resistance were directly translated into demands regarding the bottom line Trump should hold in the negotiations during his visit to China.

Overnight negotiations break down, Samsung Electronics faces an 18-day strike starting May 21.

At around 3 a.m. local time on May 13 in Seoul, Choi Seung-ho, a representative of the Samsung Electronics labor union, walked out of the negotiation room and announced to reporters: “The talks have failed.”

According to Reuters, Choi Seung-ho stated, "I regret that none of the issues raised by the union have been addressed." He also mentioned that there are currently no plans to resume negotiations before the strike, but he is willing to consider it if the company presents "a formal proposal."

The negotiations, mediated by the South Korean government, lasted two days but still ended in failure. The union then reiterated that if its demands are not met, more than 50,000 workers will launch a full-scale 18-day strike starting on May 21. Investors are closely monitoring developments, as any disruption to production could affect the global semiconductor supply chain.

6.Due to a shortage of blister packaging materials, various food products in Japan have been forced to be discontinued.

Affected by the situation in the Middle East, Japan is facing tight supplies of key raw materials used to manufacture plastic packaging materials, forcing many food producers to suspend sales of some products due to shortages of packaging materials. Japanese authorities expect that as prices for plastic packaging materials rise, Japan will once again face a wave of food price hikes this summer.

Japan expects a large number of food price hikes this summer as food manufacturers pass on the cost of packaging materials to consumers. Japan’s previous large-scale wave of food price increases occurred in 2023. Affected by factors such as sharply rising raw material prices and the depreciation of the yen, which increased import costs, prices rose for more than 32,000 food items in Japan that year, the highest number in 30 years.

Overseas macro markets:

Indonesia plans to introduce electric vehicle subsidies to cope with high oil prices.

Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya said in Jakarta on the 12th that, as tensions in the Middle East have pushed up international oil prices and increased the burden of energy imports, Indonesia is accelerating the transformation of its energy consumption structure and plans to launch a new round of electric vehicle subsidy policies starting in June 2026.

At the last moment, Jensen Huang, carrying a backpack, "boarded Air Force One during a refueling stop in Alaska" to accompany Trump on his visit to China! Insider: Trump called to invite him after seeing reports of his absence from the delegation.

According to CCTV News yesterday, the White House announced on the 11th the list of business leaders who will accompany Trump on his visit to China. It is understood that a total of 16 American business representatives will come to Beijing, representing U.S. companies across multiple sectors including technology, finance, aviation, and agriculture. Huang Renxun was not on the list. However, the latest shows that the world’s most valuable...AINvidia CEO Jensen Huang, the chip giant's chief executive, has made a last-minute change to his schedule and will accompany U.S. President Trump on a visit to China.

Brazil cancels federal tax on imported goods valued at $50 and below.

On the 12th, Brazilian President Lula signed an executive order to eliminate federal taxes on imported goods priced at $50 or below. According to the Brazilian government, this measure will help reduce the prices of cross-border e-commerce products and benefit low-income groups in Brazil.

Trump posts mid-flight: It is my honor to travel to great China with so many outstanding people.

On the afternoon of May 12, Eastern Time, Trump boarded Air Force One and set off for China. Before landing, Trump posted on "Truth Social," stating, "It is my honor to travel to great China with many outstanding individuals." Trump also expressed his hope that the accompanying business leaders would "shine brightly" and help China reach a higher level of development!

Saudi Arabia was reported to have launched multiple "retaliatory" airstrikes against Iran in March.

According to the UK side on the 12th, anonymous Western officials and Iranian officials said that Saudi Arabia carried out multiple undisclosed airstrikes against Iran in retaliation for attacks that occurred inside the kingdom during the US-Israel-Iran conflict. It is understood that the strikes, launched by the Saudi Air Force, took place in late March. According to the disclosure, Iranian officials said that Saudi Arabia had informed Iran of these strikes, after which the two sides engaged in intensive diplomatic contacts and agreed to de-escalate tensions in order to prevent further escalation.

China-U.S. economic and trade consultations begin in South Korea.

At noon local time on May 13, the Chinese and U.S. economic and trade teams began holding China-U.S. economic and trade consultations at Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea.

Price information:

The RMB central parity rate against the U.S. dollar was set at 6.8431, down 5 pips; the previous trading day's central parity rate was 6.8426, the previous trading day's official closing price was 6.7946, and the overnight session closed at 6.7955.

[Upstream Raw Material USD Market Prices]

On May 12, ethylene CFR Northeast Asia was USD 1,200/ton, down USD 10/ton, and CFR Southeast Asia was USD 1,250/ton, down USD 10/ton.

The average FOB Korea price of propylene in Northeast Asia remained stable at USD 1,260/ton, and the average CFR China price remained stable at USD 1,280/ton.

North Asia frozen cargo CIF price: Propane $965-973/ton; Butane $1065-1073/ton.

The CFR price of refrigerated cargoes in South China in June is USD 972-982/ton for propane and USD 1022-1032/ton for butane.

Taiwan CIF prices for refrigerated cargoes: propane at USD 965-973/ton; butane at USD 1065-1073/ton.

[LLDPE USD Market Price]

Film: USD 1,350/ton (CFR Huangpu);

[HDPE USD market price]

Thin film: USD 1,330/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Hollow: USD 1,400/ton (CFR Yantian);

Injection molding: $1400/ton (CFR Yantian);

LDPE USD market price

Film: $1660/ton (CFR Huangpu);

[PP USD Market Price]

Average: $1400/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Copolymer: USD 1,600/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Membrane material: USD 1,650/ton (CFR Huangpu);

Transparent: USD 1,500/ton (CFR Huangpu).