Asia top stories – weekly summary

Sourced from ICIS

 S Korea hikes ADDs on China PET films after review
By Jonathan Yee 21-Nov-25 11:28 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–South Korea hiked its antidumping duties (ADDs) on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films imports from two Chinese producers, including their affiliates, effective 20 November, the country’s trade watchdog said.

Saudi Arabia’s Aramco signs 17 deals worth over $30bn with US firms
By Nurluqman Suratman 20-Nov-25 10:22 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Aramco has signed 17 agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with US companies with a potential total value of more than $30 billion, the company said on 19 November.

South Korea’s Hyundai Chemical finalizing restructuring plans
By Jonathan Yee 19-Nov-25 14:36 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–South Korea’s HD Hyundai Chemical is preparing to submit final business restructuring plans to the government, a spokesperson from its parent firm said on Wednesday.

Petrochemical firms must consolidate amid losses; demand recovery unlikely in short-term
By Jonathan Yee 20-Nov-25 13:28 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Petrochemical markets are not expected to recover in the short-term and firms need to accept restructuring as a necessity, an ICIS analyst said.

India posts record October trade deficit on export slump
By Nurluqman Suratman  18-Nov-25 13:37 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–India’s trade deficit swelled to a record high of $41.7 billion in October, as exports slumped by about 12% year on year amid the US’ 50% tariffs on Indian goods.

Japan Q3 economy shrinks for first time in six quarters
By Nurluqman Suratman 17-Nov-25 12:19 SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Japan’s economy shrank by 1.8% on an annualized basis in the July-September quarter, marking the first contraction in six quarters, on poor exports in the face of US tariffs, preliminary government data showed on Monday.