The hottest Trade Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Finance Topics

US now world's top LNG exporter, as Europe boycotts cheaper Russian gas

Geopolitical Economy Report • 398 implied HN points • 08 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Energy Europe Russia Trade Geopolitics
  1. The USA is now the top exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) alongside Qatar.
  2. Europe has replaced Asia as the main market for US LNG due to boycotting cheaper Russian gas, causing energy prices in Europe to soar.
  3. Significant US LNG importers in Europe include France, Spain, Britain, the Netherlands, and Italy, resulting in economic chaos and geopolitical tensions.

How Western sanctions blow back, hurting Europe, deepening Asian integration

Geopolitical Economy Report • 378 implied HN points • 11 Jan 23
🌍 World Politics Sanctions Europe Asia Trade Global Finance
  1. Western sanctions against Russia led to increased trade with Asia but devastated Europe's economy
  2. Sanctions typically have a low success rate in changing the behavior of targeted states
  3. Sanctions can backfire and lead to unintended consequences like Russia's increased self-sufficiency and deepening Asian integration

Globalism is, in fact, Regionalism?

Christopher’s Newsletter • 255 implied HN points • 16 May 23
💼 Business Globalism Trade Supply Chains Economy
  1. Globalism is more regional than we may think, with the majority of revenue from international companies actually coming from within their own region.
  2. Software has accelerated the trend of regionalism, allowing companies to go global quickly and efficiently.
  3. Regionalism is a significant economic force, impacting everything from trade to supply chains, and is likely to continue growing in importance even amidst global challenges like Covid.
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The asbestos times

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🔬 Science Chemistry History Health Trade Production
  1. Asbestos, once favored for its fireproof properties, faced a downfall as its health risks became evident.
  2. Asbestos, a naturally occurring material, was widely used for its fireproof and durable qualities in various applications.
  3. The global use of asbestos declined due to health concerns, leading to bans in many countries and the development of alternative materials.

Argentina's Energy Landscape from 2024 onwards

BowTiedMara - Geoarbitrage & Mobility Assets • 137 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Energy Policy Infrastructure Industry Trade
  1. Argentina is likely to achieve energy independence in the near future.
  2. The current energy mix in Argentina relies heavily on fossil fuels, with plans for nuclear and hydroelectric expansion.
  3. Investments in pipelines and production in Vaca Muerta could lead Argentina to become a net exporter of energy by 2026.

Russia's Withdrawal From the Ili River Valley in 1881 - Vsemirnaya Illyustratsiya, 1882 & Ivan Poklevsky-Kozell, 1885

The Library of Alexandria Ultima • 8 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🌐 International History Territory Culture Military Trade
  1. The Ili Valley was a region of strategic importance that Russia eventually relinquished to China in 1881, marking a unique retreat in Central Asia.
  2. The handover of the Ili Valley to the Chinese involved resettling the local population, who chose to move to Russian territory, expressing concerns about Chinese rule.
  3. The Ili Valley, particularly Kuldja, was described as a vital economic and industrial center with rich resources, but its transfer to Chinese control raised military concerns for Russia.

How did COVID (Really) Shape Supply Chains?

Gad’s Newsletter • 50 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
💼 Business Supply Chains Globalization Risk management Logistics Trade
  1. During COVID, global supply chains faced disruptions from lockdowns, shortages, and transportation issues.
  2. Companies reduced the number of countries they sourced from but maintained the same number of suppliers.
  3. Businesses adapted ordering patterns by increasing shipment size and volume while decreasing frequency, influenced by the pandemic.

Wherefore pegging

featherlessbipeds • 39 implied HN points • 08 Oct 23
🚌 Education History Economy Politics Trade International relations
  1. Bretton Woods replaced the gold standard for three main reasons - poor performance, shifting economic demands, and growing political pressure for intervention.
  2. Bretton Woods selected pegged exchange rates and control of domestic monetary policy, giving up the free flow of capital.
  3. The system experienced challenges, such as the dollar shortage in Europe, and eventually faced issues like exceeding U.S. gold supplies, leading to its vulnerability and eventual unraveling.

Cascading Collapse: Navigating the Tumultuous Future of Global Economy and Energy

Anima Mundi • 20 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
💰 Finance Economy Cryptocurrency Energy Trade Inflation
  1. The global economy is facing challenges due to a disconnect between production and mounting debt.
  2. Focusing on green energy alone may not solve the economic crisis caused by resource scarcity.
  3. Potential scenarios after a financial crash include the possibility of relying on Bitcoin, challenges in returning to the gold standard, and the slow burn decline of the global economy.

The Naryn Fortification - Nikolai Zeland, 1888 & A. Sokolov, 1908

The Library of Alexandria Ultima • 5 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💾 History Colonialism Trade
  1. The Naryn Fortification in the Tianshan Mountains was a crucial outpost with military and commercial significance for Russia, controlling a key route from Kashgar.
  2. Russian colonialism in the region had economic benefits for nomadic peoples but also led to loss of freedom as they became dependent on trade with sedentary communities.
  3. The Naryn area's harsh conditions, low temperatures, and high altitude presented challenges for agriculture, leading to the need to import food items like bread and fruits.

On The Candlemaker's Petition

Marc Andreessen Substack • 55 HN points • 05 Mar 23
📚 Literature Philosophy Policy Economics Trade Technology
  1. The text discusses a petition from candlemakers in France, complaining about competition from the sun and arguing for protectionist measures.
  2. The candlemakers argue that by blocking out natural light, there will be a boost in industries related to artificial lighting, benefiting various sectors of the economy.
  3. The text challenges the idea of protecting industries from competition, highlighting that free trade and technological advancements lead to increased standards of living and overall economic growth.

Geopolitical decoupling and commodity prices

Klement on Investing • 6 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Commodities Trade Globalization
  1. Geopolitical tensions between the West, China, and Russia are leading to concerns about supply chain decoupling and rising commodity prices.
  2. Global supply chains are vulnerable, especially for critical raw materials like rare earth metals, impacting industrial production.
  3. An IMF research paper highlights the sensitivity of commodity prices to trade disruptions, showing potential surpluses and shortages in different regions.

Sake Industry News. Issue #96

Sake Industry News • 19 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🍲 Food & Drink NFT Trade
  1. Hiyaoroshi season is in full swing with good quality sake despite hot summer conditions.
  2. An interesting brand name dispute between a ramen restaurant and a sake brewery goes to court.
  3. FUWARI Co. Ltd introduces trading NFT purchases for sake, where each NFT corresponds to one bottle of aged sake.

🔅 Trevor Noah's Comeback, Kenya's Game-Changing Anti-Hunger Program, Zimbabwe's Election Fever, And more...

baobabnewsletter • 19 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics Elections Immigration Economy Trade International relations
  1. Trevor Noah is launching a new podcast on Spotify for meaningful conversations.
  2. Kenya's anti-hunger program not only provides meals to kids but also boosts the economy.
  3. Zimbabwe is gearing up for a presidential election with the current president facing competition.

Marshall's Second Law of Demand

Economic Forces • 5 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
💼 Business Economics Trade Competition Productivity
  1. Economists have many 'laws' but they aren't real laws, like Marshall's Second Law of Demand.
  2. Marshall's Second Law of Demand explains that demand elasticity changes with price and quantity consumed.
  3. Marshall's Second Law is relevant in trade theory, showing how higher productivity leads to higher markups and how competition reallocates production towards more efficient firms.

The Bronze Trade Origins of Cities

Arpitrage • 1 HN point • 23 Jan 24
💾 History Urbanization Trade Collapse
  1. The emergence of cities in the Bronze Age was closely linked to the trade of bronze, which required both tin and copper.
  2. Trade networks centered around metals played a crucial role in the formation and growth of early urban centers.
  3. The end of the Bronze Age and the shift to the Iron Age saw changes in trade dynamics, leading to the collapse of civilizations and the rise of new economic systems.

A brief history of counting machines

lcamtuf’s thing • 3 HN points • 26 Aug 23
💾 History Technology Trade Invention Development Evolution
  1. The history of counting machines dates back thousands of years, with early tools like abacus and multiplication tables.
  2. Slide rules were a significant invention in the 17th century, simplifying multiplication and division through logarithms.
  3. The evolution of calculators saw advancements like carry mechanisms and the separation of input and accumulator registers, paving the way for modern electronic calculators.

The Unwinding Reliance on China

Spilled Coffee • 4 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
💼 Business Global Economy Investments Companies Trade Stock Market
  1. Global companies are reducing reliance on China for production by moving to other countries like India, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Bangladesh.
  2. Investors are reconsidering their strategic allocation to Chinese assets and countries heavily reliant on Chinese exports.
  3. Major investors and institutions are steering clear of China, indicating a shift away from Chinese investments.

Alert: Central Bank of Nigeria Circular TED/FEM/FPC/PUB/01/001

RegAlert • 0 implied HN points • 21 Jan 22
💰 Finance Regulation Banking Trade
  1. Starting February 1, 2022, all import and export operations in Nigeria must use an Electronic Invoice authenticated by Authorised Dealer Banks on the Nigeria Single Window portal.
  2. The new regulation aims to ensure accurate valuation of import and export items through a Global Price Verification Mechanism based on benchmark prices.
  3. Imports and exports with unit prices deviating more than 2.5% from verified global prices will be scrutinized and may not be allowed to proceed.

The Week in Repair: March 27 - April 2

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 05 Apr 22
💼 Business Repair Monopolies Legislation Manufacturers Trade
  1. The EU is proposing new rules focusing on making products more durable and repairable, including requirements for information on repairs and updates.
  2. Samsung is launching a repair program allowing owners of certain devices to repair them themselves, with iFixit's assistance to provide repair guides and parts.
  3. Colorado passed a bill granting the right to repair powered wheelchairs, highlighting the importance of repair accessibility for various devices.

Into Siberia: The Long Arm of Ukrainian Intelligence and the Green Wedge

Glen’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Ukraine Russia Infrastructure Trade Intelligence
  1. Ukrainian intelligence conducted bold and strategic attacks deep inside Russia, impacting Russian trade routes and signaling a vulnerability in Siberia.
  2. The Green Wedge, a large Ukrainian community in the Russian Far East, poses a security threat to Moscow and has historical significance in Ukrainian nationalism.
  3. The recent railway attacks in Siberia will likely escalate into a broader Ukrainian sabotage campaign in the Russian Far East, affecting Russian-China trade relations and military logistics.

Advantage diminishing

Model Thinking • 0 implied HN points • 04 Dec 22
💰 Finance Economics Trade Population Production
  1. Comparative advantage in economics explains why all countries benefit from trade, not just the most efficient ones. It also applies to trade between individuals.
  2. Visualizing comparative advantage on a production possibility frontier helps illustrate the maximum possible production of goods. It shows the optimal ratio of goods to produce and how diminishing marginal returns can limit the benefits.
  3. In determining optimal populations and trade decisions, the effects of comparative advantage may be near-insignificant with only two goods, but could be more substantial with a larger variety of goods. Free trade brings benefits beyond comparative advantage due to increased returns to scale.

Soda Submarines

Once Upon A News • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
💾 History Trade Military Soviet Union
  1. PepsiCo traded cola for Soviet naval vessels in a unique barter deal in 1989
  2. The Soviet Union traded 17 submarines and other naval vessels for cases of cola
  3. The submarines acquired by PepsiCo in the deal turned out to be more rust than robust