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INTERNATIONAL
GLOBAL INSIGHT
Ukraine war
Martin
Sandbu
Moore believes many are who saw the moral travesty of what was “blizzard of propaganda and disinfor- ‘Our door ner as a tool of imperialism in Africa,
being done here,” Moore said. “Many mation” that had “opened up vast new and that it offered “a Faustian pact” to
wrestling with ‘moral is always
travesty’ of invasion
Russians are [now] wrestling with the
same dilemmas . . . as their predeces-
sors did.”
terrains for fake news, blurring the dis-
tinction between fantasy and reality”.
“A significant part of our role [will be]
open . . .
leaders in the Central African Republic,
Mali and “perhaps the contenders for
power in Sudan or the new rulers of
EU faces dilemma
JOHN PAUL RATHBONE — LONDON He cited the mutiny by Yevgeny Prig-
ozhin’s Wagner group as “a real indica-
to try and . . . detect, uncover, and then
disrupt people who would like to
together we
will work to
Burkina Faso”.
“Now they’ve had to watch the very
over how to deal with
The head of Britain’s MI6 has appealed
to Russians appalled by the killing in
Ukraine to join forces with the his for-
tion” of how the invasion of Ukraine
“was bleeding back into the Russian
body politic and potentially destabilis-
develop AI in directions which are dan-
gerous,” he said.
Moore said Russia’s military cam-
bring the
mercenaries who they are supposed to
trust turning against their ultimate
patron, Vladimir Putin,” Moore said. “If
Moscow’s frozen assets
bloodshed
T
eign spy agency. ing” the regime. paign had run out of steam and “there Russian mercenaries can betray Putin,
“I invite them to do what others have Moore also explored what artificial appears to be little prospect of the Rus- to an end’ who else might be betrayed?”
done this past 18 months and join hands intelligence meant for spycraft, arguing sian forces regaining momentum”. One area where Moore suggested he ime is running out for Ursula von der Leyen to
with us,” Sir Richard Moore said yester- that the “human factor” of his agents He said Ukraine’s counteroffensive had little visibility was the state of decide what to do with hundreds of billions of
day in a rare public speech. “Our door is would become even more important in was proving “a hard grind” but he was Putin’s relationship with Prigozhin. euros of Russian money.
always open . . . together we will work uncovering “the secrets that lie beyond “optimistic” it would succeed and that “Prigozhin started [that day] as a trai- In June, the European Commission chief
to bring the bloodshed to an end.” the reach” of [AI’s] nets. Vladimir Putin was “clearly under pres- tor at breakfast. He had been pardoned promised a proposal “before the summer
Moore, who was speaking from the He said his staff were combining their sure”. He called out Iran for fuelling the by supper, and then a few days later was break” for making use of the “proceeds” from hundreds of
British ambassador’s residence in skills with AI to “to identify and disrupt war in Ukraine by supplying Russia with invited for tea,” Moore said. billions of euros of Russian central bank assets held in
Prague, likened the situation in Ukraine the flow of weapons to Russia for use drones and other weapons, a policy that “There are some things that even the Europe, funds that have been frozen since the days that
to the 1968 Prague Spring when the against Ukraine”. Moore said “has provoked internal chief of MI6 finds it a little bit difficult to followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Soviet Union quashed liberalising Moore warned, however, that some quarrels at the highest level of the try and interpret in terms of who’s in Yet commitments to make Russia pay have tended to
reforms. adversaries would try to develop AI in regime in Tehran”. and who’s out.” shrivel on contact with objections from lawyers and the
“There were many Russians in 1968 reckless ways. It had already enabled a He also accused Russia of using Wag- See Markets Insight European Central Bank. It fears any targeting of Russia’s
foreign reserves to fund Ukraine would set a dangerous
precedent for euro-denominated assets held by foreign
governments. It would, the ECB warns, make other central
Arrest threat banks nervous about whether their property rights would
be upheld should their government fall out with Brussels.
Putin will It would be ironic if von der Leyen’s promise were to fail
on these grounds. For what she is likely to propose is a
steer clear of
measure designed to overcome concerns surrounding the
legality of touching Russia’s central bank reserves.
The most favoured idea in Brussels is instead to target
Brics summit
largely sovereign bonds in the case of central banks. By far
the most important one is Euroclear, which holds about
€180bn (close to two-thirds of all the immobilised Russian
reserves), according to the government of Belgium, where
Euroclear is located.
JOSEPH COTTERILL — JOHANNESBURG Investors in sovereign bonds receive, in cash, regular
MAX SEDDON — RIGA
coupon payments and
the face value amount
Vladimir Putin will skip next month’s
borrowed when the bond
The right to tax
summit of leaders from the Brics group
of nations in South Africa, avoiding the expires. These cash profits belongs to
streams are paid from
possible spectacle of his arrest there on
Paris, Berlin or other
governments, in
an International Criminal Court war
crimes warrant. treasuries to the likes of this case Belgium,
Euroclear. When Euro-
The decision that Putin should not clear receives the cash, it
not the EU
travel will come as a huge relief to South credits the investor’s (in
African president Cyril Ramaphosa, this case the Central Bank of Russia’s) cash account with its
whose government would have faced a banking division.
legal obligation to arrest Putin when he So there are two cash balances at issue: the deposit with
arrived in Johannesburg for the summit Euroclear bank — a liability on Euroclear’s balance sheet —
with his Chinese, Indian, Brazilian and and the matching cash held by Euroclear itself on the asset
South African counterparts. side of its balance sheet. The key is that legally, only the
Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov,
said yesterday that the Russian presi-
dent would instead join via video link,
Odesa Port attacked before cargo ships threat central bank’s cash account in Euroclear belongs to Mos-
cow. The cash on the asset side belongs to Euroclear.
Normally cash does not accumulate; either the investor
which he claimed amounted to “full takes the cash out or reinvests it. But that is what the
participation”. Foreign minister Sergei Russia pummelled the port city of the occupied peninsula to Russian Ablaze: of shipping Ukrainian grain”. He called blocking sanctions prevent. As a result, Euroclear has
Lavrov will take his place at the Brics Odesa with a second night of air territory, which Moscow blamed on firefighters on the UN to take action against “the nearly tripled its normal balance sheet, which gives rise to
gathering that begins on August 22, strikes, which Ukrainian officials called Ukraine. “It was the most hellish work to deliberate act of terrorism committed a nice arbitrage trade. Euroclear pays little, if any, interest
Peskov told state newswire Ria Novosti. an attempt by Moscow to choke off night,” Serhiy Bratchuk, for Odesa’s douse by Russian Federation against the on the central bank’s deposit. But it can earn a cool 3.5 per
The South African presidency had grain exports to global food markets. military administration, said flames at global food programme”. cent by depositing its cash assets with eurozone central
said earlier that Putin would not attend The onslaught, which included yesterday. Footage on social media storage Ukraine’s armed forces claimed banks, the safest possible placement.
the summit “by mutual agreement”. attacks on Kyiv and other cities, came showed big explosions rocking what facilities, incremental gains in a counteroffensive The numbers add up: Euroclear reports making
South Africa had been stepping up two days after Russia withdrew from was one of Ukraine’s most hit by launched last month that has struggled €720mn in profits on €88bn of Russia-related cash in the
efforts to dissuade Putin from taking up last year’s UN-brokered agreement to cosmopolitan cities before Putin’s Russian to liberate eastern and southern first quarter, an annualised return of 3.3 per cent. As more
an invitation that Pretoria made before allow Ukrainian Black Sea grain invasion over 500 days ago. strikes, regions from Russian forces. Hanna assets mature and cash piles up, this could stabilise at
the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest on exports to continue despite the war. Ukraine’s air force said 37 out of the early Maliar, Ukraine’s deputy defence around €7bn-€8bn a year.
war crimes charges in March. Russia said it would now deem all 63 missiles and drones that had been yesterday minister, said a days-long Russian No wonder Brussels is tempted by a levy on this windfall.
Ramaphosa claimed in court papers vessels heading to Ukraine’s ports as aimed at “critical infrastructure and in Odesa offensive towards the north-eastern But this outcome would be riddled with paradoxes. It
Ukrainian Presidential
released this week that his country was military threats, signalling its intent to military facilities” were intercepted, Press Service/Reuters
town of Kupyansk had failed, adding would pit Ukraine against Euroclear’s shareholders, who
risking war with Russia if it sought to reimpose a naval blockade that is likely and Odesa had been the main target. that “the initiative is now on our side”. would stand to benefit from the custodian’s bumper profit.
execute the warrant on Putin. to increase pressure on global grain Odesa’s governor, Oleg Kiper, said Sergei Aksyonov, the Russia-installed They include Belgian insurers, global banks and European
But South Africa’s president added in prices and supplies. “dozens of missiles and attack drones” leader of Crimea, announced the state-owned financial groups; Russia would be untouched.
the papers that his government was “All vessels heading to Ukrainian hit the region. “The main targets were evacuation of more than 2,000 people Besides, the right to tax profits belongs to national govern-
“fully cognisant” of its international ports in Black Sea waters will be port and critical infrastructure.” A and the closure of a motorway near a ments, in this case Belgium, not the EU.
legal obligations as a member of the regarded as potentially carrying grain and oil terminal were hit in military training ground where This solution would also cause a lot of upset for a negligi-
court, even as it approached the ICC to military cargo,” the Russian defence addition to civilian buildings, hotels explosions erupted overnight. He did ble amount of cash. Why alienate the ECB and put off glo-
warn that it would have problems ministry said yesterday. “The countries and tourist sites damaged by falling not give an explanation for what had bal reserve managers for what are, in the end, very small
effecting an arrest. whose flags such vessels are carrying debris that injured at least six civilians. triggered what appeared to be the amounts compared with the cost of Ukraine’s reconstruc-
Peskov earlier dismissed the idea that will be regarded as ones involved in the Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser in detonation of a weapons depot, nor did tion at $411bn and counting?
Russia had threatened to declare war on Ukrainian conflict on the side of Kyiv.” Ukrainian president Volodymyr Ukrainian officials take any credit. As one highly placed official puts it: “If you are going for
South Africa if it moved to arrest Putin. The strikes followed Russia president Zelenskyy’s administration, said Russia Dmitry Peskov for the Kremlin said: the big prize, go for the big prize.” In other words, once you
“This was not said,” Peskov said. Vladimir Putin’s pledge to punish Kyiv “deliberately and intentionally struck “Measures are being taken, the are going to meddle with the foundations of international
“Everyone in the world knows what for a Monday drone attack that at grain terminals and other port situation is being clarified.” central banking, you might as well confiscate the lot.
an attempt on the head of the Russian damaged the Crimean bridge linking facilities . . . to destroy the possibility Roman Olearchyk
state would mean,” he added. martin.sandbu@ft.com
Russian paramilitaries
INTERNATIONAL
Britain voices
anger after EU
power for first time since Franco era backs use of
name ‘Islas
Nationalist Vox party tipped to form coalition with mainstream conservatives after Sunday’s poll
Malvinas’
BARNEY JOPSON — MÁLAGA
ANDY BOUNDS — BRUSSELS
MICHAEL STOTT AND LUCY FISHER
The crowd is replete with Spanish flags LONDON
and flip-flops by the waterfront in
muggy Málaga, where the heat militates The UK was struggling to reverse a dip-
against any sudden movement — until a lomatic defeat over the Falkland
black people-carrier pulls up. Islands yesterday after the EU endor-
People jump to life, rushing to sur- sed an Argentina-backed declaration
round the vehicle carrying Santiago referring to Islas Malvinas, the Argen-
Abascal, leader of the Spanish hard tine name for the disputed territory.
right. As the head of Vox emerges for
another rally, they erupt in chants of British diplomats requested that Euro-
“Es-pan-ya!”. pean Council president Charles Michel
In a general election on Sunday their “clarify” the bloc’s position after Buenos
votes are likely to carry Abascal to the Aires trumpeted a “diplomatic tri-
brink of a coalition government, as umph” following a summit of EU lead-
Spain becomes the latest European ers with Latin America and the Carib-
country to shift to the right. Any coali- bean on Tuesday, according to EU and
tion deal would bring the hard right into UK officials.
government for the first time since But the request fell on deaf ears. “This
Spain’s return to democracy after the was agreed by 27 member states and the
1975 death of dictator Francisco Franco. Celac [Community of Latin American
That prospect is stirring deep disquiet and Caribbean States] countries,” said
in Spain and abroad. Vox wants to an EU official. “We cannot issue a state-
repeal a law cementing LGBT+ rights; it ment on their behalf. The UK is not part
rejects worries about rising tempera- of the EU. They are upset by the use of
tures as “climate fanaticism” and has the word Malvinas. If they were in the
used terms such as “Muslim invasion” in EU, perhaps they would have pushed
its anti-immigration campaigns. back against it.” The EU official added
But Vox supporters said the party was “the Argentines have spun it in a certain
being demonised unfairly. “Abascal is way”.
the only politician who speaks for us. Vox gets most of its support from younger voters Vox has strong support in both the ‘lower’ and ‘upper’ classes The declaration said: “Regarding the
The others are not credible, none of Party support by age group (%) Party support by socio-economic class (%) question of sovereignty over the Islas
them,” said Paco Rico, 56, who owns a Vox PP Socialists Sumar Self-identified class in response to the question: ‘To which social class would you say Malvinas/Falkland Islands, the EU took
meat-trading business with his wife and 0 10 20 30 40 you belong?’ note of Celac’s historical position based
was draped in what he said Vox repre- 18-24 Vox PP Socialists Sumar on the importance of dialogue and
sented to him: “My country’s flag.” 0 10 20 30 40 respect for international law in the
The several hundred supporters, 25-34 peaceful solution of disputes.”
many decked in the party’s green col- Lower class It was endorsed by 32 of the 33 Celac
35-44
ours, matched the profile of Vox’s base: a Working class countries, with Nicaragua refusing over
large number were under 30, there were 45-54 language used on the war in Ukraine.
no retirees, and roughly one-third were 55-64 Lower-middle class Buenos Aires said it was the first time
women. Vox’s support is drawn from the EU had officially recognised in a
across social classes, though it is 65-74 Middle class joint declaration the Latin American
stronger among people who call them- Upper and position on the islands, which calls for
Older than 75 upper-middle class
selves “upper” or “lower” class, accord- dialogue over their future and respect
ing to the CIS, a research institute. Results are based on a survey of 29,201 Spanish voters conducted in Jun 2023 for international law.
Source: CIS
People at the rally at the foot of Argentine foreign minister Santiago
Málaga’s lighthouse said they were wor- Cafiero said that “off the back of this
ried about unauthorised immigrants, Holding court: and been accused of cancelling films voters are branded as “fascists” by some ‘Vox would or to repeat elections. “Vox would pro- declaration the government hopes to
although Spain receives fewer than Vox party leader and theatre productions that included on the left. But Elena López, Rico’s wife, voke unnecessary tensions. Its ideology further expand dialogue with the EU on
Italy. They also voiced concern about Santiago same-sex kissing and gender fluidity. brushed off such views. “It’s one more provoke makes me very uneasy,” he told the El the question of the Malvinas Islands.
the threat to Spain’s unity posed by Cat- Abascal, seated, “It’s a miracle that you’re here,” Abas- rightwing party, yes but it’s not ultra- unnecessary Español news outlet. “This joint declaration constitutes a
alan and Basque separatists and about at a rally in cal told the crowd. “Considering what’s right, it’s not fascism.” People at the rally, however, were further call from the international com-
the lacklustre state of the economy, Málaga. Paco being said about us . . . Considering The big change since the 2019 elec- tensions. Its energised by Vox’s pledge to repeal a munity for the UK to agree to meet its
which has lower inflation than many of Rico, below with how they insult us. How they twist eve- tion, she said, was that people had gone ideology transgender law that allows anyone over obligation to resume sovereignty nego-
its neighbours but has left almost three his wife, Elena rything you feel. How everything that is from being reluctant to admit they were 16 to change their legally registered gen- tiations with Argentina,” he added.
in 10 young people unemployed. Lopez, says important to us is turned into a criminal voting Vox to being proud about it. The makes me der. They also rejected concerns that the UK foreign secretary James Cleverly
If most polls are correct, Spain will Abascal is the thought, into a hate crime.” same was true of carrying the Spanish very uneasy’ party does not care about violence had asked Brussels to keep the Falk-
eject the ruling Socialists on July 23 and only politician Vox has pledged a naval blockade flag, which some on the left dislike as a against women because it wants to rela- lands out of the declaration in the
the conservative People’s party, led by ‘who speaks against migrant boats, scrapping of the symbol of rightwing nationalism. Alberto Núñez bel it as “intra-family violence”. run-up to the summit, according to offi-
Alberto Núñez Feijóo, will become the for us’ equality ministry and to repeal a law “There’s no longer a complex,” she said. Feijóo “Murder is murder,” said Lucía Car- cials from London and Brussels.
Jesus Merida/Sopa Images/
biggest force in parliament. But to Shutterstock;
improving access to abortion, though, as Vox was founded in 2013 by PP mem- rillo, part of the 18-24 bracket that is the A figure close to Cleverly said: “The
secure majority support to take office it Barney Jopson/FT the junior partner in a coalition, it would bers who broke away in disgust at cor- biggest age group in Vox’s base. “It’s not Argentine government can lobby who-
is likely to need the votes of Vox — and have to negotiate on policy with the PP. ruption and perceptions that the party gender violence. That’s just a name.” ever they wish, but it doesn’t change the
Abascal’s price will be to share power. Harking back to the Franco era, Vox was too soft on separatists. The “Spain Accusing critics of disrespecting Vox’s fact that the Falkland Islands are Brit-
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez insists first” party surged in the polls on the female voters, Abascal said sarcastically ish. That is the clear will of the Falkland
his battle for re-election is not over after back of outrage over a Catalan push to to those at the rally: “Aren’t you practi- Islanders. Ten years ago, 99.8 per cent of
polling showed the race growing closer, break away, which culminated in an cally slaves who were forced to come Falkland Islanders who voted said they
though he remains several points unconstitutional referendum in 2017. here by someone else?” wanted to stay a part of the UK family.
behind. He said last week: “This election Vox still wants to ban pro-independence No one in Málaga expressed enthusi- “Our commitment to that decision is
is not only about alternating power. We political parties and reverse the decen- asm for two Vox positions that are far unwavering and will continue to be so.”
are gambling over whether Spain will tralisation of power to the regions. from the mainstream: its scepticism Peter Stano, for the European Exter-
continue to move forward or whether But the cooling of the Catalan conflict, over climate change in a country nal Action Service, said: “The EU mem-
we will enter a tunnel that leads us to we one of Sánchez’s achievements, partly parched by record temperatures; and its ber states have not changed their views
don’t know where.” explains why Vox’s vote share is hostility to Brussels in a country that [or] positions concerning the Falklands
Other European leaders are “sur- expected to fall from 2019. That would associates the EU with progress. /Malvinas Islands.”
prised and dismayed” by pacts that the not, however, stop it being kingmaker. But Abascal’s strident tone and blunt He added: “The EU is not in a situa-
PP and Vox have already sealed in local Feijóo is trying to stop that happen- nationalism resonated. “Of all the can- tion to express any position on the Falk-
governments since elections in May, ing. He wants to persuade conservatives didates to be prime minister, he is the lands/Malvinas, as there has not been a
Sánchez has said. to vote strategically to give him an abso- one who speaks most clearly and council [of members] discussion on
Some of those city governments have lute majority — and avoid a scenario in firmly,” said Pablo Cano, a 20-year-old this. The EU does not take a position on
closed down bike lanes, banned the fly- which Vox makes coalition demands student. “It has to be Spanish people such issues without a council mandate.”
ing of LGBT+ flags on public buildings that open the door to Sánchez’s return first, then the rest.” Additional reporting by Henry Foy
Dutch port decries threat to green investment Lula urges Brussels to ease competition rules
ANDY BOUNDS — BRUSSELS administration after the collapse of his buy farms to close them or reduce emis- ANDY BOUNDS AND IAN JOHNSTON beset by delays since a deal was provi- which must ratify the deal, and civil
BRUSSELS
coalition government this month, par- sions from other operations. sionally agreed in 2019 — despite claims society groups that the destruction of
Strict controls on nitrogen emissions in
liament had to find a solution urgently. Rotterdam port has installed renewa- Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has ruled out by the Brazilian president yesterday the rainforest that occurred under
the Netherlands are undermining the
Plans to reduce nitrogen levels by ble electrical hubs to power ships while signing a trade deal with the EU unless that he was “for the first time” optimis- Lula’s predecessor Jaír Bolsonaro would
EU’s efforts to fight climate change,
buying out farmers and closing some they are docked so they can switch off Brussels eases requirements for Brazil tic about concluding talks before the not happen again.
according to the outgoing chief execu-
industrial plants are unlikely to proceed their engines, freeing up some permits. to open up its manufacturing industry end of this year. The trade commissioner also sug-
tive of Europe’s biggest port.
until after elections in November. The In the past year Shell has announced a to foreign competition. Brussels has also irked the Mercosur gested the EU was unlikely to support
Allard Castelein urged Dutch politicians proposals provoked violent protests by €1bn hydrogen production plant, quartet by sending a side letter that Mercosur’s attempts to loosen competi-
to find solutions to an emissions cap that farmers and led to a defeat for the coali- Europe’s biggest, while Neste has com- Lula, who is in Brussels to try to speed required the group to make binding tion requirements, warning against reo-
is putting about €10bn of green technol- tion in provincial elections in March. mitted to a €1.9bn biofuels unit at the progress on a trade deal between Brus- commitments to protect the rainforest pening an agreement that took more
ogy investment in Rotterdam “at risk”. port. Rotterdam wants to attract four sels and the Mercosur bloc of four South than 20 years to negotiate. “That would
The projects, including green hydro- more hydrogen plants of similar size American countries, said he also wanted distract us once and would lead us again
gen and biofuels plants, would reduce
‘We cannot afford to sit idle. powered by renewable energy and build to change rules that would prevent sig- Luiz Inácio Lula da to very long negotiations with an unpre-
Silva: Brazilian
carbon dioxide emissions by 10mn Parliament needs to take pipelines to transport it, but Castelein natories giving government contracts to leader says ‘we dictable outcome.”
tonnes a year, he said. But permits for pointed out the current system of per- domestic companies without a competi- Despite the disagreements over the
developers to emit nitrogen oxides and
responsibility and resolve mits and offsets is stalling further tive process open to foreign businesses.
have a sovereign
commitment to trade deal, Lula hailed the first summit
nitrates during the construction process the nitrates situation’ investment. A proposal circulated between the end deforestation’ between EU and Latin American and
have become hard to obtain after a court Rotterdam contributes €63bn a year Brazilian, Argentine, Uruguayan and Caribbean leaders in eight years.
ruling that the Netherlands had breach- “We cannot afford to sit idle and push to the economy, 8.2 per cent of the coun- Paraguayan officials working on the and labour rights. Lula reiterated his “There are very few times I have seen
ed sustainable levels of emissions. this on to the next government,” Cas- try’s gross domestic product, and han- deal would, Lula said, allow govern- objections to the missive. EU countries showing so much interest
“All these manufacturing sites need to telein said. “Parliament needs to take dles more than 10 per cent of the EU’s ments to continue to award contracts to “The Amazon is the sovereign terri- in Latin America,” he said. “It is possibly
be up and running in the next few responsibility and resolve the nitrates freight by volume. smaller domestic groups, as “every tory of Brazil. We have a sovereign com- because of the dispute between the US
years,” Castelein said. “There is a 2030 situation.” Castelein warned that investors and country in the world” does, and support mitment to end deforestation,” he said. and China or possibly due to Chinese
climate target. We have no time to lose. The ruling, upheld by the Supreme foreign enterprises were concerned a “sovereign industrial policy”. “The letter threatens us with sanctions investment in Africa and the Latin
We need a long-term solution.” Court in 2019, said the Netherlands about the investment picture after the It would be presented in Brussels and punishments if we do not fulfil cer- American region.”
The EU has promised to cut green- must reduce excess nitrogen in vulnera- nitrogen crisis and coalition’s collapse. “within two to three weeks”, Lula said, tain requirements.” He welcomed an EU pledge to provide
house gas emissions between 1990 and ble natural areas. Nitrogen compounds “It had predictability of government, adding that he believed the EU officials However, Valdis Dombrovskis, EU €45bn in development aid by 2027, but
2030 by 55 per cent. The bloc emitted such as ammonia stimulate the growth financial stability and openness. Once would bend to the Latin American trade commissioner, told the Financial added that the region still needed to
3.2tn tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2021. of algae and other invasive species, that reputation is lost it is very hard to countries’ demands. Times in an interview that the “sustain- contribute to the $100bn pledge, made
Castelein said that with Prime Minis- crowding out indigenous plants. regain. If these issues are not resolved, The remarks are a fresh obstacle to ability instrument” was necessary to in 2009 by developed countries, to help
ter Mark Rutte running a caretaker To secure permits, some developers that is at risk.” completing a process that has been provide assurances to member states, poorer countries fight climate change.
4 ★ FINANCIAL TIMES Thursday 20 July 2023
INTERNATIONAL
US and China
Pita faces second block on Thai premiership agree to revive
Junta-installed senators ators then voted that he could not be
nominated for the premiership.
last week. Having voted that Pita could
not be renominated, the assembly may
to block Move Forward. “It’s clear under
the current system that winning peo-
ing was never raised previously when
Pita was a member of parliament.
climate talks
reject candidacy and court
bars him from parliament
The ruling and vote mark the latest
escalations in an increasingly tense
now consider rival candidates. Pita’s
supporters, however, have threatened
ple’s trust is not enough to run the coun-
try,” said Pita. “You have to ask the Sen-
Pita has said he inherited the shares,
that they have no economic value and
ahead of
ROBIN HARDING — HONG KONG
RYN JIRENUWAT — BANGKOK
stand-off between the winners of May’s
general election; Pita and his Move For-
ward party, and a conservative estab-
to take to the streets in protest.
Move Forward, regarded as a social
democratic or centre-left force in Thai
ate first. And maybe even that is not
enough to get my name nominated a
second time.”
he has transferred them to a relative.
After Pita’s disqualification, one
option for the coalition parties is to pro-
UN summit
lishment of generals, oligarchs and royal politics, won 151 out of 500 seats in The constitutional court said the facts pose a prime minister from Pheu Thai,
The winner of Thailand’s general elec- officials determined to deny him power. May’s election. Its ally, the Pheu Thai before it “show reasonable suspicion” but analysts said the establishment JOE LEAHY — BEIJING
EDWARD WHITE — SEOUL
tion was suspended from parliament Ahead of the vote, Pita urged his fel- party, took another 141 seats. that Pita owned shares in a media busi- might block any government that AIME WILLIAMS — WASHINGTON
and his nomination for prime minister low members to “take care of the peo- However, votes to become prime min- ness and was therefore disqualified includes Move Forward.
thrown out in a double blow to his candi- ple” and then, making a show of leaving ister are held jointly with 250 senators from sitting in parliament. The case “I knew the result would come out US climate envoy John Kerry said the
dacy yesterday. his parliamentary ID behind, walked appointed by the former military junta, relates to claims that Pita owns 42,000 this way, but it still hurts,” said Pettha- world’s biggest polluters had agreed to
Shortly before a vote on whether he out of the assembly chamber to so candidates need 376 votes to win. shares in iTV, a dormant TV station. kron Suthan, who joined a protest of resume stalled talks on global warming
would become premier, the constitu- applause from his party. Last week, almost all the senators either His defenders point out that his share- roughly 1,000 at Bangkok’s Democracy ahead of the UN COP28 summit, as
tional court suspended Pita Limjaroen- It was a key moment for the former voted against Pita or abstained, leaving holding amounts to 0.000035 per cent Monument yesterday. “We will keep Washington and Beijing try to re-
rat for 15 days over an alleged share- businessman after unelected senators him well short of the victory line. of the company, that iTV has not broad- going. There are just a few of them com- engage after a year of bilateral tension.
holding in a television broadcaster. Sen- blocked his first bid for the premiership The court case marks a further tactic cast since 2007 and that the sharehold- pared with us. The people will win.”
Speaking in Beijing at the end of a four-
day trip during which he met senior Chi-
nese leaders, Kerry said time was run-
North Africa. Jihadi haven ning out on climate change as countries
including China and the US battle
extreme weather events.
Sudan conflict threatens to destabilise Sahel Kerry said the two sides had agreed to
implement a previous undertaking,
known as the “US-China joint statement
addressing the climate crisis”, which
laid out a diplomatic framework to
engage on global warming. “This is not a
Spillover risks creating one-off meeting . . . we are already pin-
corridor of instability from pointing the time for our next meeting,”
Kerry said. Both sides had agreed to
the Red Sea to the Atlantic work to “guarantee a positive outcome”
at the UN COP28 summit in December
in Dubai “where obviously the co-oper-
ANDRES SCHIPANI — ADRÉ, CHAD
ation of China and the US is critical”.
The Kalashnikov-carrying Chadian sol- Kerry said future talks would address
diers stationed outside the border town methane emissions and help the two
of Adré have a clear mission: prevent sides develop new Paris Agreement-
the brutal war in neighbouring Sudan linked targets to be submitted in 2025.
from spilling over the frontier. The trip comes as Washington and
“The situation will get worse,” Bachar Beijing try to re-establish diplomatic
Ali Souleyman, the local governor, said dialogue after a hiatus worsened by an
of the three-month conflict that has pit- incident this year when a suspected Chi-
ted Sudan’s de facto president and nese spy balloon flew over the US.
armed forces chief against his former Antony Blinken last month became the
ally, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the first secretary of state to visit Beijing
paramilitary leader better known as since 2018, while Treasury secretary
Hemeti. “The problems in Khartoum Janet Yellen met officials this month.
affect Chad so we’re blocking any spillo- Kerry has informally met his Chinese
ver,” Souleyman said of the upheaval in counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, on the side-
the Sudanese capital that has forced lines of climate events. But this week
2.5mn people to flee their homes. was the first time he encountered Xi Jin-
The volatile Sahel region, a semi-arid ping’s new leadership team, including
strip of land below the Sahara, has long second-ranked official Premier Li
been blighted by violence and insecu- Qiang, since the Chinese president
rity. It has become a haven for jihadis started an unprecedented third five-
over the past decade. year term in March.
Now Sudan’s descent into violence Even so, there were signs that tensions
and the growing threat to Chad risks remained. On Tuesday, state media
connecting the conflict into a vast corri- extensively covered President Xi at an
dor of instability stretching from the ecological conference where he warned
Red Sea to the Atlantic. This would heap Urban warfare: Niger and Cameroon, which Ewi said in central Africa for the Institute for ‘When French troops with mercenaries from that China’s policy “must be determined
fresh misery on the people of some of a warehouse in was now the “biggest area of operation” Security Studies in N’Djamena, said the Russia’s Wagner Group, which also has a by the country itself, rather than be
the world’s poorest countries while Khartoum goes for Isis. An Isis offshoot is also active in Sudan war risked becoming a “conflict there’s a base in the Central African Republic swayed by others”. The comments were
threatening more prosperous west Afri- up in flames both the Democratic Republic of Congo with no borders”. problem bordering Chad. The junta in Burkina taken as a thinly veiled rebuff of any
can states, such as Ivory Coast and Togo. during clashes and Mozambique, while rebels linked to In Chad, the threat from instability Faso has struck a deal with Moscow and attempts by the US to pressure it.
“A collapsed Sudan will morph into an in June between the group were accused of last month’s has been exacerbated since President in Sudan, ordered French troops back home. “We all agree that nobody should be
actual haven for jihadis to destabilise the Sudanese massacre of schoolchildren in Uganda. Idriss Déby was killed fighting insur- there’s But Sudan remained the key, said Ali ‘quote’ dictated to and we’re not doing
the wider Horn of Africa,” said Rashid army and The threat would be compounded gents in 2021. Déby was a key western Abdelrahmane Haggar, a senior adviser that. That’s why we had three days of
Abdi, a regional expert at the Sahan Hemeti’s only if the same groups managed to ally in the war on terror and the French- necessarily to Déby. “It’ll become very complicated intensive discussions,” Kerry said.
Research consultancy. It would “link paramilitaries. exploit the Sudan conflict and instabil- led effort against jihadism in the Sahel. a problem for Chad and for the Sahel if the situa- Li Shuo, a Beijing-based policy analyst
the Sahel and the Horn jihadi belts, pre- Below, Chadian ity in Chad to link up with Somalia, Analysts say Mahamat Déby, his suc- tion in Sudan is not resolved,” he said. with Greenpeace, said Kerry’s visit
dominantly al-Shabaab in Somalia” forces which remains the Horn of Africa ter- cessor, lacks the drive and charisma of in Chad, “When there’s a problem in Sudan, marked a key step in “what will be a
with ideologically similar groups allied AFP/Getty Images; rorist hotspot, analysts say. his father, who turned the Chadian Nigeria, there’s necessarily a problem in Chad, complex rescue operation” for the US-
Andres Schipani/FT
to al-Qaeda and Isis, he added. Remadji Hoinathy, senior researcher army into the region’s most effective Nigeria, Niger, Libya.” China climate talks. “Further engage-
The Sahel upheaval began when fighting machine. A senior non-African Niger, Chad is officially neutral in the Sudan ments should help unlock more ambi-
rebels seized northern Mali in 2012. official in N’Djamena, the capital, said a Libya’ conflict, according to Ousman Bahar, a tion in reducing coal consumption, cut-
Thousands have been killed as the inse- full-blown conflict in Sudan would local commander. But the battle cries of ting methane emissions, and beating a
curity has spread and millions more “weaken Déby’s control of eastern Chad, Chadian soldiers in Adré — “Hemeti ban- path towards a strong outcome at
have been displaced as global terror which weakens his control in N’Dja- dit, tu ne verras pas ici”, or “Hemeti the COP28. The key is for China to see these
groups found space to thrive. mena, which weakens Chad’s stability”. bandit, you won’t be seen here” — reveal actions as serving its self-interest.”
Martin Ewi, an Africa security expert, “If things go really bad in Sudan and their deep animosity towards him. China recorded temperatures as high
said Isis was now a direct threat to 20 then Chad follows, it isn’t just troubles Some of the enmity stems from a fear as 52.2C, in the north-western Xinjiang
African countries, with a further 20 from Mauritania to the Red Sea — it’s Hemeti wants a political transition in province this week, surpassing the pre-
used as hubs by the jihadis. He warned from the Mediterranean to the DRC,” Chad, where relatives hold senior posi- vious 50.6C record. Earlier in the
that Africa had the potential to be the the person said. The situation also tions. He may yet seek to fall back on month, flooding displaced thousands
future of the “caliphate”, which is what offered an “opportunity for meddling by Chad if he loses the battle with Sudan’s and caused fatalities.
Isis called the territory in Syria and Iraq the Russians”. de facto leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The US has also endured a long heat-
it seized a decade ago before its defeat. Moscow is increasingly active in the For now, Souleyman has faith in the wave affecting as many as 100mn in the
Of particular concern was the Lake region. The regime in Mali has asked UN armed forces to prevent any contagion. south, and flooding in the north-east.
Chad basin spanning Chad, Nigeria, peacekeepers to leave and replaced “Chad is a wall for the Sahel,” he said. See The FT View
Kenya violence erupts in protest at new taxes Taiwan’s White House remarks stir US concern
ANDRES SCHIPANI — NAIROBI accused police of using “excessive yans, said the country needed to raise DEMETRI SEVASTOPULO — WASHINGTON One senior Taiwanese official said the Center for Strategic and International
KATHRIN HILLE — TAIPEI
force”. Odinga, who has been fomenting taxes to balance state finances that have US state department saw Lai’s remarks Studies think-tank, said Lai’s comments
Several people have been injured in
protests since losing last year’s election been badly strained by soaring debt The US has asked Taiwan to clarify as divergent from the prudent approach were “super unhelpful” and reinforced
Kenya as clashes between anti-govern-
to Ruto, has accused the government of repayments and low revenue collection. remarks by the frontrunner for the on cross-Strait relations taken by Presi- concerns among some experts in Wash-
ment protesters and security forces
trampling on democracy and failing to His Kenya Kwanza coalition has intro- island’s presidency about visits to the dent Tsai Ing-wen. “They considered it ington about his foreign policy acumen.
rocked the east African country.
help households cope with a surge in duced new levies on fuel and housing as White House, highlighting doubts over as something very different from what When Lai met supporters on July 10, a
The Kenya Human Rights Commission inflation caused partly by Russia’s inva- part of a financial bill that has been fro- Lai Ching-te’s approach to relations we have been saying and asked if . . . Lai campaigner described the upcoming
reported that “several” people had been sion of Ukraine. zen by the courts. with China if he secures victory. will be coming out with more surprises.” election as a choice between Zhongnan-
shot and possibly killed yesterday in Ruto’s supporters say Odinga is sour Odinga’s party has accused Ruto’s gov- Lai is under more scrutiny for signs of hai, the offices of the Chinese Commu-
Nairobi, the capital, and two other cities ernment of being out of touch. “In Lai, the vice-president and presidential how he will handle relations with the US nist party leaders, and the White House,
on the first of three days of mass pro- Kenya Kwanza’s view, the cost of living candidate for the ruling Democratic and China, particularly as concerns and said Lai was the only candidate
tests called by the opposition leader,
‘Kenya Kwanza [coalition] is not so high as to warrant protests. Progressive party in January’s election, mount about increasingly assertive Chi- “walking towards the White House”.
Raila Odinga. doesn’t know how angry Kenya Kwanza doesn’t know how angry said at a campaign event that “when Tai- nese military activity around Taiwan. Lai picked up on that phrase as an
The former prime minister has been and hungry Kenyans are,” it said. wan’s president can enter the White Jude Blanchette, a China expert at the analogy for Taiwan aligning itself with
mobilising supporters to demonstrate
and hungry Kenyans are’ Religious as well as civil society House, the political goal that we’re pur- the US rather than China, then com-
against new taxes signed into law last Opposition party groups have urged Ruto and Odinga to suing will have been achieved”. plained that Taiwanese presidents were
month by President William Ruto. resolve their differences, with Catholic Top Taiwanese politicians are not not received at the White House in the
Scores of people have died in recent at another ballot box defeat. He has bishops asking Ruto yesterday to repeal allowed to make official visits to Wash- same way as other heads of state.
weeks and hundreds of people have entered and lost Kenya’s past five presi- the tax rises “in the context of the cur- ington, as part of the US’s “one China” “The way it was phrased certainly
been arrested. dential elections but managed to negoti- rent economic situation”. policy, which has guided Washington’s wasn’t ideal, and it has caused some
Parts of Nairobi were deserted yester- ate senior positions in government after The UN has expressed deep concern stance on Beijing and Taipei since 1979. misunderstandings,” said one aide. “But
day amid a heavy police presence. Pro- periods of unrest. Ruto said to Odinga: at the “widespread violence and allega- President Joe Biden’s administration his point was the choice between the US
testers in other parts of the capital burnt “You cannot seek leadership of Kenya tions of unnecessary or disproportion- has made it easier for officials to meet and China.”
tyres and hurled rocks at police, local through bloodshed, death and destruc- ate use of force, including the use of fire- Taiwanese counterparts but does not Vincent Chao, for Lai, said the vice-
media reported, with the security forces tion of Kenyan property. There’s no way arms, by police”. allow top officials to visit Washington. president had “always been clear about
responding with tear gas. you can change Kenya by taking the Kenya has a history of political vio- Lai’s comments prompted the US the importance of Taiwan’s interna-
More than a dozen people have been path you’ve chosen.” lence, notably after the elections in administration to seek an explanation, tional partnerships”, including with the
killed since the protests began, accord- The president, who won the election 2007 and 2017 when 1,200 and 100 peo- according to people in Washington and Lai Ching-te: Washington is seeking US. Taiwanese government officials
ing to the commission, which has with a pledge to help marginalised Ken- ple were killed, respectively. Taipei briefed on the situation. an explanation for his comments added that the issue had been resolved.
Thursday 20 July 2023 ★ FINANCIAL TIMES 5
6 ★ FINANCIAL TIMES Thursday 20 July 2023
Own goal Women’s World Cup criticised as missed opportunity amid broadcast disputes and late sponsorship deals y PAGE 8
western groups
Chinese online retailer Temu has
accused rival Shein of “unlawful exclu-
sionary tactics” as the ecommerce
groups take their fight for the US mar-
ket to a Massachusetts court.
Temu launched an antitrust suit against
3 Danone and Carlsberg units seized Shein in a US federal court last week,
accusing the fast-fashion company of
3 Putin loyalists rewarded for support forcing its Chinese factories to halt man-
ufacturing for Temu in an attempt to
maintain market dominance in the US.
MAX SEDDON AND top security official, Nikolai Patrushev, “Shein’s escalating attacks leave us no
ANASTASIA STOGNEI — RIGA played an active role in torpedoing choice but to take legal measures to
ADRIENNE KLASA — PARIS
Danone and Carlsberg’s exits, according defend our rights,” Temu said yesterday.
Vladimir Putin ordered the seizure of to people close to the decision. Patru- The Chinese companies have risen to
Danone and Carlsberg’s Russian opera- shev’s father met Putin when both the top of app download charts, selling
tions after businessmen close to the worked for the KGB in the 1970s. ultra-cheap clothing and items sourced
Kremlin expressed an interest in the “The minister wants to place his own from China. Temu, an online market-
assets, people close to the decision say. people in there to take control of the place launched by Chinese ecommerce
Moscow has this week appointed business,” said a person close to the company Pinduoduo last year, has been
Yakub Zakriev, Chechnya’s agriculture Danone bidding contest. challenging Shein’s dominance.
minister, as head of the Danone busi- The Kremlin’s move on the two Shein, founded in Nanjing more than
ness and installed Taimuraz Bolloev, a groups shows “no western assets are a decade ago, pioneered sales of ultra-
longtime friend of Putin, as director of safe in Russia anymore”, said Alexandra cheap, fast-fashion designs to millenni-
Carlsberg’s Baltika subsidiary. Prokopenko, a non-resident scholar at als in the US and Europe through its hit
Zakriev, 34, is a close ally of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and app. In 2022, it raked in an estimated
region’s strongman leader Ramzan former central bank official. $30bn in sales, according to the com-
Kadyrov, while Bolloev, who previously Moscow is now able to “take assets plaint — a sales figure bigger than those
away from foreigners and give them to of H&M and Gap.
regime-friendly owners . . . This is a sig- Shein’s ascent to the top of the fast-
‘[Moscow can now] take nal that anything goes. If you can do it to fashion world and $100bn valuation
assets away from them you can do it to others,” she added. spawned a series of Chinese imitators,
Danone and Carlsberg were among including Temu. The company’s valua-
foreigners and give them thousands of western companies seek- Activision Blizzard, which publishes ‘Crash Bandicoot’, and Microsoft have delayed their tie-up by three months tion was cut to about $64bn earlier this
to regime-friendly owners’ ing to exit Russia after Putin’s full-scale year as a result of the tech downturn.
invasion of Ukraine. While disposals RICHARD WATERS — SAN FRANCISCO that the deal will be completed. “We vent the deal from being closed failed Temu alleges that its entrenched Chi-
TIM BRADSHAW — LONDON
ran Baltika in the 1990s, is reportedly were at first relatively easy, the condi- are confident about our prospects for in court last week. That technically nese rival is using unfair tactics in China
close to billionaire brothers Yuri and tions have become more onerous and Microsoft and Activision Blizzard getting this deal across the finish line,” left Microsoft in a position to com- to disrupt its ability to source and sell
Mikhail Kovalchuk. arbitrary. The Kremlin requires that have pushed back the deadline for said Microsoft’s president Brad Smith. plete the acquisition immediately, the $8 dresses that US shoppers are
The Kovalchuks, who are among companies secure approval from a gov- the completion of their $75bn Activision was also confident that even though the Competition and eager to buy. Shein has “engaged in an
Putin’s closest confidants, had previ- ernment subcommittee, sell at a 50 per merger agreement by three months, “our deal will quickly close”. Markets Authority in the UK said in elaborate and anti-competitive scheme
ously signalled their interest in Baltika, cent discount to market value and con- as the two companies seek to resolve Activision’s board has authorised a April that it would block the transac- aimed at stymieing Temu’s business,”
which is based in their native St Peters- tribute 10 per cent of the proceeds to UK regulatory concerns over the 99 cent a share special dividend, a tion. said the complaint filed in a Boston fed-
burg, according to two people familiar Russia’s budget. impact of the tie-up on the nascent payout to investors totalling about The companies extended the deal eral court. “The US market is the pri-
with the matter. Both brothers are Companies that fall foul of Russia’s cloud-gaming market. $780mn. The dividend, which was on its current terms to allow more mary theatre of this war.”
under western sanctions, as are Kady- rules “go in the category of naughty agreed with Microsoft, is designed to time to win over the UK regulators. Temu’s lawyers alleged that Shein was
rov and most of his entourage. companies”, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry The extension to October 18 main- ease concerns among Activision Activision said that it and Microsoft abusing its hold on 75 per cent of the US
The expropriations, announced on Peskov said last month. tains the original $95 a share, all-cash investors over the delays and uncer- had “confidence that the CMA now “ultrafast fashion” market to force its
Sunday and followed by the transfer of The Kremlin has not explained why it purchase price that Microsoft will pay tainty. recognises there are remedies availa- Chinese suppliers into exclusive rela-
Danone’s operations two days later, are seized Danone and Carlsberg assets. for the developer of Call of Duty and The companies had set an 18- ble to meet their concerns in the UK”. tionships. The tactic denied US shop-
a prelude to further distributions of for- Peskov did not respond to a request Candy Crush Saga. The parties, how- month deadline when they Even if Microsoft is able to appease pers “access to direct price competition”
eign assets to loyalists, analysts said, for comment for this story. ever, agreed to increase the termina- announced their plans to merge, so as the CMA and close its acquisition in and suppressed Temu’s ultrafast fashion
adding that the Kremlin’s intention was Danone said that it was “preparing to tion fee that Microsoft would pay to allow time for regulatory clear- the coming weeks, it still faces poten- sales volume by 300-400 per cent, the
to inflict pain on the west and reward take all necessary measures to protect Activision to as much as $4.5bn if the ances around the world. The original tial hurdles in the US. The Federal complaint said.
Putin supporters with the spoils. its rights as shareholder”. Carlsberg deal is scuttled after September 15. agreement, revealed in January 2022, Trade Commission has not dropped a “We believe this lawsuit is without
“It’s a new redistribution of wealth” to called the expropriation “unexpected” Activision secured additional com- called for Microsoft to pay a break-up separate complaint that is to be heard merit and we will vigorously defend
Putin’s circle, said a Russian oligarch and said it was exploring legal recourse. mitments in the form of an agreement fee of as much as $3bn if its acquisi- in its in-house court, from August 2. ourselves,” said Shein.
who has known Putin for decades. Additional reporting by Polina Ivanova in worth up to $500mn if the deal is not tion of the gaming company was not If the FTC prevails there, a court The two groups are already battling
Dmitry Patrushev, Russia’s agricul- Berlin closed by the October deadline. completed by July 18. could force Microsoft to unwind the each other in a Chicago federal court.
ture minister and son of the president’s See Lex Both companies were optimistic An attempt by US regulators to pre- deal long after it has completed. See Lex
D
and the Mediterranean diet. no decision had been made yet, there
Carole Delga, political head of the are signs that the Nutri-Score scheme is
ried prunes, Roquefort Occitanie region in south-west France, on the ropes. In September, Claire Bury,
cheese, Iberian ham and argued last month that traditional a Commission official working on the
olive oil may not necessarily cheeses such as Roquefort should be regulations, suggested that Nutri-Score
go together well on a dinner exempt from labelling requirements might not be chosen to avoid “polarising
plate, but these traditional because they cannot be reformulated to the debate” before adding that “all the
foodstuffs have one thing in common. boost their ratings in the way that proc- nutrition labelling systems” in use in
Politicians in France, Spain and Italy essed food can. “The Nutri-Score is very Europe were being considered.
have swooped in to try to protect the reductive. Roquefort is rich in protein, Nutri-Score critics celebrated, but
delicacies from a long-awaited EU regu- calcium and nutrients, and cannot be abandoning it would be a shame. While
lation that would require food produc- compared to ultra- no labelling system is perfect, it has the
ers to put clearer labels on packaging so processed foods,” Although Brussels said merit of being easily understandable,
that consumers can make healthier she said. widely used and backed by science.
choices. They are trying to prevent “I want to pro- that no decision had been Exempting whole categories of food in
Brussels from adopting what was once tect the economy made yet, there are signs the name of cultural heritage would also
seen as the leading system — the Nutri- of our terroirs”, be an error.
Score rating, which labels items from A using a term for the that the Nutri-Score Some food companies have already
(green) to E (red) to indicate their French country- scheme is on the ropes started reformulating products from
nutritional profile. side. yoghurts to frozen pizzas to improve
Now used in France, Spain, Germany, What Delga omitted in her passionate their Nutri-Score ratings.
Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxem- defence of “small producers, farmers As one said privately: “We put a lot of
bourg on a voluntary basis, Nutri-Score and artisans” is that privately held dairy effort into promoting Nutri-Score and
was developed by French scientists in giant Lactalis produces the vast major- believed we could gain competitive
2017 and has been validated by peers as ity of Roquefort. It owns most of the pro- advantage from having consumers
a quick way to guide shoppers. It is one ducers in the only town where it can be being able to compare easily.”
of several so-called interpretative- made — Roquefort-sur-Soulzon in the Mélissa Mialon, a professor at Trinity
labelling systems being used to combat Aveyron region — which is protected by College in Dublin who studies food-
the public health challenges of rising the strict location and recipe that is a industry lobbying, urged Brussels to act
obesity and diabetes. condition of the AOC/AOP label. in the name of public health.
The UK has its own voluntary traffic- Serge Hercberg, one of the scientists “Sugary and fatty products are very
light label and Chile a mandatory one who created Nutri-Score, argues that profitable since our brains are hard-
that shows black stop signs for sugary, Lactalis is using Roquefort as a lobbying wired to want them, but it’s the national
salty or fatty foods. Yet every time a tool when it is in fact trying to protect its health systems that have to pick up the
country tries to implement “front of portfolio of sugary products including tab when people get sick,” she said.
pack” interpretative food labelling, lob- rice pudding and flavoured yoghurts.
byists — concerned that more stringent Italy’s Ferrero, known for its Nutella leila.abboud@ft.com
Thursday 20 July 2023 ★ FINANCIAL TIMES 7
8 ★ FINANCIAL TIMES Thursday 20 July 2023
Financials Regulation
Private equity
Corporate clients urge higher bank rates and Big Tech in
crosshairs as
Institutional depositors’
demands put pressure on
boost interest rates for savers, yielding
bumper hauls of net interest income.
But the trend is starting to reverse as
BofA reported that its interest
expense, the amount it pays out to cli-
ents, had risen twice as fast as its inter-
lar headwinds as a wider range of cus-
tomers became more aware of the possi-
bility of better returns.
institutional clients leave at a much
faster rate over the past 12 months than
retail clients.
US tightens its
US lenders’ profit margins institutional clients shift their cash from
non-interest-bearing accounts to those
est income between the first and second
quarters. It also noted that corporate cli-
Some digital banks are offering more
than 4 per cent interest on insured
Regional bank PNC said that its NII
had dropped 2 per cent in the quarter to
antitrust rules
BROOKE MASTERS, STEPHEN GANDEL that offer a better yield while also ents are now keeping 60 per cent of their deposits, while money market funds, $3.5bn because of increased funding
AND JOSHUA FRANKLIN — NEW YORK demanding higher rates more broadly. cash in interest-bearing accounts, up which invest in short-term securities, costs as well as lower loan and securities
Bank of America reported a quarter- from 30 per cent a year ago. are offering 5 per cent or more. balances. STEFANIA PALMA — WASHINGTON
Corporate and institutional depositors on-quarter drop in NII this week, as did Citigroup and State Street last week Mark Mason, Citigroup’s chief finan- BNY’s second-quarter net interest
Two US antitrust agencies have pro-
are demanding higher rates, putting PNC, which derives about a third of NII reported rising deposit costs because of cial officer, said that corporate custom- income of $1.1bn was up 33 per cent year
posed merger guidelines that signal a
pressure on US bank profit margins and from non-retail clients, and BNY Mel- pressure from institutional and corpo- ers, which account for more than 60 per on year but 2 per cent lower than in the
tougher stance against private equity
signalling that lenders are running out lon, which caters to corporates, institu- rate customers. cent of Citi’s overall deposits, had been first quarter.
and the technology sector as the Biden
of room to wring more revenue from tions and wealthy customers. State Street warned that its 10 per more sensitive to moves in interest Dermot McDonogh, BNY chief finan-
administration seeks to crack down on
tighter monetary policy. Goldman Sachs analysts flagged the cent quarter-on-quarter NII fall would rates. cial officer, told analysts that non-
anti-competitive behaviour across the
As the Federal Reserve has increased “deteriorating NII outlook” at PNC, and be followed by another 12-18 per cent Even JPMorgan Chase, whose lending interest- bearing deposits were down 10
economy.
rates, big banks, in particular, have a KBW note described a “heightened decline in the third quarter. business received a further boost with per cent in the quarter and warned of
increased what they charge for loans focus on deposits and its implications to Ron O’Hanley, chief executive, pre- the acquisition of First Republic in May, “pressures given the higher-for-longer The 13 draft guidelines released by the
more quickly than they have had to forward NII” at BNY. dicted that other banks would face simi- has seen deposits from corporate and rate environment”. US Department of Justice and Federal
Trade Commission yesterday address a
string of practices, including acquisi-
tions of minority interests that could
Sport. Football harm competition, and mergers that
could squeeze competition for workers
and suppress wages.
Women’s World Cup kicks off at a disadvantage The agencies will solicit public com-
ment on the proposals for 60 days
before final implementation.
The update comes in response to a
sweeping executive order signed in 2021
by Joe Biden to tackle US corporate
Event’s timezones, friction over power. It directed the FTC and DoJ to
rewrite their guidance for companies on
TV rights and late sponsorship how the agencies seek to enforce anti-
trust laws for mergers.
deals fuel criticism of planning Jonathan Kanter, head of the DoJ’s
antitrust division, said it was “vital” to
EMILY HERBERT — LONDON adapt enforcement tools “to keep pace
NIC FILDES — SYDNEY
so that we can protect competition in a
The face of Australia’s star footballer manner that reflects the intricacies of
Sam Kerr has graced the largest bill- our modern economy”.
board in the southern hemisphere for “Simply put, competition today looks
weeks. As excitement around the
Women’s World Cup builds ahead of the
kick-off today, the Glebe Silo Billboard,
The DoJ and FTC want
used to promote the Sydney Olympics in rules to ‘reflect the realities
2000, now features “the Matildas”, the
Australian women’s football team.
of how firms do business
Organisers expect 1.5mn to attend in the modern economy’
games across the country and co-host
New Zealand, and are targeting a global different than it did 50 — or even 15 —
television audience of 2bn, up from years ago,” he added.
1.1bn for the event in France in 2019. Lina Khan, FTC chair, said that the
However, an unforgiving time differ- agencies were “updating our enforce-
ence for the big media markets in ment manual to reflect the realities of
Europe and the US, last-minute rows how firms do business in the modern
over broadcast rights and late-landing economy”.
sponsorship deals have led to criticism Some of the draft principles are par-
that the event has been a missed oppor- ticularly relevant to the tech industry
tunity to grow the game and foster long- and buyout groups. Khan and Kanter,
term commercial interest in women’s progressive antitrust officials appointed
sport. Some are concerned that Fifa, by Biden, have already adopted a
world football’s governing body, has tougher enforcement stance, vowing to
fumbled the commercial rollout. Net value: the men’s World Cup. The stand-off was M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment, ‘Fifa hasn’t into the future of domestic women’s crack down on anti-competitive con-
“I expected more,” said Amie Cripps, England players resolved with just one month to go fol- said the late sponsorship announce- football in the UK, conceded that the duct in Big Tech and private equity.
deputy editor who oversees women’s celebrate the lowing a plea from sports ministers in ments pointed to a lack of planning. given the timezone of this year’s World Cup “does One such measure addresses mergers
football coverage at publisher and winning goal each of the five countries. “Fifa hasn’t given the tournament tournament cause some problems” for viewers in that are part of a series of acquisitions.
media agency Versus. “Last summer I during the Euro The saga left advertisers reluctant to enough of an opportunity to sell itself, Europe, but that there was still plenty of The new guidelines dictate that the
felt like something had shifted. I 2022 Wembley throw their weight behind a tourna- which is really disappointing,” she said. enough of an opportunity to engage with fans. agencies can consider the entire series,
thought, this is the moment we’ve all final against ment that might not air, putting players “Broadcasters and brands weren’t given opportunity. Her report, published last week, rather than the individual deal.
been waiting for. But clearly not.” Germany that and teams at a disadvantage securing enough time to invest and create bril- Broadcasters found that women’s football “still finds “A firm that engages in an anti-com-
The Women’s World Cup this year is attracted record their own commercial deals. liant campaigns.” itself in a start-up phase” and was in petitive pattern or strategy of multiple
set to generate just over $300mn in attendance. Several big sponsors have only com- Fifa did not respond to a request for and brands need of investment to develop. small acquisitions” in the same business
sponsorship revenue for Fifa, according Below, Karen mitted to the event in the last couple of comment. weren’t given Despite the concerns leading into the line may violate antitrust laws, even if
to estimates from analytics firm Global- Carney led a months. Partnerships with Unilever and Attaching precise commercial value tournament, those working in the sport no single deal would harm competition,
Data, although much of that comes from review into the McDonald’s were announced in May, to women’s football is hard, in part enough time hope the football itself will ultimately according to the proposal.
rolling multiyear brand partnerships. UK game ahead while AB InBev signed up in June. A Fifa- owing to Fifa’s historic bundling of deals to invest shine through, especially once the The guidelines focus on “scenarios
The men’s World Cup in Qatar last year of the World Cup TikTok collaboration to provide tai- for men’s and women’s tournaments. knockout stages capture attention. that have become more common”,
brought in total revenue of $6.3bn. in Australia and lored World Cup content was announ- When AB InBev announced its sponsor-
and create “Even if the build up hasn’t been per- according to a senior DoJ official, who
Fifa has put cash into this year’s con- New Zealand ced only a week before the tournament ship of the 2023 Women’s World Cup brilliant fect . . . major events can really turn cited private equity groups’ strategies of
Naomi Baker/Getty Images;
test; the pot for prize money and pay- Joe Prior/Visionhaus
was due to start. last month, it was at the same time as campaigns’ one-off fans into habitual fans and it can rolling up chunks of particular markets
ments to players and clubs has been tre- Jenny Mitton, women’s sport lead at committing to the men’s event in 2026. only be good for the growth of the through a string of acquisitions.
bled to $152mn, while the total budget “Commercial deals rarely have a women’s game,” said Clarke. Such serial acquisitions may also arise
allocated to the tournament has been value attached . . . it makes it hard to The opening game for Australia in the tech sector, where deals have pre-
raised to $395mn from $156mn in 2019. drive [it] higher,” said Amy Clarke from against Ireland, held at Sydney’s Olym- viously “flown below [the regulator’s]
The governing body was forced to the Deloitte Sports Business Group. pic Park which holds 80,000 spectators, radar”, a senior FTC official said.
drop a planned sponsorship deal with “Some people say you should make is sold out. The new guidelines also focus on dig-
the Saudi Arabian tourist board follow- brands say it aloud. That would put “There’s been a terrific public ital markets and platforms with “char-
ing a public backlash earlier this year, more pressure on for brands to put response to it. You can’t get tickets for acteristics that can exacerbate or accel-
while fraught talks over TV rights in more value on the women’s game.” love nor money,” said Kim Williams, erate competition problems”.
Europe’s five biggest markets: the UK, Women’s football, and women’s sport former board member of the Australian The agencies would scrutinise an
Germany, France, Italy and Spain, more broadly, has been gathering Football League. acquisition if it makes it “more difficult
sparked threats of a broadcast blackout. momentum, accelerated by Euro 2022 “Once the World Cup gets going, the for consumers to . . . choose between
Gianni Infantino, Fifa president, said in the UK last summer with a Wembley innate nature of a major international different platforms” or if it “would ena-
at the time that broadcasters had only final that attracted a record attendance. contest will come to the fore,” she ble a dominant firm to deprive rivals of
offered $1mn-$10mn for the TV rights, Former England player Karen Carney, added. scale or network effects,” a senior
compared with $100mn-$200mn for who spearheaded a landmark review Additional reporting by Josh Noble administration official said.
Mining
Rio Tinto chief says west recognises need to match China on mineral supply
EDWARD WHITE — KHANBOGD, MONGOLIA Governments from Washington to oping countries, including China, where tralia. The International Energy trying to secure permission to build a The US government estimates that
Brussels are racing to secure materials labour is cheaper and environmental Agency last week noted that more than copper mine in Arizona that the com- demand for critical minerals including
Developed countries are realising they
required for clean and green technolo- regulation less stringent. That has led to 100 policy and regulatory interventions pany believes could meet a quarter of rare earth elements, lithium and cobalt
must do more to secure minerals and
gies. China dominates the supply chain the diminished role of mining in many targeting mineral supplies have been American demand for decades. will surge by as much as 600 per cent
metals as the west attempts to replicate
for many of the materials underpinning advanced economies, though Rio and enacted over the past few years, includ- Western governments are pushing to over the coming decade. China cur-
China’s supply chain for resources, Rio
the production of electric car batteries other large miners including BHP derive ing in the US and Europe. reduce their reliance on China in the rently controls most of the processing
Tinto chief’s executive has said.
and solar panels, with Beijing working a huge share of their output from Aus- In one example of the change, Rio is midst of increasing concern over Bei- and refining of such minerals.
China was ahead in having integrated to hit peak greenhouse gas emissions by jing’s military assertiveness over Tai- Global demand for refined copper
supply chains for many minerals, said 2030. wan and crackdowns on civil rights and alone is expected to double to about
Jakob Stausholm, but he detected a “People realise there is a need for it. ethnic minorities. 50mn tonnes annually by 2035, accord-
more positive attitude in the west You will simply not be able to build a Rio’s largest shareholder is Chinalco, ing to forecasts published by S&P Global
towards mining, with more talks on how new-energy system and reduce the the Chinese state-owned aluminium and Rio Tinto.
to accelerate mine development. world’s CO₂ emissions without getting producer. The miner is one of the Dominic Barton, Rio Tinto’s chair,
“When China builds industry, they sufficient access to a number of miner- world’s biggest producers of iron ore said that while “you have to worry”
build a robust supply chain. [The west] als,” Stausholm said of the shift in atti- and copper and depends on sales to about tensions between China and the
has relied on a market and a just-in-time tude towards mining. China, where it generated 54 per cent of US, the company was well positioned as
principle. That’s a very good strategy “Mining ultimately comes down to its $55.6bn of revenues in 2022. a supplier of materials for the energy
until it is not a good strategy any more,” societal choices . . . in a number of west- Stausholm, interviewed at Rio Tinto’s transition.
he said in an interview with the Finan- ern countries, it has been very difficult Jakob Stausholm Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia, “We want to do more with China, and
cial Times. to get permits for mining. But there’s a says cuts in CO₂ which supplies the Chinese market we also think there’s a way to do more
“China is in a good position because lot of dialogue these days on how to emissions rely about 80km away, said Rio had not with the United States,” said Barton.
they have planned for it. The west is now shorten the permit processing.” on secure access faced pressure from western govern- “It doesn’t make it easy, but it makes it
starting to do what China has histori- In recent decades mining and to minerals ments to reduce exposure to China slightly better [that] we’re in the climate
Anne Moffat/FT
cally always done.” processing capacity has shifted to devel- despite rising geopolitical tension. space,” he added.
Thursday 20 July 2023 ★ FINANCIAL TIMES 9
Financials
Healthcare Utilities
Tesla chair Denholm joins Sydney AI start-up Macquarie raises stake in UK gas network
NIC FILDES — SYDNEY Tran said of Denholm’s record. “This is a of DeepMind, Spotify and Zoom, was an RACHEL MILLARD under the UK’s legally binding goal of wants to repurpose roughly 2,000km of
very welcome development as we step early investor in the start-up, which has net zero carbon emissions. The govern- pipelines to feed industrial sites and
Tesla chair Robyn Denholm has joined Macquarie has increased its stake in
through the next stage of growth.” raised almost A$160mn (US$109mn) ment wants people to move from petrol others with the gas.
the board of an Australian healthcare Britain’s gas transmission network as
Denholm said that she hoped to work from funds including Atlassian co- cars and gas boilers to electric cars and Hydrogen is being looked at as a
start-up backed by Hong Kong billion- the world’s largest infrastructure
with the board to “realise the Harri- founder Scott Farquhar’s Skip Capital heat pumps powered by clean electric- potential alternative to fossil fuels as it
aire Li Ka-shing, as it seeks global adop- investor bets on the long-term future of
son.ai mission to scale global healthcare and from its partners in the medical sec- ity, with sales of new petrol and diesel does not produce CO₂ when burnt. How
tion of its artificial intelligence-based natural gas and hydrogen.
capacity using AI”. tor including the A$16bn ASX-listed cars set to be banned in 2030. much it will be used is uncertain, how-
medical imaging technology.
The group was co-founded in 2018 by Sonic Healthcare and radiology com- The Australian infrastructure giant and As well as selling down its gas trans- ever, because of high costs, practical
Harrison.ai, which has funding from Li’s Tran, who came from Ho Chi Minh City pany I-MED. its consortium partner British Columbia mission stake, National Grid last year challenges and competing technologies.
Horizon Ventures, has named Denholm to Sydney to train as a cardiac surgeon. Tran said that its AI was already used Investment Management Corporation The potential for hydrogen to be used
to its board in a signal that the Sydney- After helping to develop an AI system by one in three radiologists in Australia, have bought a further 20 per cent stake in home heating in Britain was dealt a
based business is looking to expand rap- that could identify the most fertile egg and that the company has plans to in National Gas from National Grid.
‘[The deal] underlines our blow this month after the government
idly into international markets. for use in IVF treatment as a student, he become a global player. The two bought a 60 per cent stake in commitment to National said it would not proceed with a large
The company’s technology is used to opted against a medical career to launch It has expanded into the UK through the company, which owns and operates trial in Whitby, near Chester, because of
sift through chest X-rays and CT brain Harrison.ai with his brother Dimitry. trials with some NHS trusts, as well as in 7,600km of gas pipelines around Brit-
Gas and the critical role it local objections.
scans to identify abnormalities. Its AI is Horizon, which has backed the likes Asia in the past year. It has also received ain, for £4.2bn earlier this year, and plays in the energy system’ Ministers are considering a trial in
not meant to diagnose patients but flags approval from US regulators to launch retain an option to buy the remaining 20 Redcar, north-east England, instead.
the most serious scans to clinicians and there. per cent next year. paid £7.8bn for Western Power Distribu- The proposed Whitby trial was being
acts as a “safety net” to prevent misdiag- “Global is certainly what we’re think- Martin Bradley, European head of tion, Britain’s largest electricity distri- run by Cadent Gas, which is also owned
nosis. The company plans to expand ing. It was built to be a global solution,” infrastructure real assets at Macquarie, bution network. by a consortium led by Macquarie.
into prostate biopsies next year. he said. “That is the benefit of AI; you said the deal “underlines our commit- Macquarie is betting on hydrogen National Grid said the £700mn pro-
Aengus Tran, co-founder and chief build it once and scale it like software. ment to National Gas and the critical playing a bigger role in the energy sys- ceeds from the 20 per cent further stake
executive, said that Denholm, who is You are not hiring 1,000 radiologists.” role it plays in the UK’s energy system”. tem as the role of natural gas is curbed. sale in National Gas would be put to sev-
also chair of Australia’s technology Australia’s healthcare sector has The deal highlights different visions Announcing its 60 per cent purchase eral uses including paying down debt.
council, had been advising the company boomed recently after government of how Britain’s energy system will last year, which was completed in Janu- John Pettigrew, chief executive of
in her role as a partner at Blackbird Ven- efforts to create a biotech industry evolve under the huge transformation ary this year, Macquarie outlined plans National Grid, said: “We’re pleased to
tures, the venture capital company that spurred development. needed to cut carbon dioxide emissions. to “ensure the opportunities presented reach the next milestone in this process,
also invested in the start-up. Denholm took over as chair of Tesla FTSE 100 group National Grid is refo- by hydrogen to the UK are maximised”. and we’ll continue to work closely with
“She has a breadth of experience in Robyn Denholm’s ‘breadth of from Elon Musk in 2018 after he split his cusing on electricity networks, given the National Gas is working on plans to the consortium.”
technology and international business,” experience’ is prized by Harrison.ai roles at the top of the electric-car maker. expected electrification of the economy adapt the network to carry hydrogen. It See Opinion
10 ★ FINANCIAL TIMES Thursday 20 July 2023
Former EU
Deal-driven funds struggle as carbon credit
bull predicts
mergers hit regulatory blocks big price fall
COSTAS MOURSELAS, HARRIET AGNEW
AND DAVID SHEPPARD — LONDON
I
the UK as the latest sign that central
banks could soon stop raising interest 1.28
rates. t would be easy for western policy- come at a challenging economic time for is unkind, the IEA said there would be a
London's FTSE 100 jumped 1.8 per cent makers to conclude that Vladimir European leaders, who face their own risk of “price volatility and supply dis-
as shares of UK property companies Putin’s attempt to weaponise threats from populist rivals. ruptions in the case of a late cold spell”.
1.26 energy supplies ended in failure.
surged following signs that inflation was While the US and Europe have Weaponising oil is still viewed by
slowing and interest rates could peak Europe avoided blackouts last banned Russian oil imports, Moscow many analysts as more challenging than
lower. winter despite Russia slashing gas sup- remains one of the world’s largest natural gas as oil revenues are more
The region-wide Stoxx Europe 600 1.24 plies that once met 40 per cent of exporters of crude and refined fuel. important to Moscow’s budget. Disrupt-
closed 0.3 per cent higher, extending demand. Prices have fallen more than Its gas pipeline exports to Europe may ing supplies would also risk alienating
gains from the previous session, while the 90 per cent from their peak last August have slowed to a trickle compared with powerful allies such as China and India,
CAC 40 in Paris edged up 0.2 per cent and European storage facilities are pre-war levels but they are still meeting now the main buyers of Russian oil.
and Frankfurt's Xetra Dax ended flat. 1.22 brimming ahead of the winter. about 15 per cent of the continent’s gas But the energy sector once thought
In the US, Wall Street's benchmark S&P Apr 2023 Jul But a growing band of energy experts demand, bolstered by rising seaborne weaponising gas was unthinkable, too.
500 and the tech-focused Nasdaq Source: Refinitiv
are warning that western countries shipments of liquefied natural gas. Already Moscow has cut some addi-
Composite both added 0.4 per cent by should not be blasé, as they remain vul- Thierry Bros, an energy analyst and tional exports with allies in Opec+,
midday in New York as traders prepared nerable to Russian perfidy in energy professor at Sciences Po in Paris, said including Saudi Arabia. Oil markets are
for Tesla and Netflix to post the first tech pressure on the Bank of England force the central bank to keep interest markets. The worry is that, if Putin sus- that, while Europe’s gas supplies expected to tighten in the second half of
sector results of this earnings season. policymakers who have already lifted rates higher for longer. pects he is losing the war in Ukraine — this year, increasing Russia’s leverage.
Goldman Sachs shares rose even as the interest rates to 5 per cent, their highest But the inflation reading pushed and with it potentially his grip on power For Putin, the upsides of boosting pet-
bank reported its lowest quarterly profit level since 2008. traders to bet that it was more likely that — then the west must be prepared for ‘You would expect to rol and diesel prices ahead of the US
in almost six years. The KBW index of “We finally got a much-needed and the BoE's Monetary Policy Committee will more disruption, including attempts to see planners in Moscow elections may overshadow fears of dam-
bank stocks added 2.4 per cent. long-awaited cooling in UK inflation, lift rates by 0.25 percentage points at its weaponise oil supplies for the first time. aging the Russian oil sector or diplo-
The moves came after the Office for which will come as a huge relief to both next meeting in August, instead of With European parliament elections thinking about ways to matic relations. “Putin is in a position of
National Statistics said the UK's annual policymakers and the government,” another 0.5 percentage point increase. next year followed by a US presidential create splits and fractures’ weakness, so he’s more likely to contem-
consumer price inflation eased to 7.9 per said Jamie Dutta, market analyst at The pound, which tends to weaken on election that may return Donald Trump plate rolling the dice,” Bronze said.
cent in June from 8.7 per cent in the Vantage. expectations of lower interest rates, fell 1.1 to the White House, any action Putin Russia can also cause trouble for other
previous month, landing below analysts' The FTSE 100 index of the largest per cent against the dollar to $1.2869. can take to tip the scales in favour of can- appeared comfortable, he expected countries’ oil supplies, having previ-
forecasts. London-listed companies has trailed far Yields on interest rate-sensitive two- didates less supportive of Ukraine are Moscow to deploy all its “tricks” again as ously threatened exports from Kaza-
The reading ended a four-month streak behind its peers in the region since the year gilts dropped 20 basis points to 4.89 likely to be under consideration, even if 2024 approached following Putin’s khstan that run through Russian ports.
of UK price growth readings that start of the year as investors worried that per cent as investors bought the debt. they come at a high cost to Moscow. attempts to drive up prices last year. Western powers are not defenceless.
exceeded expectations, easing the sticky price pressures in the UK would Daria Mosolova “Putin’s grip on power is tied to find- “Putin’s plan failed because of a warm IEA members hold emergency stocks of
ing some kind of acceptable outcome winter but it’s a very bad policy to bank oil and last year the Biden administra-
from the war in Ukraine,” said Richard on a warm winter happening again,” tion released about 200mn barrels from
Markets update Bronze, geopolitical analyst at Energy said Bros. “If Russia reduces LNG sup- its Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help
Aspects. “You would expect to see plan- plies, it can introduce significant ten- keep prices in check.
ners in Moscow thinking about ways to sion back into the system.” But further releases are becoming
create splits and fractures in the west.” Bros said the 15 per cent of Europe’s more politically challenging, with critics
US Eurozone Japan UK China Brazil The role of pump prices in tight US demand that Russia still met was harder accusing Joe Biden of undermining US
Stocks S&P 500 Eurofirst 300 Nikkei 225 FTSE100 Shanghai Comp Bovespa elections is likely to be well understood to replace than the first 25 per cent, as energy security by draining SPR stocks
Level 4574.11 1825.39 32896.03 7588.20 3198.84 116901.57 in Moscow, raising the prospect of Putin the market was already very tight. to the lowest level since the 1980s.
% change on day 0.42 0.09 1.24 1.80 0.03 -0.80 trying to manipulate oil supplies to raise The International Energy Agency With only 350mn barrels left, further
Currency $ index (DXY) $ per € Yen per $ $ per £ Rmb per $ Real per $ petrol prices next year. warned this week that there remained a releases would need to be weighed care-
Level 100.221 1.119 139.605 1.289 7.219 4.795 Trump has suggested that, if elected, risk of Russia cutting off its remaining fully. Putin may even think energy mar-
% change on day 0.280 -0.445 0.707 -1.453 0.670 -0.111 he would force Ukraine to negotiate the pipeline flows to Europe, which go kets are finally moving in his favour.
Govt. bonds 10-year Treasury 10-year Bund 10-year JGB 10-year Gilt 10-year bond 10-year bond end of the war. Reigniting an inflation- through Ukraine and Turkey. If LNG
Yield 3.781 2.435 0.462 4.285 2.685 10.477 stoking rally in natural gas would also supplies are also lower and the weather david.sheppard@ft.com
Basis point change on day 1.670 5.400 -1.950 -11.700 0.100 11.400
World index, Commods FTSE All-World Oil - Brent Oil - WTI Gold Silver Metals (LMEX)
Level 463.00 80.12 75.98 1975.00 24.89 3757.80
% change on day 0.24 0.62 0.42 1.30 0.30 -0.59
Yesterday's close apart from: Currencies = 16:00 GMT; S&P, Bovespa, All World, Oil = 17:00 GMT; Gold, Silver = London pm fix. Bond data supplied by Tullett Prebon.
4480 7680
1840
4320
1800 7360
4160
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Biggest movers
% US Eurozone UK
Northern Trust 14.60 Casino Guichard 9.82 Hargreaves Lansdown 8.78
At&t 7.62 Kering 7.45 Persimmon 8.29
Ups
MARKET DATA
S&P 500 New York S&P/TSX COMP Toronto FTSE 100 London Xetra Dax Frankfurt Nikkei 225 Tokyo Kospi Seoul
4,574.11 20,449.78
7,569.31 7,588.20 16,130.10 33,370.42 32,896.03
19,934.21 16,111.32 2,604.91 2,608.24
4,388.71
Day 0.42% Month 3.72% Year 16.18% Day 0.31% Month 2.53% Year 7.93% Day 1.80% Month 0.12% Year 4.13% Day -0.10% Month 2.02% Year NaN% Day 1.24% Month -2.54% Year 22.62% Day 0.02% Month -0.67% Year 9.81%
Nasdaq Composite New York IPC Mexico City FTSE Eurofirst 300 Europe Ibex 35 Madrid Hang Seng Hong Kong FTSE Straits Times Singapore
14,410.08
19,607.08 3,275.24
54,365.68 54,279.95 1,820.31 1,825.39 9,439.80 9,451.80 18,952.31 3,241.17
13,689.57
Day 0.39% Month 5.25% Year 23.01% Day -0.40% Month -2.01% Year 13.90% Day 0.09% Month -0.18% Year 9.51% Day -0.04% Month -0.45% Year 18.69% Day -0.33% Month -5.53% Year -9.18% Day 0.64% Month 0.45% Year 4.90%
Dow Jones Industrial New York Bovespa São Paulo CAC 40 Paris FTSE MIB Milan Shanghai Composite Shanghai BSE Sensex Mumbai
35,137.28 28,712.31 67,097.44
34,299.12 3,273.33
119,622.40 7,294.17 7,326.94 3,198.84
117,724.69 27,576.11 63,384.58
Day 0.53% Month 2.43% Year 10.39% Day -0.80% Month -2.49% Year 18.96% Day 0.11% Month -0.84% Year 20.27% Day 0.02% Month 3.05% Year 35.63% Day 0.03% Month -2.28% Year -2.42% Day 0.45% Month 5.95% Year 23.17%
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ARTS
Cuckoo
Beneatha’s Place
Young Vic, London
of uncertainty AAAEE
T
rich authenticity by the excellent all- a wide reach. In AJ Yi’s clever, mischie-
Liverpudlian cast. vous political romcom, two students
hree woman sit round a Yet a sense of unease hovers over the bump into each other at a Hong Kong
kitchen table lost in their play and over Vicky Featherstone’s pro- party. She’s on a visit from the UK; he’s a
own thoughts. They could duction. It’s partly the nagging concern resident. She’s funny, fashionable,
be Chekhov’s Three Sisters. about the teenager locked in her impulsive; he’s staid, reserved, conven-
Except they are on Mersey- grandma’s bedroom. But it’s also to do tional. Naturally, they fall for each other
side. And they are looking not at each with something less tangible: the char- instantly. On her return to England, the
other, but at their mobile phones. acters’ experience of lost certainties, of two keep in touch, forging a Spotify
Michael Wynne’s new play, Cuckoo, precariousness, of impotence in the face playlist between them.
mischievously evokes domestic por- of global threat and job insecurity. about that history and the future of crit- So far, so good. But their fledgling rela-
traitists past — such as Ibsen and Chek- The mix of comedy and anxiety ical race theory. Is academia colonising tionship is playing out against the back-
hov — and, most overtly, the kitchen doesn’t quite work: there are periods the study of colonisation? Who gets to drop of the 2019 Hong Kong protests
sink dramas for which the Royal Court when the play feels becalmed, some decide? Who frames the debate? It’s not and, as these intensify, that playlist
became famous. The setting, a modest just the enduring legacy of racism in the becomes more charged. Chloe (Mei Mei
Birkenhead kitchen, looks reassuringly spotlight here, but the lens through Macleod) uploads protest songs and
familiar and solid (design by Peter McK-
‘Cuckoo’ has multiple which that legacy is scrutinised. music of resistance, determined to do
intosh). But one of Wynne’s points is examples of the all- Beneatha quotes Orwell: “Those who her bit in supporting the demonstra-
that these 2023 characters — three gen- own history own the present; those who tions she believes Jonathan (Liam Lau-
erations of one family — only semi- pervasive role of tech in a own the present, own the past.” Fernandez) is attending. But he, fearful
inhabit this naturalistic space; much of
their lives are conducted online via their
hyperconnected world It’s a smart idea to use dramatic form
to express the shift from lived experi-
of the impact on his family, is not partic-
ipating — to the dismay of Mr Chu (Zak
ever-present phones. ence to the contested examination of Shukor), an elderly janitor at his college,
Widowed mother Doreen (Sue of Wynne’s points are hammered that experience: incident-packed narra- who is out marching despite the risks.
Jenkins) is embracing new freedoms home and the ending seems an anti- tive drama gives way to high-octane Eventually matters come to a head,
online, selling unwanted goods on eBay climax. But he does nail down a argument. It has drawbacks, however. prompting a deeper interrogation from
and meeting a new man — a liaison she is very contemporary sense of uncer- In the first act, the context and what’s at both young people of the role they can
trying to keep secret from her two adult tainty: the 2023 equivalent of Willy stake are packed in too fast and there play. These plot developments are fairly
daughters. Sarah (Jodie McNee), a Loman’s great phrase, “I still feel — kind are weighty emotional developments schematic. But the play has tremendous
breezily confident schoolteacher, seems of temporary about myself.” And he that are left hanging. The second act is zest and wit, tackles urgent issues nim-
also to have found love via a dating web- portrays with great affection these four packed with trenchant argument but bly, and skilfully poses weighty ques-
site. Carmel (Michelle Butterly) is embattled women. less rich in action. tions about protest, democracy and
struggling on a zero-hours contract and To August 19, royalcourttheatre.com, Top: Clockwise, from left: system and a society stacked against But it’s carried along in Kwei-Armah’s individual action.
receives stress-inducing texts about then Liverpool Everyman Sept 6-23, Michelle Butterly, Jodie them. Kwame Kwei-Armah’s play, first production by terrific performances. Emily Ling Williams’s sprightly pro-
shifts. And Megyn, Carmel’s daughter everymanplayhouse.com McNee, Emma Harrison staged in 2013 in Baltimore and now Cherrelle Skeete is superb as Beneatha, duction pulsates with music — with
(Emma Harrison), is so overwhelmed and Sue Jenkins in receiving its UK premiere, picks up the a woman who has learned through bit- songs of protest, revolution and resist-
by everything that she takes refuge in In 1959 Lorraine Hansberry wrote a ‘Cuckoo’. Above: Cherrelle story where Hansberry left off. ter experience to play the long game, ance. Lau-Fernandez and Macleod are
her grandmother’s bedroom, communi- domestic drama that became a seminal Skeete and Zackary Beneatha’s Place opens as Beneatha (a while Sebastian Armesto is toe-curl- instantly relatable and immensely sym-
cating only via texts and emojis. work. A Raisin in the Sun detailed the Momoh in ‘Beneatha’s character in the original) arrives in ingly funny as her “whitesplaining” aca- pathetic, while Shukor provides a wry,
Wynne gently traces a crucial period struggles of a black family in South Side Place — Manuel Harlan; Johan Persson Nigeria, having left America to make a demic colleague. And coursing through dry counterbalance.
in the women’s lives when each of them Chicago as they tried to negotiate a new life with her husband, political it all are the questions proposed by Three plays, each grappling in its own
activist Joseph Asagai. Hansberry, by the Langston Hughes way with what it means to be an individ-
She soon runs up against the insidious poem that gave her play its title, and by ual caught up in global change, what per-
legacy of colonialism. The outgoing the title of Kwei-Armah’s response. sonal agency means and what it costs.
white missionary tenants of her new What happens to a dream deferred? To August 5, bushtheatre.co.uk
home deliver patronising “advice”
about how to switch the lights on; mean- Mei Mei
while Asagai (Zackary Momoh) is Macleod and
instantly embroiled in the tumultuous Liam Lau-
negotiations for independence. Fernandez in
Flash forward to the second act, set in ‘A Playlist for
the present. Beneatha has, in the the Revolution’
Craig Fuller
interim, gone back to the US and
become a respected dean at an Ivy
League university. Faced with a pro-
posed curriculum change — demoting
her pioneering African American stud-
ies major in favour of one on critical
whiteness — she brings faculty col-
leagues back to her Nigerian house to
discuss the issue.
Like Hansberry, Kwei-Armah keeps
the action in a domestic setting, raising
questions about home, belonging and
power. By act two, the very house where
Beneatha has experienced the trau-
matic realities of history becomes the
venue for a spiky intellectual debate
When Switzerland joined sanctions against Moscow, a chunk of the world’s oil trade relocated to the
Middle East. Some predict it will stay there in a market suddenly rife with buyers and sellers.
By Tom Wilson
F
or decades, the lakeside city of provided on Tejarinaft’s website
Geneva was home to many of bounced back as undeliverable, the tele-
the traders who sold Russia’s phone number listed there connected to
oil to consumers around the a general inquiries line for the free zone
world. But since Switzerland while the online “contact us” form did
joined the embargo imposed on Moscow not work. Amur Trading and Amur
following its invasion of Ukraine, much Investments could not be reached.
of that trade has shifted to Dubai and Ben Higgins, a Dubai-based investiga-
other cities in the United Arab Emirates. tions specialist at risk consultancy Wall-
Companies registered in the small brook, part of Anthesis, says he has seen
Gulf state bought at least 39mn tonnes a big increase in requests from banks
of Russian oil worth more than $17bn and other corporate clients for further
between January and April — around a diligence on Dubai-registered trading
third of the country’s exports declared companies over the past year.
to customs during that period — accord- “Incorporated across various Dubai
ing to Russian customs documentation free zones, the target entities are often
analysed by the Financial Times. very low profile and their owners — on
Some of that oil ended up in the UAE, paper — aren’t Russian nationals,” he
but most never touched Emirati soil, says. But deeper research and analysis
instead flowing from Russian ports “often finds multiple leads back to Rus-
directly to new buyers in Asia, Africa sia,” Higgins adds.
and South America in one of the biggest- Some of the individuals that Wall-
ever redirections of global energy flows. brook has investigated also appear to
The energy trading industry in the have played similar roles in businesses
UAE was already growing before dealing with oil from Iran or Venezuela,
Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Higgins says, “always a hop ahead of the
But the conflict, and the western sanc- authorities, shuffling between hotspots
tions that followed it, have super- such as Cyprus, Hong Kong, Latvia
charged that growth. Out of the top 20 and Dubai”.
traders of Russian crude in the first four
months of the year, eight were regis- ‘Faith in the system’
tered in the UAE, the customs data While the Russian oil trading business is
shows. In refined petroleum products, scattered across Dubai, the heart of the
such as diesel and fuel oil, UAE domi- physical trade is 100km east at the
nance was even higher. dusty port city of Fujairah.
The trading boom has further The Fujairah Oil Industry Zone
enriched the nation, moving billions of (FOIZ) is the largest commercial stor-
dollars through its banks and attracting age facility in the region for refined oil
new companies to its free-trade zones. It products. The site’s 262 towering white
has also tested relations with allies such storage tanks stretch for several kilome-
as the US, which wants Russian oil to tres along either side of the road from
flow but is wary of creating trade routes the port. Many of them are filled to the
that undermine sanctions. brim with oil, much of it from Russia.
Executives at trading houses say Monthly imports of Russian fuels into
Dubai, the UAE’s main commercial cen- Fujairah increased from nothing in
tre, is a heady mix of excitement, com- April 2022 to a peak of 141,000 barrels a
petition and suspicion as new trading day during December. According to
teams battle for talent and trade flow. Pamela Munger, an oil analyst at data
“If you are an oil trader, this is where provider Vortexa, that represented 40
you want to be,” says Matt Stanley, a per cent of all fuel flowing into the ter-
former trader and 20-year industry vet- minal that month. Last month, Fujairah
eran who now manages client relation- received an average of 105,000 barrels a
ships in the region for data provider day from Russia, the data shows.
Kpler. “Dubai is the new Geneva.” The influx has driven up the prices
operators can charge for storage but also
Political neutrality created a “two tier market, where those
The UAE has long been an important tanks willing to take Russian product
commercial hub, attracting merchants can charge a premium”, one Dubai-
The FT View
Extreme summer heat will become the new normal
outcomes, seem as distant as ever. exceed 1.5C above the pre-industrial era Replacement short term. But global warming is now
Governments must speed The most striking feature of the in at least one year by 2027. of fossil fuel an emergency. Governments have put
current weather is how frequently, how That is the level to which world lead- much effort into creating mechanisms
up efforts to adapt to widely and by what magnitude temper- ers agreed ideally to try to limit overall
generation with
to incentivise companies to invest in the
warming as well as avert it ature records are being broken. Last warming in the 2015 Paris agreement. If wind and solar green transition. But more co-ordinated
month was the hottest June on record, 1.5C of warming becomes entrenched, power needs to efforts are needed to replace petrol and
Naming the anticyclones driving beating 2019’s record by a substantial scientists expect the impact of climate be sharply diesel-fuelled cars, trucks and public
extreme heat in southern Europe after margin. Antarctic sea ice reached its change to accelerate. Some scientists accelerated transport with electric vehicles, as the
Cerberus and Charon — in Greek lowest extent for June since satellite suggest progressively warmer years even beyond fastest way to reduce oil demand.
mythology, the hound who guarded the observations began. in the next decade and beyond will Similarly, replacement of fossil fuel-
gates to the underworld and the Parts of southern Europe are make this summer’s abnormal peaks the levels powered generation with wind and solar
ferryman who carried the dead there — approaching the highest temperatures eventually seem normal. achieved in power needs to be sharply accelerated
seems grimly apt. The record-breaking the continent has experienced. China The implications are profound. One is recent years even beyond the levels achieved in
weather is not just a European but a hit a record 52.2C in Xinjiang on that the authorities need to adapt even recent years. That will require fast-
global phenomenon. The World Mete- Sunday. In the US, Phoenix, Arizona, more rapidly than previously expected tracked planning processes and huge
orological Organization warned this has suffered 19 straight days of above- to global warming and its effects — investments in upgrading power grids.
week that “parallel and stationary heat 110F (43.3C) conditions. And in sizzling from wildfires, drought and floods to There have been encouraging
domes” meant temperatures would top Miami, forget about a swim to cool off: increased summer health emergencies. advances, including the Biden adminis-
40C in parts of North America, Asia, the sea temperature has hit almost 32C. Most of all, however, the heat is physi- tration’s very ambitious $370bn Infla-
and across north Africa and the Medi- This warming is not entirely human- cal proof of the need for political leaders tion Reduction Act. Unfortunately,
terranean for days to come. Some generated; El Niño, the warm phase to direct and mobilise the kind of finan- in the EU, far-right and even some
scientists worry the world is approach- of the multiyear fluctuation in the cial and technological resources that mainstream centre-right parties have
ing tipping points where heat drives Earth’s climate system, has started to were brought to bear on the Covid-19 recently been distancing themselves
irreversible changes. Political tipping turbocharge underlying changes, and pandemic, in the even bigger, long-term from green agendas. As much of south-
points, or concerted global action on may do so for years. The WMO says the pursuit of tackling climate change. ern Europe wilts under a piercing sun,
ft.com/opinion the scale needed to avert disastrous Earth is more than likely to temporarily Politicians may think most about the that is surely the wrong direction.
Opinion Technology
Letters
Email: letters.editor@ft.com
Include daytime telephone number and full address
Corrections: corrections@ft.com
three stars from me It would be smart to set realistic expectations on energy meters
Ben Hickey While I agree with Nathalie Thomas’s to track usage across the entire system. all-time low, but the message that trust and by taking a collaborative
notion that smart meters should be However, I contend that this, instead of needs to be emphasised again and approach across all levels of the
made a requirement for all UK homes the delays in the rollout, should be the again is the value that smart meters system. If the government is truly
(“UK has made dumb mess of £13.5bn focus moving forward. After a period of bring to achieving a smarter and more dedicated to a greener Britain, it must
smart meter scheme”, Opinion, 12 months, where access to affordable sustainable grid. invest in the grid and work closely with
FT.com, July 6), I cannot help but feel energy was pushed to its limit, smart The goals of the original smart meter the energy providers to make it
that she is being overwhelmingly solutions to curbing energy usage programme were ambitious at best, smarter, more efficient and most
pessimistic by stating the project has during peak times are now needed and it is therefore high time that we set importantly, more sustainable.
been a “dumb mess”. more than ever before. realistic expectations for the Oliver Bridges
I do share the belief that one of the Of course, there have been mistakes government, energy providers and Head of Energy Data
most crucial justifications for smart made with the rollout of smart meters consumers. A truly smart UK grid will NTT DATA UK&I
meters is that they allow grid operators so far and consumer trust is at an only be possible by gaining consumer London EC3, UK
T
damaging the host’s livelihood. Behind this is a stream of reports in covers all forms of communications to way.
And that brings us to a crucial your newspaper about the highly retail customers. Also, the overriding What if the BBC were made into a
here are three kinds of problem. Online ratings are now so critical remarks from the new chief duty remains to communicate charitable trust? And its Reithian ethos
lies on the internet. important to the sellers of the executive of the Rolls-Royce aero- information in a way that is clear, fair was enshrined in its charitable
Lies, damned lies, and products and services being reviewed, engine maker about what he sees as a and not misleading. foundation?
one-to-five-star ratings. as well as the platforms that host long period of poor performance at his Given the size of the social media It could then provide a subscription
I’m not just talking them, they can no longer be relied company. advertising market in the UK (current service — globally. How many
about the kind of ratings that can be upon. It’s Goodhart’s law of economics According to your paper, Tufan estimates place it at over £6bn), subscribers would it get, given its
bought from a fake reviewer for $5 at play: once a measure becomes a Erginbilgic regards Rolls-Royce as a combined with the trend towards reputation and back catalogue? More
a pop (though those are indeed a target, it ceases to be a good measure. “burning platform” and a business that digitalisation, and given the trust that than Netflix?
plague). I’m talking about the suppos- If businesses are not buying fake “has not been performing for a long, consumers place in financial How many subscribers would it need
edly real ratings that we give by reviews, they are encouraging us long time”. One of its key divisions influencers, it’s imperative that around the world to match its current
mindlessly tapping our thumbs on all to leave positive ones. A company making diesel and gas engines for financial services firms consider funding — 30mn? Surely that’s doable
five stars when we are prompted to I bought a pair of sandals from last ships and trains had, he complained, luxury car manufacturer, which carefully how they promote financial and may allow UK citizens a lower
review yet another nausea-inducing month has sent three “friendly been “grossly mismanaged” for years. under German ownership continues to services products. The data shows that licence fee rate.
cab ride or mediocre fitness class — reminders” to leave a review, offering (Rolls-Royce’s new chief warns have a high-grade reputation. But at consumers are indeed using social The charitable status and direct
not because this is a true reflection of €10 off my next purchase — the five- company is a ‘burning platform’, least until the other Rolls-Royce media/finfluencers to inform their subscription model would ensure
our views but because it’s the fastest, star option is helpfully preselected. On Report, January 26; “New Rolls-Royce receives a more positive review from financial decision making. editorial, financial and political
most frictionless and guilt-free option. Airbnb, the words explaining what chief says one of group’s key units had its top executive, FT writers should The sanctions for breaching the independence.
Online reviews depict a world in each star rating means nudge strongly been ‘grossly mismanaged’”, FT.com, steer clear of the adjectival use of the FCA’s rules around the consumer duty Or at least improve it from the
which everything seems to be wonder- towards the top: the bottom one star is May 21) company name. shouldn’t be underestimated either. present position.
ful apart from when it’s abominable. “terrible” but five stars is only “great”. Your columnist may have been Peter Marsh Kam Dhillon Bill Maryon
Ratings have a “J-shaped” distribu- Presumably anything more enthusias- thinking of the separate Rolls-Royce London SW11, UK Gowling WLG, London SE1, UK Cliftonwood, Bristol, UK
tion: a large number of top scores, tic (“Superb”? “Wonderful”? “Amaz-
some rock-bottom ones and almost ing”?) would discourage users from
T
selecting five stars, giving the platform
fewer of the ratings that boost sales.
Online reviews depict a “Because these ratings have become
the most important source of informa-
O U T LO O K wo topics prompt
impassioned discussion
taxes, stable rule of law, and neutrality
has made it more enticing for
rents to record levels. Singapore
usurped New York as the city with
world in which everything tion for consumer decision-making,
ASIA over inflation at expat businesses and tourists. Singapore’s the highest rental growth at the end of
is wonderful apart from it’s become this huge edifice now that’s dinner parties in total employment numbers now last year, according to Knight Frank,
managed on all sides,” says Philip Singapore at the moment: outstrip those in Hong Kong, despite a real estate group.
when it’s abominable Fernbach, co-author of The Knowledge how much your rent has increased the latter’s larger population. Tiny Singapore can’t compete with
Illusion, a cognitive scientist and pro- and Taylor Swift. But Singapore is dealing with the other parts of south-east Asia for
nothing in between. Two- and three-
star reviews are virtually non-exist-
fessor of marketing at the University
of Colorado, Boulder.
What The first is met with a round of
commiseration or begrudging
flip side of that boon: spiralling costs
and a limited ability to manage them.
natural tourist attractions such as
beaches or mountains, so it relies
ent. A study published in Nature in
2021 found that more than 80 per cent
of online reviews came with four- or
Fernbach co-authored a 2016 paper
that found product ratings on Amazon
had very little correlation with the
Taylor Swift congratulations, depending
on whether you are closer to
100 per cent (most people) or a
“If two Beyoncé concerts apparently
caused high inflation in Sweden, what
will six Taylor Swift concerts do to
heavily on its appeal as a gastronomic
hub. But even its lively restaurant
scene is grappling with high
five-star ratings, creating a “positivity
problem” that made it virtually
quality verdict of well-established
metrics, such as by Consumer
tells us about mere 20 per cent (a lucky few). The
second sets off fierce debate on a
Singapore?” grumbled one investment
banker based in the city-state to me
commercial property rents that are
defying a slowdown in other capitals.
impossible to discriminate between
products and services.
My most recent run-in with the
Reports, a US non-profit specialising
in scientific product-testing. He
and his colleagues are conducting
Singapore vs favourite subject: the merits of
Singapore versus Hong Kong.
Swift, like Harry Styles and
this week. He has two daughters
desperate for VIP tickets.
Even before tickets went on sale,
The manager of my favourite local
Italian restaurant is moving to a
different, more distant neighbourhood
positivity problem came on a recent
trip to the US, where I stayed in a “lux-
research into whether reviews rated
“helpful” are predictive of quality.
Hong Kong Coldplay, is performing in Singapore
but skipping Hong Kong for next
prices for hotels and flights to
Singapore were already soaring for
after the landlord doubled his rent.
Whatever the downsides for
ury” Airbnb apartment that had an The initial findings? They are not: year’s international tour. The March 2 to March 9 2024, when Swift residents, the healthy rivalry with
almost perfect 4.85-star rating from reviews are judged helpful because American pop star — who performed is due to perform. Some three- and Hong Kong is a good thing.
115 reviewers. That was despite an they sound authoritative or use tech- in the Chinese special administrative four-star hotels are 20 per cent more Competition keeps both cities
almost intolerable sickly sweet odour nical language, not for accuracy. So region on a 2011 tour — is holding six expensive compared with the week innovating, launching new financial
inducing suspicions of a cover-up for even the online ratings system for concerts in Singapore, a city-state of before, while flights from other cities products and tax incentives to lure
something grim; the fact that the online ratings appears to be broken. over 5mn people. This is more than in south-east Asia to Singapore are business and capital. Hong Kong,
coffee table books displayed in the The online ratings system is a reflec- for Sydney, Tokyo or Mexico City. almost triple the normal price range. determined to recover some of what
photos were cardboard fakes; a bed- tion of an internet that rewards The reasons for Hong Kong’s snub Facing demands for ad hoc school it has lost, is already attempting to
room blind being broken; and the gym extreme points of view and punishes are unclear. Social media is blaming holidays while Swift is in town, coax back companies, professionals
having no air conditioning while out- uncertainty. The online ratings everything from the national security Singapore’s education minister, and family offices.
door temperatures were above 40C. system is a reflection of that. Opinions law to the lack of suitable venues. Chan Chun Sing, said on Facebook Some friends who moved over from
“Thank you for your visit, we will be are distributed along a J-curve, only in Whatever the reason, these musical that granting time off “may further Hong Kong during the pandemic are
giving you a 5 star review across the reverse: everything is either terrible or choices and rising rents are indicative fuel inflation”. moving back, though Taylor Swift
board! We are glad you enjoyed amazing, but mostly it’s terrible. of the diverging fortunes of the two While Hong Kong outpaced may make them regret that decision.
your stay :)” This rather passive- Nobody wants to hear your “on-the- cities — at least in the short term. Singapore on inflation for most of the One, a lawyer with two kids, said she
aggressive, emotionally blackmailing one-hand-on-the-other” takes; they Hong Kong and Singapore have for 1980s and 1990s, the roles have been made the decision after her rent was
review-nudge came just minutes after want savage takedowns or, failing years competed for leading financial reversed. Over the past two years, raised by 120 per cent. But she left last
I had checked out. that, fawning praise. It keeps you hub status. But strict pandemic Singapore’s inflation has been week with one request: “I might need
If brave enough, I would have given engaged. The problem, of course, is lockdowns, draconian national consistently higher than that of its a place to stay if I get Taylor Swift
the apartment three stars. But I that the truth often lies somewhere security legalisation and worsening rival. An influx of new residents tickets. The hotels are too expensive.”
wimped out and gave no rating at all. in the messy middle. US-China relations have dulled Hong coupled with delays on new building
The system is not geared towards by Mercedes Ruehl Kong’s appeal, while Singapore’s low during the pandemic have pushed mercedes.ruehl@ft.com
honesty. Had I submitted a poor jemima.kelly@ft.com
Thursday 20 July 2023 ★ FINANCIAL TIMES 19
Opinion
Republican war on woke will wound the Pentagon The UK can’t pick
winners but it
AMERICA
with cultural riders. This included
restrictions on LGBT+ rights, women’s
not stop the Pentagon from making its
numbers. Another is the worsening
In contrast to Russia, which has
almost entirely male frontline forces
leader, Vladimir Putin, has explicitly
described the invasion of Ukraine as a
can help the auto
Edward
access to abortion and diversity training
for recruits.
The claim is that the Pentagon is being
obesity crisis among young Americans.
Rising mental health problems are also
a factor. For one reason or another,
and is hostile to gay people in its mili-
tary, Ukraine has virtually overnight
become the most progressive fighting
war against a woke west that embodies
degenerate values, such as same-sex
marriage.
industry succeed
Luce used as a social engineering tool by more than three quarters of Americans force in Europe. It had no choice. When We can judge the results for ourselves.
liberals at the expense of America’s between 17 and 24 now fall short of the a foreign occupier shows up, it makes Despite having one hand tied behind its
T
ability to fight wars. Pentagon’s standards. Neither party is sense to take any able-bodied adult who back — being unable to strike Russian
The Republican party is increasingly doing much to tackle this. is willing to fight. territory with its western-supplied mis- Kemi
he last thing the US military drawn to anti-woke as its core message That makes it a particularly bad Roughly a tenth of Ukraine’s combat siles — Ukraine has defied all predic-
needs is to become a piñata — roughly half of its presidential candi- moment for the Pentagon to narrow its troops are women. Some of its LGBT+ tions of collapsing morale. Ukraine’s Badenoch
in America’s woke wars. dates do not bother to publish policies soldiers have chosen to wear insignia troops are more motivated than Rus-
T
Having been given no on their websites. Since Democrats will identifying them as such. The level of sia’s. Its fighting forces better reflect
choice, it must now deal
with the reality. The details of the
never agree that the US military suffers
from a “crisis of masculinity”, the Penta-
It is going to be costly discrimination in Ukraine’s military
and society at large has reportedly fallen
society’s make up. There is no need to
cite historical chestnuts about Alexan- he gigafactory announce-
defence funding bill the House of Repre- gon will have to adjust to a new kind of and diversionary, and sharply. You could say that there are no der the Great or Richard the Lionheart ment from Tata Group is a
sentatives passed last week can proba- polarisation. It will be costly and diver- bad news for genders (or sexual orientations) in a being gay. Just measure the effective- big moment for the UK car
bly be ignored — they will probably be sionary, and bad news for US national foxhole. ness gap between the Russian and industry. It also provides an
gutted in the Senate. The gist of the security. US national security America has had many debates over Ukrainian militaries. insight into how the govern-
Republican message, however, will only The timing could hardly be worse. military demographics before. The tor- That little of this is acknowledged ment’s strategy for the industry is
get louder: “Act like real men or Amer- The real challenge facing the Pentagon range of recruits. It ought to be relaxing turous “don’t ask, don’t tell” compro- belies the Republican claim that their unfolding at a complex time for auto-
ica will lose wars.” is unrelated to woke. For the first time its entry criteria. Even at the best of mise in the 1990s did not reflect well on goal is military readiness. There are one motive globally.
It was a matter of time before the since it became an all-volunteer force in times, the basis on which Republicans anyone; opponents of military desegre- or two areas where they make valid crit- There is opportunity, but also great
so-called war on woke affected US the early 1970s, the US military is failing are demanding such restrictions would gation in 1948 were quickly silenced by icisms but these are drowned out by the risk, for the UK as the world transitions
national security. The Pentagon now to meet its recruitment targets. It is una- be questionable. As it happens, Russia’s the professionalism of African-Ameri- hyperbole about masculinity. The best to electric vehicles. Other countries
joins corporate America, state pension ble to enlist enough men and women of war on Ukraine is providing a live exper- can soldiers. But the US has never had militaries usually reflect the societies have embarked on colossal spending
funds and the nation’s classrooms in the any description to its ranks. One of the iment in what happens when an anti- the luxury of having an adversary quite they are defending. sprees to claim a share of the growing
Republican crosshairs. For the first culprits is a tight labour market, though woke military invades a country that is so committed to supplying real time market.
time, a US defence budget was passed previous periods of full employment did forced to modernise rapidly. data to a domestic debate. Russia’s edward.luce@ft.com For those of us who still believe in
some semblance of a free market, it is a
battle of wits competing with countries
prepared to offer eye-watering sums to
Ellie Foreman-Peck
pry business away from our shores. So
how should the UK government
H
growth and facilitates happier choices.
And while some reforms to power growth countries prepared to
ere is an economic fore- can cost little — to the planning process
cast. There will be no cred- for example — others require upfront spend large sums
ible low-tax option for investment and are unpopular. Even
British voters at the next with a large majority, Tories ran scared income guarantee from which neither “the single biggest tax-raising measure wrote that Britain requires reform those sectors where there is a connected
election. Whatever leaders of planning reform. party feels able to retreat. The OBR since the 1970s”. By 2028, around 14 per “rather than just more money”, a ecosystem of knowledge, skills and expe-
might say, there is no near-term strategy Conservatives may plausibly argue states that this, alongside the loss of cent of UK taxpayers will be higher-rate phrase which does not actually preclude rience. One of those sectors is advanced
that reduces the rising tax burden. taxes will be lower under them than fuel duty revenue with the switch to taxpayers, compared to 3.5 per cent extra spending. manufacturing, of which automotive is
This is not the impression either of Labour. Yet whatever tactics are electric vehicles, the costs of decarbon- in 1991-92. Assuming both parties again commit a critical component.
the two parties with a chance of forming deployed before the election, the isation and pledges to raise defence With decent growth, a long-term Tory to not increasing the rates of income tax, Our plan for advanced manufacturing
the next government (for argument’s pressure on tax revenues will not abate spending, will represent a £66bn chal- tax-cutting agenda becomes viable. But VAT and National Insurance, Labour aims to make the UK one of the best
sake I include the Conservatives) wish after it. lenge by 2030. the state of public infrastructure, the will be forced to seek its extra funding places for companies to invest in the
to convey. Both insist taxes are too high Alongside the UK’s stubbornly low The need to contain debt means tax desire to cut debt, raise public sector elsewhere. Potential targets include design and manufacture of zero emis-
and that public spending is unsustain- growth are serious revenue challenges cuts require spending reductions but pay with reduced immigration, meet cli- taxes on assets or investments and the sion vehicles. It will look at policy meas-
able. The Conservatives may dream of highlighted in this month’s Office for Tories have lost their taste for serious mate targets and the cost of upfront removal of higher rate reliefs. It does not ures to help the market adapt at pace,
following their trusted playbook of Budget Responsibility’s fiscal risks retrenchment. In the short term, spend- investment to power reforms preclude take a seer to imagine a new Labour and review energy costs for the sector
promising a tax-cutting agenda. There report. Most immediately troubling is ing cuts may be a greater risk to growth anything but a steady or rising tax bur- chancellor sorrowfully declaring that to make sure we are competitive inter-
may even be a “downpayment” before the UK’s exposure to costs which spring than high taxes. Until trend growth is den till then. having looked at the books, she has dis- nationally.
the election, though not enough of one from its high levels of debt. The risk is reliably over two per cent there is little Labour sees a reputation for eco- covered things are worse than expected. I want to build on the groundbreaking
to cancel out other increases. not only less favourable market senti- room for manoeuvre. nomic prudence as the key to Downing Come the election, then, voters will Tata announcement and increase bat-
Labour, determined to prove it can be ment but the rising cost of servicing Tory tax rises will continue to bite Street’s door. There must be no find two parties denouncing high taxes tery supply in the UK, but to do so we
trusted with the economy, will broadly that debt. Interest payments were until 2027-28. The Institute for Fiscal unfunded pledges. Keir Starmer’s cur- but with no immediate expectation of will need more critical minerals such as
commit to sticking with Tory tax poli- £9.8bn in April alone, though inflation Studies describes Sunak’s freezing of rent fight with the Labour left over his addressing them. Tories will talk up lithium and platinum. This government
cies in its early years aside from a few also boosts tax receipts. Rishi Sunak will income tax thresholds for six years as refusal to commit to reversing the two- major savings they cannot deliver; has made the security of supply of these
small measures, knowing that those want to restore the goal of paring back a child cap on welfare payments serves Labour will stress reform that comes minerals a core aspect of our foreign and
plans see the tax burden continuing to debt ratio which stands at 100 per cent the purpose of demonstrating his without extra costs. trade policy.
rise, to 37.7 per cent of gross domestic
product, by 2027-28.
of GDP.
Other issues include an ageing society
Tories will talk up savings fiscal rectitude and readiness for hard
choices. But few Labour figures believe
It would be nice to think the parties
could be honest about what awaits. But
We need to keep markets open while
being clear eyed about the risks of
Both will talk of refashioning the econ- which places a higher tax burden on they cannot deliver; Labour it is a sustainable position in power and voters have rarely rewarded honesty becoming dependent on single suppliers.
omy and promise future growth. Yet relatively fewer working shoulders. The will stress reform that even fewer think his commitment to when it comes to taxation. The good news is that in the UK we have
neither will make meaningful inroads UK is locked into rising welfare commit- reform is an alternative to spending globally significant capabilities — from
into the tax burden until the last years ments to pensioners, via the triple lock comes without extra costs more. In a recent article, Starmer robert.shrimsley@ft.com platinum group metals refining and recy-
cling facilities to a major nickel refinery
and a significant lithium mine in Corn-
wall. But more support is needed.
This is not to say that all the problems
Myths are clouding the reality of our sustainable energy future have been solved. My colleague the
transport secretary is working hard to
ensure that there are enough charging
points to handle the forthcoming switch
to electric vehicles. The rules of origin
quantities of scarce water, high lithium sites required would take up less than 2 aggregate, the adverse impacts will be across the world. Significant concentra- we agreed with the EU are posing a real
Adair prices will make electric vehicles impos- per cent of the land area devoted to agri- more than offset by putting a stop to tion of mining is inevitable and decou- challenge in a post-pandemic world
sibly expensive or discarded solar pan- culture. Red meat consumption threat- coal mining but that won’t be true for pling completely from China would sig- with a much-changed supply chain. Car
Turner els will create a landfill disaster. We ens the world’s tropical rainforests; bat- some local communities. Best mining nificantly increase costs — slowing manufacturers in the UK and across the
need to separate myths from real con- teries for electric vehicles do not. and refining practices can dramatically progress towards a zero carbon economy. continent are asking for help. We are the
H
cerns — the Energy Transitions Com- There are three key challenges. The reduce harm — and must be required by But policies to reduce reliance on imports bloc’s biggest automotive market and
mission’s latest report aims to do that. first is growing supply fast enough to regulation imposed on mineral produc- make sense: the EU’s objective to source they are ours. I am in contact with EU
eatwaves, floods and One thing we don’t need to worry meet rapidly growing demand. There ers and users. Communities should 40 per cent of refined mineral supply trade ministers who share my desire to
droughts across the world about is long-term supply: for all the key are enough copper and lithium sources share in the profits generated, with the domestically is a reasonable balance. find a solution.
are a wake-up call. We need minerals, known resources easily small additional costs accepted as the Mineral supply challenges must be For now, this is another step towards a
to cut fossil fuel use fast, exceed total future requirements. And price to pay for more sustainable supply. clearly faced and managed. But we must stronger, greener, UK automotive indus-
reducing CO₂ emissions to one to place in context is the CO₂ or But environmental impacts can also be also welcome the sustainable nature of try. Just last week, Renault and Chinese
around zero by the middle of the century. other greenhouse gases emitted when Red meat consumption dramatically reduced via innovation and the new energy system. In today’s carmaker Geely chose the UK as its new
To do that, we must electrify as much as we use fossil fuel energy to produce the recycling, cutting the need for mining. energy system, each year we burn 8bn headquarters. The government has
possible, decarbonise electricity supply materials required for the first genera- threatens tropical New battery designs have reduced future tons of coal, 35bn barrels of oil, and 4tn been listening to the needs of the indus-
and use hydrogen, bioenergy, and car- tion of wind turbines, solar panels, bat- rainforests; batteries for cobalt needs by 50 per cent in just five cubic metres of gas, producing around try, providing targeted support with our
bon capture in applications where direct teries and electrical equipment. These years; nickel-free LFP batteries are now 40bn tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. In the Automotive Transformation Fund en-
electricity use is not feasible. emissions could amount to a cumulative electric vehicles do not being used in 40 per cent of electric vehi- new system, we extract far smaller abling the £1bn Nissan-Envision hub in
Global electricity supply needs to 15-35 gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalent over cles — up from 7 per cent in 2019; and by quantities of key minerals and place Sunderland and Ford’s £380mn project
expand by around four times; transmis- the next 30 years: but that compares to meet global needs in 2050 but the 2040, over 50 per cent of lithium used in them in structures that generate, store at Halewood.
sion grids must grow from 70mn km to with around 40 Gt CO₂ equivalent pro- plans already announced for supply fall new batteries could come from recycling. and use clean electrical energy; and the Our plan for advanced manufacturing
around 200mn km; we must boost elec- duced every year by the fossil fuel based short of meeting likely demand in 2030. Regulation increasingly requires com- materials are then ready to do the same will deliver even more moments like
tric cars from 25mn to over 1bn. That energy system. New mines and refineries must be built, plete recycling of all battery materials. again next year or to be recycled over these and ensure that Tata’s new giga-
implies big increases in mineral supply Land and water needs are also man- financial flows to developing countries Third, we should build more diverse and over again. This is an inherently factory will be the first of many as the
— seven times more lithium will be used ageable. The roughly 5bn cubic metres of increased, and planning systems supply chains. Almost 70 per cent of renewable system, and the faster we UK automotive industry goes from
per annum than in 2022, with copper water needed annually for new mineral reformed to allow some mine and refin- cobalt comes from the DRC, 48 per cent build it the better. strength to strength.
use doubling. extraction compares with 2,700bn cubic ery development in rich countries. of nickel from Indonesia and 74 per cent
Faced with this challenge, fears are metres used in food and fibre produc- Second, new developments can have of refined lithium from China, even The writer chairs the Energy Transitions The writer is the UK’s business and trade
multiplying — that mining will use huge tion; and all the solar PV farms and mine adverse local environmental effects. In though lithium resources are spread Commission secretary
20 ★ FINANCIAL TIMES Thursday 20 July 2023
CROSSWORD
No 17,473 Set by GAFF
A themed puzzle, of course
ACROSS
DOWN