London: The New Crossroads of Trade
A Frozen Bridge for U.S.-China Relations A Welcoming Embrace for India 24th July 2025 As two tectonic shifts in global trade diplomacy unfold in London, the city once again finds itself a crucible for competing visions of globalisation. On one side, a faltering relationship between the United States and China teeters on the edge of renewed hostility, even as both parties prepare for a new round of negotiations. On the other, the arrival of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks the culmination of an ambitious UK-India trade pact, one being hailed as a milestone for post-Brexit Britain. These developments — playing out simultaneously in the same city — offer a revealing snapshot of the state of international trade, diplomacy, and strategic alignment in 2025. A Frozen Bridge for U.S.-China Relations Tensions between the U.S. and China remain acute. Despite a cordial front and public statements calling for “mutual respect” and “win-win cooperation”, trade between the two economic giants has stalled in key sectors. U.S. exports of crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and coal to China hit zero last month — a stark indicator of deepening friction. According to Chinese customs data, energy imports from the U.S. began collapsing in March when Beijing imposed retaliatory tariffs of 10–15% in response to American pressure. Washington’s rhetoric has veered between conciliation and brinkmanship. Treasury officials have suggested the relationship is “in a good place”, yet President Trump has issued an ultimatum: reach a deal by 12 August or face even steeper tariffs. With energy trade halted and broader economic trust eroded, negotiations now risk becoming performative rather than productive. Warm Welcome for India In stark contrast, Narendra Modi’s visit to London signals a rare bright spot in international trade. The UK-India trade deal, finalised this week, marks the most significant bilateral agreement for Britain since its departure from the European Union. It promises liberalised trade across goods, digital services, pharmaceuticals, and the movement of skilled labour. Symbolically and strategically, this partnership demonstrates both countries’ pivot away from traditional Atlantic alignments and towards a multipolar future. For India, this is part of a broader push to assert itself as a manufacturing and technological alternative to China. For the UK, the deal is a concrete step in delivering on the promise of “Global Britain” and diversifying supply chains beyond the EU and China. Diplomacy in a Fragmented World The juxtaposition of these two developments in London underscores the shifting tides in global diplomacy. Whereas Cold War-era alignments once dominated the international order, the 21st century is increasingly shaped by regional partnerships, transactional diplomacy, and contested norms of engagement. The China-U.S. standoff reflects a breakdown of trust between the two largest economies, with energy trade — a pillar of past cooperation — now weaponised. Meanwhile, India’s alignment with the UK symbolises a constructive alternative: partnerships built on shared democratic values, strategic interests, and mutual economic gain. Implications for Globalism and Security These contrasting stories also point to diverging models of globalisation. One is increasingly fragmented, shaped by tariffs, coercion, and rivalry. The other is cautiously optimistic, rooted in bilateralism and cooperation among emerging and middle powers. Yet the implications go beyond trade flows. A prolonged breakdown between China and the U.S. risks fuelling economic decoupling, reshaping energy markets, and accelerating the formation of parallel financial systems. Meanwhile, strengthened ties between countries like India and the UK could create new centres of influence, challenging traditional global institutions. London, long a symbol of open markets and internationalism, now hosts both a high-stakes power play and a hopeful handshake. The outcomes of these two engagements will reverberate well beyond the city — shaping not only trade balances, but the future of global diplomacy itself.
Join Gapuma at the 59th Annual EPCA Meeting in Berlin
11th July 2025 Gapuma South Africa is pleased to confirm that senior representatives — Gary Hayes, Henry Greeff, Dave Steward, and Carla Erasmus — will be attending the 59th Annual European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) Meeting in Berlin, taking place from 22 to 25 September 2025. In today’s challenging and fast-changing global environment, supply chains are under pressure, and the imperative for sustainable innovation has never been greater. At Gapuma, we are focused on creating agile, adaptive solutions that meet the realities of the market. Drawing on deep operational knowledge and on-the-ground experience across Southern and West Africa, our team is committed to building resilient supply networks and delivering market-led value. The EPCA Annual Meeting presents a key opportunity to engage with fellow industry leaders, exchange ideas, and explore strategies for navigating regulatory change, accelerating sustainability goals, and positioning our sector for long-term success. We warmly invite you to connect with us in Berlin to discuss opportunities for collaboration. Whether you’re looking to expand into African markets or seeking to transform global challenges into practical outcomes, we are ready to support your objectives with insight, integrity, and impact. To arrange a meeting with our team during the event, please get in touch via our contact page or reach out to us directly on LinkedIn.
Jubilee Drilling Resumes: Tullow Signals Bold New Phase for Ghana’s Energy Future
28th May 2025 Tullow Ghana and its partners have announced the recommencement of drilling operations in the Jubilee Field, signalling renewed investment and long-term confidence in Ghana’s energy sector. This phased two-year programme aims to enhance production efficiency and output in one of West Africa’s most strategically important oil fields. This new campaign follows the early and cost-effective completion of Tullow’s previous four-year drilling programme, which delivered 18 new wells by December 2024—six months ahead of schedule and under budget. The operation was widely commended for its strong safety record, operational discipline, and effective project management. The new drilling effort will continue into 2026, with additional activity planned for November 2025. Tullow aims to surpass its earlier achievements by applying improved drilling technologies and management techniques. Tullow Ghana Managing Director, Jean-Médard Madama, remarked: “The restart of drilling marks a major milestone for us. It demonstrates not only our ongoing commitment to Ghana’s energy future but also our confidence in the potential of this maturing field to generate enduring value.” The Jubilee Field remains a vital contributor to Ghana’s energy output and fiscal base, even as it matures. The new campaign seeks to maximise this potential, creating opportunities across the value chain—from upstream exploration and drilling services to downstream logistics and infrastructure support. Tullow’s recent 16-day maintenance operation at Jubilee was successfully completed to upgrade systems and ensure risk mitigation ahead of renewed drilling efforts. For strategic service providers like Gapuma, this renewed activity in Ghana presents substantial contingent opportunities—particularly in supply chain resilience, logistics coordination, and value-added support to ensure sustained operational excellence.
Gapuma Strengthens Industry Ties at ChemExpo 2025
08th May 2025 Gapuma was proud to participate in ChemExpo 2025, South Asia’s premier international exhibition for the chemical industry, held in Mumbai last week. The event brought together over 500 exhibitors and thousands of delegates from across the globe, offering a vital platform for knowledge exchange, commercial collaboration, and industry insight. Representing Gapuma at the event, our Channel and Product Manager, Sunil Bahl, engaged with a broad range of suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers operating across key sectors — including pharmaceuticals, personal care, polymers, textiles, industrial coatings, and more. Among the many constructive conversations was a detailed exchange with senior representatives of Sarex Overseas, a respected name in the speciality chemicals space with a strong international reputation built over more than sixty years. Their focus on diversified application areas closely reflects Gapuma’s own commitment to providing integrated solutions to clients across complex global markets. Participation in ChemExpo 2025 reaffirmed the value of physical industry gatherings in building trust, uncovering innovation, and fostering long-term relationships. As demand continues to rise for reliable, ethical, and sustainable chemical sourcing, Gapuma remains at the forefront of efforts to connect world-class producers with end users across emerging and established economies. We extend our thanks to the organisers of ChemExpo for curating such a vibrant and forward-looking event. We look forward to building on the many conversations started in Mumbai and to continuing our mission of delivering value through global trade, sectoral expertise, and partnership-led growth.
UK–India Trade Deal Opens New Horizons
07th May 2025 On Tuesday, the United Kingdom and India finalised a landmark free trade agreement aimed at increasing bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually by 2040. The deal significantly reduces tariffs on a wide range of goods, including British exports such as cosmetics, medical devices, and aircraft components, while 99% of Indian exports — including textiles, foodstuffs, and jewellery — will face no import duty in the UK. For British commodities trading companies like Gapuma, which operates across sectors including, coatings, cosmetics, extractive industries, food and drink, manufacturing, and packaging, the agreement presents substantial opportunities. The reduction in tariffs on British goods exported to India, particularly in cosmetics and medical-grade products, aligns with Gapuma’s supply capabilities and could enhance its competitiveness in the Indian market. Furthermore, the removal of duties on the majority of Indian exports to the UK may benefit Gapuma’s sourcing strategies, particularly in textiles and food-related sectors, by reducing costs and broadening product availability. The deal’s provisions for goods and services trade, along with modest improvements to business mobility — including simplified visa access for Indian professionals — may further facilitate smoother operations and cross-border collaborations. As the global trading environment continues to evolve, Gapuma’s diversified portfolio and well-established international presence leave it well placed to take advantage of the new opportunities emerging from this UK–India agreement — a strategic move that could shape the future of commodities trading between two of the world’s largest economies.
Exploring New Horizons: Gapuma Strengthens Presence in Chile
24 April 2025 In a strategic move to boost Gapuma’s footprint in Latin America, Monica Bernal, Business Development Manager, recently completed her first market visit to Chile. The primary focus of the trip was to deepen engagement with key customers in the coatings and paints industries, working closely with Gapuma’s local agent. While Gapuma has successfully supplied epoxy resins and hardeners in other markets, sales in Chile have remained limited — a challenge Monica set out to address. Over an intensive week, Monica visited an average of three customers per day across Santiago, the nation’s capital, and the coastal city of Viña del Mar. Alongside showcasing Gapuma’s established product range, she also introduced customers to new lines that have been added to the portfolio over the past year. Chile presents a dynamic and highly competitive environment, where imported products face fewer restrictions than in other markets. Recognising the need for a stronger local presence, Monica identified two key priorities: the appointment of a proactive local distributor and greater engagement from Gapuma’s local representative. “I hope my enthusiasm during the trip managed to inspire our agent,” Monica reflected. “Building stronger relationships on the ground will be key to unlocking the full potential of the Chilean market.” Monica’s visit marks an important step in Gapuma’s efforts to expand in Latin America, reaffirming the company’s commitment to understanding customer needs and adapting to regional challenges.
Reflections on the Commonwealth Trade Summit
Navigating Multilateralism Amidst Protectionist Challenges 12 April 2025 The Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit (CTIS), held in London this week, could yet prove to be a pivotal moment in the history of the Commonwealth, an organisation often described as “in search of a purpose”. With over 400 delegates from more than 40 countries in attendance, including business leaders, government officials, and representatives from multilateral institutions, the summit provided a platform for discussions aimed at reshaping the Commonwealth’s role in the evolving global trade landscape. At the heart of the summit was a renewed commitment to a transparent, inclusive, and rules-based multilateral trading system. As protectionist policies and trade barriers gain momentum worldwide, delegates highlighted the importance of a united Commonwealth in promoting free trade and fostering economic cooperation. “The Commonwealth represents a unique opportunity to lead the charge in global trade by standing united in the face of rising protectionist tendencies,” said Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment. “Now is the time for the Commonwealth to be an example of how countries can work together for mutual benefit.” While the summit focused on advancing trade relations, it also provided a chance to reflect on the Commonwealth’s evolution. For years, critics have questioned the organisation’s true purpose and its ability to navigate the complexities of the modern world. Yet, as the summit unfolded, there was a palpable sense that this gathering could mark a turning point, with the Commonwealth positioning itself to become a more influential force in the global economy. Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, Commonwealth Secretary-General, emphasised this potential when she spoke about the organisation’s ambitious goal of reaching $2 trillion in intra-Commonwealth trade by 2030. “Our vision is not just about increasing trade volumes, but creating a trade system that benefits all nations equally, from the smallest island states to the largest economies,” she said. “Trade and investment at the heart of Commonwealth renewal” Another prominent theme at the summit was the push for sustainable development and economic resilience. Speakers discussed the importance of infrastructure development, the digital economy, and inclusive growth as key drivers of future prosperity. Stephen Harris, Operations Director at Gapuma, noted that such initiatives must be underpinned by meaningful partnerships. “At Gapuma, we are committed to engaging with forward-thinking initiatives that support the growth of infrastructure and innovation in the Commonwealth,” he remarked. “It is through these partnerships that we will see lasting, transformative change.” Among the distinguished attendees were Adesuwa Ladoja, Managing Director and CEO of Lagos Free Zone, who highlighted the zone’s potential as a major economic driver for West Africa, and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, who discussed the need for greater collaboration between the WTO and Commonwealth nations to foster a fair and open trading system. The summit was not only a reflection on the Commonwealth’s trade future, but also a moment to reconsider its broader role in global affairs. In the context of rising protectionism, the Commonwealth has an opportunity to redefine its place in the world, as well as access to the ‘Global South’. With ongoing discussions centred on economic cooperation and mutual growth, the summit has the potential to solidify the Commonwealth’s standing as a global champion of multilateralism. If the momentum continues, it could indeed mark the beginning of a new, more purposeful chapter for the organisation.