GM extends halt of Bolt production to mid-OctoberBloombergGeneral Motors Co (GM) said it would extend downtime at its Chevy Bolt electric-vehicle plant for another three weeks due to a battery pack shortage, as the company recalls the vehicles over fire risks. GM said it would continue to work with its supplier to “update manufacturing processes” and would evaluate additional production schedule adjustments. General Motors factory workers connect a battery pack to a partially assembled Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle in Orion, Michigan, on March 19, 2018. GM added that it is cutting production at six other North American assembly plants because of an ongoing chip shortage. The automaker told Bolt owners to limit the charge to 90 percent, plug in more frequently and avoid depleting the battery to below about 112km of remaining range.

China applies to join Pacific trade pactCOMPLICATED AFFAIR: Beijing will need to negotiate with incumbent members Japan, Australia and Canada, with which it has fraught diplomatic and trade tiesBloombergBeijing has applied to join an Asia-Pacific trade pact once pushed by the US as a way to isolate China and solidify AmeriFcan dominance in the region. China is the second country to apply to join the 11-nation deal, after the UK asked to become a member earlier this year. However, the Chinese application would complicate that as Beijing opposes Taiwan joining any international organization or group. Still, China last week publicly lobbied Canberra for its support to join the deal. However, the Biden administration has not announced any concrete trade policies for the region, although there are reports it is discussing a digital trade deal covering Asia-Pacific economies.

UK retail sees worst stretch since 1996BloombergUK retail sales last month fell unexpectedly for a fourth month, the longest stretch of declines in at least 25 years, raising concerns about the economic recovery as a resurgence of COVID-19 cases and supply shortages take a toll. Food sales dropped sharply, as consumers steered spending toward bars, restaurants and entertainment venues that reopened after lockdowns, it said. The fall in sales last month surprised economists, who were predicting a small increase, and sales excluding auto fuel declined 1.2 percent. The only categories that enjoyed an increase in sales were clothing and fuel, as more people returned to offices and traveled for summer holidays. “The near-term outlook for households’ spending is overcast.”Consumer prices rose 3.2 percent in the year to last month, the fastest pace in more than nine years.

Foodpanda fined over unfair trade practicesBy Angelica Oung / Staff reporterThe Fair Trade Commission (FTC, 公平會) yesterday fined Foodpanda Taiwan Co (富胖達) NT$2 million (US$72,109) for unfair trade practices. Non-cooperating restaurants were punished by being dropped by Foodpanda or having their commission rates raised. Furthermore, Foodpanda was giving consumers a discount for picking up their meals at the restaurant rather than having food delivered. However, the commission is keeping an eye out for network effects as Taiwan’s increasingly valuable meal delivery market consolidates. The FTC warned market leaders Foodpanda and UberEats that it has noticed the increasing concentration of the Taiwanese meal delivery market.

The local subsidiary of Deutsche Post DHL Group, one of the world’s leading mail and logistics service groups, has increased its freight rates by 4.9 percent each year since 2018, corporate data showed. The price adjustment was proposed by the local unit, though approved by the parent company, DHL Express Taiwan said by telephone. The price rise in Taiwan matches that of DHL Express New Zealand & Pacific Islands, but lower than the 6.9 percent approved by DHL Express India next year, DHL Express’ Web site and foreign news reports showed. The price hike is to apply to all customers whose contracts allow the adjustment, it said. We will also ensure that our clients’ business can continue growing even in times of global crises,” DHL Express Taiwan managing director Yung C. Ooi (黃湧君) said in a statement.

Barraud was Bloomberg’s top-ranked forecaster for the Chinese economy last year. Barraud is also bearish on China’s growth for this year compared to the market’s median estimate of 8.4 percent. Barraud’s prediction came after monthly data showed China’s economy slowing sharply last month, with a slump in retail sales and property construction. The France-based economist said that one of his favorite indicators of Chinese economic activity at the moment is the daily number of domestic flights. In the second quarter, GDP rose 7.9 percent from the same period last year, and 1.3 percent from the previous quarter.

Pakistan stunned as NZ abandon tourSECURITY ALERT: Pakistan captain Babar Azam expressed his disappointment, while former bowler Shoaib Akhtar wrote on Twitter: ‘NZ just killed Pakistan cricket’AP, RAWALPINDI, PakistanNew Zealand yesterday abandoned their cricket tour of Pakistan over security concerns that mystified the hosts, just before the Black Caps’ first scheduled match in Pakistan in 18 years. “Following an escalation in the New Zealand government threat levels for Pakistan, and advice from NZC security advisers on the ground, it has been decided the Black Caps will not continue with the tour,” NZC said on its Web site. NZC chief executive David White said the advice he received made the tour impossible to continue and he was supported by the New Zealand Cricket Players Association. Pakistan was a no-go zone for international cricket teams for a decade after terrorists attacked the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009. The ambush killed seven people and injured several Sri Lanka cricketers, including Thilan Samaraweera, who is among the New Zealand tour management as batting coach.

Harper homers as Phillies rally past CubsAP, PHILADELPHIABryce Harper keeps earning those “MVP” chants in Philly. Harper on Thursday doubled to start a seven-run, game-tying rally in the fourth inning, doubled in the go-ahead run in the sixth and sealed the Philadelphia Phillies’ 17-8 win over the Chicago Cubs with a three-run homer in the seventh. Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a three-run homer against the Chicago Cubs in their MLB game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Thursday. Harper hit again in the fourth against 14-game winner Kyle Hendricks — Andrew McCutchen’s two-RBI double made it 7-5 — and walked to load the bases with two outs in his second at-bat of the inning. Harper hit his 33rd homer of the season into the second deck in the seventh, a three-run shot off Rex Brothers for 15-8 lead.

MOFA urges EU to pursue trade ties after reportMATTER OF SECURITY: The EU adopted a report that addresses the threat from China’s recent military buildup and called for trade relations with TaiwanBy Lin Chia-nan / Staff reporterThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday urged the EU to start preparations for negotiating a bilateral investment agreement with Taiwan, after the bloc expressed its intention to boost cooperation with Taiwan in semiconductors and other areas. The EU on Thursday adopted a Joint Communication on the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, after the European Council on April 19 approved the strategy. In the report, the EU said it intends to increase engagements with Indo-Pacific partners, based on promoting democracy, the rule of law, human rights and universally agreed commitments, such as those related to sustainable development and climate change. EU flags billow outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels on May 5. The EU-Taiwan Political Relations and Cooperation report passed by the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs on Sept. 1 also recommended the bloc start preparations for an investment pact with Taiwan.

Legislative Speaker You Si-kun, right, in Taipei yesterday receives a statement from Yilan County Council Speaker Chang Chien-rong saying that Yilan Station would be the best location for the terminus for a planned high-speed rail extension line to Yilan County. “The high-speed rail extension line was proposed to facilitate transportation between the west and east coasts, and ease traffic congestion inside the Hsuehshan Tunnel on the National Chiang Wei-shui Freeway [Freeway No.5],” Wang said. A consulting firm hired by the ministry recommended four possible terminal stations — adjacent to Yilan Station, Luodong Station, Sicheng Station or at a yet-to-be built station near the Yilan County Government building. However, people only take the high-speed rail once in a while, not every day. Yilan County Commissioner Lin Tzu-miao (林姿妙) of the KMT and former acting Yilan County commissioner Chen Chin-te (陳金德) said that they support the station near the Yilan County Government building as the terminus.

Party urges Sports Administration to act on name issueBy Jason Pan / Staff reporterSubsidies were provided for an international basketball event in Taiwan, but the nation’s involvement was under the degrading “China, Taipei” label, the Taiwan Statebuilding Party said yesterday, urging the Sports Administration to address the issue. Taiwan Statebuilding Party Legislator Chen Po-wei, left, and party secretary-general Wang Hsing-huan speak at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei TimesThe “China Taipei” designation is degrading for the nation, Wang told a news conference in Taipei accompanied by Taiwan Statebuilding Party Legislator Chen Po-wei (陳柏惟). “The games in Taiwan are organized by Forebest, which received financial assistance from the Sports Administration,” Wang said. “The Sports Administration has a responsibility to safeguard the dignity of Taiwanese and must demand that Forebest rectify the nation’s designation,” he said.

Jewish community leader dies aged 103Staff Writer, with CNAEphraim Ferdinand Einhorn, a local Jewish leader, died at National Taiwan University Hospital in Taipei on Wednesday after a long illness, the Taiwan Jewish Community said. Einhorn, who died three days after his 103rd birthday, had for many years been a much-respected spiritual leader of the community, the group said in a statement. Einhorn, who was born in Vienna in 1918, was trained as a rabbi in London. Besides officiating at religious services, he also ran a business, World Patent Trading Co, that developed corporate promotional giveaways. He was also a participant in the local expatriate community, holding memberships in the Rotary Club, American Club, American Chamber of Commerce and the European Chamber of Commerce.

Mayfield delivers strong message to Browns after lossAP, BEREA, OhioCleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield might have saved his strongest delivery for Sunday’s post-game. Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, right, hands off to running back Nick Chubb in their NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday. Photo: AFP“We should have won that game,” Mayfield said he told them. For Mayfield, that last, forced pass seemed to eclipse all of the good ones that he made in a duel with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mayfield was poised to lead the Browns to a comeback win, but came up short.

DPP seeks action on trade pact before 2022By Chien Hui-ju and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writerTaiwan should join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) before China becomes a member of the trade group, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers said yesterday. Taiwan would lose its shot at joining if China joins the pact, DPP Legislator Chiu Chih-wei (邱志偉) told a news conference at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei. Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei TimesChinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) in November last year told an APEC summit that Beijing wants to join the pact. Singapore is to chair the trade pact next year, with Singaporean Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan tapped to take the post, he said, adding that Balakrishnan has voiced support for a Chinese bid. Taiwan must prepare a bid by amending laws, mustering public support and lobbying foreign governments, Chiu said.

European vehicle sales fall further amid chip crunchBloombergAuto sales are deteriorating in Europe, with months of meek recovery giving way to deliveries that no longer even measure up to last year’s pandemic-depressed results. New vehicle registrations fell 18 percent last month and 24 percent in July from a year earlier, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association said yesterday. “The chip shortage is causing production losses, and demand that’s actually high can’t be met,” EY said in a note. The declines were broad-based, with Europe’s biggest auto markets — Germany, France, the UK, Italy and Spain — all seeing double-digit drops each month. Among the largest automakers, European sales fell 14 percent for Volkswagen Group, 29 percent for Stellantis NV and 23 percent for Renault SA last month.