Saudi Arabia Joins UN CISG Agreement

Saudi ports are witnessing a significant growth in the movement of goods. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi ports are witnessing a significant growth in the movement of goods. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Joins UN CISG Agreement

Saudi ports are witnessing a significant growth in the movement of goods. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi ports are witnessing a significant growth in the movement of goods. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has officially acceded to the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), becoming the 96th state party to the convention.

The UN CISG is a multilateral uniform international sales treaty that facilitates international trade by removing legal barriers among state parties and providing consistent rules governing global goods contracts.

The CISG establishes a comprehensive code of legal rules governing the formation of contracts for the international sale of goods, the obligations of the buyer and seller, and remedies for breach of contract and other aspects of the contract.

It also provides an equitable and modern uniform framework for the contract of sale, which is the backbone of international trade in all countries, irrespective of their legal tradition or level of economic development. Its adoption and use may contribute significantly to introducing certainty in commercial exchanges and decreasing transaction costs.

In June, the Saudi Cabinet approved the Kingdom’s accession to the agreement, with the aim of strengthening the commercial sector and keeping pace with legislative reforms and modern regulatory frameworks that support the integration of the Saudi economy with regional and global economies.

Logistics expert Salem Al-Dosari told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom’s accession highlighted the country’s endeavor to strengthen the legal environment and promote trade and investment.

He added that Riyadh was seeking to enhance the growth of its commercial sector and keep pace with legislative reforms and modern regulatory frameworks that support the integration of the Saudi economy with regional and global economies.

The agreement aims to unify international commercial laws pertaining to contracts for the sale of goods between member states, and to achieve a balance between the interests of buyers and sellers in international commercial deals, Al-Dosari remarked.

In addition to facilitating trade, the CISG will help simplify dispute resolution processes, cultivating a conducive environment for all parties involved in international business dealings.



Biden Blocks Takeover of US Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel

FILE PHOTO: The logos of Nippon Steel Corp. are displayed at the company headquarters in Tokyo, Japan March 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yuka Obayashi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The logos of Nippon Steel Corp. are displayed at the company headquarters in Tokyo, Japan March 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yuka Obayashi/File Photo
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Biden Blocks Takeover of US Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel

FILE PHOTO: The logos of Nippon Steel Corp. are displayed at the company headquarters in Tokyo, Japan March 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yuka Obayashi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The logos of Nippon Steel Corp. are displayed at the company headquarters in Tokyo, Japan March 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yuka Obayashi/File Photo

US President Joe Biden blocked Nippon Steel's proposed $14.9 billion purchase of US Steel on Friday, citing national security concerns, dealing a potentially fatal blow to the contentious plan after a year of review.

The deal was announced in December 2023 and almost immediately ran into opposition across the political spectrum ahead of the Nov. 5 US presidential election. Both then-candidate Donald Trump and Biden vowed to block the purchase of the storied American company, the first to be valued at more than $1 billion. US Steel once controlled most of the country's steel output but is now the third-largest US steelmaker and 24th biggest worldwide.

"A strong domestically owned and operated steel industry represents an essential national security priority and is critical for resilient supply chains," Reuters quoted Biden as saying. "Without domestic steel production and domestic steel workers, our nation is less strong and less secure."

Nippon, the world's fourth-largest steelmaker, paid a hefty premium to clinch the deal and made several concessions, including a last-ditch gambit to give the US government veto power over changes to output, but to no avail.

In a statement, Nippon and US Steel blasted Biden's decision, calling it a "clear violation of due process" and a political move, and saying they would "take all appropriate action" to protect their legal rights.
Pittsburgh-based US Steel had warned that thousands of jobs would be at risk without the deal.
US Steel CEO David Burritt said late on Friday the company planned to fight Biden's decision, which he termed "shameful and corrupt." He added that the president had insulted Japan and also refused to meet with the US company to learn its point of view.
"The Chinese Communist Party leaders in Beijing are dancing in the streets," Burritt added.
The United Steelworkers union, which opposed the merger from the outset, praised Biden's decision, with USW President David McCall saying the union has "no doubt that it's the right move for our members and our national security."
White House spokesperson John Kirby defended the decision.
"This isn't about Japan. This is about US steelmaking and keeping one of the largest steel producers in the United States an American-owned company," Kirby said, rejecting suggestions the decision could raise questions about the reliability of the US as a partner. Nippon Steel has previously threatened legal action if the deal was blocked. Lawyers have said Nippon Steel's vow to mount a legal challenge against the US government would be tough.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States spent months reviewing the deal for national security risks but referred the decision to Biden in December, after failing to reach consensus.
It is unclear whether another buyer will emerge. US Steel has reported nine consecutive quarters of falling profits amid a global downturn in the steel industry. US-based Cleveland-Cliffs, which previously bid for the company, has seen its share price fall to the point where its market value is lower than that of US Steel.
Shares of US Steel closed down 6.5% at $30.47 on the New York Stock Exchange.
A spokesperson for President-elect Trump, who also vowed to block the deal, did not immediately comment on Friday.