French maritime giant CMA CGM issued EUR 600 mn senior unsecured notes yesterday, according to a statement released last week. The issuance — initially valued at EUR 500 mn before a 100 mn addition was later announced — will have a fixed interest rate of 5% per year and a maturity date set for January 2031. Proceeds will be used for unspecified operational purposes.

CMA CGM’s latest regional moves: The maritime firm inked a strategic MoU with Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports in May to develop and operate dry ports in the Syrian-Jordanian Joint Freezone and the freezone in Adra.

Tariff deadline tempers US trade ambitions: Top Trump administration officials are reportedly cutting back on their goals for wide-ranging and reciprocal agreements with other nations, opting for narrower arrangements that can be finalized before the 9 July deadline, the Financial Times reports, citing four sources familiar with Washington’s trade negotiations.

What does this mean? This could result in the US striking less ambitious trade pacts, seeking “agreements in principle” on a handful of issues with other nations, the sources said. Countries that opt for such agreements will still contend with the 10% blanket tariffs announced last April, and further talks towards more comprehensive agreements.

SOUNDS FAMILIAR? Washington’s trade agreement with the UK followed a similar path — enacted this week — stipulating rules for a small number of targeted sectors, chiefly for aerospace and automotive industries. The pact left out aluminum and steel imports, a notable talking point in the current US-UK talks.

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