Lodamun

[imperialpearl]

Ahead of a broader summit on trade and investment between the two nations, the Harrington Company has announced it intention to lift tariffs imposed on Dorvish energy imports, reversing a decades-long measure initially introduced at the height of the chaos surrounding the collapse of the previous SKP-led political order. In a press statement issued earlier this morning, Harrington Company Chief Factor Dr Linus Switzer noted that following a review of the entity’s tariff regime against Dorvish energy imports, which found that notwithstanding the fact that there were notable instances of exemptions, especially during periods of high demand, Lodamun’s policy on barring crude oil and natural gas imports from entering and being traded within the nation’s borders ought to be ended. “Our review has shown that it is no longer necessary to maintain such a regime and thus, with the approval of the Merchant-General and the President, tariffs on Dorvish energy imports will be rescinded,” Dr Switzer said via the statement. Following the SKP’s collapse in the late 5400s and Dorvik’s withdrawal from the international sphere, an economic downturn settled within the country which triggered uncertainty throughout the global community. As Dorvik had been previously a major producer of crude oil and natural gas, the nation had been, up to the SKP political crisis, a major source of energy imports which at the time were crucially needed to feed Berkwaki’s then-infant downstream petrochemicals industry as well as fuel the nation’s gas-fired powerplants. 

Political uncertainty within Dorvik ultimately lent itself to broader uncertainty related to the nation’s ability to maintain production levels, even amidst the sudden shift in the government’s focus towards other economic ventures. Lodamun and Dorvik had maintained a long-term supply agreement, negotiated between the Harrington Company and the Natural Resources Technical Management Corporation (NTVS), which underscored the importance of the North Artanian energy province to the sustainability of Lodamese electricity demands alongside its initial ambitions for the downstream petrochemicals sector. Seeking reassurances from Dorvik’s transitional government, the Harrington Company sought to ensure that it could continue to rely on Dorvik and the NTVS to deliver, however, its overtures towards a renegotiated agreement were largely ignored by the then government. Halleck in response would allow the NTVS agreement to lapse without room for negotiation, turning immediately to secondary sources. This ultimately led the Harrington Company to sign agreements with Kafuristan where he also hinted at the idea of lifting tariffs on Beiteynuese energy imports.

The tariff in question would ultimately come into force following Halleck and then Secretary of Commerce and Industry Hector Garza sought to ring-fence Lodamun’s infant petroleum exporters. Companies including North Seleyan Petroleum and Jackson Energy benefited from preferential terms and were often favoured/put ahead of foreign suppliers under the justification of “home-shoring.” Halleck, following a meeting with Garza and then President Eric Carver would slap an 80% tariff on Dorvish energy imports, noting that there had been no formal treaty document governing Dorvish-Lodamese trading relations following the SKP’s collapse. Lodamun, having established itself as a major consumer of crude oil and natural gas, largely for the purposes of producing refined products, will likely see a boon in refinery production as more gas comes online. Dr Switzer stated that there was room for the HC to potentially negotiate a lower bulk price in exchange for greater access. “Although we have no intention of undercutting the NTVS, we nonetheless recognise that the price which had been negotiated decades prior cannot be applied today and will thus be subject to negotiation where we [the Harrington Company] hope to settle on a new, lower price,” Dr Switzer explained.