The United States and other countries are periodically involved in disputes over trade and other matters, which may result in tariffs on various categories of goods imported from the other country, restrictions on investment and adverse impacts on affected companies and securities. For example, the current political climate between the United States and China has intensified concerns about protectionist trade policies and a potential trade war between China and the United States. The United States has imposed tariffs and other trade barriers on Chinese exports and placed other restrictions on or barriers to investments in China. Trade disputes, particularly prolonged disputes, may adversely affect the economies of the United States and its trading partners, as well as the companies directly or indirectly affected by the dispute and financial markets generally, and thus may adversely affect the value of the Portfolio’s assets. In addition, an increase in tariffs or trade restrictions, or even the threat of such increased tariffs or restrictions, could lead to a significant reduction in international trade, which could have a negative impact on the global economy and a commensurately negative impact on the Portfolio. The United States government has in the recent past acted to prohibit U.S. persons, such as the Portfolio, from owning, and required them to divest, certain Chinese companies designated as related to the Chinese military. There is no assurance that more such companies will not be so designated in the future, which could limit the Portfolio’s opportunities for investment and require the sale of securities at a loss or make them illiquid. Some countries and regions in which the Portfolio invests have strained international relations due to territorial disputes, historical animosities or other defense concerns. Incidents involving a country’s or region’s security may cause uncertainty in the markets and may adversely affect a Portfolio’s investments. For example, the Chinese government is involved in a territorial dispute with Taiwan as well as other territorial disputes; the risk of a forced unification with Taiwan by the Chinese government may adversely affect securities of Chinese, Taiwan-based and other issuers both in and outside the region. If the political climate between the United States, China and other countries in Asia continues to deteriorate, economies and markets may be adversely affected.

Policy and legislative changes in the U.S. and in other countries are affecting many aspects of financial regulation, and these and other events affecting global markets, such as potential trade imbalances with China or other countries; or sanctions or other government actions imposed by the U.S. or a foreign country, including those against specific individuals or companies (or countermeasures taken in response to such sanctions), may contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.

Economies and financial markets throughout the world are highly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, armed conflict, including Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine and the conflict involving Israel, Iran and other countries in the Middle East, terrorism, natural disasters (including the spread of infectious illness) and other circumstances in one country or region could have profound impacts on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the Portfolio invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to countries experiencing economic and financial difficulties, the value and liquidity of the Portfolio’s investments may be negatively affected.