Borderlands Mexico: Tariff Pressure Shows up in Customs Data Across North America
Customs data for February shows tariffs reshaping North‑American trade flows rather than curbing them. Mexico’s customs revenue fell 13% YoY to about $11.5 billion, with VAT on imports down 22.6%, while the peso’s 15% gain reduced the dollar value of shipments. Canada recorded a record $72.1 billion in imports, widening its trade deficit to $5.7 billion, and the United States saw its goods‑and‑services deficit expand to $57.3 billion as imports outpaced exports. Companies appear to be adjusting sourcing, valuation and routing strategies to mitigate tariff exposure.
The High Price of Everything, Explained
Vox’s Explain It to Me podcast breaks down why everyday essentials—gasoline, coffee, and milk—are hitting record prices. Gas prices surge as the Iran‑Houthi conflict chokes the Strait of Hormuz, limiting crude supplies and forcing the U.S. to import heavier grades...
Australia Receives Fuel Export Guarantees From Singapore, Japan
Australia has secured assurances from Japan, South Korea and Singapore that fuel shipments will continue despite disruptions from the Iran‑Israel conflict. The guarantees come after concerns that Asian exporters might curtail supplies to protect domestic markets. South Korea alone supplies...
Inflation or Recession? The Tug of War in Bond Markets
The yield on the benchmark ten‑year U.S. Treasury bond has swung dramatically, dipping below 4% on Feb. 27, spiking above 4.4% by March 27, and then retreating again. The rapid movement reflects heightened market sensitivity to geopolitical shocks, notably the American‑Israeli war...
Downward Revision of Global GDP Imminent Amid West Asia Crisis; Inflation Is Likely to Go Up
SBI Research warns that the global GDP growth forecast, currently around 3.2%, is likely to be revised downward as geopolitical tensions in West Asia intensify. The conflict is pushing crude oil above $100 per barrel and raising metal prices, which...
Britain Is Heading for Recession – but the Government Will Do Nothing
The OECD warns Britain will enter recession faster than any other G7 nation, as slowing retail sales and soaring energy costs strain the economy. A 4.1% rise in the living wage to £12.71 (about $16.30) per hour adds pressure on...
CII's 20-Point Policy Agenda Calls for Coordinated Fiscal, Financial and Trade Response to West Asia Crisis
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) praised the Indian government and RBI for swift, coordinated fiscal, monetary and trade actions following the West Asia conflict, noting early measures have steadied market sentiment. However, CII warned that supply‑side pressures in energy,...
U.S. Drug Tariffs Seen as Sparing Taiwan Prices, Supply
The United States has issued an executive order imposing up to 100% tariffs on patented drugs manufactured abroad, while offering a 20% rate for firms that relocate production to the U.S. Taiwan officials say the measure will not raise drug...
Saudi Arabia’s Non-Oil Business Activity Shrinks in March Amid Conflict, PMI Shows
Saudi Arabia’s non‑oil private‑sector activity contracted in March, with the Riyad Bank PMI slipping to 48.8 from 56.1 in February. The decline marks the first contraction since August 2020 and reflects heightened geopolitical risk from the regional conflict. New‑orders and...
War Weighs on Egypt’s Private Sector as PMI Hits Near Two-Year Low in March
Egypt’s non‑oil private sector contracted sharply in March, with the S&P Global PMI slipping to 48.0, its lowest level since April 2024. Output and new orders fell to near‑two‑year lows, while firms blamed the Middle East conflict for weakened demand...
Tonga's Debt to China Hinders Rebuilding Effort Four Years After Eruption
Four years after the Jan. 15, 2022 Hunga Tonga‑Hunga Ha'apai eruption, Tonga is still wrestling with reconstruction while servicing a Chinese loan that has ballooned to over $100 million. The government paid $17.7 million to China in the year to June 2025, a sum...
Can the Energy Price Shock Push the UK Into Recession?
Deutsche Bank warns that a massive global energy price shock could push the United Kingdom into recession, slashing its GDP growth forecast to a narrow 0.35‑0.7% range. The analysis highlights a “non‑linear” risk where growth could contract faster than traditional...
Gasoline, Diapers and Drinks: Japan Faces Wide-Ranging Impact Amid Concern over Oil
Japan relies on Middle‑Eastern crude for 94% of its oil, with 93% transiting the Strait of Hormuz. A closure of the strait has forced the government to tap its strategic reserves, now covering roughly 230 days—about eight months—of consumption. Because...
Top 50 Mining Companies Power Through Iran War – up $250 Billion in 2026
The MINING.COM Top 50 miners posted a combined market capitalization of $2.41 trillion at the end of Q1 2026, up roughly $250 billion from the start of 2025. Despite the onset of the US‑Iran conflict and a sharp drop in gold and silver prices,...
Greening at the Border: Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism Incidence on EU Member States and Their Trading Partners
The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) entered its definitive phase in January 2024, levying charges on imports based on embedded carbon content. It currently targets cement, steel, aluminium, fertilizers, electricity, hydrogen and related intermediates, covering roughly half of emissions...
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-968819844-51955c2660ad4e139fc16f7801f97d52.jpg)
China: The World's Largest Exporter of Goods
China remained the world’s largest exporter of goods in 2024, shipping $3.75 trillion worth of products. Smartphones led the export portfolio, accounting for over $216 billion, while electrical machinery and machinery together comprised more than $1.6 trillion. The European Union, if aggregated, outpaced...
U.S. Auto Industry Proposes Vehicle Fee to Replace Gas Tax
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation proposes replacing the 18.4¢ per‑gallon federal gas tax with a weight‑based vehicle fee to sustain the Highway Trust Fund. EVs now represent 2.5% of U.S. light‑duty vehicles and accounted for 9.6% of new sales in...
Stagflation Is Already Happening, a Leading Economist Warns
Two veteran Australian economists warn that the country may be entering stagflation as oil prices surge due to the Middle‑East war. Professor Bob Gregory says early signs are already visible – inflation edging higher while unemployment begins to rise –...
Sleijpen Says ECB Discussion Will Be Rate Hike or Hold: Podcast
Olaf Sleijpen, president of the Dutch central bank, told the College Leaders in Finance podcast that the European Central Bank’s next Governing Council meeting will focus on a binary decision: raise interest rates further or keep them unchanged. He indicated the...
Tunisie: Recomposition Mondiale - L'IACE Appelle La Tunisie À Une Diplomatie De « Multi-Alignement »
The Arab Institute of Business Leaders (IACE) released a policy brief urging Tunisia to adopt a “multi‑alignment” diplomatic strategy as the global order fragments. It highlights the erosion of multilateral institutions, heightened US‑China rivalry, and regional crises that amplify Tunisia’s...
Egypt Won’t Accept Ukrainian Wheat Exported by Russia, Zelenskyy Says
Egypt announced it will no longer accept Russian wheat that originates from occupied Ukrainian territories, marking a sharp policy reversal. The country, the world’s largest wheat importer, bought more than 8 million tons of Russian grain last year, accounting for a...
Afreximbank in Talks with Kenya, Rwanda for Textile Funding
Afreximbank is in negotiations with Kenya and Rwanda to finance new textile projects, extending the bank’s successful model from Benin’s special economic zones. The lender also backs Nigeria with a $2 billion commitment and holds $11 billion in cash ready for African...
Middle East War: Global Economic Fallout
Amid the escalating Middle East conflict, a handful of vessels—including French and Japanese‑owned ships—have resumed transiting the Strait of Hormuz, easing a near‑three‑week blockade that has strained global oil and LNG flows. The war has also triggered a cascade of...
Trump and the Global Chessboard
Geopolitical tensions are unlikely to evolve into a prolonged conflict, limiting long‑term economic disruption. Higher oil prices add volatility, but modest growth and stable policy expectations keep markets anchored. Diverging central‑bank outlooks and bearish dollar positioning set the stage for...
5 Countries Ask Brussels to Tax Energy Companies Benefitting From Iran Crisis
Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain have asked the European Commission to introduce an EU‑wide windfall tax on energy companies profiting from the Iran war, echoing the 33% excess‑profit levy applied after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The ministers propose a...
Iran War Accelerates Chinese US Treasure Bill Sell Off
China has accelerated the sale of its U.S. Treasury bill holdings, dropping from $682.6 bn in November 2025 to $633.4 bn—a $50 bn decline in four months and the lowest level since 2008. The sell‑off follows a pattern of larger drawdowns during the...
Govt Says No Diversion of Iranian Crude Cargo to China, Supplies Fully Secured
India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas refuted claims that an Iranian crude cargo destined for Vadinar was rerouted to China, labeling the reports factually incorrect. The ministry emphasized that Indian refiners continue to source crude from more than 40...
Your Produce Bill Is About to Get Pricey as the Iran War Jacks up US Food Costs
U.S. grocery prices for fresh produce are spiking as the Israel‑Iran war drives oil above $100 per barrel, inflating diesel and refrigeration costs. USDA data show wholesale lime prices up 63% and blueberries up 44% between late February and March....
EU-India FTA May Boost India's Competitiveness in some Sectors: EY Report
EY’s March 2026 European Economic Outlook notes that the newly announced EU‑India free trade agreement will have limited macro impact on Europe but could sharpen India’s competitiveness in select sectors such as minerals and textiles. The report flags that U.S....
UAE Squeezes Iranian Economic Lifeline in Retaliation for Attacks
Facing a wave of Iranian air strikes on its industrial sites, the United Arab Emirates has moved to choke off Tehran’s economic lifeline. The UAE quietly imposed a near‑total ban on Iranian nationals entering the country or transiting through its...
Supply Shocks and Fiscal Math: How the War Is Stress-Testing India’s Economy
In a recent Businessline State of the Economy podcast, Union Bank of India's chief economic advisor Kanika Pasricha dissected the early economic effects of the Ukraine‑Russia war on India. She highlighted a steep decline in the manufacturing PMI caused by...
Silver Drags Commodity ETFs Down up to 15% in March. What Next for Investors?
In March 2026, silver‑focused commodity ETFs slumped as much as 15%, with UTI Silver ETF posting the steepest decline of –14.72%. The broader commodity‑ETF universe saw 43 funds in the red, while gold ETFs also recorded double‑digit losses. The sell‑off...
Think. Over the Week
India’s economy faces a turbulent 2026 as oil price spikes from the Iran‑war threaten its trade deficit, current‑account balance, growth and inflation targets. The editorial notes that budget assumptions are unraveling, but a swift end to the conflict could limit...
Sri Lanka Struggles to Avert Economic Collapse over Mideast War
Sri Lanka’s government has slashed fuel supplies, raised fuel prices by a third and hiked electricity tariffs up to 40% as the Middle‑East war strains global energy markets. The country is also coping with the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which...
GDP Rises 7.83% in Q1, Highest in 16 Years
Vietnam’s economy expanded 7.83% year‑on‑year in Q1 2026, the strongest pace in 16 years. Services drove growth, contributing 50.32% of added value, while industry‑construction posted a 9.01% rise and manufacturing surged 9.73%. Trade activity reached $249.5 billion, up 23%, and 96,000...
US-Israeli War on Iran Threatens Syria
The United States and Israel have stepped up coordinated air strikes against Iranian‑backed facilities in Syria, marking a sharp escalation in the covert war on Tehran. Syrian air defenses have shot down several missiles, while Iranian militias report casualties and...
How Emerging Markets Borrow: New Evidence on Sovereign Bond Issuance
The authors analyze 75,000 sovereign bond auctions from 20 emerging‑market economies (2000‑2023) to uncover how timing decisions differ by currency. Local‑currency issuances closely track refinancing needs, while foreign‑currency issuances are driven by global financial conditions, investor sentiment, and terms‑of‑trade shocks....
Pharma Tariffs Pressuring Smaller Companies to Do MFN Deals
BioCentury’s website now outlines a comprehensive cookie framework that classifies cookies into five distinct groups: strictly necessary, functional, marketing, advertising, and analytics. Each category serves a specific purpose, from enabling authentication and core site functions to gathering anonymous usage metrics...
U.S.-Iran War Is Stranding Sailors In The Strait Of Hormuz
The U.S.-Iran conflict has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, stranding roughly 2,000 vessels and 20,000 seafarers in the Persian Gulf. The United Nations notes this is unprecedented in modern maritime history, as 19 attacks on civilian ships have already...
Ratification of EU-US Trade Deal Could Be Imminent Amid White House’s Latest Tariff Adjustments
The United States has revised tariffs on metals and pharmaceuticals, signaling a possible ratification of the long‑awaited EU‑U.S. trade agreement. New duties cap pharma tariffs at 15% for the EU, Japan, South Korea and 10% for the UK, while steel...
Will the Iran War Redraw the Global Energy Map?
The Iran‑Israel conflict has forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, instantly choking a key artery for global oil shipments. The disruption has triggered a sharp supply shock, pushing crude prices higher and exposing Asia’s heavy reliance on Middle‑East...
Stabilizing Foreign Investment: China’s Upgraded Industry Investment Guide
China’s National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Commerce launched the 2025 Catalogue for Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment on February 1, 2026, expanding the list to 1,679 entries – 205 new and 303 revised. The updated guide pivots...
FMC Again Rejects Maersk Petition to Waive Notice Period for Emergency Fuel Surcharge
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has again denied Maersk’s petition to waive the statutory 30‑day notice required before imposing an emergency bunker fuel surcharge on U.S. trades. The carrier’s request, filed on March 11, was unanimously rejected, meaning Maersk cannot apply...
Textile Exporters Urge Govt to Waive Cotton Import Duty
Indian textile exporters have asked the government to suspend the 11% import duty on cotton, citing a recent 7‑8% rise in domestic cotton prices and an 11‑12% jump in ginned cotton costs. International cotton prices have also climbed 12‑15%, squeezing...
Mideast Uncertainty Keeps Pressure on Equities
Asian equities stayed under pressure as the Middle East conflict dampened optimism, though the Thai SET index nudged up 0.5% to 1,454 points, supported by net buying of roughly $126 million from brokerages. Oil price fears linger, with European policymakers warning...
French-Owned Ship Passes Through Strait of Hormuz
A Malta‑flagged container ship owned by French carrier CMA CGM became the first major Western European vessel to transit the Strait of Hormuz since the US‑Israeli war with Iran halted traffic. Iran has said “non‑hostile” ships may use the waterway, but...
Senators Urge Trump to Bar Chinese Automakers From Building Cars in US
Three Democratic senators—Tammy Baldwin, Elissa Slotkin and Chuck Schumer—urged President Donald Trump to bar Chinese automakers from building vehicles in the United States and from importing cars assembled in Mexico or Canada. They cite national‑security risks and an unfair competitive...
The World’s Leading Chocolate Country: Not Belgium but the Netherlands
The Netherlands has become the world’s top exporter of cocoa products, overtaking Germany in 2024 and solidifying its lead in 2025. Export revenues surged from €4.2 bn in 2020 to €12.4 bn in 2025, a near‑threefold increase that adds roughly €3 bn ($3.3 bn)...
Trump Loses Grip as Oil Surge Signals Deeper Crisis
Oil prices surged past $140 a barrel as renewed U.S.-Iran tensions reignited market bullishness, pushing WTI and Brent to levels not seen since 2008. OPEC+ is weighing a 206,000‑barrel‑per‑day production increase for May, despite most members having cut output amid...
HUL, Dabur, Asian Paints Likely to See Margin Pressure on Rising Crude and Input Costs: Axis Securities
Axis Securities warns that the US‑Iran conflict‑driven surge in crude oil and LNG prices will compress margins across FMCG, paints, quick‑service restaurants and retail. Crude has risen over 60% since late February, while India imports about 85% of its oil...