COSCO Resumes Gulf Bookings
China’s state‑backed COSCO Shipping Lines announced it will resume new bookings for standard freight containers from the Far East to the Gulf, covering the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq. The decision reverses a March 4 suspension triggered by escalating conflict and Hormuz restrictions that left about 130 containerships, roughly 1.5% of global capacity, stranded. Analysts estimate the disruption now impacts up to 10% of the global fleet and 5% of container demand, though freight rates are beginning to ease as vessels shift to alternative routes. Meanwhile, Hapag‑Lloyd has launched free live tracking for cargo in the region to improve visibility for shippers.
The Biggest Winners and Losers of the Tariff War as AI-Related Trade Skyrockets
The McKinsey Global Institute report finds that despite record‑high U.S. tariffs, global trade expanded faster than the world economy in 2025, with AI‑related shipments accounting for roughly one‑third of that growth. U.S.–China trade fell about 30%, wiping out $130 bn in...
Iran War: Why a Trump Climbdown Won’t Save Asia’s Economies
A year after President Trump’s trade assault, Asian economies escaped tariff fallout thanks to market pressure and AI‑driven growth, but the Iran‑Israel war has reignited a severe energy shock. Goldman Sachs warns that soaring oil and LNG prices could derail...
Barclays Sees 13–14 Million Bpd Oil Supply Loss From Prolonged Hormuz Disruption
Barclays estimates that a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz would remove 13‑14 million barrels per day from global oil supply, representing roughly 13% of projected 2026 demand. The bank warns that if the disruption extends into late April, Brent...
Fuel Shock Pushes Thai Fishery Close to Shutdown
A sharp rise in diesel to about 39 baht ($1.11) per litre—driven by the US‑Israeli war on Iran—has left more than half of Samut Sakhon’s trawlers idle and threatens to shut down Thailand’s multibillion‑dollar fishing sector within days. Thailand exports roughly...
War Kills Rate Cut Hopes as Reserve Bank Warns of Inflation Spike
The South African Reserve Bank kept its repo rate at 6.75% as the US‑Israel war sparked higher global energy prices, prompting inflation concerns. Inflation, which had fallen to the 3% target in February, is now projected to climb toward 4%...
Asian Stocks Mostly Fall, Oil Climbs Again over Iran War De-Escalation Uncertainties
Asian equity markets slipped on Thursday as uncertainty over a de‑escalation of the Iran war weighed on investor sentiment, with the Nikkei down 0.3%, the Kospi off 1.9% and the Hang Seng falling 1.4%. Oil prices rebounded, lifting Brent crude...
Global Market Update | Japan's Nikkei Gains on Middle East Optimism; SoftBank Jumps 6%
Japan's Nikkei index climbed 0.61% to 54,075, driven by a 6.2% jump in SoftBank shares after Arm Holdings forecast strong data‑center chip revenue. The rally reflects growing optimism that Middle‑East tensions may ease, even as the market stays below its...
Dipan Mehta: Don't Call the Bottom yet; Here's What to Watch Instead
Indian equities are currently reacting more to US President Donald Trump’s statements than to fundamentals, with oil price swings amplifying market volatility. Dipan Mehta of Elixir Equities warns that the March earnings quarter will be tepid and the June quarter...
Fashion Briefing: How Watch Heavyweights Swatch and SwissWatchExpo Are Responding to War in the Middle East
The escalating U.S.-Israeli conflict in Iran is causing the most severe supply‑chain disruption in the luxury watch sector since the 1970s. Swatch and SwissWatchExpo, two industry heavyweights, are scrambling to protect sales by shifting inventory and event planning away from...
Tanker Carrying Russian Oil Hit By Drone Attack in Black Sea
A Sierra Leone‑flagged Suezmax tanker, the Altura, was struck by drones near the Bosporus, damaging its bridge and engine room but causing no crew injuries. Turkish officials say the attack likely involved an unmanned underwater vehicle, a rare method in...
G-7 Meets in France to Narrow Transatlantic Iran Split
Foreign ministers of the G‑7 gathered in France to bridge a widening transatlantic rift over the Iran‑Israel war, as President Donald Trump warned of severe retaliation if Tehran rejects a peace deal. The two‑day summit, chaired by France, also featured...
Bank of Korea Flags Financial Stability Risks as Iran War Fallout Persists
The Bank of Korea says South Korea’s financial system stayed broadly stable in March but warns that Middle‑East tensions, uneven growth and persistent housing price gains could spark volatility. Board member Lee Soohyung highlighted the risk of foreign‑exchange swings, capital...
Quality or Price? Asia’s US$7tn Consumption Growth Hinges on Changing Priorities
Asia is projected to generate an additional US$7 trillion in private consumption over the next ten years, a 40% rise comparable to adding today’s entire Chinese consumer market. A new Roland Berger report finds quality is the primary driver in fast‑growing economies...
Bloomberg Daybreak Asia: US Says Iran Talks Ongoing (Podcast)
The White House affirmed that diplomatic talks with Iran remain active, even as Tehran publicly rebuffed U.S. overtures and set new preconditions for ending the conflict. The discord underscores heightened tensions that have already rattled Middle‑East stability and global financial...
Why the Ultra‑Wealthy See Pacific Nations Like Nauru as the Next Safe Haven
Affluent individuals and families are rapidly securing second passports as a hedge against escalating geopolitical tensions, driving a 62% surge in citizenship‑by‑investment (CBI) applications since 2023. Nauru’s newly launched program, which ties passport purchases to a Climate Resilience Fund, has...
Price of Retail Goods Remains High in Pre-Iran War Data
These numbers, alongside the Iran war, keep the looming threat of rising inflation elevated, analysts say. The post Price of retail goods remains high in pre-Iran war data appeared first on Inside Retail Australia.
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RCEP Explained: Fostering Global Trade Relations
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) entered into force in 2022, creating the world’s largest free‑trade bloc with 15 Asia‑Pacific economies. Together the members represent roughly 30% of global GDP and population, and the pact cuts tariffs across a broad...
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Forex and Beggar-Thy-Neighbor Policies: A Comprehensive Guide
The guide explains beggar‑thy‑neighbor policies—tariffs, quotas, and currency devaluation—as tools nations use to protect domestic industries at the expense of trade partners. It traces the concept from Adam Smith’s critique through the Great Depression, post‑World War II Japan, and the 1990s...
Supply Shock Coming, Consumer Confidence Rock Bottom: Warnings From the CommsCon Stage
The Business Council of Australia warned that a looming supply shock and accelerating inflation will put corporate trust to the test, as consumer confidence falls to its lowest level since the index began in 1973. ANZ’s head of strategic communications...
Production Cuts, Cost Pressures Cloud War-Driven Commodity Windfall
Indonesia is seeing a surge in coal and crude palm oil (CPO) prices as the US‑Israeli war on Iran pushes oil to about $100 a barrel, prompting countries to seek cheaper coal and bio‑fuel alternatives. Newcastle coal futures have climbed...
The Oil Price Shock Could Make Italian Ice More Expensive
The U.S.-led war in Iran has sent oil prices soaring, pushing gasoline costs for a heavy‑duty pickup in Houston from about $70 to $90 per tank. Phrostibe Italian Ice, a family‑run mobile vendor, is feeling the squeeze, redesigning delivery routes,...
Recent Geo Political Events Have an Impact on Food and Gas Prices
Economists note February CPI showed modest food price shifts—beef remains high while chicken and eggs fell. A new conflict with Iran has driven Texas gasoline up 90 cents, a 38% jump, foreshadowing higher March CPI. The war threatens the Strait...
Ministers Must ‘Trade More’ in Face of Iran War
British Chambers of Commerce chief Shevaun Haviland will urge UK ministers to keep an energy‑bailout option on the table as the Iran‑Israel conflict drives oil prices higher, warning that disrupted shipping lanes will lift business energy costs. She stresses calm,...
Asia Is Getting Crushed Between Oil Prices and the Dollar
Asian economies from India to South Korea are feeling a double squeeze as oil prices spike and the U.S. dollar reaches its strongest level against regional currencies in two decades. The war in the Middle East has choked the Strait...
Oil Instability Calls for Diversified Natural Resource ETFs
Oil markets have been jolted by the 2026 Iran war, with prices swinging sharply on each new development. The volatility makes pure‑play energy exposure risky for investors and advisors. FlexShares Morningstar Global Upstream Natural Resources ETF (GUNR) offers a diversified...
On the Iran War, a Deep Disconnect Between Experts and Policymakers
A poll of 641 Middle‑East scholars shows only 5% backed a U.S.–Israeli war on Iran and just 1% expected a pro‑American regime change, while 84% anticipate significant instability in Iran over the next five years. Experts correctly predicted that the...
Saudi Arabia Looks to Africa as It Spreads Its Economic Wings
Saudi Arabia has accelerated its push into Africa, pledging $41 bn of investment through Vision 2030 to diversify away from oil. The focus centers on logistics hubs like Djibouti, large‑scale renewable energy and desalination projects, and securing food and mineral supplies....
This Corner of the EM Bond Market Is Worth Checking Out
Emerging‑market corporate bonds are delivering yields well above U.S. benchmarks, and the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Corporate Bond Fund (EMCB) exemplifies this trend with a 5.07% SEC yield. The actively managed ETF holds a 3.97‑year effective duration, positioning it as an...
Bunker Fuel Shortages in Asia at Tipping Point as War Disruption Continues
Asian ocean carriers are currently managing bunker fuel supplies, but tightening inventories signal a looming shortage if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. Global fuel suppliers warn that prolonged closure could trigger worldwide deficits. To cushion the impact, operators are...
Canadian Auto Production Fell in 2025 as Tariffs and Other Uncertainty Took a Bite
Canadian auto production slipped another 7% in 2025, falling to 1.2 million vehicles, marking a second consecutive year of decline. The drop is largely attributed to the United States’ 25% tariffs imposed in March and lingering uncertainty around the electric‑vehicle transition....
Bond Yields Fall After Promising Iran News, Offering Relief Following Latest Mortgage Rate Jump
Mortgage rates surged to a 6.43% 30‑year fixed level as the Iran conflict intensified, pushing borrowing costs higher. Ten‑year Treasury yields fell to around 4.32% after reports of U.S.–Tehran de‑escalation talks, offering a modest relief for mortgage pricing. The Federal...
Maersk Warns of Prolonged Hormuz Shutdown as Shipping Costs Surge
Maersk warned that the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed to commercial traffic, forcing a reshaping of its global shipping network. The carrier announced an Emergency Bunker Surcharge and a Hormuz Freight surcharge to cover higher fuel and rerouting costs....
Southeast Asia: The Next Economic Powerhouse?
Jack Ma, Alibaba founder, says Southeast Asia will eclipse China as the next global economic powerhouse. He cites China’s aging population, regulatory crackdowns, and real‑estate woes, contrasted with the region’s 680 million‑strong, youthful workforce and multilingual talent. Singapore serves as a...
EU Single Market for Services Still Riddled with Barriers After 20 Years, Critical Report Finds
EU auditors say the European Commission has failed to dismantle longstanding barriers to cross‑border services, with about 60% of obstacles identified in 2006 still in place. The services sector, accounting for roughly 70% of EU GDP and employment, contributes only...
Iran War Threatens to Delay Large Offshore Wind Projects in EU and UK
The ongoing Iran‑Israel conflict has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to trap offshore‑wind components fabricated in the United Arab Emirates. Projects in the UK’s Norfolk waters and several German‑Netherlands North Sea farms, each slated to power millions of...
Russian Baltic Port Halts Crude Loading as Drones Cause Fire
Ukraine launched a massive drone strike on Russia’s Ust‑Luga Baltic port, igniting storage tanks at Novatek’s oil‑product facilities and forcing a halt to crude loadings of roughly 450,000 barrels per day. Russian defenses intercepted 389 drones, the highest number recorded...
Iran Outlines Critical Conditions for Ending War with US
Iran’s state media announced a set of conditions it deems essential for ending the conflict with the United States, insisting the war can only cease on Tehran’s terms and without any dictate from former President Trump. The demands include a...
China Still on Track to Supplant US as World’s No 1 Economy in 10 Years: Academic
China is projected to overtake the United States as the world’s largest economy within the next decade, according to a University of Hong Kong political science professor. The forecast draws on IMF and World Bank growth trends that show China’s...
Will the Iran War Revive Russia’s Power of Siberia 2 Pipeline?
The Iran‑Israel war has shut the Strait of Hormuz, driving up Asian LNG prices and prompting Beijing to reconsider its heavy reliance on maritime energy imports. Analysts say the disruption revives interest in the stalled Power of Siberia‑2 pipeline, a...
European Businesses Now Struggling to Expand Operations, Reach Potential : Analysis
The IMF warns that Europe’s productivity gap with the United States is widening as firms struggle to scale. Young European companies are valued at just $5 trillion compared with $42.9 trillion for their U.S. peers, and the average EU firm employs only...
Kafafy for Foreign Policy: Empty Words Don’t Open Straits
The Atlantic Council piece critiques recent U.S. rhetoric, especially former President Trump’s aggressive language toward Iran, for offering no tangible solutions to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. While Tehran threatens to disrupt the roughly $100 billion daily oil flow, Washington’s...
'Every War Has Collateral Impact, There Are Difficulties': Union Minister Piyush Goyal
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal warned that the ongoing global war, while not involving India directly, creates collateral trade difficulties for the country. He highlighted India’s aggressive trade‑diplomacy, noting free‑trade agreements with 38 developed nations that grant preferential...
BOE's Greene: I Am More Worried About Higher Inflation than Slower Demand From War
Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member Megan Greene said she is "not close" to voting for a rate hike at the April 30 meeting, despite being the committee's most hawkish voice. She highlighted a sharp rise in one‑year inflation...
RI Urged to Honor Contracts, Keep Doors Open in Mineral Tug-of-War
Indonesia stands at a crossroads as the United States and European allies push to onshore critical‑mineral supply chains, challenging China’s dominance in the archipelago’s mining sector. The recently signed US‑Indonesia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) could deepen Western ties, but...
China Says Mexico’s Tariff Hikes Constitute ‘Trade Barriers’ After Probe
China’s Ministry of Commerce declared Mexico’s recent tariff hikes on over 1,400 products – ranging from 5% to 50% – a breach of trade rules, affecting more than $30 billion in Chinese exports. The measures, which also include stricter customs procedures...
The West Has Long Characterized Iran’s Oil As A Prize To Be Claimed
The article traces how Western powers have long portrayed Iran’s oil as a coveted prize, beginning with the 1908 discovery that birthed the Anglo‑Persian Oil Company, later BP. It shows how BP’s interwar advertising turned Iran into an exotic backdrop...
How a Discretionary PM Has Managed Resurgent Global Markets
Francis Sabourin, senior investment advisor at Richardson Wealth, continues to keep U.S. equities at the heart of his portfolio while expanding exposure to developed and emerging markets that have outperformed North America in 2024‑2025. His strategy prioritizes business fundamentals over...
Australian Forwarders Seek Aid as Surcharges and ‘Dumped’ Boxes Drive Costs Up
Australian freight forwarders, backed by APSA and the Freight & Trade Alliance, are seeking government assistance to offset soaring shipping costs caused by the US/Israeli war against Iran. Conflict‑related surcharges and end‑of‑voyage fees are adding up to about $4,000 per...
US February Import Price Index +1.3% vs +0.5% Expected
The U.S. import price index jumped 1.3% month‑over‑month in February, the strongest gain since March 2022, driven by a 3.8% rise in fuel imports and a 1.1% increase in non‑fuel goods. Capital goods such as computers and industrial machinery posted...