White House Eyes Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf as Potential US-Backed Leader, Politico Reports
The White House is reportedly positioning Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad‑Reza Ghalibaf, as a potential US‑backed leader, signaling a possible diplomatic pivot. President Trump has postponed planned strikes on Iranian power plants, describing recent talks with Tehran as “very good.” The news sparked a rally in U.S. equities, with Wall Street indices climbing more than 1%, while Brent crude slipped below $100 a barrel and gold prices retreated. Markets are reacting to the prospect of de‑escalation in the Middle East.
White House Eyes Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf as Potential US-Backed Leader, Politico Reports
The White House, under the Trump administration, is reportedly evaluating Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf as a potential partner and future US‑backed leader. Ghalibaf, who currently chairs the Majlis, is seen as a workable figure who could steer Iran in negotiations...
China’s Hainan Wants More than Beach Tourism. Will New Customs Rules Cause a Sea Change?
China’s Hainan province is pivoting from a beach‑tourism‑centric economy to a broader, sustainable growth model anchored by its new designation as a free‑trade port. Recent customs reforms will streamline cross‑border clearance, lower tariffs and introduce a “single window” system for...
Oil Markets Grapple With Still-Unclear Mideast Endgame
Tensions in the Middle East remain high as the United States and Iran stepped back from a potential escalation on Monday. ADNOC chief Sultan al‑Jaber denounced Iran’s continued control of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz as “economic terrorism” during...
Ray Dalio’s Gold Playbook: Why He Now Sees Bullion as “The Safest Money”
Ray Dalio told the World Governments Summit in Dubai that the global monetary system is entering a "capital war" and that gold is now the safest form of money. He linked the erosion of fiat currencies and sovereign debt to...
Iran Disputes Trump's Claim of Peace Deal
President Donald Trump claimed that preliminary peace talks with Iran were underway and that a deal could be reached within five days. Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf refuted the claim, stating no negotiations have occurred and accusing the US...
Carlyle’s Stavridis Says Investors Are Already Mapping Out Post-War Iran
Admiral James Stavridis, vice‑chairman of Carlyle, says investors are already mapping out opportunities in a post‑war Iran, citing a roughly two‑thirds chance that negotiations will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and revive oil trade. He likens Iran’s potential reconstruction to South...
US-EU Clean Freight Crests $100/T for First Time
Refined product shipments on medium‑range tankers from the US Gulf to Europe broke the $100 per tonne barrier for the first time in nearly two decades, reaching $108.08/t on a Worldscale 545 voyage. The surge is linked to Iran's de‑facto...
What Do Central Asians Think About the Eurasian Economic Union?
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) launched in 2015 with Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, promising a common market and higher living standards. A new study by Dr. Zhanibek Arynov and Diyas Takenov surveyed public opinion in Armenia, Kazakhstan and...
Trump Delays Iran Energy Strikes as Confusion Swirls Over ‘Productive’ Talks
President Donald Trump announced a five‑day pause on planned strikes against Iran’s energy infrastructure, citing "productive conversations" with Tehran. The talks, led by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, reportedly involved Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad‑Bagher Ghalibaf, though Iran publicly denied...
Authorities in Talks on US Tariffs and Finalising FTAs
Thai authorities are negotiating with the United States to address the 10 % global tariff and a Section 301 investigation that could trigger new duties, while preparing a written response by mid‑April. The U.S. tariff expires in July, intensifying the urgency of...
60 Minutes Catches Up to America’s Shipbuilding Crisis Long Flagged by Maritime Industry
A 60 Minutes segment highlighted the widening gap between U.S. shipyards and Asian rivals, underscoring a long‑standing shipbuilding crisis. South Korean conglomerate Hanwha announced up to $5 billion to expand Philadelphia’s Philly Shipyard, aiming to boost annual output from under two...
Pro Farmer Podcast | Fund Positioning and China Import Interest
Economist Lane Akre hosted the latest Pro Farmer podcast, focusing on fund positioning and rising Chinese interest in U.S. agricultural imports. He and economist Spencer Langford examined how China’s appetite for soybeans and corn is reshaping trade flows. The discussion then shifted to...
What Is America’s Goal in Cuba?
The article argues that while global attention remains on the US‑Israeli conflict with Iran, a growing focus in Washington is the potential collapse of Cuba's communist regime. Analysts claim the island’s economic reforms and rising private sector activity suggest a...
Bloomberg Intelligence: Oil Dives on Trump Comments (Podcast)
Oil prices plunged more than 5% after President Donald Trump suggested his team was discussing an end to the Iran conflict, a claim Tehran denied. The comments temporarily eased geopolitical risk premiums, prompting a sharp sell‑off in crude futures. In...
Moody’s Trims Philippine Growth Outlook to 4.9 Percent for 2026
Moody’s Analytics lowered its Philippine GDP outlook to 4.9% for 2026 and 5.2% for 2027, revising down from 5.1% and 5.4% respectively, while keeping the 2028 forecast at 5.3%. The new projections fall short of the government’s 5‑6% target for...
Bloomberg Surveillance TV: March 23rd, 2026 (Podcast)
Bloomberg Surveillance aired its March 23, 2026 television episode at 20:35, featuring Norman Roule of CSIS, Michael Haigh of Societe Generale, and Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran. The program blended interviews on warfare‑related risk, commodity market outlooks, and upcoming monetary policy. Listeners received...
Trump Rows Back on Strait of Hormuz Threat – What Next? | Podcast
President Donald Trump has extended by five days the deadline to "hit and obliterate" Iran's power stations and energy infrastructure if Tehran does not restore free shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The shift follows earlier, more aggressive rhetoric threatening...
African Bunkering Hubs Gain as Ships Reroute Around the Cape
War in the Middle East and Houthi attacks have forced carriers to avoid the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, prompting a surge of vessels rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope. This shift has dramatically increased demand for ship‑refuelling...
India, Russia Reaffirm $100 Billion Trade Goal as West Asia Simmers
India and Russia reaffirmed their ambition to lift bilateral trade from $68.7 billion to $100 billion by 2030, emphasizing a balanced and sustainable approach. Both ministers highlighted that 96 percent of current trade is settled in national currencies, bypassing Western payment systems. Ongoing...
U.S. Executives, From Apple to Eli Lilly, Revamp Their Push Into the World's Second-Largest Economy at the China Development Forum
More than 30 U.S. executives, including Apple’s Tim Cook and Eli Lilly’s David Ricks, attended the China Development Forum in Beijing, signaling a renewed push into China’s consumer market. Apple reported a 23% year‑on‑year rise in iPhone sales, while Eli Lilly announced...
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Trade Deficit: Definition, When It Occurs, and Examples
A trade deficit occurs when a nation’s imports exceed its exports, creating a negative balance of trade across goods, services, or both. The deficit is recorded in the balance of payments and can influence currency values, foreign investment flows, and...
Russia Is the Biggest Winner of the Iran War
The United States’ decision to engage militarily with Iran has sparked a sharp rise in global oil prices. Analysts argue that the price surge disproportionately benefits Russia, whose economy relies heavily on hydrocarbon exports. The influx of revenue bolsters Moscow’s...
If Iran War Sends Oil Prices up 100%, Here's What History Says Will Happen to the Stock Market
A potential Iran‑related conflict has driven Brent crude near $113 a barrel, a 60% jump in less than a month and a 100% surge compared with pre‑war levels. JPMorgan’s historical analysis shows that when oil prices double, the S&P 500 typically...
US Warns EU to Pass Trade Deal or Risk Losing ‘Favourable’ Access to LNG
The United States warned the European Union that failure to ratify the pending Energy Trade and Investment Agreement could jeopardize the preferential access EU importers currently enjoy for U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG). Washington’s message comes as Europe scrambles to...
Fed's Goolsbee Says He Could See Circumstances for Rate Hike
Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee told CNBC he could envision the Federal Reserve raising interest rates if inflation accelerates amid the Middle‑East conflict, while also acknowledging the possibility of multiple rate cuts if price pressures ease. The Fed left policy...
A New Opening for WTO Reform
World Trade Organization members concur that structural reform is essential, yet they disagree on its shape. The 166‑nation bloc remains hamstrung by a unanimity‑required consensus rule, limiting its ability to adapt. Authors propose that trade ministers at the WTO’s 14th...
Wall St Opens Higher After Trump Postpones Strikes on Iranian Power Plants
Wall Street opened higher on Monday after President Donald Trump announced a postponement of U.S. strikes on Iranian power plants, easing geopolitical tension. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 226.3 points (0.5%) to 45,803.82, the S&P 500 gained 68.5 points (1.05%)...
Kyrgyzstan Hopes to Connect CKU Line to Broader Rail Network, Middle Corridor
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov announced that the China‑Kyrgyzstan‑Uzbekistan (CKU) railway will be completed by 2030, linking Kashgar in China to Andijon in Uzbekistan through Kyrgyzstan. The line will integrate with Kyrgyzstan’s existing rail network around Issyk‑Kul and connect to Kazakhstan,...
The War on Oil: Iran Conflict and the Global Energy Crisis
Veteran oil trader Adi Imsirovic told the Beyond the Indus podcast that the ongoing Iran‑Israel conflict has choked the Strait of Hormuz, creating the most severe energy shock of his career. He argued that futures markets are underpricing the supply...
Markets React After US Bombing Pause Announced
President Donald Trump announced a five‑day pause on U.S. strikes against Iranian energy targets and extended the deadline for Iran to reopen the Hormuz Strait, prompting a rally across U.S. equities. The S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq and Russell 2000 all rose between...
Who Really Controls the World’s Food? The Superpowers Shaping Supply
Geopolitical tensions and climate shocks are reshaping the global food system, concentrating power in a handful of exporters. The United States remains the backbone of corn and soybean supplies, while Brazil has overtaken it in soy and dominates sugar, coffee...
Oil Price Spikes Hit Hardest in Low-Margin Industries
Oil prices have surged as the Strait of Hormuz closure removes roughly 20% of global supply, double the impact of the 2022 Russia‑Ukraine war. In the week of March 9, U.S. diesel jumped $0.96 per gallon to $4.86, marking the largest...
Fed Disappointment May Make This Bond ETF Appealing
The Federal Reserve has signaled no rate cuts until late 2026, disappointing many investors. With rates expected to stay steady and inflation still above target, fixed‑income managers are seeking duration‑neutral options. WisdomTree’s Floating Rate Treasury Fund (USFR), a $16.66 billion ETF...
DoubleLine’s Jeffrey Sherman on the Fed’s TACO Trade & Fixed Income Strategy
At the Exchange conference, DoubleLine deputy CIO Jeffrey Sherman warned that the market’s expectation of a quick Fed rate cut—dubbed the TACO trade—is premature. He said the Fed will stay on autopilot until labor market weakness appears, and he pinpointed...
Why Do the West's Farmers Pay the Price for War in Iran?
The war in the Middle East has shut the Strait of Hormuz, sending global oil prices soaring and causing farm diesel in the West of England to double to about £1.25 per litre. Fertiliser costs have jumped from £350 to...
Global Economy Under ‘Major Threat’ From Strait of Hormuz Crisis: IEA Chief
International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol warned that the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis poses a "major threat" to the global economy. The US‑Iran confrontation has nearly halted traffic through the waterway, which carries about 20% of world oil and...
Polish Consumer to Feel Impact of Middle East Conflict in March
Polish retail sales rose 5.0% year‑on‑year in February, outpacing consensus but driven by a low base from 2025. Growth slowed in durable goods and textiles, while car sales rebounded. Analysts warn that the escalating Middle East conflict, which has spiked...
PM Modi: West Asia Conflict's Lasting Effects, India's Diplomatic Push for De-Escalation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned that the ongoing US‑Israel‑Iran war in West Asia will have lasting global repercussions, especially for trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz. He reiterated India’s diplomatic push to urge all parties to de‑escalate and pursue...
Nepal Plans to Boost Hydropower Exports to India Amid Rising Energy Demand
Nepal's state‑run Nepal Electricity Authority announced plans to nearly double its hydropower exports to India to about 1.1 GW this summer. The target could rise to roughly 2.5 GW within two years as new transmission lines come online. The move responds to...
Adnan Zaylani Mohamad Zahid: Opening Remarks - Financing Sectoral Engagements (FSE) Inaugural Session
Malaysia's central bank highlighted a shrinking current‑account surplus, now under 3% of GDP, and rising external debt. With banks allocating over 60% of loans to households and only 20% to non‑SME corporates, financing for high‑value, capital‑intensive sectors remains limited. The...
Iran War Pushes up Miners’ Diesel Costs
The Iran‑Israel conflict has nearly closed the Strait of Hormuz, sending Singapore diesel swaps soaring to about $180 a barrel—almost double pre‑conflict levels. Fortescue Metals Group, the world’s fourth‑largest iron‑ore producer, said a 10‑cent diesel price shift translates to $70 million...
The Oil Prices You See Do Not Tell Market's Real Story
Three weeks into the Iran‑Israel war, Brent futures have jumped about 50 % to roughly $110 a barrel, yet physical oil prices are rising even faster as supplies tighten. Spot benchmarks such as Oman ($162) and Murban ($145) are soaring, and...
Business Entities Outline Risks Middle East Conflict Poses for South Africa
The escalation of the Middle East conflict is expected to ripple through the global economy, pressuring South Africa’s fuel costs, inflation and exchange rates. Business Leadership South Africa’s CEO Busi Mavuso warns that higher diesel prices will strain the mining...
Kevin Greenidge: Shared Seas, Shared Struggles - a Caribbean Perspective on the Challenges Facing Small Island Developing States
Barbados confronted a 2018 crisis with public debt soaring to 179% of GDP and reserves falling to roughly $110 million USD. It introduced the homegrown Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) plan, swiftly moving to a primary surplus, restructuring debt and...
New Data Release: ECB Wage Tracker Continues to Suggest Negotiated Wage Pressures Easing in 2026
The European Central Bank’s wage tracker, updated through February 2026, shows negotiated wage growth easing to 2.6% in 2026, down 0.1 percentage point from the previous release. Smoothed one‑off payments project a modest quarterly rise, while unsmoothed and exclusion‑of‑one‑off measures...
Malaysia’s Economic Outlook Is Expected to Remain Positive yet Measured in 2026: DOSM
Malaysia’s Leading Index rose 0.6% in January 2026 to 113.4 points, buoyed by a 17.5% jump in real semiconductor imports and a 5.7% increase in non‑ferrous metal imports. The index slipped 0.6% month‑on‑month due to weaker money‑supply growth (M1) and a...
Perfect Storm for South African Tech Buyers
South African tech buyers are confronting a perfect storm as the rand weakens to R17.23 per dollar, its lowest level in four months. Simultaneously, global AI‑driven demand is driving DRAM and SSD prices up roughly 130% by year‑end, inflating PC...
War-Induced Interest Rate Shocks Unlikely to Upset Asia’s Property Markets
A war‑induced energy shock in Iran has tightened global oil supplies, prompting bond markets to price a 50% chance of a U.S. rate hike by October and spurring tighter monetary policy in Asia. Central banks such as the Reserve Bank...