Gold Falls as Houthi Attack Lifts Oil, Fed Rate-Cut Hopes Dim
Gold prices slipped on Monday, with spot gold falling 0.6% to $4,466.99 per ounce, marking a 15% monthly decline—the sharpest since October 2008. The drop was driven by a surge in energy prices after a Houthi attack, which lifted Brent crude above $115 a barrel and revived inflation concerns. Higher oil prices have dampened expectations for U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts this year, strengthening the dollar and further weighing on gold. Analysts warn volatility may continue as macro dynamics shift.
Italy and Hungary to Implement Customs Corridor
Italy and Hungary have signed an agreement to create a customs corridor that shifts all clearance procedures for cargo arriving at the port of Trieste onto Hungarian territory. The move aims to speed up processing, reduce paperwork and ease congestion...
South Korea Considers Nationwide Driving Curbs as Oil Prices Soar
South Korea is weighing a nationwide driving‑curb policy if global crude oil prices climb to roughly $120‑$130 per barrel, up from the current $100‑$110 range. The measure would extend the current public‑sector vehicle rotation system, marking the first country‑wide restriction...
Vietnam Proposes Environmental Fuel Tax Cuts Amid Middle East-Driven Oil Volatility
Vietnam's finance ministry has drafted a resolution to halve the environmental protection tax on gasoline and cut diesel levies by 50%, lowering rates to VND 1,000 per litre for petrol and VND 500 for diesel. The tax currently represents about 6.7% of...
CNBC Daily Open: Trump's 'Favorite Thing' Is Iranian Oil
Donald Trump announced he would "take" Iran's oil, hinting at a direct seizure of the Kharg Island export hub. The Pentagon is reportedly preparing weeks‑long ground operations, with thousands of troops redeployed to the Middle East. The threat has lifted...
Westpac: Triple Hike Expected to Take Cash Rate to Highest Seen Since GFC
Westpac has revised its outlook, expecting the Reserve Bank of Australia to lift the cash rate to 4.85% by year‑end, the highest level since the Global Financial Crisis. The bank predicts three consecutive 0.25‑percentage‑point hikes in May, June and August,...
European Markets Mixed as Iran Tensions Push Oil Prices Higher
European markets opened lower on Monday but quickly split, with Germany's DAX barely down 0.04%, while the FTSE 100 rose 0.59% and France's CAC 40 edged up 0.05%. The divergence follows a 50% jump in Brent crude since the Iran...
Prices of Asia-Pacific's Fertilisers, Petrochemicals Set to Surge on Iran War: ADB
The Asian Development Bank warns that the Iran‑Israel conflict is driving sharp increases in fertilizer and petrochemical prices across the Asia‑Pacific. Methanol benchmark prices rose about 25% in two weeks, while urea and ammonia costs surged after Qatar’s QAFCO halted...
Gulf Crisis Drags Down Gold Demand
Indian jewellery retailers are seeing a sharp decline in Gulf sales as the West Asia conflict intensifies. March sales in key Gulf markets fell up to 70% year‑on‑year, hitting chains like Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, Joyalukkas and Titan’s...
Australia Amends Policies to Ensure Commodity Security
The Australian government is amending the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Act to give Export Finance Australia (EFA) new authority to underwrite, guarantee and finance additional cargoes of fuel, fertilizer and other strategic commodities. The legislation also creates a $823 million...
Why Faster Corporate Bond Markets Matter for the Real Economy
Recent record‑breaking corporate bond issuance, led by Amazon, has shrunk capital‑raising windows from weeks to mere hours. The speed of credit markets now hinges on rapid interpretation of massive data flows, yet many firms still rely on outdated terminals and...
Facing Section 301, ASEAN Must Reform Systems
The United States is pivoting from tariff‑based pressure to Section 301, using the trade act to label partner institutions as “unfair” and demand reforms. A recent Supreme Court ruling invalidated IEEPA tariffs, prompting the Trump administration to adopt a temporary 15%...
How Trump's Tariffs Ripped up the Global Trade Order
One year after President Donald Trump’s self‑styled "Liberation Day," his aggressive tariff regime has fundamentally altered the global trade architecture. The tariffs forced many U.S. firms to relocate production to lower‑cost Asian hubs, while European manufacturers grappled with rising input...
Bangladesh’s Missing Billions as Trade Misinvoicing Bleeds It Dry
Investigations reveal Bangladesh lost roughly $68 bn through trade misinvoicing over the past ten years, with additional illicit outflows estimated at $23‑$27 bn from major industrial groups. The scheme involved import over‑invoicing and export under‑invoicing, facilitated by weak customs, banking oversight, and...
LatAm Has Resource Buffer if Iran War Hurts Growth: BlackRock
BlackRock’s senior strategist says Latin America’s abundant metal reserves give the region a buffer against a potential global slowdown triggered by the Iran‑Israel conflict. The area’s copper, lithium and nickel supplies are essential for the AI‑driven hardware boom, providing a...
Market Reset: India Pulls the Plug on Chinese CCTV Makers
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will stop certifying Chinese CCTV brands such as Hikvision and Dahua from April 1, effectively barring them from the market. The new essential requirements mandate disclosure of component origins and vulnerability testing, forcing...
Oil Prices Rise as Iran War Escalates with Houthi Attacks
Oil prices jumped above $116 a barrel on Sunday as Iran‑backed Houthi militants fired missiles and drones at Israel, extending the conflict into its fifth week. Brent crude rose 3.3% to $116.25, while U.S. WTI climbed about 3% to nearly...
RBA Opens Door to Board Member Speeches in Transparency Push
The Reserve Bank of Australia announced that its monetary policy board members will begin delivering public speeches this year, a move designed to increase transparency around interest‑rate decisions. Academic Ian Harper and business leader Carolyn Hewson are slated to give...
Letter: How to Avoid the Costly Subsidies of the Last Crisis
The Financial Times letter urges policymakers to learn from the recent crisis‑driven subsidies that strained public finances. It argues that transparent targeting, clear exit strategies, and market‑based incentives can prevent future fiscal burdens. The author highlights Brazil’s experience with pandemic...
Vietnam Pitches International Financial Center to San Francisco Investors
Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh urged San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie to back the Vietnam International Financial Center (VIFC), seeking U.S. investors for the flagship project in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. The initiative aligns with Vietnam’s goal of becoming...
High Oil Prices Fuel Apac Energy Crisis as Middle East War Enters Fifth Week
Brent crude rose above $115 a barrel, up $3 over the weekend, as the Middle East war entered its fifth week. The conflict, which began on February 28 with Israeli and U.S. airstrikes in Iran, has tightened global oil supplies....
Why Chinese Tech Companies Are Racing to Set up in Hong Kong
Mainland Chinese technology firms are increasingly listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with IPOs jumping 153% to 76 companies last year. The surge reflects a strategic shift toward Hong Kong as a gateway for capital, international customers, and regulatory credibility amid...
Designing Fiscal Consolidation to Achieve Fiscal Sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals
The paper by Bhasin and Loungani (2026a) examines over 200 fiscal consolidation episodes across advanced and emerging economies, revealing that specific design choices—such as timing with available monetary space, tax‑based versus spending‑based instruments, and the speed of adjustment—can dramatically alter...
Russian Oil Tanker Arrives Off Cuba Despite U.S. Ordered Embargo
After three weeks at sea, the Russian‑flagged tanker Anatoly Kolodkin, loaded with about 730,000 barrels of crude (roughly $62 million), arrived off Cuba on March 31. Despite a Trump‑era embargo, the U.S. administration quietly permitted the ship to dock, ending Cuba’s oil...
Pakistan's Crypto Diplomacy Paved Way for Key Role as U.S.-Iran Intermediary
Pakistan has leveraged crypto diplomacy to secure a non‑binding stable‑coin agreement with World Liberty Financial, the Trump family‑backed platform, after a high‑profile visit by CEO Zachary Witkoff in January. Bilal Bin Saqib, a self‑styled “crypto bro,” now chairs the Pakistan...
UK's Reeves to Warn G7 Against Unilateral Trade Moves During Iran War
Britain’s finance minister Rachel Reeves will tell her G7 counterparts not to impose unilateral trade barriers while the Iran war rages, warning that protectionist steps could undermine energy security. She will argue that coordinated action is essential to keep energy...
Why Kenneth Rogoff Thinks China’s Yuan Will Be a Reserve Currency ‘in the Next 5 Years’
Harvard economist Kenneth Rogoff predicts China’s yuan will join the ranks of global reserve currencies within five years. He argues that the U.S. dollar faces a legitimacy crisis due to mounting debt, political fragmentation, and waning confidence among central banks....
U.S. Allows Russian Oil Shipment to Cuba Amid Global Energy Disruptions
The United States has authorized a Russian‑flagged tanker, the Anatoly Kolodkin, to deliver between 650,000 and 730,000 barrels of crude oil to Cuba, temporarily easing a long‑standing de facto oil blockade. The move coincides with a broader, short‑term relaxation of Russia‑related...
Parmesan Exports Doing Grate... But Sales Melt in Italy
Parmesan Reggiano exports surpassed the 50% threshold last year, reaching nearly 75,000 tonnes, a 2.7% increase driven by stronger U.S. shipments that grew 2.3% despite a 25% tariff. Domestic sales in Italy fell 10% as the aging population cuts back...
China’s Property Crisis Is Starting to Look a Lot Like Japan’s Lost Decade
China’s housing market has entered a six‑year correction that mirrors Japan’s 1990s Lost Decade, with prices falling, construction slowing, and developers facing defaults. The sector once drove roughly one‑third of China’s GDP and now holds about 70% of household wealth,...
Uganda’s Merchandise Exports Surge 72% Driven by Gold and Coffee
Uganda’s merchandise exports jumped 72% year‑over‑year, reaching $1.45 billion in January 2026. The surge was driven primarily by a 182% rise in gold shipments, which alone generated $914 million, and strong coffee earnings. The country posted a $147 million trade surplus for the...
It's a Very Light Economic and Event Calendar in Asia Today. Bank of Japan 'Summary'.
The Bank of Japan left its short‑term interest rate unchanged at the March 18‑19 policy meeting and issued a “Summary of Opinions” documenting the board’s discussion. The summary outlines members’ views on domestic and global growth, inflation, employment, and the...
AGC's Data DIGest: March 23-27, 2026
The Middle East war is driving a 43 % surge in diesel prices and tightening supplies of oil, fuel, and petrochemicals, which in turn raises construction material costs and hampers investment planning. Construction spending held at $2.19 trillion in January, with private...
Middle East Tensions Disrupt Zimbabwe’s Gold Exports
Zimbabwe's gold exports are being hit by Middle East tensions that have disrupted key shipping routes. The United Arab Emirates, which accounts for 45% of Zimbabwe's gold export revenue, is affected as the Strait of Hormuz closure forces vessels around...
JPMorgan, Pimco Say Bond Market Is Underestimating Slowdown Risk
JPMorgan and asset manager Pimco warned that the bond market is downplaying the risk of a sharp economic slowdown triggered by the ongoing US‑Iran conflict. Crude oil has surged past $110 a barrel, intensifying inflation pressures. Traders have largely fixated...
Russia Was Expecting a Windfall From Soaring Oil Prices, but Relentless Ukrainian Drone Attacks Are Devastating Nearly Half Its Export...
Russia banked on a windfall after oil prices spiked when the Strait of Hormuz closed and the United States briefly eased sanctions on its crude. The surge lifted Urals prices near Brent, temporarily rescuing a revenue stream that had collapsed...
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to Visit Canada in May for Trade Talks
India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to Canada in May 2026 to head a high‑level business delegation. The visit follows the launch of comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) negotiations on March 2, 2026, and aims to accelerate the...
Voice of Global South: India Bats Strongly to Shield WTO’s Core Mandates at MC14
India emerged as the lone dissenter among 166 WTO members, successfully blocking the China‑led Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) agreement at the MC14 in Yaoundé. The move underscored New Delhi’s commitment to preserving the WTO’s consensus rule and protecting core...
EU Enlargement Rethink as Divisions Emerge Among Key Member States
The European Union’s next enlargement round faces a crossroads as member states clash over speed and criteria. A German Council policy paper highlights Germany’s shift toward geopolitically‑driven, merit‑based accession, while the EU rejected a fast‑track proposal for Ukraine, insisting on...
Netanyahu Orders Expansion of Security Buffer Zone in Southern Lebanon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israeli military will further expand the security buffer zone along the southern Lebanese border. The move aims to strengthen Israel's defensive posture amid rising cross‑border fire from Hezbollah. Netanyahu framed the expansion...
Markets Move to Price in Rate Hikes as Inflation Fears and Geopolitics Reshape Fed Expectations
Markets have shifted from expecting Federal Reserve cuts to pricing in rate hikes for 2026. The CME FedWatch Tool now shows about a 30% chance rates will end the year higher than the current 3.50‑3.75% range, while odds of cuts...
French Factory Closures Jump 30% on Asia Pressure, US Tariffs
French factory closures rose nearly 30% in 2025, with 160 plants shutting versus 121 in 2024. The surge is linked to intensified competition from Asian manufacturers, new US tariffs on European steel and aluminum, and higher energy costs. New factory...
Here Are the 3 Big Things We're Watching in the Stock Market in the Week Ahead
The market heads into a volatile week as the Iran‑Israel conflict sustains high oil prices and fuels inflation worries. Investors will focus on the March non‑farm payrolls, expected to add about 60,000 jobs, alongside ADP, JOLTS and consumer‑confidence releases. A...
Indonesia Cuts Free Meals to Save US$2.3 Billion as Fuel Prices Soar
Indonesia will reduce its free school‑meal programme from six to five days a week starting March 31, aiming to save roughly 40 trillion rupiah (about US$2.3 billion). The cut is part of a broader austerity push to shield the world’s largest Southeast Asian...
The Economics of War Extend Far Beyond Energy Prices and Stock Markets
The article argues that the economics of war reach far beyond energy prices and stock market swings, encompassing democratic war initiation, the military‑industrial complex, and Big Oil’s profit motives. It highlights recent research showing that populist nationalism in advanced democracies...
As Bitcoin Weakens Even ‘Safe’ Investments Like the 2-Year Treasury Are Starting to Crack
The U.S. Treasury auctioned $69 billion of 2‑year notes on March 24, achieving a 3.936% high yield. The bid‑to‑cover ratio slipped to 2.44, indicating weaker demand than the previous month. The softening reflects heightened inflation worries sparked by a Middle‑East oil shock...
Emerging Markets Rout Lures Contrarians Betting on Rate Cuts
Emerging‑market assets have entered their steepest monthly decline since 2022, with stocks down about 10% and local‑currency bond yields at two‑year highs. Asset managers TT International and AllianceBernstein are buying beaten‑down EM bonds, betting that central banks will cut rates...
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Understanding Producer Price Index: A Key Inflation Indicator
The Producer Price Index (PPI) measures price changes at the wholesale level, capturing the cost producers receive for goods and services. It is published monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and is broken into crude, intermediate, and core...
Borderlands Mexico: USMCA Review to Reshape North American Supply Chains
Former U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced that the six‑year USMCA review will be a pivotal moment for North American trade, aiming to embed supply‑chain resilience, AI, climate and digital trade provisions. The review also focuses on automotive rules of...
Finance Ministry Flags Rising External Risks as Trade Deficit and CAD Expand
India’s external sector is under strain as merchandise exports slipped 0.8% year‑on‑year while imports surged 24.1%, driven largely by gold and silver purchases. The trade deficit more than doubled to roughly $27.1 billion in February 2026, widening the current‑account gap to...