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Turkey’s Inflation Fight Stands Exposed to a Trump Wrecking Ball
Turkey’s inflation remains above 30% as the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) paused its tightening cycle on March 12, sparking criticism from analysts who argue a rate hike was warranted. The country’s $50 bn annual energy import bill and soaring oil prices—potentially reaching $150 per barrel— threaten to add up to seven percentage points to inflation and swell the current‑account deficit beyond $40 bn. Capital Economics and other experts warn that without decisive policy action, the deficit could hit $50 bn and the lira could face severe depreciation. A possible rate increase to 40% is expected at the April 22 meeting.
India-EU Ties in Focus as Jaishankar Starts 2-Day Visit to Brussels
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar began a two‑day visit to Brussels, the first high‑level Indian delegation since the EU‑India free‑trade agreement was signed in January. He will meet EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, attend the EU Foreign Affairs Council,...
JPMorgan Says Higher Oil Prices Could Spark a 'Domino Effect' That Tanks the S&P 500 by 15%
JPMorgan warned that Brent crude staying above $90 a barrel could trigger a 10‑15% correction in the S&P 500, creating a domino effect across global equities. The bank estimates the equity decline would shave about 1% off U.S. consumer spending through...
Kevin O'Leary Says Iran's Strait Of Hormuz Threat Shows World Still Depends On Oil, Alternative Energy 'Didn't Deliver'
Kevin O'Leary warned that Iran's threat to mine the two‑mile‑wide Strait of Hormuz underscores the world's ongoing reliance on oil. He highlighted that oil is the only commodity used across every sector, including by adversarial nations. O'Leary noted that securing...
2026 Supply Chain Checklist: How to Prepare for Tariffs, AI, and Geopolitical Uncertainty
The 2026 Supply Chain Checklist warns that volatility—from tariffs and geopolitical conflict to cyber threats and climate shocks—has become the norm. Legacy, siloed systems leave firms exposed to costly errors and missed opportunities. The checklist offers a practical roadmap that...
Gasoline, Diesel Prices Seen to Spike Again
Diesel and gasoline prices in the Philippines are set to spike again this week, driven by the ongoing war in the Middle East. The Mean of Platts Singapore benchmark, combined with freight costs, suggests diesel could rise up to P23...
Stock Trader’s Guide to Navigating Supply Disruption by Iran War
The outbreak of a protracted war with Iran has lifted oil prices and triggered supply chain disruptions, dragging global equities down 5.5% and delivering the worst monthly performance since 2022. Asian markets have borne the brunt, while airlines and shipping...
DRC Govt Reviews Oil Market Risks With Petroleum Distributors
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Deputy Prime Minister Daniel Mukoko Samba met with the Professional Group of Petroleum Product Distributors on March 10, 2026 to assess global oil market volatility. The discussion focused on the recent Brent crude surge...
Trump’s War Jolts Global Central Banks From Fed to ECB to BOJ
Global central banks are preparing to evaluate the economic fallout from the two‑week US‑Iran conflict. In the coming week, policymakers from the United States, Eurozone, United Kingdom, Japan and other major jurisdictions will announce decisions that could signal a new...
AP Exclusive: Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Talks Diplomatic Efforts as Regional War Rages
Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan told the AP that while no formal US‑Iran negotiations are underway, Tehran appears willing to engage in back‑channel talks. Ankara has tried to mediate, even offering Istanbul as a venue, but Iran rejected discussions on its...
Jet Fuel Prices Soar as War in Iran Ripples Through Global Aviation
Jet fuel prices have spiked to $150‑$200 a barrel after the U.S.–Israel attack on Iran, more than doubling pre‑conflict levels. The surge, compounded by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, is forcing airlines such as Qantas, SAS and Air...
Saudi Arabia Drives OPEC Output Higher Ahead of Iran Conflict, Survey Shows
OPEC’s crude output jumped 640,000 barrels per day in February, the steepest rise since June, driven largely by Saudi Arabia’s production increase. The kingdom lifted output by roughly 340,000 bpd to 10.34 MMbpd and later signaled an additional boost of about...
How the Conflict in Iran Is Impacting the Global Energy Market
The ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran is beginning to ripple through the global energy market, prompting concerns about oil shortages and higher prices. A panel on Washington Week with The Atlantic highlighted rising gasoline costs and the lack of a...
Trump Seeks to Close $1.6 Trillion Revenue Gap with Raft of New Tariffs
The Trump administration is launching a series of Section 301 investigations and new duties to recoup roughly $1.6 trillion in tariff revenue lost after a Supreme Court ruling. The probes will examine 16 economies for excess factory capacity and dozens more for...
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Federal Funds Rate Vs. LIBOR: Key Differences Explained
The Federal Reserve sets the U.S. federal funds rate, an overnight benchmark that shapes domestic liquidity, inflation, and employment. LIBOR, by contrast, is a London‑based multi‑currency benchmark derived from bank submissions and has long guided global short‑term lending. While both...
Iran-US-Israel War May Cause Short-Term Economic Shortfall in India, Says Piyush Goyal
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said India’s economy remains resilient despite the Iran‑US‑Israel war, though a short‑term dip in activity is expected. He cited strong fundamentals and a projected 7%‑plus growth rate for the next fiscal year. State Bank of...
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Understanding Reserve Currencies: The Role of the U.S. Dollar
The U.S. dollar remains the dominant global reserve currency, accounting for about 57% of disclosed reserves in Q3 2025, down from a peak of 72% in 2001. IMF data show the euro (20%), yen (6%), pound sterling (5%), Canadian dollar (3%)...
Chip Material Prices Double as Middle East Conflict Compounds China's Existing Gallium Export Ban — Wide Range of Materials for...
Prices for key compound‑semiconductor metals have surged, with tungsten, tantalum and molybdenum doubling and gallium climbing 123% to $2,100 per kilogram. The spike follows China’s late‑2024 gallium export ban to the United States and is amplified by the Middle East...
Middle East War Shakes Bangladesh’s Economy with Trade Deals in Flux
The ongoing Middle East conflict is driving up oil and gas prices, prompting Bangladesh to ration fuel and face long queues at stations. Export routes are jeopardized by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, while higher shipping costs and...
Opinion: How Hong Kong Is Building New Bridges for the Future
James Fok, chief commercial officer of CMU OmniClear, uses the 2026 Hong Kong budget as a springboard to argue that the city must build new physical and digital bridges with mainland China. He contends that deeper infrastructure ties will reinforce Hong Kong’s...
War Fears Spark Market Panic, but Correction May Be Opening Buying Opportunities: Sunny Agrawal
Geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices triggered a broad market sell‑off, prompting panic‑driven declines in large‑cap Indian stocks. Sunny Agrawal of SBI Capital Markets argues the fall reflects exaggerated risk assumptions rather than weakened fundamentals, leaving valuations attractive for long‑term...
US Says Can Provide 'Reliable' Energy Supply to Asia-Pacific
U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgess announced that the United States can provide a reliable, affordable and secure energy supply to the Asia‑Pacific amid the Middle East war that has disrupted oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz. The Trump administration’s...
Surge in Oil Prices Shakes Pakistan’s Already Fragile Economy
Oil prices have spiked as conflict in the Persian Gulf blocks the Strait of Hormuz, the sole maritime corridor for Pakistan’s crude imports. Over 85% of Pakistan’s oil comes from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, making the country highly vulnerable...
Japan, South Korea Ready to Act Against FX Volatility, Ministers Say
Japan and South Korea’s finance ministers voiced serious concern over the sharp depreciation of the yen and won, saying they stand ready to act against excessive foreign‑exchange volatility. The yen slipped to its lowest level in 20 months, hovering near...
Higher Oil Prices Are Just a Short-Term Worry
Oil prices have surged sharply this month, driven by geopolitical friction and OPEC+ output curbs, but analysts argue the rally is transitory. Global inventories remain ample and demand growth is modest, limiting upward pressure. Historical data shows oil’s price cycle...
How China Is Wooing Paraguay’s Political Class Away From Longtime Ally Taiwan
China is intensifying a diplomatic campaign in Paraguay, offering all‑expenses‑paid tours of Chinese cities to lawmakers and journalists to showcase its economic might. The outreach aims to persuade Paraguay’s political class to abandon its long‑standing recognition of Taiwan, its last...
Decentering the Dollar: A Conversation
The Peterson Institute for International Economics hosted a high‑profile conversation titled “Decentering the Dollar,” featuring former Dutch central bank governor Klaas Knot and renowned economist Maurice Obstfeld. The panel examined how the Trump administration’s trade and geopolitical shifts could undermine...
International Imbalances Again? Still? Forever?
The Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) convened a high‑level discussion titled “International Imbalances Again? Still? Forever?” to examine why global trade and current‑account gaps persist. Moderated by Maurice Obstfeld, the panel featured Joseph Gagnon, Hélène Rey, and Alan Taylor,...
Trade 360 Degrees: Trade Winds LIVE From DC!
Global trade faces heightened tariffs, divergent industrial policies, and a weakened WTO, creating turbulence across supply chains. At the same time, recent free‑trade agreements and renewed multilateral efforts are opening fresh opportunities. The Peterson Institute for International Economics hosted a...
The Future Economic Architecture of the Eurozone
The Peterson Institute for International Economics hosted a high‑level panel on the future economic architecture of the eurozone. The discussion featured Spain’s finance minister Carlos Cuerpo Caballero, ECB Executive Board member Isabel Schnabel, and senior economists Olivier Blanchard and Ángel...
Industrial Policy for Development
The Peterson Institute for International Economics hosted a briefing on a new World Bank report examining the resurgence of industrial policy in the 21st‑century. The study finds developing economies, especially upper‑middle‑income nations, are the heaviest users, allocating an average of...
Key UAE Port Suspends Oil Loadings After Drone Attack, Fire
The United Arab Emirates suspended oil‑loading operations at Fujairah, its primary oil‑trading hub, after a drone strike ignited a fire on Saturday. The blaze was quickly extinguished, opening the possibility for loading to resume. At the time of the attack,...
Iran-Israel Conflict Driven Fuel Cost Spike Hits United Airlines (UAL) Results
United Airlines warned that a 15% jump in jet fuel prices, sparked by the Iran‑Israel conflict, could dent its short‑term earnings. The spike helped push United’s stock down about 4.5% and contributed to a broader market sell‑off, with peers such...
DOF Secures $800-M World Bank Loan for Investments, Job Creation
The Philippines' Department of Finance secured an $800 million development loan from the World Bank under the Growth and Jobs Development Policy Loan. The financing targets three pillars: stronger fiscal management, enhanced private investment, and expanded labor‑force capabilities. By focusing on...
Maria Bartiromo's Wall Street - Friday, March 13
Maria Bartiromo's Wall Street aired on Friday, March 13 on Fox Business, delivering a 20‑minute episode focused on market trends and financial commentary. The broadcast was part of the network’s daytime lineup, interspersed with several paid‑programming blocks. Viewers could stream...
Transcript: The Economic Fallout of the Iran War
The US‑Israeli strikes on Iran prompted Tehran to shut the Strait of Hormuz, cutting roughly a fifth of global oil flows and pushing Brent crude above $100 a barrel. The surge in oil and LNG prices is spilling into gasoline,...
Top Chinese Entrepreneurs Commit to Middle East Expansion Despite Iran War
Chinese tech magnates, including the founders of TCL and Xpeng, announced plans to double their outbound investment, targeting the Middle East and Latin America. The pledge comes as the US‑Israel conflict with Iran escalates and Washington intensifies pressure on Venezuela....
Boosting China-India Ties Should Be Pillar of Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan
Hong Kong’s upcoming five‑year plan proposes making the Sino‑Indian partnership a strategic pillar. The proposal calls for extending visa‑free entry for Indian nationals, leveraging the Indian diaspora for scholarships and AI talent, and offering tax incentives to attract Indian firms...
Trump Tells South Korea He Is only Leader Who Can Break North Korean Deadlock
U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok met in Washington to discuss reviving high‑level talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong‑un. Trump asserted he is the only Western leader capable of breaking the Korean Peninsula deadlock,...
Wall Street Drops, Set for Weekly Loss as War on Iran Fuels Inflation Worries
Wall Street closed lower on Friday, with the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all in the red, putting the week on a negative trajectory. The decline was driven by heightened tensions in the war on Iran, which pushed crude oil above...
The UK North Sea at a Tipping Point: Why the UK Government Must Act Now
The UK North Sea faces a critical juncture as high taxes, a ban on new licences and geopolitical volatility are eroding investment and jobs. An effective tax burden of about 75 % under the Energy Profits Levy has driven rigs and...
China’s Global Port Push Reveals Supply Chain Security Goals
A new AidData report shows China granted or loaned $23.9 billion to finance 168 ports across 90 countries between 2000 and 2025. The investments, covering construction, expansion and equipment, often sit near Chinese‑financed mines and have hosted naval visits at more...
Iran War Knocks Out Thai Mideast Rice Exports, Squeezing Farmers Harder
Thai rice exporters halted two ships carrying 80,000 tonnes bound for Iraq after a Thai vessel was struck near the Strait of Hormuz, effectively pausing Middle‑East shipments. The disruption comes as Thailand’s rice export outlook has already slipped 11% to...
Analysis: Ramadan Inflation Surges, with Geopolitics Adding New Risks
Indonesia’s February 2026 consumer price index rose to 4.76% year‑on‑year, overshooting the 1.5‑3.5% target range. The surge is driven by Ramadan‑related food demand, a government free‑meal scheme, and sharply higher electricity tariffs. Commodity pressures are amplified by a tenfold cut...
U.S. Officials Have Discussed Trading Oil Futures, Burgum Says
U.S. officials, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, confirmed that the Trump administration has discussed using oil futures contracts to temper soaring crude prices amid the escalating Iran‑Israel conflict. While the idea was explored, Burgum said no concrete market intervention has...
U.S. Vows to Block Iran’s Attempt to Shut Down Strait of Hormuz
The United States announced it will actively prevent Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil shipments. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth downplayed the disruption but affirmed U.S. readiness, while the Trump administration lifted select sanctions...
Volatility Grips Wall Street, Judge Rejects Subpoenas of Fed Board | The Close 3/13/2026
Wall Street faced modest declines as the S&P 500 slipped 0.3% amid heightened oil price volatility and ongoing geopolitical tension in the Middle East. A federal judge dismissed subpoenas targeting the Federal Reserve Board and Chair Jerome Powell over alleged renovation...
Centre Flags War Risk to Thai Growth
The Center for Economic and Business Forecasting at UTCC outlined three Middle‑East war scenarios, estimating that a prolonged, wide‑scale conflict could shave 2.31 percentage points off Thailand’s GDP. In the worst case, energy‑cost burdens would rise above 200 billion baht, exports could...
BOJ Seen Waiting Till April for Rate Hike Amid Iran War Turbulence
The Bank of Japan is expected to keep its policy rate at 0.75% at the March 2026 meeting, postponing any hike until at least April. Market participants cite heightened volatility from the Iran‑Israel conflict and surging energy prices as key...
Market Swings Trading Amid the Fog of War (E254)
DoubleLine’s March 13 Minutes highlighted a market caught between lingering war‑driven energy shocks and rising inflation concerns. Eric Dhall and Ryan Kimmel noted that energy stocks remain volatile while front‑end Treasury yields climb amid jittery price data. Fed funds futures shifted...