BBL Recommends Thai Businesses Mull Expansion to India
Bangkok Bank is urging Thai companies to diversify away from the United States and tap India’s massive market as geopolitical tensions rise. The bank’s president highlighted India’s strategic importance as a consumer base, investment hub, and supply‑chain partner. BBL pledged end‑to‑end financial and advisory support to facilitate Thai expansion across sectors such as automotive, tourism, logistics and food. The bank expects Thailand’s US export share to fall from 20% today to 10% in the long run.
Andrew Tilton on China’s Growth Prospects, Economic Trajectory in Wake of Iran War
Goldman Sachs chief Asia‑Pacific economist Andrew Tilton told the South China Morning Post that China’s property slump has passed its worst phase, removing a major drag on growth. He highlighted that GDP is now projected to rebound above 5% this...
Lone Russian Corvette Flies the St. Andrew’s Flag in the Med
The Russian Navy’s Mediterranean presence has contracted to a single surface vessel, the Steregushchiy‑class corvette RFS Stoykiy. The Project 636.6 Kilo‑class submarine RFS Krasnodar and its support tug Altay completed a three‑month patrol and exited the region via the Strait of Gibraltar on...
Kazakhstan Service Sector Saw Green Shoots of Recovery in March, PMI Shows
Kazakhstan’s service sector showed modest recovery in March, with the Freedom Holding Corp Purchasing Managers’ Index climbing to 49.2 from 48.0 in February. The uptick was driven by a slight rebound in new business orders, while input‑price inflation eased back...
How Will the Iran War Change the Middle East? We Asked 5 Experts
On February 28 the United States and Israel launched a coordinated war against Iran, prompting Tehran to strike U.S. assets across the Persian Gulf and fire missiles at Israeli targets. Israel responded with a ground invasion of southern Lebanon to counter...
Report: Russia Faces Logistical Nightmare in Redirecting Yamal LNG to Asia
Russia’s Yamal LNG is set to redirect most shipments from Europe to Asia starting in 2027, after the EU bans Russian LNG imports. The existing fleet of 25 vessels can only complete 120‑130 voyages a year, roughly half of current...
How Banks Are only ‘Partially’ Raising Rates for Savers
Australian banks have raised the bonus rates on their high‑condition savings products but left the base rates for ordinary savers largely unchanged after the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted the cash rate to 4.1%. About 40% of customers miss the...
Banks Pay Near 2-Year High Rates on CDs Amid Tight Liquidity
Indian banks are issuing certificates of deposit (CDs) at near‑two‑year highs, with rates topping 8.32% for short‑term tenors. HDFC Bank alone mobilised about ₹4,300 crore ($520 million) at 7.6% for 33‑day CDs, while the sector issued roughly ₹1.07 lakh crore ($12 billion) in the fortnight...
BMI Cuts PH ’26 Growth Forecast to 4.7%
BMI Research, a Fitch unit, lowered its 2026 Philippine GDP growth outlook to 4.7% from 5.1%, citing a prolonged Middle East energy shock and subdued government capital spending. The firm expects first‑quarter growth of 3.6%, modestly above the fourth‑quarter 2025...
Chile-PH Trade Pact Still on Amid Leadership Change
Chile has reaffirmed its commitment to conclude a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the Philippines despite a recent presidential transition. Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepety expects the free‑trade talks to wrap up by the end of April, citing strong support...
Amidst War, Iran's Merchant Fleet Is Enjoying Boom Times
Iran’s state‑owned merchant fleet, led by the sanctioned Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, is experiencing a surge in activity since the war began on February 28. Daily traffic at Bandar Abbas now exceeds 20 vessels, while oil and LNG price spikes...
Is the World Running Out of Oil? Goldman Sachs Weighs In
Goldman Sachs analysis says the world is not running out of oil despite the Middle East conflict disrupting the Strait of Hormuz. Asian economies that source roughly half of their fuel from the Gulf are feeling strain as shipments fall,...
Fed Minutes, Inflation, Delta, Levi’s, and More to Watch This Week
Stocks rebounded sharply last week, snapping a five‑week losing streak as the S&P 500 climbed 3.4% and the Nasdaq surged 4.4%. Investors will parse this week’s Federal Reserve minutes for clues on monetary policy and watch upcoming inflation data alongside...
Iran Claims to Have Hit an MSC Container Ship in the Mideast
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a drone strike on the MSC Ishyka container vessel, claiming it caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz. AIS data, however, places the ship at a berth in Manama, Bahrain, and shows intermittent signal...
Russia’s Lavrov Says US Should ‘Abandon Language of Ultimatums’ on Iran
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Iran’s foreign minister that the United States should abandon its ultimatum‑style rhetoric and return to negotiations after President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iranian power plants and bridges if Tehran does not reopen the...
The Guardian View on Japan’s Hidden Century: Cheap Money, Global Risk | Editorial
The Bank of Japan’s ultra‑loose policy has turned the yen into the world’s cheapest funding currency, fueling a massive carry‑trade that amassed roughly $435 billion between 2022 and 2024. A modest rate hike in March 2024 barely dented the trade, but the...
Economists Calculated Exactly How Much Trump Tariffs Will Cost You in 2026—And Who Is Paying the Most
Economists estimate the average U.S. household will shoulder about $600 in tariff‑related costs in 2026, down from roughly $1,000 in 2025. The figure aligns with Yale Budget Lab’s $570 estimate and reflects the impact of Supreme Court rulings that have...
When Global Uncertainty Meets the Shopping Cart
Global geopolitical tensions and volatile oil markets are tightening consumer budgets, prompting shoppers to scrutinize prices and prioritize stability. At the same time, sustainability is shedding its niche image and becoming a practical, cost‑saving consideration for everyday purchases. Large Philippine...
Gold Imports Rise by Nearly 29% to $69 Bn in Apr-Feb 2025-26
India’s gold imports surged 28.73% to $69 billion in the April‑February 2025‑26 window, spurred by record‑high prices of roughly $1,825 per 10 grams. The influx pushed the trade deficit to $310.6 billion, up from $261.8 billion a year earlier. Switzerland remained the top supplier,...
Trump Floats Seizing Iran Oil as Deadline Looms for Nuclear Deal: Report
President Donald Trump warned that if Iran does not quickly reach a good‑faith nuclear deal, the United States could seize Iranian oil and target key infrastructure. He simultaneously expressed optimism that a diplomatic breakthrough could occur within days, indicating a...
RI Turns to Africa, India for Naphtha as Middle East Supply Tightens
Indonesia relies on Middle East naphtha for 70% of its petrochemical feedstock, but the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, halting shipments. The supply crunch has pushed pack prices up by Rp5,000‑6,000 (≈$0.30) and driven packaging...
Chinese Bonds Near Inflection Point as Inflation Path Shifts
Chinese government bond yields are edging up from record lows as deflationary pressure eases. The benchmark 10‑year yield, currently around 1.8%, could climb toward or beyond 2% this year. Simultaneously, the spread between five‑year and 30‑year notes has widened to...
OPEC+ Debates Theoretical Oil Output Hike Amid Iran War Paralysis
OPEC+ is expected to approve a modest output increase for May, but the rise will be largely academic because key producers cannot lift production amid the US‑Israeli war with Iran that has shut the Strait of Hormuz. The closure and...
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....
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...