Global Economy Social Media and Updates

Trump Tariffs Spike Diesel, Fertilizer Costs, Threaten Farm Voters
SocialMar 18, 2026

Trump Tariffs Spike Diesel, Fertilizer Costs, Threaten Farm Voters

Trump’s tariffs and the US-Israeli war on Iran are sending fertilizer and diesel costs through the roof. Diesel is up ~$1/gallon in a week. Urea fertilizer has jumped from $470/ton to up to $585. This jump in cost spells trouble for Trump and...

By Steve Hanke
Stocks Tumble as PPI Spikes Beyond Forecasts
SocialMar 18, 2026

Stocks Tumble as PPI Spikes Beyond Forecasts

JUST IN: Stocks drop as Wholesale Inflation (PPI) comes in higher than expected (+0.7% MoM vs +0.3% forecast)

By Gemini
Iran War Reshapes Fed Expectations and Monetary Policy Outlook
SocialMar 18, 2026

Iran War Reshapes Fed Expectations and Monetary Policy Outlook

Worth noting just how much the Iran war has changed expectations about the Fed and the future path of monetary policy. https://t.co/NBYZx2Uuza

By Justin Wolfers
China's EU Trade Surplus Rises in First Two Months
SocialMar 18, 2026

China's EU Trade Surplus Rises in First Two Months

In news not related to the Straights of Hormuz, China's trade surplus with the EU ticked up in the first two months of the year 1/ https://t.co/uWb594zrUq

By Brad Setser
China Refuses to Tap Reserves for Global Supply
SocialMar 18, 2026

China Refuses to Tap Reserves for Global Supply

Well, China isn't going to dip into its strategic reserves to help supply the rest of the world ... 1/2

By Brad Setser
Asia Faces Demand Destruction as Middle Eastern Crude Hits $150
SocialMar 18, 2026

Asia Faces Demand Destruction as Middle Eastern Crude Hits $150

1/5 Where Is the Demand Destruction? tl:dr - Asia because they are reliant on Middle Eastern Crude oil, and it is now over $150/barrel. This is keeping (for now) the American and European grades "only" ~$100. (% gain since the war) https://t.co/A6Rk6TjszH

By Jim Bianco
Presidential Tweets Trump Central Bank Rate Moves
SocialMar 18, 2026

Presidential Tweets Trump Central Bank Rate Moves

"Does anyone really care if central banks raise or lower interest rates by 25 basis points, when the US president can send entire economies into a tailspin with a post on Truth Social?" Coppola Comment, 10th March. https://t.co/cCBaBOBPfB

By Frances Coppola
PPI Stays Elevated at 3.4% Amid Fed QE Shift
SocialMar 18, 2026

PPI Stays Elevated at 3.4% Amid Fed QE Shift

February’s US Producer Price Index (PPI) was just released.  Over the past year, the PPI REMAINS ELEVATED at 3.4%/yr.  As the Fed pivots away from Quantitative Tightening to Quantitative Easing, it’s having trouble putting the INFLATION GENIE BACK IN THE BOTTLE. https://t.co/XFlfmOdN5q

By Steve Hanke
Oil's Global Price Cracks Under Stress, Spreads Surge
SocialMar 18, 2026

Oil's Global Price Cracks Under Stress, Spreads Surge

Oil is a almost perfectly fungible commodity* with a single global price ... except during periods of stress Via JP's Natasha Kaneva, the spread between North Atlantic sweet light and the oil Asia normally buys has reached extreme levels * setting...

By Brad Setser
Trump’s NATO Betrayal Leaves Europe Refusing Bailout
SocialMar 18, 2026

Trump’s NATO Betrayal Leaves Europe Refusing Bailout

Trump spent years trashing NATO. He's been threatening to have the US withdrawal since his first term. Now he wants NATO to bail him out of a war he chose. Europe said no. That’s not the story of weak allies- that’s the consequence of...

By Olivia of Troye
Iran Gas Strike Could Push Turkey to Import More LNG
SocialMar 18, 2026

Iran Gas Strike Could Push Turkey to Import More LNG

An unintended consequence of the strikes on Iran’s gas fields? Turkey may be forced to import more LNG 🇹🇷 🚢 Iran sends gas from South Pars to Turkey via a pipeline (making up ~15% of the country’s demand) If that’s shut,...

By Stephen Stapczynski
Oil Shocks Shape Economy; Central Banks' Response Blueprint
SocialMar 18, 2026

Oil Shocks Shape Economy; Central Banks' Response Blueprint

Incredibly important episode with @BobEUnlimited where we deep dive into how oil shocks impact the economy and how central banks react. This is the ultimate playbook

By Felix Jauvin
Iran Threatens Gulf Gas Assets, Rattles Global Market
SocialMar 18, 2026

Iran Threatens Gulf Gas Assets, Rattles Global Market

Iran appears to be preparing to retaliate after attacks on its giant gas field 🇮🇷 ⚠️ It issued a warning to stay away from a range of similar assets in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE The inclusion of Qatar (home...

By Stephen Stapczynski
Core Producer Prices Surge, Fed Rate Cuts Unlikely
SocialMar 18, 2026

Core Producer Prices Surge, Fed Rate Cuts Unlikely

US producer price inflation ex-food and energy came in at the fastest pace since January 2025 for the month of February, before the oil price shock. It's going to be very hard for this Fed to signal rate cuts ahead...

By Lisa Abramowicz
Fed Likely Holds Rates as Iran War Fuels Uncertainty
SocialMar 18, 2026

Fed Likely Holds Rates as Iran War Fuels Uncertainty

The Fed is expected to hold rates steady at a tenuous moment for the economy as the Iran war drags on. The conflict is expected to amplify internal divisions, injecting yet more uncertainty into the debate around when the Fed...

By Colby Smith
Inflation Surge Puts Fed Meeting at Crisis Crossroads
SocialMar 18, 2026

Inflation Surge Puts Fed Meeting at Crisis Crossroads

Inflation Just EXPLODED 🔥 Does the Fed Have a Crisis on its Hands? Stocks crashed. Gold collapsed. Dollar soared Fed meets TODAY - and this one number could change everything for 2026👇 Follow for updates $SPY $QQQ $DIA $GLD $DXY $USDJPY $ES...

By Kathy Lien
War‑driven Inflation Pushes Oil, Yields, Dollar Higher
SocialMar 18, 2026

War‑driven Inflation Pushes Oil, Yields, Dollar Higher

Wars are inflationary - and rising oil, yields & dollar are the play. Not metals right now, as warned to clients. #Gold #Silver Wholesale inflation comes in hot for February with producer prices rising 3.4%, the biggest jump in a...

By Samantha LaDuc
Iran Crisis Pushes Oil to $150, Hurting Voters
SocialMar 18, 2026

Iran Crisis Pushes Oil to $150, Hurting Voters

Oil is heading to $150 a barrel. And the people who will feel it hardest are the ones who voted for the man who caused it. I sat down to break down exactly what the Iran crisis means for oil markets,...

By Dr. Steve Keen
Trump Missed Iran’s Escalation Ladder, Warns Former Defense Official
SocialMar 18, 2026

Trump Missed Iran’s Escalation Ladder, Warns Former Defense Official

Dana Stroul, former US deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East: “It does not appear that President Trump and his inner circle fully grasped the escalation ladder and range of Iranian retaliation actions" An understatement if I've ever heard one....

By Steve Hanke
Rate Shifts Since Jan FOMC Concentrated at Front End
SocialMar 18, 2026

Rate Shifts Since Jan FOMC Concentrated at Front End

Rates moves from Jan FOMC to today are basically all in the front end https://t.co/z4SHlodCLM

By Guy LeBas
China’s Gulf‑Iran Balancing Act Strains Amid Escalating Strikes
SocialMar 18, 2026

China’s Gulf‑Iran Balancing Act Strains Amid Escalating Strikes

Can China still maintain good relations with Gulf states and Iran as fighting escalates? Iranian strikes on neighbouring states in response to US and Israeli attacks highlight how difficult Beijing’s balancing act has become https://t.co/nw8sJ9lHjm

By Paul Triolo
PPI Shows No $80+ Oil Days in February
SocialMar 18, 2026

PPI Shows No $80+ Oil Days in February

Producer Prices - How much oil data (days > $80) is in this PPI inflation data? PPI vs Brent Move -- Zero days above $80 in this Feb PPI print—WTI cruised the entire month between $61–$67 (avg ~$64.50, peak 67.31 on...

By Lawrence McDonald
Control of Hormuz Determines Iran War’s Global Impact
SocialMar 18, 2026

Control of Hormuz Determines Iran War’s Global Impact

Comparing what is now happening with what has happened in analogous historical situations and triangulating my thinking with smart, well-informed leaders and experts has always helped me make better decisions. I have found that most wars are filled with big...

By Ray Dalio
China’s 90% Model Redefines Global Economic Power
SocialMar 18, 2026

China’s 90% Model Redefines Global Economic Power

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤. What if China’s economic power is much bigger than we realize? In just 45 seconds, I’ll reveal the truth behind China’s 90% Model and how it’s reshaping industries globally. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧: The insidious strategy behind...

By Ram Charan
US Strikes on Iran Risk 5% Global Oil Loss
SocialMar 18, 2026

US Strikes on Iran Risk 5% Global Oil Loss

Iran produces 4-5% of the world's total oil supply, making it the 3rd largest producer in OPEC. The best case for this conflict just took a leg lower. At best, this ends in the next 1-2 months and the Strait...

By Quinn Thompson
US Economy Slows; Trump’s Iran War Threatens Further Damage
SocialMar 18, 2026

US Economy Slows; Trump’s Iran War Threatens Further Damage

The US economy is losing momentum. In January, consumer spending slowed sharply to a crawl of 1.56% annualized. TRUMP’S WAR ON IRAN PROMISES MORE ECONOMIC DAMAGE. https://t.co/sjumYo1FBt

By Steve Hanke
Fed Decision Zone Signals Hedge Opportunity Near $670
SocialMar 18, 2026

Fed Decision Zone Signals Hedge Opportunity Near $670

📺 WHY THIS FED MOVE СOULD BE SOLD 🛑 Get my newsletter tomorrow: https://t.co/Rqp84Wg39F The market has shown short-term strength going into the Fed today. $SPY has rallied meaningfully from around $662.34 to the $674 area, a solid move given the macro backdrop...

By Scott Redler
US Waiver Redirects Russian Oil to India, Squeezes China
SocialMar 18, 2026

US Waiver Redirects Russian Oil to India, Squeezes China

Macro: US waiver shifts Russian crude to India, squeezing China; grades flipped to Brent premium 🛢️ Drivers: waiver, Hormuz closure, voyage economics. Risks: geopolitics, supply swings. Trade: buy Indian refinery exposure. — Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA. More insights: t.me/si14Kopylov

By Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA
Trump-Netanyahu Iran Conflict Triggers Market Correction, Threatens US Economy
SocialMar 18, 2026

Trump-Netanyahu Iran Conflict Triggers Market Correction, Threatens US Economy

A stock market correction caused by the Trump-Netanyahu War On Iran that spikes oil, yields & dollar poses the greatest risk to the US economy. Fixed it for ya, GS

By Samantha LaDuc
China Shifts Food Imports From US to Emerging Markets
SocialMar 18, 2026

China Shifts Food Imports From US to Emerging Markets

China retaliated against tariffs by importing much less food from the US in 2025. Canada, Ukraine and the EU also got hit. Instead, China ramped up its food imports from many across emerging markets. Vietnam, Indonesia and Argentina are among...

By Robin Brooks
Energy Becomes National Security, Triggering State‑Driven Markets
SocialMar 18, 2026

Energy Becomes National Security, Triggering State‑Driven Markets

🔴Thoughts on the Future of Energy Markets🔴 The most severe long-term consequence of escalating trade wars, tariffs, sanctions, disruptions involving Venezuela, Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and even moves like the Greenland interest isn't just higher prices or short-term supply shocks....

By Anas Alhajji
Middle East Conflict Dampens Prospects for 2026 Rate Cuts
SocialMar 18, 2026

Middle East Conflict Dampens Prospects for 2026 Rate Cuts

President Trump is demanding that the Fed immediately lower borrowing costs. But the war in the Middle East has now made any interest rate cuts much less likely in 2026 — not just in the U.S. but around the world. w/...

By Victoria Guida
Hope Boosts Risk Appetite Ahead of BoC, FOMC
SocialMar 18, 2026

Hope Boosts Risk Appetite Ahead of BoC, FOMC

Hope Lifts Risk Appetites Ahead of the Bank of Canada and FOMC Meetings: There are three main talking points today. The first is the war. While it continues to rage, more oil is reportedly moving through the Strait of Hormuz...

By Marc Chandler
Fed Rate Outlook Shifts Dramatically in Three Months
SocialMar 18, 2026

Fed Rate Outlook Shifts Dramatically in Three Months

Wild to think just 3 months ago there was an FOMC member projecting a 2-2.25% Fed Funds rate for 2026 (6 cuts from current). How quickly the times change... https://t.co/pLQLDHIdVx

By Quinn Thompson
Japan's Gas Prices Surge on Conflict and Weak Yen
SocialMar 18, 2026

Japan's Gas Prices Surge on Conflict and Weak Yen

Japan's gasoline price hits a record high 📈⚠️ 🛢️ The Middle East conflict and weak yen are delivering a double whammy to Japanese consumers 👉 Japan depends on the Middle East for most of its oil https://t.co/NMJurOwuQM https://t.co/ivLXm4sdIQ

By Stephen Stapczynski
Middle East Flight Cancellations Cost $34‑56 B in Tourism
SocialMar 18, 2026

Middle East Flight Cancellations Cost $34‑56 B in Tourism

MORE COLLATERAL DAMAGE FROM THE US-ISRAELI WAR AGAINST IRAN: More than 52,000 flights have been canceled across the Middle East. Roughly 6M passengers have been affected. According to the NYT, the resulting loss of tourist spending alone could range from $34B-$56B this year....

By Steve Hanke
Hope Boosts Stocks and Bonds Pre‑Fed
SocialMar 18, 2026

Hope Boosts Stocks and Bonds Pre‑Fed

Hope seems to be lifting equities and bonds ahead of the Bank of Canada and Federal Reserve meetings. May WTI is lower but nearly $3 above lows. Hawkish hold may be more convincing from the Fed than the...

By Marc Chandler
Private Credit Strain May Force Fed to Backstop Mania
SocialMar 18, 2026

Private Credit Strain May Force Fed to Backstop Mania

Will private credit stress push the Fed to once again backstop irrational exuberance ? https://t.co/dnERejAvPo

By Michael Lebowitz
Upcoming Q2 2026 Macro Themes Webinar – March 18
SocialMar 18, 2026

Upcoming Q2 2026 Macro Themes Webinar – March 18

EVENT | Q2 2026 Macro Themes: Wednesday, March 18, 11:00 AM ET https://t.co/jT4huLbBBJ via @hedgeye

By Keith McCullough
Yield Curve Reflects Economic Quad Cycle, Not Daily Noise
SocialMar 18, 2026

Yield Curve Reflects Economic Quad Cycle, Not Daily Noise

YIELD CURVE: doesn't care about Taco Time Trading, Tourists, etc. It cares about The Quads (i.e. The Cycle) #Quad1 peaked in early FEB and the #Quad3 slowdown continues in the real economy this morning https://t.co/KVMr12qbUs

By Keith McCullough
China Trades Stability for Sovereignty, Not Energy
SocialMar 18, 2026

China Trades Stability for Sovereignty, Not Energy

China offering Taiwan stability in exchange for sovereignty This is less about energy and more about power. China doesn't have spare energy to offer. https://t.co/YAE9bzHoXv #China #Taiwan #Energy #Geopolitics #Power

By Art Berman Blog
Hormuz Shock Reveals Fragile Energy‑Food System
SocialMar 18, 2026

Hormuz Shock Reveals Fragile Energy‑Food System

Hormuz is a SYSTEMS SHOCK, writes @ctindale Energy → fertilizer → food → unrest → state control. This isn’t a disruption. It’s the exposure of a fragile system built on false efficiency. #Energy #Overshoot #Geopolitics #SupplyChains #Inflation

By Art Berman Blog
EU Gas Buyers May Replicate 2022 Spending Surge
SocialMar 18, 2026

EU Gas Buyers May Replicate 2022 Spending Surge

This is a key theme for EZ inflation/gas. The curve in gas suggests that EZ buyers hold their nerve, but supply is paramount. The longer it goes on, the higher is the risk that EU buyers will do what...

By Claus Vistesen
Hormuz Remains Uncontrollable System Favoring Disruptors
SocialMar 18, 2026

Hormuz Remains Uncontrollable System Favoring Disruptors

U.S. power can strike targets—but it can’t control Hormuz, writes @citrinowicz Hormuz isn’t a target—it’s a system, and it favors the disruptor. #Hormuz #Geopolitics #Oil #Energy

By Art Berman Blog
Gulf Growth Model Crumbles: Deals, Exports, Capital Falter
SocialMar 18, 2026

Gulf Growth Model Crumbles: Deals, Exports, Capital Falter

This isn’t just an energy shock—it’s a structural hit to the Gulf growth model, writes @anasalhajji Deals are collapsing, exports are stalled, capital is coming home. This goes far beyond oil. #Geopolitics #Energy #Gulf #Macro

By Art Berman Blog
Trump’s China Delay Signals End of US Asia Pivot
SocialMar 18, 2026

Trump’s China Delay Signals End of US Asia Pivot

.@JohnDelury: “Are we witnessing the end of the Pivot to Asia?…Trump’s desire to delay his China trip sends a clear message to the region that Washington has a serious bandwidth problem.” https://t.co/z3Dfcg9e3q

By Jonathan Cheng
1990 Payroll Drop Preceded Oil Shock, Delayed Fed Cuts
SocialMar 18, 2026

1990 Payroll Drop Preceded Oil Shock, Delayed Fed Cuts

Surprised more people arent talking about 1990. Payrolls contracted in the month before the surge in oil prices, which tipped the economy more forcefully into recession. Fed couldn't respond sufficiently, delaying its cutting cycle for 6 months, until energy prices...

By Dario Perkins
Bob Brackett Returns: War in Iran Reshapes Global Gas Flows
SocialMar 18, 2026

Bob Brackett Returns: War in Iran Reshapes Global Gas Flows

NEW ODD LOTS: It’s the return of the legend Bob Brackett @tracyalloway and I talk to Bernstein’s top commodities researcher about war in Iran and how natural gas flows are being reshaped all around the world. https://t.co/DlSfweVsgl

By Joe Weisenthal
US Welcomes Chinese Dependence, Resists Chinese Market Involvement
SocialMar 18, 2026

US Welcomes Chinese Dependence, Resists Chinese Market Involvement

.@ZichenWanghere: “The United States is comfortable with economic ties that deepen Chinese reliance on U.S. supply—yet far less willing to tolerate even tightly constrained forms of Chinese participation in the U.S. economy.” https://t.co/DoXfoZWKzl

By Jonathan Cheng