Imbalances Are Back on the Global Agenda
Global current‑account imbalances have resurfaced, with the United States now shouldering external liabilities equal to 24% of world output, far above the 6% level in 2008. The traditional surplus economies—China, Germany, Japan and oil exporters—remain dominant, while former European deficit nations have turned modestly surplus. Economists warn that these imbalances fuel protectionist sentiment in the US and could spark a financial crisis if left unchecked. The IMF and recent G7 research call for macro‑economic adjustments, but political inertia makes crisis preparation the more realistic path.
Will the Iran War Amplify the ‘Second China Shock’?
The article examines whether the escalating conflict in Iran could intensify the so‑called “second China shock,” a wave of supply‑chain disruption and economic decoupling that began as China’s growth slowed. It outlines how war‑related oil price spikes, maritime security concerns...
Goldman Stops Bankers Using Anthropic’s Claude in Hong Kong
Goldman Sachs has barred its Hong Kong bankers from accessing Anthropic’s Claude AI models, citing a strict reading of its contract after consulting the startup. The move reflects heightened US‑China tensions over artificial‑intelligence technology, as Western AI services are already blocked...
Underlying Inflation Remains on Track for Bank of Japan Rate Normalisation
Japan's underlying inflation is persisting above the Bank of Japan’s 2% target, keeping the path to rate normalisation on track. Core consumer‑price inflation rose to 2.8% year‑on‑year in the latest month, while headline CPI eased to 2.3%. The data reinforces...
White House Accuses China of ‘Industrial-Scale’ Theft of AI Technology
The White House announced that Chinese state‑backed entities are conducting "industrial‑scale" theft of American artificial‑intelligence technology, including large language models, training data, and semiconductor components. Officials said the espionage is systematic, targeting both private firms and research institutions, and that...
How the World Is Preparing for Oil Shortages
The Financial Times podcast warned that a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a sharp oil shortage, potentially cutting as much as 20% of world supply. In response, Gulf monarchies have launched a wartime‑style financing drive, raising...
China Told Maersk and MSC to Drop Panama Port Operations
China’s Ministry of Transport has instructed A.P. Moller‑Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company to cease all operations at Panama’s Balboa port, part of a broader push to tighten control over maritime logistics. The directive, framed as a national security measure, forces...
Toyota Keeps Hydrogen as a Hedge
Toyota Motor Corp is maintaining its hydrogen fuel‑cell program as a strategic hedge against the accelerating shift toward battery electric vehicles. The automaker announced plans to scale production to roughly 30,000 fuel‑cell vehicles a year by 2030 and is committing...
The Question over Trump’s ‘Historic’ Refinery Deal: $300bn or $40mn?
Former President Donald Trump touted a "historic" refinery transaction as a $300 billion deal, but investigative reporting shows the actual sale was roughly $40 million. The deal involved the sale of a Texas refinery that was part of Trump's business empire to...
FirstFT: Chinese Government Bonds Resilient Amid Global Debt Sell-Off
Chinese government bonds have shown unexpected resilience as global investors retreat from debt markets amid rising rates and geopolitical uncertainty. Yield spreads narrowed relative to comparable sovereigns, and capital inflows from domestic banks and foreign investors offset broader sell‑offs. The...
LNG Powerhouse Australia Leans on Export Strength to Weather Energy Shock
Australia’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector is leveraging record export volumes to offset a sharp domestic energy price shock caused by global supply disruptions. In 2023 the country shipped roughly 70 million tonnes of LNG, generating about $30 billion in export revenue....
Power Struggle with CEO Led to Resignation of HDFC Chair
HDFC Bank’s non‑executive chair Atanu Chakraborty resigned abruptly after a protracted power struggle with CEO Sashidhar Jagdishan over strategy, leadership style, and the CEO’s reappointment. The clash intensified around a proposed minority‑stake sale of HDB Financial Services to Japan’s Mitsubishi...
Economics for the Real World — a Provocative New Playbook, Plus India’s Growth Story
A newly released playbook titled "Economics for the Real World" argues that traditional macro models must be replaced with data‑driven, policy‑focused frameworks. The authors illustrate the approach with case studies, notably India’s recent economic surge, where GDP grew roughly 8%...
Hold on — Tech Stocks Are a Safe Haven Now?
Amid the escalating war in Iran, investors have turned to U.S. technology equities as a defensive position. The International Energy Agency responded to the energy shock by releasing its largest‑ever strategic oil reserve drawdown, while U.S. consumer‑price inflation held steady...
Trump Family-Linked Financial Group Probed by Congressional Committee over Chinese Stock Scams
Congressional investigators have opened a probe into a financial group tied to the Trump family over alleged Chinese stock scams. The committee alleges the firm may have facilitated fraudulent securities offerings that targeted U.S. investors. Lawmakers say the investigation will...
Tata Scion Struggles to Consolidate Control at One of India’s Biggest Groups
The Tata Group’s next‑generation leader, the grandson of founder Ratan Tata, is encountering fierce opposition as he attempts to consolidate control over the conglomerate’s sprawling portfolio. Veteran board members and senior executives have rallied around an alternative slate, turning the...
H World Aims to Be ‘Marriott of China’ with 20,000 Hotels
H World, China’s largest hotel operator, announced a plan to manage roughly 20,000 hotels by 2028, aiming to become the “Marriott of China.” The strategy hinges on aggressive acquisitions, brand diversification, and an AI‑driven reservation platform to consolidate the fragmented...
Trade Bellwether Singapore Says Global ‘Fragility’ Will Hit Economy
Singapore’s trade ministry warned that rising global fragility – driven by geopolitical disputes, the Russia‑Ukraine war and heightened US‑China tensions – will weigh on the city‑state’s economy. The agency highlighted US tariff threats and supply‑chain disruptions as key sources of...