Author: Editorial Desk

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could test the global economy’s resilience and trigger further economic disruptions in the months ahead. Speaking at the Asia in 2050 Conference in Bangkok, Georgieva said the world should prepare for “more frequent, more unexpected shocks,” noting that global policymakers must remain ready for sudden developments that could affect economic stability. She said a prolonged conflict in the region could influence energy prices, investor sentiment, economic growth, and inflation, placing additional pressure on policymakers worldwide. The warning comes as tensions escalate following Iran’s…

The United States could raise its recently introduced universal import tariff from 10% to 15% as early as this week, according to Scott Bessent, signalling a possible escalation in global trade tensions under President Donald Trump. Speaking in an interview with CNBC, Bessent said the administration is considering the increase as it works to stabilize its broader tariff policy after a recent legal setback affecting earlier duties. When asked about the timing of the proposed tariff rise, Bessent indicated the move could happen soon. “That’s likely sometime this week,” he said. The administration imposed a 10% universal tariff on imports…

European stock markets showed modest gains on Wednesday despite continued volatility in global energy markets as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East raised concerns about prolonged disruption to oil and gas supplies. In London, the FTSE 100 index rose 0.65%, supported by similar gains across major European markets in Germany and France. The performance contrasted sharply with Asian markets, where shares declined for a third consecutive day amid growing concerns over energy supply risks linked to the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. South Korea and Thailand temporarily halted trading after their markets plunged more than 8%, triggering…

Escalating conflict in the Middle East is raising fresh concerns for India’s gems and jewellery industry, with exporters warning that disruptions to international flights and trade routes could affect shipments to key markets such as Israel and Dubai. Industry stakeholders say the tensions, following joint military action by the United States and Israel against Iran, are already creating uncertainty in global diamond trading networks that rely heavily on rapid logistics and stable air connectivity. Diamond trader Dinesh Navadiya said the sector could face immediate challenges due to flight disruptions and airport closures across parts of the region, which play a…

South Africa is positioning its emerging electric vehicle battery manufacturing sector to compete globally rather than simply replace imports, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) director-general Simphiwe Hamilton, told Parliament on Tuesday. Hamilton addressed members of the parliamentary portfolio committee on trade and industry while responding to questions from Democratic Alliance MP Toby Chance about the strategic intent behind the country’s push to establish local battery production capacity. Chance raised concerns that if South Africa developed battery manufacturing solely to meet domestic localization requirements, it could struggle to compete internationally and risk limiting production to the local…

A group of senior U.S. lawmakers has urged the Trump Administration to seek the removal of India’s 11% tariff on American cotton, calling the ongoing trade negotiations between Washington and New Delhi a pivotal opportunity for U.S. farmers. House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington led a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, pressing for the permanent reduction or elimination of India’s trade barriers on U.S. cotton exports as part of a recently announced Interim Agreement. “As you finalize the details of this Interim Agreement and any subsequent agreements with India, we urge you to negotiate a permanent reduction or elimination…

German footwear manufacturers posted moderate revenue growth in 2025, despite contrasting trends in domestic and foreign markets and ongoing structural pressures within the industry. Data released by the German footwear association during the MICAM trade fair show that total sales reached €2.33 billion in 2025, up 3.2% from €2.25 billion in 2024. The increase was driven primarily by stronger performance in the domestic market, where sales rose 6% year on year to €1.73 billion. In contrast, foreign sales declined by 5.9% to €493 million, highlighting continued volatility in international demand for German-made footwear. Employment in the sector edged lower. The…

Vietnam’s Agency of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade has warned export-import and logistics associations of rising risks to global trade and supply chains following the escalating Middle East conflict. In a dispatch dated March 1, 2026, the agency said developments on February 28 marked a serious escalation in the region, creating instability and posing high risks to transportation, international trade, and global supply chains. The agency cautioned that global oil, fuel, and consumer goods prices are expected to increase, generating indirect and multi-dimensional negative impacts on Vietnam’s production, export-import activities, and trade relations with Middle Eastern…

China’s growing focus on imports is emerging as a stabilizing force for global trade, even as international economic prospects remain clouded by protectionism and prolonged trade tensions. In the early 2000s, the Canton Fair symbolized China’s export-driven growth. Two decades later, the prominence of the China International Import Expo in Shanghai highlights a structural shift toward import expansion. The eighth edition of the expo, held last November, drew participants from 155 countries, regions, and international organizations, generating an intended transaction value of $83.49 billion, up 4.4% from the previous year and marking a new record. China’s entry into the World…

While the scope of the restriction is broad, Indian industry leaders say the immediate commercial impact on India is expected to be limited due to relatively low export volumes to the Kingdom. They describe the move as strategically significant for the long-term positioning of India’s poultry export sector. Suresh Chitturi, Managing Director of Srinivasa Farms and First Asian Chair of the World Egg Organization, said India’s shipments to Saudi Arabia have historically represented only a small share of total production and exports. He suggested that the sweeping nature of the ban, which includes several major poultry-producing nations, indicates a broader…