Financial Brief: A Weekly Roundup on the Geopolitics of Money | Feb 03
EXECUTIVE TAKEAWAYS
This week, the global economy sent mixed signals. Manufacturing rebounded across key economies as tariff fears eased, but Wall Street seesawed as a...
Indian rupee, stocks surge after U.S. trade deal cuts tariffs
Indian financial markets rallied sharply on Tuesday after a trade deal with the United States slashed U.S. tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from...
China’s Infrastructure Loans Raise Fears of Sovereignty Loss
Whether Chinese infrastructure loans constitute a “debt trap” threatening the sovereignty of host countries is a highly contested and controversial issue, the subject of...
Debt, Guns, and Concrete: What to Watch for in India’s Budget
India will announce its annual budget on Sunday, with the Defence Ministry requesting more military funds, while industries are asking for lower tax rates...
Who is Kevin Warsh? Five key facts about the top Fed chair contender
U. S. President Donald Trump has announced he will nominate Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor, to be the Fed Chair in May,...
How the U.S. Security Assistance Distorts Israel’s Domestic Market
While the United States pours billions of dollars in annual aid into Israel, such generosity is quietly undermining Israel’s economic autonomy. For decades, mainstream...
Can Chip Champion ASML Shatter Its Own Limits—Or Has It Reached Them?
ASML's recent financial results have boosted its status as Europe's most valuable company, although concerns about its ability to fulfill record orders have caused...
Empowering Middle Powers: China’s Economic Strategy in Canada
In mid-January 2026, China and Canada signed a “Roadmap for Economic and Trade Cooperation,” the first high-level cooperation document in the history of their...
South Korea industry minister in Washington to address U.S. tariff warning
South Korea’s industry minister arrived in Washington on Thursday to hold talks with senior U.S. officials after President Donald Trump warned he could raise...
Invisible Backbone of Global Trade: Why Seaborne Labour Deserves Strategic Attention
Authors: Amina Munir and Amna Hashmi
When policymakers discuss the issue of maritime security, the concept of supply-chain resilience, or the future of global trade,...