Economy
Financial Brief: A Weekly Roundup on the Geopolitics of Money | May 26
EXECUTIVE TAKEAWAYS
Peace talk optimism fades quickly. Dollar steadied and oil climbed back above $97 after a brief rally on Iran deal hopes, as Rubio...
Critical Minerals Rush Risks Creating Global Oversupply, Industry Warns
Western governments are pouring tens of billions of dollars into critical minerals projects as they attempt to reduce dependence on China for materials essential...
The Weaponisation of Supply Chains: Chips, Rare Earths, and Economic Warfare
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the move toward a green transition built on renewable energy are fundamentally restructuring the global economy. While...
China’s Rare Earth Restrictions on Japan Revive Fears of Economic Coercion and Supply Chain Warfare
China has effectively halted exports of several critical heavy rare earth minerals and gallium to Japan for months, reviving memories of a similar confrontation...
Trump’s True Cost of Living Crisis Could Become His Biggest Political Threat
Rising inflation is once again becoming a serious political problem for President Donald Trump, but the bigger issue may be the growing “true cost...
Financial Brief: A Weekly Roundup on the Geopolitics of Money | May 19
EXECUTIVE TAKEAWAYS
Trump pauses Iran strike, markets bounce cautiously. Dollar steadied and Australian shares rose 1% after Trump delayed military action, though oil is still...
Australia AI Budget Push Faces Questions Over Startup Incentives and Real Productivity Gains
The latest federal budget in Australia has once again highlighted artificial intelligence as a key driver of future productivity growth. However, experts argue that...
Trump Returns From China With Trade Stability but No Major Breakthrough
President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing highlighted a shift in U. S.-China relations after the trade tensions of the previous year. The summit between...
The Beijing Summit Missed the Trade Story That Actually Matters
America’s record services surplus and China’s quiet AI exports tell adifferent story than tariff politics
On the morning of 14 May 2026, Xi Jinping and...
Why China Introduced a Zero-Tariff Policy for Egyptian Goods
China's move to exempt Egyptian imports from customs duties (zero-tariff policy), which began in May 2026 as part of its Belt and Road Initiative,...