China

Economics

Environment, Science & Technology

Global Trade

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce on July 15 announced a new licensing requirement for the export of eight manufacturing technologies for the electric vehicle battery supply chain, effective immediately.

China: Country Adopts Licensing Requirements for Certain EV Battery, Lithium Extraction Technologies  

U.S.-China Relations

Brazil

United States

Politics

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) launched a Section 301 investigation over Brazil's trade practices and their potential unfair restriction on U.S. exports and companies, Reuters reported July 15. 

U.S., Brazil: Section 301 Investigation Will Keep Trade Rift Alive in Medium Term

Indonesia

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has confirmed that he and U.S. President Donald Trump have reached a trade deal after Trump's July 15 unilateral announcement that will see Indonesian exports receive a 19% tariff (down from the previously proposed 32%), and the United States will receive full access to the Indonesian market, The Jakarta Globe reported July 16. 

Indonesia, U.S.: Jakarta Confirms Trade Deal with Washington

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States reached a preliminary trade deal with Indonesia centered on a 19% tariff rate for Indonesian goods, but Jakarta has yet to confirm its agreement, CNBC reported on July 15.

Indonesia, U.S.: Trump Announces Trade Deal With Indonesia

Brazil's attorney general asked the Federal Supreme Court to convict former President Jair Bolsonaro and seven of his close allies for their alleged involvement in a 2022 coup plot, g1 reported on July 15.

Brazil, U.S.: Legal Developments Involving Former President To Add Pressure on Bilateral Relations

Saudi Arabia

Energy

A unit of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is bringing in consultants to review the feasibility of and suggest changes to The Line, a linear smart city contained within the larger Neom megaproject, Bloomberg reported on July 14.

Saudi Arabia: Consultants To Cut Aspects of The Line Megaproject

Senegal

Credit rating agency S&P downgraded Senegal's sovereign credit rating from B to B- and revised the country's debt outlook to negative after Senegal's government debt was found to stand at 118% of gross domestic product at the end of 2024, against 104% as previously assessed, Reuters reported on July 15. 

Senegal: Credit Downgrade Portends Mounting Economic Challenges 

France

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou unveiled his government’s 2026 budget plan, which will aim to reduce France’s deficit while offsetting an increase in defense spending through approximately 44 billion euros ($51 billion) in spending cuts, tax hikes and a freeze to pensions and social benefits, Le Monde reported on July 15.

France: Prime Minister Bayrou Presents Government Plans for Austerity Budget

The world is connected, but even the broadest topics deserve an individual look. Below are our latest and most relevant economics analyses.

Below are our latest and most relevant economics analyses.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Europe

Eurasia

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

Beyond Quantitative Easing

The New Silk Road

The Fate of the Eurozone

South America: Split Decisions on Trade

Banking

Commodities: A Cautionary Tale

Social Issues

European Disintegration

Russia's Internal Struggle

China in Transition

A Japanese Awakening

East African Integration

Assessments

Kenya

A demonstrator holds a Kenyan flag on a street in Nairobi, Kenya, during a pro-democracy protest on July 7, 2025. 

Military & Security

Growing anger over Ruto's economic policies and crackdown on dissent will hinder his efforts to reduce Kenya's fiscal deficit and portend recurring bouts of violent and disruptive protests.

No End in Sight to Kenya's Cycle of Deadly Protests

Bangladesh

The entrance to the International Monetary Fund headquarters is seen in Washington, D.C.

While Bangladesh is making progress in its IMF program, risks persist, including political uncertainty, low foreign exchange reserves and high U.S. tariffs on its vital garment sector.

Bangladesh's Economic Outlook: Progress and Persistent Challenges

Columns

On Geopolitics

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak during a rally at a steel plant in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, on May 30, 2025. 

For the rest of his term, Trump will continue to use tariffs to secure foreign policy concessions on both trade and non-trade matters, even if he starts shifting away from broad, global tariff threats to ones focused on specific countries or goods. 

A Look at Trump's Evolving Tariff Strategy

Japan

Leaders of eight political parties pose before a debate at the Japan National Press Club on July 2, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. From left to right are Sanseito Secretary General Sohei Kamiya, Japanese Communist Party Chairperson Tomoko Tamura, Komeito Chief Representative Tetsuo Saito, Constitutional Democratic Party President Yoshihiko Noda, Japan's Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party President Shigeru Ishiba, Governor of Osaka and Japan Innovation Party Co-Representative Hirofumi Yoshimura, Democratic Party for the People Representative Yuichiro Tamaki and Reiwa Shinsengumi President Taro Yamamoto.

Japan's upper house elections will determine whether the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will stay in power and -- if so -- how easily it will be able to pursue its key policy goals.

Japan's Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Snapshots

Lithuania

Germany

Poland

A newly installed sign pointing to Schengen transfer flights is pictured next to EU and Romanian flags on March 31, 2024. 

Poland's move to reimpose border checks to curb irregular migration from Germany and Lithuania highlights a greater trend that risks entrenching uncertainty for businesses and travelers in the EU's passport-free area.

New Polish Border Controls Bring Europe's Schengen Area Back Into Question

President Donald Trump bangs a gavel after signing a bill into law extending his 2017 tax cuts on July 4 in Washington.

The measure will prevent a sharp increase in income taxes that would shock the economy, but add to the already high U.S. government debt burden.

The Consequences of Extending Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts

Bahrain

Kuwait

Oman

Qatar

United Arab Emirates

Over the next decade, Gulf Arab states will increase oil and gas exports to emerging Asian markets, seeking alternatives to the U.S. amid tariff uncertainty. But the region's military and tech ties with the U.S. will remain strong.

Geopolitics of Trade: Gulf Arab States Balance Diversification With Enduring U.S. Ties

Vietnam

Vietnam's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang answers reporters' questions about the new Vietnam-U.S. trade deal during a press conference in Hanoi on July 3, 2025. 

The deal reduces planned U.S. tariffs on Vietnamese goods from 46% to 20%, but the lack of key details also introduces significant compliance uncertainty and investment risks that could ripple across Asian supply chains. 

The Vietnam-U.S. Trade Deal Reduces Tariffs, but the Devil Is in the Details

Cambodia

Thailand

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (center) speaks next to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (2nd from left) during a press conference in Bangkok following her suspension by the country's Constitutional Court on July 1, 2025. 

Paetongtarn's suspension from office over a leaked phone call with Cambodia's former leader risks collapsing her fragile government and inviting more economic disruption amid U.S. trade tensions.

A Fresh Political Crisis Erupts in Thailand Following Prime Minister's Suspension

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Georgia

Russia

A man walks past Azerbaijan's Embassy in Moscow on July 2, 2025. 

As the relationship between Azerbaijan and Russia sours, outside powers will embrace opportunities to increase their influence in the Caucasus.

 In the Caucasus, Russia's Sway Weakens Amid Quarrel With Azerbaijan

Vietnamese lawmakers vote on a merger of provinces and cities at the National Assembly in Hanoi on June 12, 2025.

The reduction in provincial- and commune-level units will initially create bureaucratic headaches, but if implemented effectively, the changes set the stage for leaner administration, fiscal efficiency, reduced corruption and improved investment conditions.

Vietnam's Administrative Overhaul: A New Era of Governance and Investment Conditions

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C) speaks during a peace agreement signing ceremony between Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner (R) and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe in the Treaty Room of the State Department in Washington, D.C., on June 27, 2025. 

The peace agreement opens Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo up to significant economic opportunities, but disagreements over interpretation and continued proxy violence risk stalling the deal’s implementation.

A Fragile Peace Takes Shape Between Congo and Rwanda

Economics

SITUATION REPORTS

China: Country Adopts Licensing Requirements for Certain EV Battery, Lithium Extraction Technologies

U.S., Brazil: Section 301 Investigation Will Keep Trade Rift Alive in Medium Term

Indonesia, U.S.: Jakarta Confirms Trade Deal with Washington

Indonesia, U.S.: Trump Announces Trade Deal With Indonesia

Brazil, U.S.: Legal Developments Involving Former President To Add Pressure on Bilateral Relations

Saudi Arabia: Consultants To Cut Aspects of The Line Megaproject

Senegal: Credit Downgrade Portends Mounting Economic Challenges

France: Prime Minister Bayrou Presents Government Plans for Austerity Budget

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support