Category: Economic Conditions and Trends

Iran’s Energy Crisis Hits ‘Dire’ Point as Industries Are Forced to Shut Down

Although Iran has one of the biggest supplies of natural gas and crude oil in the world, it finds itself in a full blown energy emergency, coming just as it also suffers major geopolitical setbacks.
For Syria’s Economy, the Way Forward Starts With Sanctions Relief

Years of strife ruined the energy sector, battered the currency and strangled growth. The West must ease financial controls to help the economy, experts say.
Macau Is the Casino Capital of the World. For China, That’s Not Enough.

A quarter century after the former Portuguese colony was made a Chinese territory, Macau’s economic boundaries with the mainland are being blurred.
Bank of England Holds Rates as U.K. Inflation Rises Amid Economic Uncertainty

Stubborn inflation, tax rises and high interest rates makes it difficult for many to muster optimism, at least in the short term.
Global Central Banks Gird Themselves for Another Trump Term

Central bankers are alert to the risk that global trade tensions will make managing inflation more challenging.
China Pledges More Stimulus to Shore Up Flagging Economy

At a meeting to set the party’s economic policy agenda, China’s leadership said it would borrow more and cut interest rates in a bid to bolster growth.
Milei Tames Inflation in Argentina With Painful Policies, Sparking Applause and Anger

A year after becoming president, Javier Milei has been praised inside and outside Argentina for reining in galloping inflation. But his economic policies have inflicted widespread hardship.
China’s Critical Minerals Embargo Is Even Tougher Than Expected

Beijing ordered companies around the world not to allow critical minerals mined in China to reach the U.S., while deepening its efforts to replace imports with domestic products.
China Eases Overall Monetary Policy Stance for First Time in 14 Years

Faced with a faltering economy and falling prices, the Politburo loosened the policy approach of China’s central bank and called for “extraordinary” measures.
Britain’s Flawed Jobs Reports Leave Economists ‘Second-Guessing’

Officials are grappling with an incomplete picture of Britain’s labor market as the national statistics agency strains to improve data quality.
Political Turmoil Adds to the Economic Woes of South Korea

Even before a short-lived declaration of martial law thrust the country into crisis, the economy faced grim prospects.
Trump’s Threats About the Dollar Could Push Other Countries to Find Alternatives

President-elect Donald J. Trump threatened to impose tariffs on countries that seek to replace the dollar in trade or undermine its global reserve currency status.