The global economic outlook for 2026 suggests a moderation in growth due to trade tensions, inflation normalization, and rising unemployment, despite some optimism about AI-driven productivity and stabilizing interest rates. Key risks include a potential tech bubble, geopolitical conflicts, and fiscal vulnerabilities, with the US leading growth among major economies.
China has imposed provisional tariffs of up to 42.7% on EU dairy products, including milk and cheese, as part of an anti-subsidy investigation seen as retaliation for EU's electric vehicle tariffs, escalating trade tensions between the two regions.
Jim Beam is halting production at its Kentucky distillery for all of 2026 due to ongoing trade tensions and industry challenges, including tariffs and declining exports, particularly to Canada, which has seen an 85% drop in U.S. spirits imports. The move aims to allow site investments, while the company continues distilling at other facilities. The broader industry faces high barrel aging inventories, tax burdens, and reduced consumer demand amid international trade disputes.
China will impose tariffs up to 42.7% on European dairy products in response to EU subsidies, as part of ongoing trade tensions and investigations into unfair trade practices, including subsidies and dumping, affecting various sectors between China and the EU.
China will impose provisional tariffs up to 42.7% on EU dairy products, citing subsidies that allegedly harm its industry, amid ongoing trade tensions and retaliatory measures between China and the EU.
China has announced tariffs of up to 42.7% on EU dairy products, citing damage to its domestic industry from EU subsidies, following an anti-subsidy investigation. The tariffs will take effect on April 23 and vary based on cooperation with the investigation, affecting products like cheese, milk, and cream. This move is part of broader trade tensions between China and the EU, which recently saw China cut pork import duties and impose tariffs on EU brandy, amid ongoing disputes over electric vehicle tariffs and WTO compliance.
The United States has issued warnings to European organizations regarding the European Union's actions against US technology companies, highlighting ongoing tensions over regulatory approaches and market practices.
China has reduced anti-dumping tariffs on European pork imports from up to 62.4% to between 4.9% and 19.8%, ending a year-long investigation and easing trade tensions with the EU, which is a major pork exporter to China. The move follows broader trade disputes involving tariffs on electric vehicles and export controls on critical minerals, reflecting ongoing tensions and efforts to stabilize trade relations.
China's economy shows signs of weakness with declining consumer spending, investment, and property sector struggles, making it vulnerable to global trade tensions and internal imbalances, despite some export strength.
Top G7 diplomats are meeting in Canada amid rising tensions with the US over trade, defense spending, and conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, with efforts to maintain multilateral cooperation despite disagreements.
Soybean farmers in the U.S. are suffering due to China's reduced soybean purchases amid escalating trade tensions, relying less on U.S. exports and shifting towards South American imports, which threatens the future of American soybean markets despite some government aid.
China has lifted a ban on exporting certain dual-use materials like gallium, germanium, and antimony to the US, in a move that follows recent easing of trade tensions and a temporary suspension of restrictions until November 2026.
The dispute between China and the Netherlands over Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia is unlikely to be quickly resolved, causing ongoing uncertainty in semiconductor supplies for the global car industry amid broader trade tensions and export bans.
Gold prices dropped over 1% as the dollar reached three-month highs, with traders awaiting US jobs data and considering the likelihood of no further Fed rate cuts this year, amid easing US-China trade tensions and a strong dollar impacting bullion demand.
US stock futures rose, indicating a potential continuation of the seven-month rally driven by strong tech earnings and easing US-China trade tensions, despite mixed economic signals and geopolitical uncertainties. Commodities like gold and oil also saw movements influenced by policy changes and OPEC decisions, while markets await key central bank meetings and economic data amid ongoing US government shutdown concerns.