Tensions in the South China Sea have flared lately, raising growing concern among global shipping players. As navies increase patrols and geopolitical rivalry intensifies, the risk to one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors a vital route for trade between Asia, Europe and beyond is becoming impossible to ignore. The South China Sea is a strategic junction, around one third of global maritime trade passes through it, including energy shipments, electronics, raw materials

A tightening regulatory noose around data brokers is sending ripples through the ad-tech industry, as lawmakers and regulators move to restrict how sensitive consumer information can be collected, traded and used for targeted advertising. In Washington, several federal efforts have converged on the same problem, third party data flows that allow brokers to sell detailed profiles, location histories and behavioral data to advertisers and other buyers with limited oversight. Re

In late 2025, the regulatory noose is tightening around the cloud and AI infrastructure business model that underpins valuations of many Big Tech and AI heavy firms and that tightening could send shockwaves through hardware and software vendors alike. The regulatory pivot, what’s changed The European Commission (EC) has just opened formal investigations into cloud-computing services offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

One specific move reshaping global industrial markets What’s happening? The spotlight on critical minerals is growing and the U.S. China tussle over rare-earth exports has entered a new phase. In recent weeks, China agreed to a temporary pause on expanded export controls covering strategic minerals such as gallium, germanium and antimony effective November 9, 2025 yet still insists on licensing rules that maintain its leverage. Parallel to Beijing’s moves, the U.S. is elevati

How the new tariff front is having ripple effects in global tech and manufacturing. What’s happening? In 2024-25, European Commission launched a sweeping anti subsidy case against Chinese made electric vehicles (EVs) and related battery imports, alleging state-driven cost advantages are undercutting European manufacturers. The EU China dispute entered a new phase in April 2025 when both sides agreed to explore minimum-price agreements instead of higher tariffs, signalling a s

What’s happening? The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is reviewing major moves on chip exports that affect the global tech supply chain. Recently, reports surfaced that the NVIDIA Corporation H200AI chip previously barred from export to People’s Republic of China (PRC) may now be allowed for China under strict licenses. Complementing that, U.S. lawmakers introduced a new bill to tighten controls on Chinese purchases of chip making equipment

Normally, the U.S. non farm payrolls (NFP) report drops on the first Friday of the month. This time is different. Because of a recent U.S. government shutdown, the September jobs report was delayed and rescheduled for today, November 20, 2025 . At the same time, the October employment data will be bundled with November’s report and released in mid December , which adds even more weight to the numbers investors see today and next month. Why this report matters so much Fed rate

Global equity markets hit turbulence this week as investor confidence wobbled amid renewed uncertainty over monetary policy, sending risk assets reeling once again. Policy Expectations Shift Market participants had been anticipating imminent rate cuts from major central banks, but those expectations are now fading. The shift marks a turning point, what was once hope for economic easing is now a key source of anxiety. Risk Appetite Erodes With the window for policy loosening

Spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded roughly $1.22 billion in net outflows  last week marking the third-largest weekly exit since their launch in early 2024. The outflows included about $508 million from Ethereum linked products , even as Solana products attracted fresh money (~$136 million). What’s driving the outflows? Macro pressures: Crypto prices turned lower around the week of these outflows, with bitcoin falling toward ~$100,000 returns to the ~20% drawdo

Investment bank Goldman Sachs is on track to advise on an estimated 34% of the $3.8 trillion in global M&A deals so far in 2025 , up from 28% in 2024. While this highlights the bank’s strength, it also raises questions about concentration in financial advisory services, regulatory oversight, and market structure. Market Snapshot According to data from LSEG, Goldman’s share of announced global M&A value in 2025 is approximately 34%, the highest since 2001. Despite the high adv

The recent electoral shifts in Germany have rattled investor confidence across Europe, sparking a surge in sovereign bond yields at a time when growth remains fragile and fiscal flexibility is constrained. With Europe’s largest economy at a crossroads, the implications for liquidity, policy and investor flows are significant. Institutional Risk as Government Formation Lags Following the parliamentary election held on 23 February 2025, the new governing coalition has faced dif

Recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal that the UK unemployment rate rose to 5.0% for the three months to September, the highest level since early 2021. This deterioration in the labour market has strengthened expectations that the Bank of England (BoE) will move to reduce interest rates in December. Labour Market Softening: Key Indicators Payroll figures indicate a decline of 32,000 jobs in both September and October, marking the largest two-month d

Emerging market currencies are navigating a tricky backdrop as global central banks continue moving in different directions, forcing capital flows and foreign exchange dynamics to shift in unexpected ways. Diverging Monetary Paths, Diverging FX Responses While some advanced economy central banks are hinting at rate cuts or holding steady rates due to soft growth, many emerging market central banks either remain on hold or are still in a tightening phase, driven by inflation r

Global markets are showing renewed calm as U.S. lawmakers move closer to resolving the record long government shutdown , a breakthrough that has lifted investor confidence and reduced one of the key political risks weighing on sentiment. After weeks of stalemate, Senate leaders from both parties  have reached the outline of a temporary funding compromise designed to reopen federal operations and extend government spending for several months. Negotiations remain delicate, but

Analysts at Morgan Stanley are raising serious red flags about mounting corporate tax risks in France , warning that recent amendments to the French budget bill could reshape the investment calculus for large multinationals operating in the country. Budget Bill Proposals Spark Concern Late last month, France introduced a series of tax-related proposals as part of its budget for next year, including: A corporate tax surcharge  for large firms. A new tax aimed at the imbalance

Trade friction between Washington and Brussels is heating up once again, this time over green subsidies and electric vehicle imports , reviving concerns about a potential transatlantic economic rift just as both sides face slowing growth. Background: From Cooperation to Competition Initially aligned on clean energy goals, the U.S. and EU are now at odds over what European officials describe as “protectionist distortions”  in the American Inflation Reduction Act legislation th

The European Union has officially passed its long awaited Artificial Intelligence Act , marking the world’s most comprehensive legal framework for regulating AI technology to date. The legislation introduces tiered risk classifications , transparency mandates, and heavy compliance obligations for developers and corporations deploying AI across critical sectors from healthcare to finance and public services. A Global Benchmark After more than three years of negotiation, the AI

U.S. manufacturing has now contracted for an eighth consecutive month , with the latest survey showing worsened new orders and delayed supplier deliveries. At the same time, the ongoing U.S. government shutdown has stopped many key economic data releases, forcing global supply chain managers and investors into information limbo . Together, these two developments are raising alarms across global trade flows and industrial production chains. Key Dynamics The slump in U.S. manuf

The European Union has announced plans to tighten controls on exports of critical semiconductor and advanced-material technologies to China, marking a significant escalation in the high technology trade war. The measures target not just final products but also components and manufacturing equipment that feed China’s chip fabrication ambitions. Why it matters Europe is home to some of the world’s leading equipment-makers and material suppliers in the chip supply chain. Limitin

China moved to tighten controls on exports of key rare earth materials and related tech a step that immediately set off alarms in Washington, Brussels, Tokyo, and Seoul, because it hits exactly where global supply chains are most exposed. Beijing framed the move as a national security / technology security measure , not an economic retaliation. But markets will read it for what it is: another reminder that China is willing to weaponize chokepoint materials  when strategic pr