Trade War

World

WTO at a Crossroads: 'Reform or Die' Warning as Global Trade Body Faces Existential Crisis

With its dispute system paralyzed and consensus rules stalling progress, the World Trade Organization faces mounting pressure for an overhaul. As ministers prepare to meet in Cameroon, the facilitator of reform talks warns the 166-member body must adapt or risk irrelevance in a world where 72% of trade still flows under its rules.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Warsh Fed Nomination Seen as No Threat to 'Debasement Trade' as Fiscal Pressures Mount

Economists argue that the fundamental forces driving investors toward gold and other hard assets—soaring public debt and the political inevitability of its monetization—remain firmly in place, regardless of who leads the Federal Reserve.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

CN Rail Posts Strong Q4 Gains but Warns of Flat Freight Volumes Ahead Amid Trade Uncertainty

Canadian National Railway reported improved revenue and operating income for the fourth quarter of 2025, citing productivity gains and recovery from prior-year port disruptions. However, the company issued a cautious outlook for 2026, forecasting 'flattish' freight volumes as U.S.-Canada trade tensions and a major regulatory review loom.

Jan 30, 2026

World

China Slams US-Led Critical Minerals Alliance as Threat to Global Trade Order

Beijing has sharply criticized Washington's push to form a preferential trade bloc among allies for critical minerals, warning that such 'small group' rules undermine the multilateral trading system.

Feb 5, 2026

Business

Analysts Trim Targets for The Trade Desk as Growth Outlook Cools

A key fair value estimate for advertising technology firm The Trade Desk has been revised downward, reflecting a more cautious stance from Wall Street on the company's future growth trajectory amid a shifting digital ad landscape.

Feb 5, 2026

Business

Avery Dennison Navigates Trade Headwinds, Eyes High-Value Growth Amid Margin Resilience

Despite facing persistent trade policy uncertainty and softer consumer demand, Avery Dennison reported solid full-year 2025 results, leveraging productivity measures to protect profitability. The company's strategic pivot towards high-value categories like intelligent labels is central to its plan for returning to stronger organic growth in 2026.

Feb 4, 2026

World

AGOA Renewed, But Uncertainty Lingers: US Extends Key Africa Trade Pact for Only One Year

The US Congress has passed a one-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, a temporary reprieve for a cornerstone trade policy that has shaped US-Africa economic relations for over two decades, but the short-term renewal leaves exporters and investors wary.

Feb 4, 2026

World

US Extends Key Africa Trade Pact, But Manufacturers Warn of 'Temporary Breather'

The one-year renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) offers short-term relief but leaves African exporters and investors facing uncertainty, with industry leaders calling for long-term stability to safeguard jobs and economic growth.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Grocery Bills in 2026: A Legacy of Trade, Climate, and Labor Costs

As the second year of the second Trump administration unfolds, grocery prices remain elevated, shaped by a complex mix of enduring trade policies, climate disruptions, and structural labor costs. Experts warn of a two-track market where some relief is possible, but core inflationary pressures are here to stay.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

Trade Lifelines Extended: AGOA and Haiti HOPE/HELP Programs Renewed in Last-Minute Budget Deal

Crucial trade preference programs for sub-Saharan Africa and Haiti have been granted a 15-month extension, retroactive to last fall, as part of the sweeping government funding bill signed into law. While industry groups welcome the move, they warn the short-term fix fails to provide the long-term certainty needed for major investments.

Feb 4, 2026

Business

India's Reform Surge: How Trade Pressure Sparked a Regulatory Revamp

Faced with stalled U.S. trade talks and high tariffs, India accelerated domestic reforms and sealed key trade pacts. TS Lombard's Shumita Sharma Deveshwar analyzes whether this momentum can translate into sustained investment.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Fed Nominee Misread as Hawk, Veteran Investor Warns, Foresees Continued Fuel for Precious Metals Rally

Amid market turmoil following Kevin Warsh's nomination to lead the Federal Reserve, seasoned investor George Noble argues traders have misjudged the nominee as a hawk. He contends Warsh's dovish leanings will instead accelerate the monetary trends that have powered gold and silver to record highs.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Software Stocks in Freefall as AI Disruption Fears Trigger 'SaaSpocalypse'

A wave of panic selling has engulfed the software sector, with even giants like Microsoft not spared. Investors are fleeing on fears that artificial intelligence will erode pricing power, competitive advantages, and long-term growth, creating what traders are calling a 'SaaSpocalypse'.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Global Trade Realignment: Allies Forge New Pacts Amid U.S. Protectionist Turn

As the Trump administration's aggressive tariff policies persist, longstanding U.S. trade partners are accelerating deals with each other, seeking to reduce economic dependence on Washington. This shift risks diminishing U.S. influence and could lead to higher domestic prices, analysts warn.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Allies Forge New Trade Pacts as U.S. Protectionism Sparks Global Realignment

Amid escalating trade tensions and tariff threats from the Trump administration, longstanding U.S. partners are accelerating negotiations with each other, seeking to reduce economic dependence on Washington. This shift towards diversification could erode U.S. influence and has already contributed to a weakening dollar, raising concerns about long-term financial stability.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Edwards Lifesciences Attracts Major Institutional Bet Ahead of Key 2026 Catalysts

A sophisticated, high-conviction options trade by a large investor signals strong confidence in Edwards Lifesciences' fundamentals, with a potential breakout eyed for early 2026 tied to regulatory milestones and sustained growth in its mitral valve business.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Abbott Laboratories: A Deep Dive into the Bullish Case Fueled by a Major Options Trade

A significant institutional options trade on Abbott Laboratories (ABT) signals strong confidence in the healthcare giant's legal resilience and valuation floor, presenting a unique risk/reward opportunity for investors.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Walmart Shares Surge on U.S.-India Trade Deal, Supply Chain Shift

Walmart stock jumped over 4% Monday as a new trade agreement between the U.S. and India promises lower tariffs and increased market access, bolstering the retail giant's strategic pivot toward Indian manufacturing and e-commerce.

Feb 3, 2026

Business

Warsh Nomination Sends Shockwaves Through Precious Metals Market

President Trump's selection of Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve has bolstered the dollar and triggered a sharp sell-off in gold and silver, raising questions about the future of the metals trade amid shifting monetary policy expectations.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Britain's Building Exodus: Skilled Tradespeople Vote with Their Feet Amid Tax and Cost Pressures

Award-winning builder Martin Daly is closing his Scottish business for a new life in Switzerland, joining a growing wave of tradespeople leaving the UK. Industry leaders warn that tax policies, rising costs, and a lack of support for small firms are crippling the sector and jeopardising national housing targets.

Feb 2, 2026