Japan’s economy has been heavily reliant on exports for growth, and the recent data shows a mixed picture of the country’s trade performance. While the weak yen has boosted the value of exports, the volume of sales has been shrinking, pointing to underlying weaknesses in global demand. The data from the Ministry of Finance (MOF)
Economy
In a recent poll conducted by Reuters, a significant majority of economists predicted that the European Central Bank (ECB) will cut its deposit rate twice more this year. The expected months for these rate cuts are September and December. The outlook for these rate cuts remained unchanged from a previous survey, despite the ECB already
China’s recent decision to open an anti-dumping investigation into imported pork and its by-products from the European Union has sent shockwaves through the global food industry. This move, seemingly retaliatory in response to curbs on China’s electric vehicle exports, is expected to have far-reaching implications for European pork producers, particularly those from Spain, the Netherlands,
As Europe grapples with political uncertainty, the euro has been facing significant challenges in the financial markets. The recent rise of far-right and far-left parties in Europe has put pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist administration in France. This has led to a situation where the risk of a budget crisis looms large in the
The Chinese ‘data dump’ that kicks off the trading week in Asia provides a comprehensive look at the health of the world’s second-largest economy. Key indicators such as retail sales, business investment, industrial production, and house prices offer insight into economic activity. However, recent reports of deflation looming over China suggest that the economy may
China’s Premier Li Qiang embarked on a four-day trip to Australia with a low-key start, visiting a South Australian winery and the Adelaide Zoo. The visit commenced with an announcement that Beijing would provide two new pandas after the current pair, Fu Ni and Wang Wang, return to China in November. This gesture marks Li
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been making headlines for her pragmatic approach to international issues since taking office in 2022. While many expected her to be a dogmatic conservative, unwilling to compromise, recent events at the Group of Seven summit in Italy have shown a different side to her leadership style. At the G7
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil recently made statements regarding Finance Minister Fernando Haddad’s proposals for spending cuts. While he acknowledged the need for fiscal adjustments, he emphasized that such measures should not come at the expense of the poor. This stance indicates a commitment to protecting vulnerable segments of the population while
Indonesia’s President-elect Prabowo Subianto has made it clear that he does not intend to increase the country’s public debt to 50% of gross domestic product (GDP). This statement came from a senior aide, Thomas Djiwandono, who leads fiscal discussions with the outgoing government’s finance ministry. The denial of a report suggesting a significant increase in
During a Ukraine peace summit in Lucerne, Switzerland, Vice President Kamala Harris declared over $1.5 billion in aid, including $500 million for energy assistance. This funding aims to aid Ukraine in responding to Russia’s attacks on its energy infrastructure and to improve the country’s resilience to energy supply disruptions. Additionally, $324 million will be reallocated