Global Scans · Economy · Weekly Summary

DRIVER: The global economy still faces serious headwinds and political uncertainty potentially balanced by the enormous promise of technological advancements in many fields. Read on to get a solid handle on the opportunities and risks you and your organization may likely face and set your sails accordingly.

• [New] Geopolitical tensions and elevated fuel prices will continue to impact performance. J.P. MORGAN
• [New] ACT increased its 2027 North American Class 8 production forecast by approximately 5%, to about 315,300 units. ACT Research
• [New] Continued investment in battery manufacturing, materials processing, and electric vehicle production is expected to reinforce Germany's position as Europe's manufacturing anchor. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Europe is expected to progressively strengthen domestic cell and material production capabilities during the forecast period. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Today, there is the risk that a debt crisis in France, the Eurozone's second largest economy, could spread to the United States and Japan that have even more compromised public finances than does France. American Enterprise Institute - AEI
• [New] By the mid-2020s, heat waves, floods, droughts, and other extreme weather events had become more frequent and severe across many parts of Asia, increasing risks to food security, water resources, infrastructure, and public health. EBSCO
• [New] In Nizhny Novgorod, serial production of a new 2.0-liter gasoline engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission for Volga cars is planned to begin in 2028. www1.ru
• [New] Increased Venezuelan production could put downward pressure on US gasoline prices. Crypto Briefing
• [New] As long as inflation stays above 2% and the Iran conflict maintains, rates will continue trading in a tight range with no clear catalyst to push them lower before the September Fed meeting. Bankrate
• [New] The 10-year yield is beginning to drift to lower yields, so with the Iran situation offering little economic hindrance, expect mortgage rates to fall. Bankrate
• [New] The UAE's decision will further weaken Iran's already deteriorating economy by restricting both its access to essential imports and its ability to repatriate export revenues and circumvent sanctions. Critical Threats
• [New] The Canadian Arctic is emerging as a critical zone for both national security and global economic opportunity. City of Yellowknife
• [New] Qatar and Kuwait's economies are set to shrink by just over 8% in 2026, while Saudi Arabia's economy will expand by 1.4%, after 4.5% growth in 2025. MarineLink
• [New] North America is projected to register the fastest CAGR through 2033, driven by accelerating manufacturing reshoring initiatives, expanding electric vehicle production, and rising investments in smart factories. Persistence Market Research
• Global inflation is projected to ease further in 2026 but remain above central bank targets in several advanced economies, notably the US and Japan. Lion Global Investors | Official Site
• For the mining sector, which accounts for around 50% of exports and 10% of GDP, the outlook for 2026 is similar to that for 2025: copper prices are expected to remain high, thereby bolstering exports. economic-research.bnpparibas.com
• Powering 15% of Canada's electricity, nuclear energy is positioned as a competitive advantage and an opportunity for economic growth, international partnerships, trade diversification, and energy sovereignty. Torys LLP
• Global lithium prices, which peaked in 2022 and corrected sharply in 2023-2024, are expected to stabilize in 2026 as demand from EV adoption (especially in Europe and North America) catches up with supply. Energy Solutions Intelligence
• In 2026, as US EV production ramps up, demand for IRA-compliant lithium will surge, and Argentina is positioned as a key supplier, especially given its low-cost brine extraction. Energy Solutions Intelligence
• The economic fallout is immediate and severe: projections indicate that the global financial ramifications of AI-enabled fraud will reach $58.3 billion by 2030, marking a 153% surge from 2025 baselines. Society for Computers & Law
• In July, Japan increased its international tourist tax, external - typically incorporated into flight and boat tickets for people leaving Japan - from 1,000 yen to 3,000 yen, which it says will be spent on things like improving public transport and restoring historic sites. BBC News

Last updated: 22 September 2026