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] 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
• [New] 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
• [New] 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
• [New] 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
• [New] 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
• [New] 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
• [New] 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
• [New] Growing oil production and exports by 1.5 million barrels per day could boost Canadian economic activity, or GDP, by $31 billion per year over the next decade. Canadian Energy News, Top Headlines, Commentaries, Feat
• [New] The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finalized new CAFE standards requiring 50.4 miles per gallon fleet average by model year 2031 for passenger cars and 45 miles per gallon for SUVs and pickups, creating powerful economic incentives for material lightweighting. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Spain could reach a technical production capacity of up to 22 million tons of bio-SAF and 2.2 million tons of e-SAF by 2030, relying on abundant renewable resources, availability of raw materials, and an expanding industrial base. Moeve Global
• [New] By 2030, 6% SAF will be mandatory, including 1.2% synthetic fuels, which would require multiplying current production several times. Moeve Global
• [New] If supply growth continues to lag consumption growth, silver prices could derive further support over the coming years. Economic Times
• [New] Germany's economy is expected to gain momentum, with higher infrastructure and defence spending lifting GDP growth to about 0.8% in 2026 from roughly 0.3% in 2025, although export growth is likely to remain subdued following the impact of US tariffs. Lion Global Investors | Official Site
• [New] Several potential catalysts could support activity, including a ramp-up in German fiscal stimulus, a higher probability of a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire, and a positive turn in the Eurozone credit impulse. Lion Global Investors | Official Site
• [New] Wrote Microsoft, console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5 x and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027. theregister
• [New] ASTANA - Airlines are expected to spend $350 billion on fuel in 2026, nearly one-third of their operating costs, as global industry profitability comes under pressure from higher energy prices. The Astana Times
• [New] Indian metal, chemical and other commodity-linked stocks could react because China plays a major role in global consumption and pricing. Trade Brains
• [New] The aggregation of distributed energy resources including solar, batteries, EVs, and smart devices into Virtual Power Plants is a key trend, enabled by regulatory advancements such as FERC Order 2222. Straits Research
• [New] As Argentina seeks to accumulate greater foreign reserves and build credibility, exchange rate policy will remain closely watched by external creditors, foreign trade operators, and financial markets as an indicator of continuity of the broader economic reforms and political stability. New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• [New] We hold a pessimistic outlook for the Botswana consumer over 2026 and 2027, forecasting real household spending to contract as diamond sector weakness dampens economic activity and a renewed inflationary uptick, driven by the US-Iran conflict, erodes consumer purchasing power. Fitch Solutions
• [New] The Circular Economy for Plastics proposed a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation effective as of 2025 (Regulation 2025/40, 2024) that requires all packaging (including plastic) to be recyclable or reusable by 2030, and to set recycled content targets for plastics. Scientific Advice Mechanism
• [New] Energy is among the EU's focal points, as the EU aims to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and increase renewable energy sources to 42.5% of total energy consumption (European Commission, n. d. - d). Scientific Advice Mechanism
• [New] In 2026, the pace of change is relentless-driven by disruptive technologies, fluctuating economies, shifting customer expectations, and global uncertainties. Copex Training

Last updated: 08 September 2026