German Investment Shift: US to China

German direct investment in the US fell by 45% in 2025, while investment in China surged to over €7 billion. Uncertainty from US trade policy and pressure from Chinese authorities are prompting German firms to localize production and supply chains in China, affecting global business operations.

Investment Paralysis Hits Key Sectors

Russian investment growth stagnated in 2025, with transport, construction, and extractive industries most affected. Only military and import substitution sectors show resilience. Reduced state funding and asset depletion raise concerns for foreign investors and long-term business planning.

Export-Led Growth and Trade Policy Shifts

Ambitious targets to double exports to $60 billion hinge on tax reforms, trade facilitation, and sectoral diversification. However, high energy costs, regulatory bottlenecks, and financial system distortions still hinder export competitiveness, making sustained reform execution critical for international trade expansion.

Regulatory Changes and Labor Compliance

Recent labor reforms include a 13% minimum wage hike, stricter workplace inspections, and new rules for app-based workers. Businesses must adapt to evolving compliance requirements, increased enforcement, and potential cost pressures in sectors like automotive and technology.

USMCA Uncertainty and Trade Policy

The 2026 USMCA review introduces significant uncertainty for Mexico’s trade and investment climate. Potential renegotiation or non-renewal, new US tariffs, and stricter rules of origin could disrupt supply chains, especially in automotive, manufacturing, and critical minerals, impacting cross-border operations and investment planning.

Nuclear Negotiations Shape Risk Outlook

Ongoing nuclear talks with the US and regional actors in Istanbul and Oman are pivotal. Outcomes will determine the future of sanctions relief, market access, and regional stability, but the risk of breakdown or military escalation remains high, directly impacting investment strategies.

Digital Economy and AI Transformation

India is rapidly scaling its digital economy, deploying over 38,000 GPUs and attracting $67.5 billion in AI and cloud investments from global leaders. AI adoption is projected to generate $1.7 trillion in value by 2035, transforming manufacturing, services, and supply chains.

Trade-Driven Logistics and Port Demand Swings

Tariff uncertainty is already distorting shipping patterns, with importers attempting to ‘pull forward’ volumes ahead of duties and then cutting orders. The resulting volatility elevates congestion, drayage and warehousing costs, and demands more flexible routing and inventory buffers.

Bahnnetz-Sanierung stört Logistik

Großbaustellen bei der Bahn (u.a. Köln–Hagen monatelang gesperrt) verlängern Laufzeiten im Personen- und Güterverkehr und erhöhen Ausweichkosten. Für internationale Lieferketten steigen Pufferbedarf, Lagerhaltung und multimodale Planung; zugleich bleibt die Finanzierung langfristiger Netzmodernisierung unsicher.

Northern Sea Route and Arctic Ambitions

Russia’s development of the Northern Sea Route, with Chinese and Indian involvement, aims to create a major Eurasian trade corridor. While promising shorter Asia-Europe shipping, the project faces geopolitical risks, environmental concerns, and possible sanctions exposure for participating firms.

Export Growth Amid Rising Competition

Despite global headwinds, Turkey achieved record exports in 2025, notably to the EU and Italy. However, rising input costs, increased Asian competition, and sector-specific declines (e.g., white goods) signal the need for policy support, innovation, and cost-effective production to sustain export momentum.

US-UK Tariff Tensions Escalate

President Trump’s imposition of 10–25% tariffs on UK exports over the Greenland dispute threatens to cost UK businesses £6–15bn and risks recession. The uncertainty disrupts trade, supply chains, and investment planning, with sectors like manufacturing and chemicals most exposed.

Energy Exports Under Sanctions Pressure

Despite sanctions and Ukrainian drone attacks, Russia’s oil production fell only 0.8% in 2025. However, revenues declined sharply due to price caps, discounts up to $35 per barrel, and shifting demand, impacting the federal budget and raising risks for energy sector investors.

Supply Chain Resilience and Nearshoring

Canadian policy emphasizes strengthening domestic supply chains, especially for critical minerals and EVs, and leveraging nearshoring opportunities. Investments in infrastructure and technology aim to reduce vulnerabilities exposed by global disruptions and geopolitical tensions.

Critical Mineral Diversification Strategy

Japanese firms are rapidly diversifying supply chains for minerals like gallium and rare earths, securing new sources in Kazakhstan and Australia. These efforts aim to reduce strategic vulnerabilities, ensure manufacturing continuity, and stabilize high-tech sectors amid global supply shocks.

Currency Volatility and Inflation Pressures

The Egyptian pound has experienced depreciation against the US dollar, though foreign reserves reached record highs. Inflation, while declining to 12.3%, remains a concern. Monetary easing is expected in 2026, with interest rates projected to fall, impacting investment and import costs.

Disrupted Oil Exports and Geopolitical Risk

Despite sanctions, Iran remains a major oil exporter, primarily to China. However, unrest, U.S. military threats, and new tariffs have increased the risk of supply disruptions, impacting global energy prices and complicating long-term contracts and logistics for energy buyers.

Complex Sanctions and Regulatory Landscape

Ukraine’s regulatory environment is shaped by evolving sanctions on Russia and new trade controls. Businesses face compliance challenges, especially regarding dual-use goods and financial transactions, requiring constant monitoring of legal and operational risks.

AI Basic Act compliance duties

South Korea’s AI Basic Act introduces requirements for transparency and labeling of AI-generated content, plus human oversight for high-impact uses in health, transport and finance. Foreign providers with large user bases may need local presence, raising compliance and operating overhead.

Energy Transition and Hydrogen Leadership

Saudi Arabia is rapidly scaling investments in clean hydrogen, green ammonia, and renewables, surpassing $34 billion in energy transition spending. Major projects and international JVs are positioning the Kingdom as a future leader in low-carbon energy exports and supply chain integration.

Escalating US-EU Trade Tensions

Recent tariff threats linked to the Greenland dispute have triggered fears of a US-EU trade war, risking up to 25% tariffs on key sectors. This volatility threatens global supply chains, investment flows, and could reshape transatlantic business strategies.

Shifting Trade Partnerships and Diversification

US unpredictability has prompted partners like India, the EU, and others to seek alternative trade relationships, including new deals with China. This diversification reduces US leverage, alters global trade flows, and impacts long-term market positioning for multinationals.

India-EU Trade Deal Reshapes Access

The India-EU free trade agreement, finalized in January 2026, marks India's largest and most complex FTA, opening European markets for Indian goods and services while protecting sensitive sectors. This deal enhances supply-chain resilience, boosts FDI, and positions India as a key alternative to China for global investors.

Labor Localization Tightens Expat Employment

Saudi Arabia has restricted key senior roles to nationals and imposed high Saudization quotas in sales, marketing, and procurement. These changes require international companies to adapt staffing strategies, prioritize local talent, and navigate evolving labor compliance risks.

Regulatory Sovereignty and Policy Autonomy Concerns

The imposition of EU-style ESG and regulatory standards through the trade agreement raises concerns about Brazil’s policy autonomy and federal structure. Businesses face higher compliance costs and potential exclusion from markets if unable to meet external certification and traceability requirements.

Banking hidden risks and real-estate spillovers

Banks’ loan guarantees rose 19% to VND 52 trillion in the first nine months, outpacing equity growth and increasing off-balance-sheet exposure (e.g., SBLCs). Thin capital buffers heighten systemic risk; credit tightening could hit construction, suppliers and consumer demand.

Rare Earths Sector Expansion and Innovation

Australia’s rare earths industry is witnessing rapid growth, with new projects, ASX listings, and resource discoveries. Advances in processing and integrated extraction are positioning Australia as a key global supplier, attracting investment and reshaping supply chains for high-tech and clean energy.

Critical Minerals and Resource Security

Canada’s vast reserves of critical minerals and natural resources have become a focal point in US-Canada tensions. Control over these assets is now central to national security and industrial policy, affecting global supply chains for energy, technology, and manufacturing sectors.

Energy roadmap: nuclear-led electrification

The long-delayed PPE energy plan will be issued by decree, aiming to lift electricity to 60% of energy use by 2030. It backs six new EPR reactors (eight optional) plus renewables, shaping power prices, grid investment, and industrial site decisions.

Geopolitical Fragmentation and Business Uncertainty

US interventions abroad and retreat from multilateralism have contributed to a fragmented geoeconomic landscape. National security concerns, sanctions, and unpredictable policy shifts increase operational risks for international businesses, requiring adaptive strategies and robust risk management frameworks.

AB Gümrük Birliği modernizasyonu

AB ve Türkiye, Gümrük Birliği’nin modernizasyonu için çalışmaları hızlandırma sinyali verdi; EIB’nin Türkiye’de operasyonlarına kademeli dönüşü de gündemde. Kapsamın hizmetler, tarım ve kamu alımlarına genişlemesi tedarik zinciri entegrasyonunu güçlendirebilir; takvim belirsiz.

Border trade decentralization, barter

Tehran is delegating emergency import powers to border provinces, enabling direct imports, simplified customs, and barter to secure essentials under sanctions and conflict risk. This creates localized regulatory variance, higher compliance ambiguity, and opportunities for regional traders with elevated corruption risk.

US-Led Board of Peace Reshapes Governance

The establishment of the US-chaired Board of Peace, with Israel as a member, is redefining post-war Gaza governance and reconstruction. The board’s broad mandate and financial requirements create new frameworks for international engagement, but also provoke political tensions and uncertainty for investors.

Federal Reserve Policy and Political Pressure

The Federal Reserve has paused rate cuts at 3.6%, balancing persistent inflation (2.8%) and labor market stagnation. Political pressure from President Trump to lower rates and ongoing investigations into Fed leadership have raised concerns about central bank independence. Market expectations for further cuts in 2026 are muted, with Fed credibility and leadership transitions under intense scrutiny—factors that directly impact capital flows, currency valuation, and investment strategies.

Aerospace certification dispute escalation

A U.S.–Canada aircraft certification dispute triggered threats of 50% tariffs and decertification affecting Canadian-made aircraft and Bombardier. Even if moderated, this highlights vulnerability of regulated sectors to politicized decisions, raising compliance, delivery, leasing and MRO disruption risk.

Tighter tax audits and customs scrutiny

SAT is intensifying enforcement against fake invoicing and trade misvaluation, using CFDI data to trigger faster audits and focusing on import/export inconsistencies and improper refunds. Compliance burdens rise for multinationals, making vendor due diligence, transfer pricing and customs documentation more critical.