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Mission Grey Daily Brief - February 24, 2025

Summary of the Global Situation for Businesses and Investors

As the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered to step down in exchange for NATO membership and lasting peace for his country. President Donald Trump has made concessions to Russia, including agreeing to normalise relations and excluding NATO membership for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Germany is facing a shift to the right in its federal election, with Elon Musk intervening in support of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), sparking outrage and accusations of interference. In Gaza, Hamas has freed three more Israeli hostages, marking the final phase of the initial ceasefire agreement. Lastly, a suspected terrorist was arrested in France after killing one person and injuring five others in a knife rampage, prompting calls for stronger action against radicalisation and deportation failures.

Ukraine-Russia Conflict

The third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine is approaching, and the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made a startling offer to step down in exchange for NATO membership and lasting peace for his country. This offer comes amid rapid changes in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump, who has made several concessions to Russia, including agreeing to normalise relations and excluding NATO membership for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy's offer is a sign of the extreme pressure he is under as the US hurries to hatch a peace deal with Moscow. The Trump administration has made several concessions to Russia, including agreeing to normalise relations after bilateral talks in Saudi Arabia last week, while excluding NATO membership for Ukraine. Trump described Zelenskyy as a "dictator" and blamed Kyiv, rather than Moscow, for starting the war.

Russia launched its biggest drone strike against Ukraine on Sunday, firing 267 drones against multiple targets across the country. Ukrainian officials say Washington is also trying to strong-arm Zelenskyy into signing a deal that would award the US large amounts of the proceeds from extracting Ukrainian mineral deposits. Zelenskyy has pushed back against the Trump administration's demands, rejecting the idea of a minerals "partnership" with the US and arguing that it would not provide adequate security guarantees.

Zelenskyy has expressed fears that Trump pushing a quick resolution would result in lost territory for Ukraine and vulnerability to future Russian aggression. Preparations are underway for a face-to-face meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking a clear departure from Western efforts to isolate Moscow over its war on Ukraine.

German Federal Election

Germany is facing a shift to the right in its federal election, with Elon Musk intervening in support of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), sparking outrage and accusations of interference. Musk has repeatedly intervened in support of the AfD, including publishing a supportive guest opinion piece for the country's Welt am Sonntag newspaper and hosting a virtual encounter with AfD leader Alice Weidel.

Musk's open calls for German voters to back the AfD, which federal authorities classify as a suspected extremist party, have sparked outrage and accusations of troubling interference in Europe's top economy. Government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann has confirmed that Musk is trying to influence the federal election.

Musk has often weighed in on German politics, even calling the chancellor, Olaf Scholz, a "fool" on his social media platform X. Last month, Musk made a supportive speech at a campaign event for the AfD in Halle, eastern Germany, telling attendees that Germany was too focused on past guilt and that the AfD was the best hope for the country.

Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

In Gaza, Hamas has freed three more Israeli hostages, marking the final phase of the initial ceasefire agreement. The six Israelis scheduled for release are Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Hisham Al-Sayed, Tal Shoham, and Averu Mengistu. Hamas handed over two Israeli hostages to the Red Cross, and three more Israeli hostages were escorted by masked, armed Hamas fighters and made to pose on a stage before hundreds of Palestinians in the central town of Nuseirat.

Israel is set to release 600 Palestinian prisoners who were detained from Gaza since October 7. Earlier in the day, the militant group finally handed over the body of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas. Her family confirmed the identification, stating, "Last night, our Shiri was returned home." Initially, Hamas had claimed to have returned Bibas' remains alongside those of her two sons and another hostage on Thursday. However, forensic tests revealed that the body said to be hers was, in fact, that of an unidentified Palestinian woman.

Netanyahu strongly criticised the group, stating in a video message that "In an unspeakably cynical way, they did not return Shiri to her little children, the little angels, and they put the body of a Gazan woman in a coffin. We will act with determination to bring Shiri home along with all our hostages - both living and dead - and ensure that Hamas pays the full price for this cruel and vicious violation of the agreement."

France Terrorist Attack

A suspected terrorist was arrested in France after killing one person and injuring five others in a knife rampage, prompting calls for stronger action against radicalisation and deportation failures. The suspect was reportedly on France's Terrorist Radicalization Prevention Reporting File (FSPRT) and had previously been sentenced to six months in prison for posting a social media video calling for jihad, or "holy war".

French President Emmanuel Macron has since declared the incident "an Islamist terrorist act" and vowed to continue efforts "to eradicate terrorism on our soil." Far-right politicians were quick to slam the government's handling of radicalisation and deportation failures, calling for stronger action to control borders, strip jihadists of citizenship, expel radical imams, and sever ties with nations that support fundamentalists.

Saturday's horrific rampage follows a string of Islamist attacks in Europe, including a Syrian refugee in Berlin allegedly attempting to slit the throat of a Spanish tourist at the Holocaust Memorial and an Afghan asylum seeker ploughing his car into a crowd of demonstrators in Munich, killing a mother and her two-year-old daughter.


Further Reading:

German election live: voters head to polls amid fears over Ukraine security, Trump and rise of far right

Hamas frees 3 more Israeli hostages

Moment suspected ‘terrorist’ is arrested after killing one and injuring 5 in horror knife rampage in French town

Russia launches largest drone attack on Ukraine on eve of third year of war

Three More Israeli Hostages Freed By Hamas As Gaza Ceasefire Deal Advances

Trump-Putin summit preparations are underway, Russia says

Zelenskyy Says 'Ready To Step Down' As President In Exchange For NATO Membership For Ukraine

Zelenskyy offers to step down in exchange for peace and Nato membership

Zelenskyy offers to step down in exchange for peace and Ukraine’s Nato membership

Themes around the World:

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Сжатие азиатского спроса на нефть

Риски сокращения импорта Индией и санкционное давление увеличивают скидки на российскую нефть: дисконты ESPO к Brent около $9/барр., Urals — ~$12, а поставки в Индию падали до ~1,3 млн барр./сут. Россия сильнее зависит от Китая.

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Reforma tributária do IVA dual

A transição do IBS/CBS avança com a instalação do Comitê Gestor do IBS e regulamentação infralegal pendente; implementação plena ocorrerá gradualmente até 2033. Empresas devem preparar sistemas fiscais, precificação e créditos, além de mapear efeitos setoriais e contencioso.

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Sanctions escalation and compliance spillovers

The EU’s proposed 20th Russia sanctions package expands energy, shipping, banking, and trade controls (including shadow-fleet listings and maritime services bans). Ukraine-linked firms face tighter due diligence on counterparties, routing, and dual-use items; enforcement pressure increases financing and logistics friction regionwide.

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Wage growth versus inflation

Spring ‘shunto’ negotiations aim to sustain at least 5% wage hikes for a third year, after two years above 5%, to restore falling real wages. Outcomes will influence domestic demand, retail pricing, service-sector margins, and labor cost assumptions for multinationals operating in Japan.

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Rare earths processing and project pipeline

Government promotion of 49 mines and 29 processing projects, plus discoveries in gallium/scandium and magnet rare earths, supports Australia’s shift from raw exports to midstream processing. Opportunities are significant, but permitting, capex, and processing technology risk remain decisive.

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Immigration and skilled-visa uncertainty

U.S. immigration policy uncertainty is rising, affecting global talent mobility and services delivery. A bill was introduced to end the H‑1B program, while enhanced visa screening is delaying interviews abroad. Companies reliant on cross‑border teams should plan for longer lead times and potential labor cost increases.

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Digital infrastructure and data centers

A proposed 20-year tax holiday plus GST/input relief aims to attract foreign data-center and cloud investment, targeting fivefold capacity growth to 8GW by 2030. Multinationals face opportunities in AI/5G ecosystems alongside evolving localization, energy and permitting constraints.

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Gaza ceasefire fragility, demilitarization

Israel’s operating environment hinges on a fragile Gaza ceasefire and a staged Hamas disarmament framework, with recurring violations. Any breakdown would rapidly raise security, staffing, and logistics risk, delaying investment decisions and increasing insurance, compliance, and contingency costs.

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Trade competitiveness and tariff headwinds

Businesses warn of weak exports and tariff pressures, including potential U.S. measures affecting regional trade. Firms should expect tougher price competition versus Vietnam and Malaysia and prioritize rules-of-origin compliance, diversification of end-markets, and scenario planning for new trade barriers.

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Air defence shortages constrain continuity

Interceptor shortages—especially PAC-3 for Patriot—reduce protection of cities, ports and factories, increasing business interruption and asset-damage risk. Ukraine reports near-empty launchers at times; partners are scrambling to deliver missiles from stockpiles. Insurance, project timelines and onsite staffing remain volatile.

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Sanctions escalation, maritime compliance

UK and partners continue expanding Russia-related sanctions and are considering tougher maritime actions against “shadow fleet” tankers. UK measures target LNG shipping services and designated energy firms, raising due-diligence burdens for traders, insurers, shipping, and commodity supply chains.

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Labor reclassification and cost risk

A labor-law package aims to extend protections to roughly 5.7–8.6 million freelancers and platform workers via “presumed worker status,” shifting proof burdens to employers. Businesses may face higher labor costs, disputes, and operational redesign toward automation and subcontracting changes.

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China-linked FDI rules re-evaluation

India is reviewing Press Note 3 and may add a de minimis threshold to speed small-border-country investments while retaining scrutiny for sensitive sectors. This could reopen selective China capital and supplier participation, affecting JV structuring, procurement costs, and compliance with security reviews.

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Immigration tightening strains labour

Visa and sponsor-licence enforcement is intensifying, with policy moving to end care-worker visas by 2028 and continued restrictions on overseas recruitment. Sectors reliant on migrant labour face staffing risk, wage pressure, and service disruption, pushing automation, outsourcing, and location strategy reviews.

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Non-tariff barriers and standards convergence

Alongside tariff cuts, Taiwan pledged to address longstanding non-tariff barriers, including easier acceptance of US-built vehicles to US safety standards and broader market access. Firms should anticipate faster regulatory alignment, expanded import competition, and compliance-driven product redesign in some sectors.

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Санкции и вторичные риски

20-й пакет ЕС расширяет санкции: полный запрет морских услуг для российской нефти, +43 судна «теневого флота» (640), ограничения на банки и криптоплатформы, новые импорт/экспорт‑запреты. Растут риски вторичных санкций и комплаенса для глобальных цепочек поставок.

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Clean economy tax credits and industrial policy

Clean economy investment tax credits and budget-linked expensing proposals support decarbonization projects in manufacturing, power and real estate. However, eligibility rules, domestic-content expectations and fiscal-policy uncertainty affect IRR. Investors should model policy clawbacks and compliance costs.

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Migration tightening, labour shortages

Visa rule tightening is depressing skilled-worker and student inflows; analysts warn net migration could turn negative for the first time since 1993. Sectors like construction, care and health face hiring frictions, lifting wage pressure and constraining delivery timelines for UK operations.

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Rupiah volatility and import costs

The rupiah’s depreciation episodes and tight monetary stance can raise hedging costs and complicate pricing for import-dependent sectors. Businesses should expect periodic FX-driven margin pressure, potential administrative frictions, and greater emphasis on local sourcing and USD liquidity management.

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Energy exports and regional gas deals

Offshore gas production and export infrastructure expansion (Israel–Egypt flows at capacity; Cyprus Aphrodite unitisation talks) underpin regional energy trade. However, operational pauses and political risk can disrupt supply commitments, affecting industrial buyers and energy-intensive sectors.

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Investment screening and national security

U.S. inbound (CFIUS) and outbound investment scrutiny is increasingly tied to economic security, especially for China-linked capital, data, and dual-use tech. Deal timelines, mitigation terms, and ownership structures are becoming decisive for cross-border M&A, JV approvals, and financing certainty.

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High-risk Black Sea shipping

Merchant shipping faces drone attacks, sea mines, GNSS jamming/spoofing, and sudden port stoppages under ISPS Level 3. Operational disruption and claims exposure rise for hull, cargo, delay, and crew welfare, complicating charterparty clauses, safe-port warranties, and routing decisions.

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Global trade remedies against overcapacity

Rising anti-dumping and safeguard actions targeting China-made steel and other industrial goods reflect persistent overcapacity and subsidization concerns. More tariffs, quotas, and investigations increase landed costs, disrupt procurement, and heighten retaliation risk across unrelated sectors, including commodities.

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Rail et nœuds logistiques fragiles

La régularité ferroviaire s’est dégradée en 2025; retards liés à l’opérateur, au réseau et à facteurs externes. Impacts: fiabilité des flux domestiques/portuaires, coûts de stocks, planning just-in-time, nécessité de redondance multimodale et assurances délai.

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War-risk insurance capacity expands

New DFC-backed war-risk reinsurance facilities (e.g., $25 million capacity supporting up to $100 million limits) are gradually improving insurability for assets and cargo in Ukraine. Better coverage can unlock FDI and reconstruction contracts, but pricing, exclusions, and geographic limits remain tight.

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High energy costs and circular debt

Electricity tariffs remain structurally high, with large capacity-payment burdens and a Rs3.23/unit debt surcharge for up to six years. Despite reform claims, elevated industrial power prices erode export competitiveness, raise production costs, and influence location decisions for energy-intensive manufacturing.

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Semiconductor geopolitics and reshoring

TSMC’s expanded US investment deepens supply-chain bifurcation as Washington tightens technology controls and seeks onshore capacity. Companies must manage dual compliance regimes, IP protection, export licensing, and supplier localization decisions across US, Taiwan, and China markets.

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Gigafactory build-out accelerates

ProLogium’s Dunkirk solid-state gigafactory broke ground in February 2026, targeting 0.8 GWh in 2028, 4 GWh by 2030 and 12 GWh by 2032, with land reserved to scale to 48 GWh—reshaping European sourcing and localisation decisions.

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US tariff volatility, autos exposure

Washington’s surprise move to lift “reciprocal” tariffs to 25% (from 15%) on Korean autos, lumber and pharma heightens policy risk. Autos are ~27% of Korea’s US exports; firms may accelerate US localization, reroute supply chains, or hedge pricing.

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High energy costs and subsidies

Germany is spending roughly €30bn in 2026 to damp electricity prices, yet industry expects structurally higher power costs. Energy-intensive sectors cite competitiveness losses and relocation risk; firms should stress-test contracts, hedge exposure, and evaluate alternative EU production footprints.

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Semiconductor tariffs and reshoring push

A new 25% tariff on certain advanced semiconductors, alongside ongoing incentives for domestic capacity, is reshaping electronics and AI hardware economics. Firms face higher input costs near-term, while medium-term investment flows shift toward U.S. fabs amid persistent dependence on foreign suppliers.

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Foreign investment security tightening

Ottawa is balancing growth and national security under the Investment Canada Act, amid debate about allowing greater Chinese state-owned participation in energy and resources. Case-by-case reviews increase deal uncertainty, lengthen timelines, and can impose mitigation conditions for acquirers and JVs.

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Green hydrogen export corridors

Saudi green hydrogen is moving from ambition to execution. ACWA’s Yanbu green hydrogen/ammonia hub targets FEED completion by mid‑2026 and operations in 2030, alongside plans for a Germany ammonia corridor. This creates long-lead opportunities in EPC, shipping, storage, and offtake contracting.

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Digital and privacy enforcement intensity

France’s CNIL stepped up enforcement, with 2025 sanctions reportedly totaling about €486m, focused on cookies, employee monitoring and data security. Multinationals face higher compliance costs, faster audit cycles, and greater liability for cross‑border data transfers and AI use.

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Mining regulation and exploration bottlenecks

Mining investment is constrained by slow permitting and regulatory uncertainty. Exploration spend fell to about R781 million in 2024 from R6.2 billion in 2006, and permitting delays reportedly run 18–24 months. This deters greenfield projects, affects critical-mineral supply pipelines.

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Ports and freight connectivity upgrades

Karachi logistics is improving via DP World–Pakistan Railways Pipri freight corridor and new automated bulk-handling equipment, aiming to shift containers from road to rail and reduce turnaround times. Execution risk persists, but successful delivery lowers inland logistics costs and delays.