Return to Homepage
Image

Mission Grey Daily Brief - July 11, 2025

Executive Summary

The world enters the second week of July gripped by escalating trade wars, the largest aerial assault yet in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and deepening instability in the Middle East’s critical shipping corridors. A dramatic surge in US tariffs on key goods—copper, pharmaceuticals, and more—sent shockwaves through global markets and left US allies scrambling to respond. Meanwhile, Russia launched its most massive drone and missile barrage on Ukraine since the war began, forcing NATO into heightened alert and threatening regional—and even global—security. In the Red Sea, a devastating Houthi attack has further imperiled global trade, prompting fears that the conflict could spiral into something much wider. These developments underscore an environment shaped by volatility, deepening geopolitical divides, and mounting risks for international business.

Analysis

US Trade War Escalates: Tariffs Shake Global Markets

President Trump has unleashed a new wave of tariffs, sending tremors through the global economy. On July 10, Trump announced punitive measures including a 50% tariff on copper imports and tariffs as high as 200% on pharmaceuticals, vowing more levies to come on semiconductors and other strategic goods. Canada and Brazil were directly targeted—Canada with a 35% tariff and Brazil with a threatened 50% levy, ostensibly tied to Brazil’s prosecution of ex-president Bolsonaro. Japan and South Korea were also hit with 25% tariffs, with the White House warning of further country-specific trade punishment if demands are not met [US copper price...][Politics News: ...][Breaking News, ...][Amid More Tarif...].

The immediate market reaction was volatile: copper futures in the US soared 13% to record highs while prices fell elsewhere, as traders anticipated exemptions or shifting demand. Simultaneously, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped over 400 points after the tariffs on Japan, South Korea, and others were announced [Market dips aft...]. Central banks from Malaysia to Australia slashed interest rates, hoping to shield their economies from tariff-induced shocks and global supply chain realignments [Banks predict i...].

These tariffs are already rippling through supply chains: US businesses and consumers face rising costs, especially for critical materials like copper, while global exporters are left scrambling for alternative markets. The risk of retaliatory measures looms large, with the Brazilian and Canadian governments promising counter-actions and Asian partners threatening to revisit trade negotiations. Businesses with complex, globally distributed supply chains may face short-term disruptions, and the longer-term effect may be the acceleration of “decoupling” trends in global commerce—particularly between the US and non-aligned economies [US copper price...][Banks predict i...][NBC News - Brea...].

Largest Russian Drone Strike on Ukraine to Date—And a Hardening of Western Resolve

Within hours of renewed US pledges to ramp up support for Ukraine, Moscow launched the most powerful aerial attack since the war began: 728 drones and 13 missiles targeted cities across Ukraine, including Kyiv and major military airfields. This surpassed previous records by more than 200 drones. NATO jets scrambled in response, and the attacks resulted in casualties and widespread infrastructure damage, though Ukrainian air defenses intercepted the majority of drones [NATO jets scram...][Breaking News, ...][World News | Ru...].

The strikes came on the heels of Trump’s sharp criticism of Putin, with new sanctions now being discussed in the US Congress—including a potential 500% tariff on goods from any country buying Russian energy. The US quietly resumed some weapons shipments to Ukraine and signed a pivotal coproduction deal with Denmark to establish Ukrainian weapons manufacturing outside of the war zone—an unprecedented step aimed at ensuring supply even if home production falls under fire [Trump’s had eno...][UN Chief Guterr...].

NATO leadership’s warnings about coordinated Russian and Chinese aggression are gaining traction, with Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasizing the increasing likelihood of simultaneous crises in Europe and the Indo-Pacific if the world remains complacent [NATO Chief Warn...]. The massive drone attacks, when coupled with Russia’s ramped-up military production, reinforce the urgent need for supply chain resilience, particularly for defense, technology, and critical infrastructure sectors across free-world economies.

Red Sea Crisis: Houthi Attacks Sink Ships, Threaten Global Supply Chains

After months of attacks on shipping, the Yemeni Houthi group struck again, sinking a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned cargo ship and killing at least four crew, with several others missing or abducted. The U.S. Embassy in Yemen confirmed that survivors were taken hostage, and the attack marked the second such incident this week [Amid More Tarif...][After a barrage...]. Israel, in coordination with the US, retaliated with strikes on Yemeni ports and a captured ship, while public calls for US B-2 bombers to target Houthi positions reflect an atmosphere of rapidly escalating risk [After a barrage...].

The Red Sea remains one of the world’s critical shipping lanes, handling over $1 trillion in goods annually. Disruptions are already forcing rerouting through lengthier, costlier passages, amplifying delays and costs for global businesses. Insurance premiums for vessels transiting the area have soared, and the risk of a broader regional war—implicating Iran and perhaps extending to the US or its allies—has rarely been higher.

Underlying Market and Political Turbulence

Amid these crises, global markets are seesawing. US stock indices, after a period of remarkable resilience, sold off on tariff news and international uncertainty. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei fell as government officials protested new US tariffs, underscoring the tension between longstanding security alliances and the new age of transactional trade policy [World News | As...]. Meanwhile, climate-driven disasters such as the deadly Texas floods (death toll at 121) highlight growing non-political risks to business continuity and public trust in government agencies dealing with crisis response [ABC News - Brea...][NBC News - Brea...].

Conclusions

The developments of the last 24 hours starkly underline a new era of geopolitical and geo-economic confrontation. Businesses are now navigating a world with new and rising costs, the constant threat of international escalation, and the reality that global supply chains are no longer insulated from war or high politics. Companies should think seriously about supply chain resilience, diversification, and political risk—particularly in sectors affected by the US tariff regime, key commodity markets, and shipping dependent on exposed or unstable routes.

With a resurgent Russia accelerating military production and a US policy turn toward aggressive economic combat, are we barreling toward new, even more entrenched global blocs? Will allied cooperation be enough to counter these divided, weaponized economic and political landscapes? How should business weigh the opportunity of market access against the risks—especially in autocratic or high-corruption environments with poor records on human rights and rule of law?

The world is no longer just interconnected—it is interdependent in ever more fragile ways. The Mission Grey platform will continue to monitor these themes as they develop, helping clients to position themselves against the unpredictabilities of this new global reality.

Stay alert. Agile risk management, strategic foresight, and values-based decision-making are more essential than ever in today’s volatile world.


Further Reading:

Themes around the World:

Flag

Pemex: deuda, rescate y pagos

Pemex mantiene alta carga financiera: Moody’s prevé pérdidas operativas promedio de US$7.000 millones en 2026‑27 y dependencia de apoyo público. Su deuda ronda US$84.500 millones y presiona déficit/soberano, impactando riesgo país, proveedores y pagos en proyectos energéticos.

Flag

Tariff volatility and trade blocs

Rapid, deal-linked tariff threats and selective rollbacks are making the U.S. a less predictable market-access environment, encouraging partners to deepen non‑U.S. trade blocs. Firms face higher landed costs, rerouted sourcing, and accelerated contract renegotiations.

Flag

Critical minerals alliance, China risk

Japan is aligning with the US and EU on a critical minerals framework to diversify mining, refining, recycling and stockpiling, responding to China’s export controls on rare earths. Expect tighter compliance expectations, higher input costs, and new investment incentives in non-China supply.

Flag

Critical minerals leverage and reshoring

U.S. policy increasingly links trade and security to critical minerals and domestic capacity. Officials explicitly frame rare earths and magnets as weaponized supply points, reinforcing incentives for reshoring and allied sourcing, and pressuring firms to redesign inputs and secure non-China supply alternatives.

Flag

Labor shortages and mobility constraints

Reserve duty, reduced availability of non-Israeli workers, and security-related absenteeism strain construction, services, and some industrial operations. Companies should expect wage pressure, longer project timelines, and greater need for automation, subcontracting, and cross-training to maintain continuity.

Flag

Platform takedowns for illegal promotions

FCA’s High Court action against HTX seeks UK blocking via Apple/Google app stores and social platforms, signalling tougher cross-border enforcement of financial promotions and raising distribution and marketing risk for offshore investing and crypto apps.

Flag

Industrial policy reshapes investment maps

CHIPS, IRA, and related subsidy programs are steering manufacturing and energy investment into the U.S., but with strict domestic-content and “foreign entity of concern” limits. Multinationals must align capex, JV structures, and supplier qualification to retain incentives and avoid clawbacks.

Flag

Business investment drag and policy uncertainty

UK GDP growth was only 0.1% in Q4 2025 and business investment fell nearly 3%, the biggest drop since early 2021, amid budget uncertainty. Multinationals should expect cautious capex, softer demand, and heightened sensitivity to regulatory or political shocks.

Flag

Maritime logistics and ZIM uncertainty

A potential sale of ZIM to Hapag-Lloyd and resulting labor action highlight sensitivity around strategic shipping capacity. Any prolonged strike, regulatory intervention via the state’s “golden share,” or ownership change could affect Israel-related capacity, rates, and emergency logistics planning.

Flag

Electricity market and hydro reform

Le Parlement avance une réforme des barrages: passage des concessions à un régime d’autorisation, fin de contentieux UE et relance d’investissements. Mais mise aux enchères d’au moins 40% des capacités, plafonnement EDF, créent risques de prix et de contrats long terme.

Flag

EU ties deepen, standards rise

EU–Vietnam relations upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership, accelerating cooperation on trade, infrastructure, “trusted” 5G, critical minerals and semiconductors. For exporters and investors, EVFTA opportunities expand but EU compliance demands tighten (ESG, origin, labour, CBAM reporting).

Flag

US fiscal dysfunction and shutdown risk

Recurring shutdown threats and funding brinkmanship can disrupt federal procurement, permitting, and regulatory processing. While some enforcement bodies continue operating, uncertainty affects travel, customs coordination, infrastructure programs, and contractor cashflow—raising operational contingencies for firms dependent on federal interfaces.

Flag

Election-driven fiscal and policy volatility

The Feb 8 election and “populism war” amplify risks of debt-funded stimulus, policy reversals, and slower permitting. Bond-curve steepening on fiscal worries signals higher funding costs and potential ratings pressure, affecting PPPs, SOEs, and investor confidence.

Flag

Energy tariff overhaul and costs

IMF-linked power tariff restructuring is shifting from volumetric to higher fixed charges, while cutting industrial per-unit rates. Changes can lift inflation yet reduce cross-subsidies. Businesses face uncertainty in electricity bills, competitiveness, and contract pricing for factories.

Flag

Défense: hausse des dépenses 2026

Le budget 2026 prévoit 57,2 Md€ pour les armées (+13%) et une actualisation de la LPM attendue au printemps. Opportunités: marchés défense, cybersécurité, drones; contraintes: conformité export, priorités industrielles, tensions sur capacités et main-d’œuvre.

Flag

Tariff volatility and trade deals

U.S. tariff policy remains highly volatile amid court scrutiny of IEEPA authority, shifting “reciprocal” rates, and ad‑hoc bilateral deals (e.g., India set at 18%). Importers front‑load shipments; NRF forecasts H1 2026 container imports -2% y/y, complicating pricing, inventory and sourcing.

Flag

Export controls on advanced computing

U.S. national-security export controls on AI chips, tools, and know-how remain a central constraint on tech trade with China and other destinations. Companies must harden classification, licensing, and customer due diligence, while planning for sudden rule changes and market loss.

Flag

Digital regulation and data-sovereignty disputes

US concerns over platform fairness rules, network usage fees, and restrictions on exporting high-precision map data (Google) are resurfacing in trade talks. Tighter privacy enforcement after major breaches raises liability, audit, and cross-border data-transfer costs for tech-enabled firms.

Flag

LNG export expansion and permitting

The administration is accelerating LNG export approvals and permitting, supporting long-term contracts with Europe and Asia and stimulating upstream investment. Cheaper, abundant U.S. gas can lower energy-input costs for U.S. manufacturing while tightening global gas markets and shipping capacity.

Flag

Governance and tax administration overhaul

An IMF-linked tax reform plan through June 2027 targets FBR audit, IT and exemption simplification, while broader digital governance reforms expand compliance systems. Businesses should expect stronger enforcement, e-invoicing/data requirements, and changing effective tax burdens across sectors.

Flag

Outbound investment screening expansion

U.S. rules restricting outbound investments into sensitive sectors (semiconductors, AI, quantum and related capabilities) are tightening board-level approvals and reporting. Multinationals must redesign China exposure, restructure JV/VC activity, and document controls across affiliates and funds.

Flag

Sanctions escalation and enforcement

EU’s proposed 20th package expands beyond price caps toward a full maritime-services ban for Russian crude, adds banks and third-country facilitators, and tightens export/import controls. Compliance burdens, secondary-sanctions exposure, and abrupt counterparty cutoffs increase for trade, finance, and logistics.

Flag

China trade ties and coercion

China remains Australia’s dominant trading partner, but flashpoints—such as Beijing’s warnings over the Chinese-held Darwin Port lease and prior export controls on inputs like gallium—keep coercion risk elevated, complicating contract certainty, market access, and contingency planning for exporters and import-dependent firms.

Flag

Cybersecurity and hybrid interference exposure

Taiwan’s critical infrastructure faces persistent cyber and influence operations alongside military ‘grey-zone’ pressure. Multinationals should anticipate higher compliance expectations, stronger incident-reporting norms, and increased operational spending on redundancy, supplier security, and data integrity.

Flag

Frozen assets, litigation, retaliation risk

Debate over using immobilized Russian sovereign assets to back Ukraine financing is intensifying, alongside Russia’s lawsuits against Euroclear seeking about $232bn. Businesses face heightened expropriation/retaliation risk, asset freezes, and legal uncertainty for custodial holdings, claims, and arbitration enforceability.

Flag

Incertidumbre por revisión del T-MEC

La revisión obligatoria del T‑MEC hacia el 1 de julio y señales de posible salida o “modo zombi” elevan el riesgo regulatorio. Se discuten reglas de origen, antidumping y minerales críticos, afectando decisiones de inversión, pricing y contratos de largo plazo.

Flag

Auto sector reshoring pressures

Canada’s integrated auto supply chain faces U.S. tariff threats on vehicles and parts plus competitiveness challenges versus U.S. incentives and Mexico costs. Companies should reassess North American footprints, content sourcing, and contingency production, especially for EV and battery supply chains.

Flag

Weather shocks and Jones Act constraints

Severe freezes can disrupt US oil and gas output (estimates up to 25 Bcf/day), forcing LNG imports despite exporter status; Jones Act limits domestic LNG shipping. International buyers and US-linked supply chains should expect episodic price spikes and logistics bottlenecks.

Flag

Semiconductor tariffs and controls

A tightening blend of Section 232 chip tariffs, case-by-case export licensing, and enforcement actions (e.g., a $252m Applied Materials settlement) is reshaping cross-border tech trade, raising compliance costs, and accelerating supply-chain diversification away from China.

Flag

Immigration politics and labor supply

Foreign labor is now a core election issue. Japan plans to accept up to 1.23 million workers through FY2028 via revised visas while tightening residence management and enforcement. For employers, this changes hiring pipelines, compliance burdens, and wage/retention competition.

Flag

Reforma tributária e transição IVA

A reforma do consumo cria um IVA dual (CBS/IBS) e muda créditos, alíquotas efetivas e compliance. A transição longa aumenta risco operacional: necessidade de reconfigurar ERPs, pricing e contratos, além de revisar incentivos setoriais e cadeias de fornecimento interestaduais.

Flag

Transshipment and origin enforcement risk

Growing US scrutiny of origin fraud and transshipment is pushing Vietnam to tighten customs controls, creating higher audit, documentation, and supplier-traceability burdens for manufacturers. Sectors vulnerable to tariffs (e.g., solar components) face elevated trade-remedy exposure.

Flag

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.

Flag

Cybersecurity and data regulation tightening

Rising cyber and foreign-interference concerns are driving stricter critical-infrastructure security expectations and data-governance requirements. Multinationals should anticipate higher compliance costs, vendor-risk audits, and incident-reporting duties, influencing cloud sourcing, cross-border data flows, and M&A diligence.

Flag

Local content procurement intensifies

Local-content policies are deepening: PIF-linked spending reached SAR591bn ($157bn) in 2020–24, and government procurement increasingly scores local value-add. Foreign firms face higher compliance costs, partner-selection risk, and incentives to localize manufacturing, services, and workforce.

Flag

Tariff volatility and legal fights

U.S. tariff policy remains fluid, including renewed baseline/reciprocal tariff concepts and active court challenges over executive authority. Importers face pricing uncertainty, sudden compliance changes, and higher landed-cost risk, especially for China-, Canada-, and Mexico-linked supply chains.