latest news in economy
Trump Leverages Trade Tariffs on European Allies to Force Greenland Sale
Washington D.C., Saturday, 17 January 2026.
As of January 17, 2026, President Trump has escalated his pursuit of Greenland by announcing a 10 percent tariff on imports from eight European nations, effective February 1. This policy, targeting key allies including the UK, France, and Denmark, explicitly aims to pressure Copenhagen into selling the semi-autonomous territory. The administration has outlined a further increase to 25 percent by June if a “complete and total purchase” is not secured. This maneuver represents a critical pivot in U.S. foreign policy, utilizing economic sanctions—typically reserved for adversaries—against NATO partners to achieve territorial goals. While a bipartisan congressional delegation visits Denmark to mitigate diplomatic fallout, the linkage of trade barriers to sovereignty disputes introduces significant volatility to transatlantic markets and underscores the administration’s view of Greenland as a vital national security asset against Chinese and Russian influence.
Florida Chamber Warns Economic Growth at Risk as Retirees Flee High Costs
Tallahassee, Saturday, 17 January 2026.
With housing prices surging 51 percent, the Chamber warns Florida’s historic affordability advantage has vanished, threatening the state’s long-standing, migration-driven economic growth model.
Global Lithium Market Pivots to Scarcity as Asian Demand Accelerates
Luxembourg, Saturday, 17 January 2026.
Commodities trader Traxys identifies a critical market pivot: the global lithium glut is ending. Driven by a projected 70% EV penetration rate in China this year, robust Asian demand is rapidly absorbing excess supply, pushing the sector back toward scarcity and reversing recent price trends.
Lazard Forecasts Rising US Inflation in Early 2026 Amid Economic Wild Cards
New York, Saturday, 17 January 2026.
Lazard projects rising inflation for early 2026, warning that unforeseen ‘wild cards’ necessitate urgent updates to corporate risk management and investment strategies in a volatile landscape.
Morningstar Identifies Deep Value in Lagging Sectors After Historic Market Rally
Chicago, Saturday, 17 January 2026.
Despite the S&P 500’s 39% surge since April 2025, Morningstar analysts pinpoint ten five-star stocks trading at steep discounts—some like Bath & Body Works at just 42% of fair value—offering a strategic hedge against overvaluation.
Transaction Monitoring and PaaS Markets Skyrocket by 2033
Washington, Saturday, 17 January 2026.
Transaction monitoring is expected to reach $47.60 billion, while PaaS will exceed $335.15 billion by 2033. PaaS growth is driven by AI & Machine Learning Workloads which are the fastest-growing segment with a CAGR of 24.3%.
Inflation and Federal Policies Trigger Spike in Missed Small Business Payrolls
Washington, Friday, 16 January 2026.
Data from January 15, 2026, shows rising payroll failures among U.S. small businesses. This financial stress point historically precipitates an 8-10% workforce reduction within six months.
New AI Model Quantifies Investor Sentiment to Reveal Hidden Market Risks
New York, Friday, 16 January 2026.
Researchers utilizing AI have identified “emotional vulnerability” as a key pricing factor. Analysis confirms that emotionally stable stocks consistently outperform vulnerable ones, offering a powerful new metric for risk assessment.