latest news in economy

US Treasury Signals Tariff Relief for India as Russian Oil Imports Collapse

US Treasury Signals Tariff Relief for India as Russian Oil Imports Collapse

Washington D.C., Sunday, 25 January 2026.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has signaled a potential rollback of the 25% tariff on India, declaring the policy a “huge success” after Indian refineries drastically reduced Russian oil imports. Highlighting a divergence in Western strategy, Bessent contrasted this US leverage against European allies, whom he accused of “irony and stupidity” for avoiding tariffs to safeguard a pending trade deal with New Delhi.

Geopolitics Eclipse Economics as Greenland Standoff Rattles Markets

Geopolitics Eclipse Economics as Greenland Standoff Rattles Markets

Washington D.C., Sunday, 25 January 2026.
Investors are rattled by President Trump’s aggressive bid for Greenland, where threats of military force and 25% tariffs have overshadowed traditional economic indicators and corporate earnings.

Gen Z Pivots to Skilled Trades as AI Boom Drives Demand for Physical Labor

Gen Z Pivots to Skilled Trades as AI Boom Drives Demand for Physical Labor

New York, Sunday, 25 January 2026.
Driven by AI anxieties and rising tuition, Gen Z embraces skilled trades. Nvidia predicts a $7 trillion infrastructure boom will fuel six-figure salaries for this “AI-proof” workforce.

US Government Takes Equity in Miner to Secure Critical Supply Chain

US Government Takes Equity in Miner to Secure Critical Supply Chain

Washington, Sunday, 25 January 2026.
Washington commits $1.6 billion for a 10% stake in USA Rare Earth, aiming to onshore critical minerals while raising eyebrows over the Commerce Secretary’s family ties to the financing.

Strong Corporate Earnings Clash with Market Volatility as US Stocks Dip

Strong Corporate Earnings Clash with Market Volatility as US Stocks Dip

New York, Sunday, 25 January 2026.
US equities retreated despite a 17.1% surge in earnings per share, signaling that risk aversion outweighs robust corporate fundamentals ahead of next week’s Federal Reserve meeting.

European Asset Managers Signal Potential Shift Away from US Markets

European Asset Managers Signal Potential Shift Away from US Markets

New York, Sunday, 25 January 2026.
A looming “buyers’ strike” threatens Wall Street as European investors, holding $10.4 trillion in US equities, reassess risks. Danish funds have already begun divesting amid rising political volatility.

Federal Reserve Set to Pause Rate Cuts Despite White House Pressure

Federal Reserve Set to Pause Rate Cuts Despite White House Pressure

Washington, Sunday, 25 January 2026.
Markets price in a 97% chance the Fed will hold rates steady Wednesday, defying President Trump’s calls for cuts as the central bank defends its independence against political pressure.

Wealthy Shoppers Drive US Economic Growth as Mass Market Pulls Back

Wealthy Shoppers Drive US Economic Growth as Mass Market Pulls Back

Washington, Saturday, 24 January 2026.
The top 20% of earners now drive 59% of all consumer spending, revealing a fragile ‘K-shaped’ economy where growth depends entirely on affluent households while the mass market tightens.

Davos 2026: Moving From AI Hype to Autonomous Reality

Davos 2026: Moving From AI Hype to Autonomous Reality

Davos, Saturday, 24 January 2026.
Executives prioritized agentic AI to ensure ROI, noting that 95% of early pilots failed, marking a critical industry shift from experimental phases to scalable, value-driven implementation.

Volta Foundation 2025 Report: Global Battery Market Enters the “BESS Decade”

Volta Foundation 2025 Report: Global Battery Market Enters the “BESS Decade”

San Francisco, Saturday, 24 January 2026.
The Volta Foundation’s sixth annual report declares the onset of the “BESS Decade,” revealing a record-breaking 79% surge in global energy storage capacity. With electric vehicle sales crossing 21 million units and China controlling over 90% of critical supply chains, the industry faces a transformative era of rapid scaling and geopolitical recalibration.