United States

Europe

Economics

Politics

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a May 1 post on Truth Social that he would increase tariffs on EU cars and trucks to 25% "next week" over EU noncompliance with the trade deal the European Union and United States signed in 2025.

U.S., EU: Trump Says He Will Increase Tariffs on EU Cars

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation on April 30 to end a record 76-day shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security, which President Donald Trump signed into law shortly after, The New York Times reported the same day.

U.S.: Government Passes Legislation To Fund DHS After Record Shutdown

Iran

Military & Security

The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control warned on May 1 that U.S. and non-U.S. entities that make payments to Iran as part of its toll system for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz were at risk of incurring U.S. sanctions.

U.S: OFAC Threatens To Sanction Entities Paying Iran's Strait of Hormuz 'Toll'

U.S.-Iran Relations

Venezuela

Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez announced her government will more than double the minimum wage to $240 per month and increase monthly pension payments by 40% to $70, El Pais reported on April 30.

Venezuela: Government Announces Minimum Wage and Pension Increase Amid Growing Popular Discontent

Australia

China

Japan

Japan and Australia will prioritize and fast-track six critical minerals projects in Australia spanning rare earths, nickel, gallium and mineral sands-based rare earth extraction, Nikkei Asia reported on May 1. 

Japan, Australia: Critical Minerals Push Targets China Supply Risk

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Paraguay

Uruguay

The EU-Mercosur free trade agreement entered provisional application on May 1, following more than 25 years of negotiations, Euronews reported the same day.

EU, Mercosur: Free Trade Agreement Enters Provisional Application

Mexico

The U.S. Justice Department charged the governor of Mexico's Sinaloa state, ‌Ruben Rocha, and nine other government officials for their alleged connections to the Sinaloa cartel, La Jornada reported on April 29.

U.S. Mexico: U.S. Indicts Sinaloa Governor and Government Officials for Drug Trafficking and Cartel Ties

China threatened unspecified countermeasures against the European Union and relevant companies unless Brussels makes major changes to its proposed "buy European" industrial rules and revised cybersecurity rules, Reuters reported on April 29.

China, EU: Beijing Threatens Retaliation Over Brussels' Proposed Industrial, Cybersecurity Rules

The world is connected, but even the broadest topics deserve an individual look. Below are our latest and most relevant economics analyses.

Below are our latest and most relevant economics analyses.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Americas

Asia-Pacific

Eurasia

Middle East and North Africa

South Asia

Beyond Quantitative Easing

The New Silk Road

The Fate of the Eurozone

South America: Split Decisions on Trade

Banking

Commodities: A Cautionary Tale

Social Issues

European Disintegration

Russia's Internal Struggle

China in Transition

A Japanese Awakening

East African Integration

Assessments

India

An oil tanker is seen docked in the southeastern Iranian coastal city of Chabahar, on the Gulf of Oman, in February 2019.

Chabahar is poised to transition from an ambitious commercial venture to a symbolic strategic asset, as India seeks to maintain long-term access and regional influence until sanctions conditions become clearer.

Expired U.S. Sanctions Waiver Threatens India's Chabahar Port Project in Iran

A Chinese vessel participates in oil exploration.

Energy

While China has so far fared well, persistent Strait of Hormuz disruptions would test its oil reserves and drive more defensive policies to secure growth, energy and export competitiveness.

Time Will Test China's Economic Resilience Against Iran War Shocks

United Kingdom

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer departs 10 Downing Street on April 29 in London. While a leadership challenge against the British prime minister is possible, policy continuity is likely no matter who governs.

While a leadership challenge against the British prime minister is possible, policy continuity is likely no matter who governs. Meanwhile, strong pro-independence gains are possible in Scotland and Wales, but not near-term independence.

Labour's Starmer Faces Bleak Local U.K. Electoral Prospects

Germany

Direction signs point to Germany and France in the town of Schengen where the 1985 European Schengen Agreement was signed on May 11, 2016 in Schengen, Luxembourg. 

The reintroduction of border controls by countries across the Schengen area is acting as a slow structural drag on the continent's economic competitiveness.


'Temporary' Schengen Border Controls Threaten Europe's Integrated Supply Chains

South Korea

Vietnam

Russia

Employees walk at the construction site of a gas metering station, part of the pipeline link between Bulgaria and Greece near the village of Malko Kadievo, on March 18, 2022. 

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: No U.S.-Iran Breakthrough, EU Ban on Spot Market Russian LNG

A digital illustration shows the euro currency symbol burning with a blue flame inside a gas stove. 

Brussels' strategy prioritizes temporary relief and coordination over broad market intervention, which will likely result in a fragmented response and sustained price volatility.

EU Outlines Energy Relief and Coordination Measures in Response to Iran-Linked Supply Shock

Snapshots

Romania

Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan delivers a speech to lawmakers in parliament in Bucharest on June 23, 2025.

The crisis could undermine fiscal consolidation and further empower far-right forces, potentially reversing Romania's EU alignment and harming its economic credibility.

Romania's Latest Political Crisis Threatens Fiscal Reform and EU Alignment

Cuba

A general view of El Capitolio and the Havana skyline on December 16, 2014, in Havana, Cuba.

A recent unannounced U.S. diplomatic visit to Havana bodes well for a deal that reduces tensions, but Washington's ongoing demands for political and economic reforms will sustain the risk of a U.S. military and/or law enforcement operation.

U.S.-Cuba Talks Progress, but Threat of Military Action Still Looms

Egypt

The exterior facade of the new headquarters of Egypt's central bank is seen at the New Administrative Capital megaproject about 45 kilometers east of the current capital, Cairo, on Aug. 1, 2023. 

Egypt will try to avoid submitting to another IMF loan program, which would likely require unpopular austerity and privatization measures. But the escalating economic impact of the Iran war may eventually force its hand.

Iran War Fallout Could Force Egypt to Seek Another Unpopular IMF Bailout

Lebanon

Bulgaria

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine speaks as he displays a map showing the U.S. Navy's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz during a press briefing at the Pentagon on April 16, 2026, in Arlington, Virginia. 

The Weekly Rundown: U.S.-Iran Diplomacy, Political Instability in the Balkans

Satellite imagery shows a broad view of the Strait of Hormuz between southern Iran and Oman's Musandam Peninsula on April 7, 2026.

Pledges to reopen the strait will support U.S.-Iran diplomatic momentum and reduce near-term escalation risks, but shipping activity will recover only gradually amid persistent tensions, with a continued risk of disruption until a durable agreement is reached.

The Operational vs. Diplomatic Impact of the Strait of Hormuz's Nominal Re-Opening

Israel

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Maldives

Nepal

Pakistan

Sri Lanka

A passenger boat sails past the Indian-flagged oil tanker Kashimasan, which is docked near an offloading terminal at Butcher Island (also known as Jawahar Dweep) off the coast of Mumbai, India, on April 1, 2026.

Energy and fertilizer price shocks from the Iran war will increasingly threaten energy supplies, crop yields and economic growth across the region, pressuring governments' foreign exchange reserves and heightening unrest risks.

In South Asia, Iran War Fallout Risks Worsening Economic and Political Instability

Economics

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S., EU: Trump Says He Will Increase Tariffs on EU Cars

U.S.: Government Passes Legislation To Fund DHS After Record Shutdown

U.S: OFAC Threatens To Sanction Entities Paying Iran's Strait of Hormuz 'Toll'

Venezuela: Government Announces Minimum Wage and Pension Increase Amid Growing Popular Discontent

Japan, Australia: Critical Minerals Push Targets China Supply Risk

EU, Mercosur: Free Trade Agreement Enters Provisional Application

U.S. Mexico: U.S. Indicts Sinaloa Governor and Government Officials for Drug Trafficking and Cartel Ties

China, EU: Beijing Threatens Retaliation Over Brussels' Proposed Industrial, Cybersecurity Rules

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support