International - Financial Times - Credit Squeeze

Majority of countries approve agreement with South American bloc despite opposition from European farmers

Donald Trump is bypassing the Fed with his latest effort to get borrowing costs down for US homebuyers

Buenos Aires hands back $2.5bn it drew under swap line ahead of pivotal election in October

Italy’s prime minister defends government’s record in annual press conference ahead of next year’s election

Unemployment rate fell and November figure was revised down

Doubling down on fossil fuels threatens to leave the US floundering in the AI race with China

Also in today’s newsletter: Iran’s internet blackout and why smartphone and PC prices are set to rise

Warhammer; digitising nerddom; clicktatorship; UBS on the dangers of being single

Executives at Consumer Electronics Show suggest drive to build infrastructure is reshaping economics of consumer tech

Mexico, Middle East and parts of Europe are among the top markets, data shows

Detroit-based carmaker says it ‘proactively reduced EV capacity’

How long can the markets ignore world events?

Donald Trump’s tariffs continue to lead to fluctuations in imports

Asean countries should build on their durability with domestic and trade reforms

Bodies targeted include key UN climate treaty and those promoting development, democracy and human rights

Go behind the propaganda, and the intensifying strain is evident

Also in today’s newsletter: China hacks Congress staff, and Trump calls for ban on big investors buying single-family homes

Chinese producers fear similar US intervention in Iran would disrupt access to discounted crude supplies

Data group forecasts deficit of 10mn tonnes by 2040, equivalent to nearly one-third of current global demand

It is premature to assume the AI era will lead to non-inflationary growth like the ’90s computing boom