Copper price hits new record amid concerns over supply disruption
Production hold-ups at large mines and fears about Trump tariffs have helped to fuel sharp rally since October
International - Financial Times - Credit Squeeze
2026 predictions, part one
A strong economy, a bubble that doesn’t burst, and a bit of AI sanity
Starmer may want closer ties with EU — but will Brussels play ball?
PM tries to reassure Labour’s pro-Europeans a reset is coming, but EU officials say timing is poor
China’s influence in US backyard tested by Maduro’s downfall
Oil-rich Venezuela has been a springboard for Beijing’s geopolitical and economic interests in Latin America
‘Donald Trump highway’: how one China ally is courting the US
Phnom Penh looks to strengthen ties that have been strained by its close relationship with Beijing
Has India truly entered a higher growth phase?
There are reasons to be optimistic — but weak job creation and private investment warrant caution
What is Keir Starmer doing about the cost of living?
UK prime minister starts 2026 with vow to ease pressures on households and deliver ‘positive change’
US wins exemptions from global minimum corporate tax rules
Agreement that benefits US multinationals weakens 2021 deal brokered by OECD
Trade Secrets returns to the predictions game
Policy has settled down enough that making forecasts is no longer obviously insane
FirstFT: US prepares to charge Nicolás Maduro
Also in today’s newsletter: AI groups to take on Google in the browser market and 10 trends to watch in 2026
EU deference to Trump contorts response to brazen Venezuela attack
Also in this newsletter: France jumps the gun on pesticide protection measures
EU recycling backfires as Chinese buyers snap up aluminium scrap
Novelis executive says European metal sector in terminal decline despite consumers willing to pay more for recycled products
Ruchir Sharma: top 10 trends for 2026
The AI mania could wane and drag down the economies of the two superpowers, but the rest of the world is well positioned to pick up the slack
How south-east Asia is riding out Trump’s tariff storm
Rerouting of goods from China plus US demand for tech products is propping up trade in the region
Venezuela contemplates a post-Maduro future
Ukraine allies convene in France, Chinese AI start-ups list in Hong Kong and UK retailers update on Christmas sales
America’s drone dilemma
The US has fallen behind China in manufacturing but targeted import restrictions could help it catch up
Africa’s growth could outpace Asia’s this year
There are reasons to both hope for — and doubt — that the continent could finally gain some Asian-style momentum
UK should seek ‘closer alignment’ with EU single market, Starmer says
Prime minister vows he will stay in Number 10 even as Labour party sinks in opinion polls
US to extend productivity lead on back of AI boom, say economists
FT survey shows America’s dominance in areas such as technology is not expected to reverse soon
FirstFT: Trump warns Iran that US will ‘rescue’ protesters
Also in today’s newsletter: Swiss ski bar fire and luxury goods sold at discount prices
Global Economy
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