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Stay updated with real-time coverage of global trade developments, policy changes, and market movements affecting international commerce.
IMF lowers 2026 global growth forecast amid Middle East war and trade risks
- The IMF revised its 2026 global growth forecast down to 3.0%, citing ongoing risks from the Middle East conflict, trade fragmentation, and potential market corrections in AI.
- Growth is expected to rebound to 3.4% in 2027 but remain below the 3.5% average seen in 2024 and 2025.
- Inflation forecasts were raised to 4.7% for 2026, with energy prices 25% higher than before the war, and expected to remain elevated.
- The forecast assumes the Strait of Hormuz will reopen by mid-July, with oil prices averaging $89 per barrel.
- The IMF highlighted a V-shaped recovery with weaker growth in 2026 followed by a rebound in 2027, supported by demand for AI and technology.
- Regional forecasts include a 2.3% growth for the US in 2026, 0.9% for the euro area, 4.6% for China, and a 1.2 percentage point cut to 0.7% for the Middle East and Central Asia.
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EBRD launches first trade finance facility in Senegal to boost regional trade
EBRD launches its first trade finance facility in Senegal, providing €15 million to Ecobank to boost regional trade.
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Standard Chartered secures USD 785 million financing facility to support Kazakhstan’s National Road Rehabilitation Programme
Standard Chartered secures USD 785 million facility for Kazakhstan's road rehabilitation programme, with MIGA support for 7,700 kilometres of road works.
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UKEF and British Business Bank to launch joint finance scheme for smaller exporters
UKEF and the British Business Bank launch a joint finance scheme in spring 2025 to help smaller UK exporters access working capital and term loans.
Carter HoffmanThe IMF revised its 2026 global growth forecast down to 3.0%, citing ongoing risks from the Middle East conflict, trade fragmentation, and potential market corrections in AI.
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Swift launches blockchain-based ledger to enable 24/7 cross-border payments with tokenised deposits
This ledger enables early adopter financial institutions to support 24/7 cross-border payments using tokenised deposits
Devanshee DaveU.S. Bank introduced Enhanced Payments, a bundled solution integrated into its online banking and mobile app, designed to help small business owners move money quickly and affordably.
Devanshee DaveThe National Bank of Canada (NBC) projects limited upward movement for the Canadian dollar due to diverging monetary policies between the Bank of Canada and the U.S. Federal Reserve.
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Standard Chartered secures EUR 514 million green financing for Easpring Finland’s lithium-ion battery plant
Standard Chartered arranges EUR 514 million green financing for Easpring Finland's lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant in Kotka.
Devanshee DaveHSBC Qatar has partnered with local fintech Noqoody to offer merchant acquiring services to corporate banking clients, enabling acceptance of debit and credit card payments.
Devanshee DaveKyriba, a treasury management provider, and Merge, a regulated stablecoin payment platform, announced a partnership to connect clients with complementary capabilities in treasury and cross-border payments.
Devanshee DaveThe Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) identified three priorities: developing a fixed income and currency (FIC) trading platform, expanding fixed income use as collateral, and providing more risk management tools.
Devanshee DaveNEC announced a new financing program with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. to support suppliers in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its supply chain.
Devanshee DaveAs per a report by Tokyo Shoko Research, 45 firms cited the weak yen as a cause of bankruptcy in the first half of 2026, marking a more than 30% increase from a year earlier and the highest level since 2022.
Devanshee DaveTürkiye is exploring joining the European Union’s Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), with related financial institutions actively working on the issue, according to Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
Devanshee DaveStandard Chartered, in partnership with Circle Internet Group, has launched a capability allowing institutional clients to access USDC minting and redemption through a single onboarding and service experience.
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UK banks boost cross-border payments experience with Swift’s new consumer payments initiative
UK banks are joining Swift’s new consumer payments initiative to improve the speed, transparency and reliability of cross border payments for consumers and small businesses.
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Trump Administration declines to renew USMCA Trade Agreement
The Trump administration has declined to renew the USMCA trade agreement, triggering annual reviews and raising uncertainty around North American trade flows, tariffs and future regional negotiations.
Devanshee DavePayward has completed its acquisition of Reap Technologies, a stablecoin-native card issuing and payments infrastructure company, enhancing its B2B platform with globally regulated card issuance and stablecoin payment capabilities.
Devanshee DaveMorph announced the native integration of USDGO, a U.S. dollar stablecoin issued by federally chartered Anchorage Digital Bank, to serve as a regulated settlement asset for cross-border payment infrastructure.
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