Global Scans · Economy · Weekly Summary

DRIVER: The global economy still faces serious headwinds and political uncertainty potentially balanced by the enormous promise of technological advancements in many fields. Read on to get a solid handle on the opportunities and risks you and your organization may likely face and set your sails accordingly.

• [New] The consumer price index (CPI) will rise 1.64% in 2026, citing stable global commodity prices and falling oil prices. Focus Taiwan - CNA English News
• [New] The strategic core of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to achieve economic, social, and cultural diversification, involves massive, multi-billion-dollar infrastructure and technology investments. Blacklane
• [New] Copper: Prices increased by an estimated 3% in the fourth quarter of 2025 and are projected to rise further in 2026, driven by manufacturing demand and supply constraints. Canadian Consulting Engineer
• [New] Early-year CPI has been strong in recent years, so inflation could surprise to the upside and curb expectations for Fed rate cuts. / USA BlackRock
• [New] Renewed wage gains could point to sticky inflation that will curb how soon the Fed might cut rates again. / USA BlackRock
• [New] Elon Musk Neuralink will start high-volume production of brain-computer interface devices and move to a streamlined, almost entirely automated surgical procedure in 2026. Verity
• [New] Forecast natural gas supply growth outpaces demand growth by 0.5 billion cubic feet per day in 2026 but then falls behind by 1.6 Bcf/d in 2027, putting upward pressure on natural gas prices. EIA - Energy Information Administration
• [New] The implications for Asia are significant, as it drives the global economy and stands to lose the most from disruptions at major ports. Maritime Fairtrade
• [New] A quick transition to clean energy could save the global economy trillions of dollars because the more renewable energy technology being made, the cheaper it becomes. JD Supra
• [New] Trade disputes, tariffs, investment restrictions and competition over critical resources now rank as the most pressing risk over the next two years. IO+
• [New] Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has targeted 30% of GDP from the digital economy by 2030, emphasizing protection and expansion amid global competitiveness pressures. Grokipedia
• [New] Thailand's government has pursued digital economy initiatives under the Thailand 4.0 framework, entering Phase 3 in 2023 aimed at achieving full digital transformation by 2027, with objectives including nationwide high-efficiency digital infrastructure and technology-driven economic growth. Grokipedia
• [New] In the United States, where many of the leading AI businesses are based, the power consumption of AI-driven data processing is predicted to exceed the combined electricity consumption of aluminium, steel, cement and chemical production put together by the end of the decade. UN News
• [New] Data centers demand increased by more than three quarters between 2023 and 2024 and is expected to account for over 20% of electricity-demand growth in advanced economies by 2030. UN News
• [New] The surge in deployment and monetization of AI technologies across the broader economy will continue at a breakneck pace in 2026, as total global spending on AI is expected to exceed $2 trillion. O'Dwyers PR
• [New] The race for Artificial Intelligence AI will remain a key growth driver, especially in the U.S. and Asian economies involved in the production chain, with $400 billion in investments planned by major tech companies. Societe Generale
• [New] The European Union and the U.S. are both considering scoring crypto assets based on how clean or dirty they are, while the IMF has proposed a carbon tax on crypto miners that could raise $5 billion per year in revenue while cutting carbon pollution up to 110 million tons. The Cool Down
• [New] A yearlong interruption at the main suppliers of battery parts could cost as many as 90,000 UK jobs and wipe out production of more than 580,000 electric vehicles from 2030. Bloomberg
• [New] In the coming years, Spain could see an economic leap if it carries out its ambitious plans to build data centers, advanced manufacturing plants, and facilities linked to renewable energy. RUSSPAIN.COM
• [New] If fiscal plans proceed, they would provide important support for growth in 2026; if not, it could cause a deterioration in both growth and sentiment. / Germany AdvisorAnalyst.com
• [New] Employment growth in 2026 is projected at 0.5% in upper middle-income economies, 1.8% in lower middle-income economies, and 3.1% in low-income countries. Human Resources Online
• [New] If elections are held in 2026, they could become either a black swan event for Ukraine, bringing a sharp increase in chaos and turmoil, or a phoenix that will revive hopes for the formation of a fundamentally new economic policy. International Liberty Institute

Last updated: 20 January 2026