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] Krungsri Research projects that EMs will outperform DMs in 2026, driven by three structural factors, led by a softer dollar which historically supports capital inflows into emerging economies and strengthens local currencies. https://www.bangkokpost.com
• [New] For Thailand, Krungsri expects economic growth in 2026 to remain modest at slightly above 2%, below long-term potential and regional peers. https://www.bangkokpost.com
• [New] As companies race to rapidly refine their models and investments in AI continue to climb, what comes next could have a major impact on the U.S. economy, national security, and innovation. Department of Computer Science
• [New] In a bullish scenario, if inflation fears intensify and trust in traditional institutions erodes further, Bitcoin could realistically target $150,000 by year-end, a prediction supported by historical patterns during economic uncertainty. Interactive Crypto
• [New] According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report, approximately 80% of the global workforce will need to acquire new skills by 2027 to remain competitive in an AI-transformed economy. Digital Applied
• [New] The data from PwC, Gallup, and the World Economic Forum is clear: 80% of the workforce needs to acquire new skills, 1 in 10 jobs now require AI competency, and organizations that fail to upskill their people will join the 98% of AI investments that do not deliver meaningful returns. Digital Applied
• [New] AI agents have the potential to add $2.9 trillion to the US economy by 2030 - assuming the vast capital expenditures by OpenAI and other tech firms have not derailed the hype train. The Register
• [New] Today, AI is gaining prominence and it has the potential to take the place that oil once held in the global economy. The Times Of India
• [New] For 2026, the US economy is expected to maintain steady growth, driven by resilient consumer spending, supported by potential tax adjustments that are expected to lead to higher consumer income, combined with potential monetary easing. Polymerupdate
• [New] Consumer spending could get a tailwind from what economists anticipate will be larger tax refunds in 2026 because of tax cuts. The Guardian
• [New] The potential impact of Connect 2030 on the Dutch technology sector and the broader economy is significant. thedetroitbureau
• [New] Resilient supply chains culminating in North America help avoid excessive dependence on a particular country, mitigate the risks of economic coercion, and enhance response capabilities when risks materialize. Keidanren
• [New] US markets are gripped by the AI scare trade, with investors selling software companies and wealth managers on concern that rapid advances in artificial intelligence will erode established business models. ST
• [New] Geopolitical risks, expectations of lower interest rates later in 2026, and continued investor and central-bank demand are underpinning prices. investing.com
• [New] Rather than dominating upstream production, China focuses on processing capacity and downstream battery manufacturing, creating different strategic vulnerabilities and opportunities for Western nations. Discovery Alert
• [New] S&P predicts headline inflation to stay elevated through 2026 and possibly 2027 before easing by 2028-2029, supported by tight monetary policy, narrower deficits, and slower consumer lending growth. The Astana Times
• [New] Electric vehicles could become cheaper to produce than internal-combustion cars by around 2027, as battery prices fall and manufacturing efficiencies improve. Davis Vanguard
• [New] In line with an agreement reached between the U.S. and other G7 countries last summer, a new safe harbour will effectively deem the U.S. tax system compliant with Pillar 2 and exempt U.S. MNE groups from certain top-up taxes. Grant Thornton
• [New] The growing abundance of renewable energy in China will give it a significant advantage in the AI race, which ultimately depends on the capacity to meet the vast power demands of data centers without depleting resources and driving up consumer costs. NOEMA
• [New] US government bond prices fell, pushing up borrowing costs as investors anticipated a loss of income from tariffs and the possibility that US companies could be eligible for refunds on import costs. The Guardian
• [New] Unless we find ways of distributing the benefits of AI more equitably, we risk confronting unprecedented levels of wealth inequality in the US. IFTF
• The US economy added +130,000 jobs in January, far exceeding the median forecast of +68,000 anticipated in a Bloomberg survey of economists. Staffing Industry Analysts

Last updated: 24 February 2026