China Politburo Holds off on Further Stimulus

Big housing projects in the UK are getting scaled back or stuck in limbo due to frustrating delays. Take Greystar, a US real estate firm that bought prime London land in 2021 to build a flashy 300-unit rental tower. They submitted plans late last year—but after 40 weeks of waiting, they’re still twiddling their thumbs for approval. This isn’t just a one-off; it’s part of a wider slowdown hitting high-rise developments across the country.

Editor’s Note: If you’ve been wondering why new housing isn’t popping up as fast as it should, bureaucratic gridlock is a big culprit. These delays don’t just annoy developers—they shrink projects, reduce housing supply, and keep rents high. For cities like London, where space is tight and demand is sky-high, every stalled tower means more pressure on an already squeezed market.

Indonesia's central bank stepped in to prop up the rupiah after it slumped to its weakest level in a month. The move came as the US dollar gained strength following signals from the Federal Reserve that interest rates might stay higher for longer.

Editor’s Note: When the US dollar gets stronger, it can rattle emerging-market currencies like Indonesia's rupiah—making imports pricier and debt harder to manage. The central bank's intervention shows they're worried about volatility, but it also highlights how vulnerable smaller economies can be to shifts in US monetary policy. If this keeps up, it could squeeze businesses and consumers in Indonesia.

The Bank of Japan decided to keep interest rates unchanged at 0.5%, maintaining its cautious approach despite slightly raising its inflation forecasts. This marks another hold since January’s small rate hike, signaling policymakers aren’t rushing to tighten further—even as prices creep up.

Editor’s Note: Japan’s economy is stuck in a tricky spot: inflation is lingering, but not enough to push the central bank into aggressive action. For consumers and businesses, it means borrowing costs stay low for now, but the tweaked forecasts hint at growing pressure—so don’t expect rates to stay this low forever. Globally, it’s another sign that major economies are moving at different speeds, with Japan still trailing the Fed and ECB in hiking rates.

Former US official Nisha Biswal explains that President Trump’s decision to slap a 25% tariff on Indian exports—citing India’s own trade barriers—is a major setback for New Delhi. The move, set to take effect immediately, signals escalating trade tensions between the two nations, with India now facing tougher access to the lucrative US market.

Editor’s Note: Trade spats aren’t just about economics—they’re about leverage and politics. This tariff hike isn’t just a financial blow to Indian exporters; it’s a sign that even strategic allies like the US and India aren’t immune to protectionist friction. For businesses and consumers, it could mean higher prices and strained diplomatic relations at a time when both countries are navigating bigger global challenges.

Former President Donald Trump has rolled out a flurry of new tariff proposals targeting copper imports, Brazilian goods, South Korean products, and small-value shipments—a move that could escalate trade tensions and impact consumer prices. The announcements signal a return to his aggressive trade policies, which were a hallmark of his first term.

Editor’s Note: If these tariffs go into effect, they could ripple through global supply chains, raising costs for manufacturers and potentially hitting everyday consumers. It also sets the stage for possible retaliation from affected countries, which might further strain international trade relations. For businesses and investors, this is a red flag to watch—trade wars have a history of backfiring.