Economy — 2,051 insights
Asian economies question basis for Trump’s ‘forced labor’ tariffs
Economy

Asian economies question basis for Trump’s ‘forced labor’ tariffs

Duties tied to US standards, not the legal framework in each targeted economy The latest tariffs are another example of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration injecting uncertainty into the global trade order. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Reuters) NEW DELHI/SEOUL/SINGAPORE -- Asian governments and analysts on Friday greeted the White House's announcement of tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on 60 economies with disappointment and skepticism.

July 24, 2026
Australia’s PM grapples with push for tax hike on gas exporters
Economy

Australia’s PM grapples with push for tax hike on gas exporters

Labor's triennial conference also sees adoption of gambling reform motion Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, incoming Labor President Kate Ellis and Australian Labor Party National Secretary Paul Erickson appear at the 50th Australian Labor Party (ALP) national convention in Adelaide, Australia, on July 23. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) ADELAIDE, Australia -- Senior figures in Australia's ruling Labor Party have moved to head off pressure to hike taxes on Australia's liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters, as the party confronts a push from members during its national conference.

July 24, 2026
Bank of Japan to keep key rate unchanged at next week’s policy meeting: sources
Economy

Bank of Japan to keep key rate unchanged at next week’s policy meeting: sources

Central bank weighs upward revision of economic growth for fiscal 2026 The Bank of Japan plans to monitor the impact of the previous rate hike in June, amid Middle East tensions and inflation risks stemming from elevated oil prices. (Photo by Nanami Sato) TOKYO -- The Bank of Japan is set to hold the interest rate steady at 1% in its policy meeting scheduled for July 30 and 31, Nikkei learned on Friday.

July 24, 2026
Myanmar military clashes with rebels drop by half from peak
Economy

Myanmar military clashes with rebels drop by half from peak

Army regains footing while opposition forces struggle to maintain unity, funding Recruits to one of Myanmar's People's Defense Force groups train in Kayah state. (Sipa via AP) YANGON -- Clashes between Myanmar's military and opposition forces have fallen to the lowest level in roughly five years as the army regains its footing against divided pro-democracy fighters.

July 24, 2026
Rags-to-riches Chinese fentanyl maker carries $5m bounty on his head
Economy

Rags-to-riches Chinese fentanyl maker carries $5m bounty on his head

Chemical manufacturer Wuhan Yuancheng wrote a playbook copied by rural criminal networks The Wuhan skyline and a wanted notice for "drug kingpin" Ye Chuanfa, also known as Yip Chuen Fat. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration) NEW YORK/TOKYO -- Was it defiance, or simply a lack of shame? American journalist Ben Westhoff was taken aback.

July 24, 2026
Japan flips to net importer of petrochemicals on naphtha price surge
Economy

Japan flips to net importer of petrochemicals on naphtha price surge

Importing petrochemicals instead of producing them from naphtha makes it easier to adjust procurement to meet downstream demand. (Photo by Nikkei) TOKYO -- Japanese imports of basic petrochemicals used in products such as plastics have surged, with purchases from China and South Korea becoming more economical as the Iran war disrupts supplies of crude oil-derived naphtha.

July 24, 2026
Cambodia still seeks peace with Thailand
Economy

Cambodia still seeks peace with Thailand

Border demarcation must be settled through law, evidence and dialogue A family is pictured in Chok Chey Village, in the border dispute area of Banteay Meanchey Province, Cambodia, on Jan. 14. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) Prak Sokhonn is deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation for the Royal Government of Cambodia.

July 24, 2026
ANA scrambles to turn around profits on domestic routes
Economy

ANA scrambles to turn around profits on domestic routes

Japan carrier revamps ticket pricing to offset rising fuel, outsourcing costs ANA Holdings' domestic flights would operate at a loss without government support. (Photo by Konosuke Urata) TOKYO -- ANA Holdings is racing to overhaul its revenue structure on domestic flights to offset ballooning costs, even if the Japanese air carrier experiences turbulence along the way.

July 24, 2026
Singapore’s GIC eyes more investments in companies leveraging AI
Economy

Singapore’s GIC eyes more investments in companies leveraging AI

Government-owned investor also focuses on hedge funds for diversification GIC CEO Lim Chow Kiat says the winners will be those who can "successfully transform themselves" by leveraging AI. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by GIC) SINGAPORE -- GIC, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, is extending its AI-related investment focus beyond semiconductor companies and AI developers toward companies that can leverage the technology to maximize corporate value, according to its chief executive.

July 24, 2026
Economists skeptical Japan can grow its way out of debt: Nikkei survey
Economy

Economists skeptical Japan can grow its way out of debt: Nikkei survey

Public-private investment seen as inadequate for goal of steadily lowering debt-to-GDP ratio Economists are skeptical that the Japanese government's investment push will spur enough growth to drive down debt relative to GDP. (Photo by Rie Ishii) TOKYO -- Economists largely doubt the Japanese government can achieve its goal of steadily lowering the country's ratio of debt to gross domestic product, a Nikkei survey finds, voicing skepticism about the government's fiscal plan that relies on high growth.

July 24, 2026
Hefei’s CXMT jackpot fuels China local governments’ tech bets
Economy

Hefei’s CXMT jackpot fuels China local governments’ tech bets

Hefei has transformed itself into an economic powerhouse by using investment funds to lure tech companies like CXMT, which is set to make a splash on Shanghai's bourse next week. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Wataru Suzuki and Getty Images) Investment model raises risks of overinvestment in Beijing's priority sectors HEFEI, China -- The headquarters of Chinese memory chip maker CXMT is more than 1,000 kilometers away from the country's tech hubs in Beijing or Shenzhen. The sprawling campus, surrounded by walls with electrified fencing for security, sits in the eastern city of Hefei, which is poised to reap hefty rewards from its bet on the company.

July 24, 2026
J-Will, Advantage Partners help lead Japan private equity into Asia
Economy

J-Will, Advantage Partners help lead Japan private equity into Asia

Moves into Singapore, India follow Japanese companies' search for new suppliers and markets Japanese investment funds, traditionally focused on the domestic market, are expanding elsewhere in Asia. (Source photos by Nikkei) TOKYO -- Japanese private equity firms are hunting for deals in Asia, looking to tap into economic growth in the region while helping Japanese companies expand overseas.

July 24, 2026