Trade in 2025 "surpassed 45 trillion yuan ($6.4 trillion) for the first time

The global economy is proving more resilient than expected, with 2026 GDP growth expected ‌to improve slightly over forecasts from last June, the World Bank said on Tuesday while warning that growth is too concentrated in advanced countries and overall too weak to reduce extreme poverty.

The yen fell ​to its lowest against the dollar since July 2024 on Tuesday as traders braced for a Japanese election and also ‌hit lows against European currencies, with the dollar pressured by worries about the Federal Reserve’s independence.

Alphabet briefly hit $4 ​trillion in market valuation on Monday, as the Google parent’s sharpened artificial intelligence focus allayed ‌doubts about its strategy and thrust it back to the forefront of the high-stakes race.

Oil prices extended gains on Tuesday as heightened concerns surrounding major producer Iran and potential supply disruptions overshadowed the prospect of increased crude supply from Venezuela.

The bill mandates a minimum 500% tariff on all goods from any country found knowingly purchasing Russian oil

Venezuela's state petroleum firm separately said that talks for the sale of crude oil to the United States had begun,

Global oil prices fell on Wednesday and China denounced the US as a bully after President Donald Trump’s administration said it had persuaded Venezuela to divert supplies from Beijing and import up to $2 billion worth of embargoed crude.

Samsung Electronics is expected to flag a 160 percent jump in its fourth-quarter operating profit spurred by a severe chip shortage that has sharply driven up memory prices as customers scramble to meet booming demand for artificial intelligence.

Gold extended gains on Tuesday to hit a one-week high, as dovish comments from Federal Reserve officials boosted bets on interest rate cuts and Venezuela tensions bolstered safe-haven demand.

A Model S is not an iPhone, a fact less obvious back in 2022. Then, electric-vehicle pioneer Tesla accounted for every dollar of profit generated from battery-powered rides. In that sense, it was similar to Apple, whose trailblazing smartphones became a recurring financial gift. The automaker’s CEO, however, has been steering the $1.4 trillion company into artificial intelligence, self-driving and beyond, fantastical initiatives that look more prescient now.

Oil prices fell on Monday after a US military operation seized Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, whose country has the world’s biggest proven crude reserves.

Vietnam said on Monday its economy grew 8.0 percent last year, thanks to gains in services, construction and exports and despite fresh US tariffs taking effect.

The dollar started the first full trading week of 2026 with a broad rally, climbing to a 3-1/2-week peak versus the euro and hitting two-week highs against the yen, Swiss franc and Canadian dollar.

The world economy is making a surprising habit of shrugging off unpleasant shocks. Since 2020, the planet has weathered a global pandemic, inflation, sharply rising interest rates, and the outbreak of war without a major slump.

Samsung Electronics plans to double this year the number of its mobile devices with “Galaxy AI” features largely powered by Google’s Gemini, its co-CEO said, which would give the US firm an edge over rivals as the global race in artificial intelligence heats up.

Gold prices climbed Monday along with other precious metals, after the United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend, escalating geopolitical tensions and fueling safe-haven demand.

In 2026, US battery supply will outstrip demand, ending dependency on imports.

The US dollar began 2026 stronger on Friday, snapping last year’s slump against most currencies as investors look ahead to a critical week of economic data that could steer Federal Reserve policy and global markets.

Dreams about the vast potential of artificial intelligence will collide with cold, hard reality as the Consumer Electronics Show kicks off in Las Vegas on Tuesday.