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After a period of moderating price pressures, global inflation risks are once again coming into focus. The recent rise in energy prices—particularly oil and natural gas—raises an important question: Is the world facing a second wave of inflation?
The re-emergence of oil prices above $100 per barrel represents a critical inflection point for the global macro environment. Unlike prior commodity cycles, the current surge is occurring against a backdrop of persistent inflation, restrictive monetary policy, and heightened geopolitical risk.
Global equity markets are currently undergoing a sharp correction, driven not by a collapse in corporate performance, but by an escalation in geopolitical risks—most notably tensions across the Middle East and the resulting surge in energy prices.
For decades, the inverse relationship between the U.S. dollar and commodity prices has been a foundational principle in macro investing.
Rising tensions in the Middle East have once again drawn global attention to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategically important maritime passages in the world. The narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, serving as the primary export route for oil from major producers including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran.
Canada’s renewed push to strengthen economic ties with China signals a pragmatic shift in trade strategy. Facing rising geopolitical uncertainty and heavy export dependence on the United States, Ottawa appears to be pursuing diversification — expanding commercial engagement with Asia while maintaining its traditional Western alliances.
The return of President Donald Trump in January 2025 has triggered a significant recalibration of global trade. The administration’s sweeping tariff program, termination of key bilateral agreements, and more assertive economic policy stance have begun to reshape supply chains across North America, Europe, and Asia.
The year 2025 has seen geopolitical tensions emerge as a dominant driver of global financial market volatility, reshaping investment strategies and fueling inflationary pressures.
From the Ukraine conflict and Middle East hostilities to renewed U.S.–China trade frictions, investors are navigating one of the most unpredictable market environments of the decade.
On 30 October 2025, President Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan (South Korea) on the sidelines of the APEC 2025 summit for their first face-to-face talks since 2019. The meeting attracted global attention due to its timing amid elevated U.S.–China trade tensions, export-controls issues, and supply-chain risks.
The “weaponisation of finance” refers to the strategic use of financial mechanisms such as sanctions, asset freezes, and exclusion from global payment systems to achieve geopolitical objectives.