Global

Industry News

Trump Shifts Strategy to Economic Pressure on Iran, Leaving Hormuz Oil in Limbo

US President Donald Trump has adopted a low-key approach to negotiations with Iran, choosing to rely on economic pressure rather than new military strikes. The strategic shift leaves oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz in limbo despite ongoing shuttle tanker traffic. Energy infrastructure in the region faces persistent threats, including a missile attack on a UAE vessel and a fire at Saudi Arabia's Jazan refinery.

Policy & Legal Updates

IMF Warns Debt-Financed Corporate Tax Cuts and Policy Spillovers Threaten Global Growth

The International Monetary Fund warned that corporate income tax policies generate cross-border spillovers through profit shifting, investment reallocation, and knowledge transfers. According to an analytical chapter of its October 2026 World Economic Outlook, debt-financed tax cuts raise global interest rates and crowd out investment abroad. The fund also found that a one percentage point corporate tax rate hike relative to foreign rates leads to a cumulative 0.5 percent of GDP drop in FDI inflows over three years.

Industry News

UAE Enters Global Top 25 in 2026 Global Innovation Index

The UAE has climbed five places to rank 25th among 139 economies in the 2026 Global Innovation Index published by WIPO. The country secured first place worldwide across four indicators, including start-up financing and entrepreneurial policies. It also recorded strong performances in high-tech exports, brand value, and mobile application downloads.

China–UAE News

ICE Launches First VLCC Tanker Freight Futures for Gulf of Oman to China Route

Intercontinental Exchange has launched new freight derivatives, including the first tanker freight futures on the TD34 route from the Gulf of Oman to China. The contracts are cash-settled based on Baltic Exchange assessments to help market participants hedge freight risk amid shipping disruptions. Average daily trading volume across ICE freight markets grew 33 percent year-to-date.