Global Scans · Economy · Weekly Summary

DRIVER: The global economy still faces serious headwinds and political uncertainty potentially balanced by the enormous promise of technological advancements in many fields. Read on to get a solid handle on the opportunities and risks you and your organization may likely face and set your sails accordingly.

• [New] President Donald Trump's America First Program might just lead to a rush of reshoring of production and jobs, as well as more foreign direct investment (FDI) in America. Industrial Equipment News
• [New] The resources in the asteroid belt could be worth $100 million for every person on Earth, and mining just the 10 richest asteroids could yield $1.5 trillion. NEWS.am TECH - Innovations and science
• [New] 68% of global acrylate monomer production is concentrated in China, creating vulnerability to export controls and logistical bottlenecks. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Flagship missions afford the greatest potential for NASA and other space agencies to unite resources to meet difficult challenges. The National Academies Press
• [New] Farm production expenses will reach $467 billion in 2025, up 2.6% from last year and more than 36% higher than in 2018. Floyd County Record
• [New] While moving production back to the U.S. might help reduce dependence on foreign sources, experts caution that reshoring alone will not fix persistent issues like drug shortages or production bottlenecks. LCGC International
• [New] With $18 trillion in global wealth reportedly being handed down by 2030, the anticipated inter-generational wealth transfer will reshape the economic landscape. Mishcon de Reya LLP
• [New] A healthy majority of members still believe in multilateralism and that a properly reformed UN can maintain peace, deliver public goods to protect the global commons, and provide hope for economic development. ST
• [New] Bernstein warned it threatens a major disruption among the low-lying fruits of India's services economy, where IT, BPO and sales jobs face the greatest replacement risk. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Large majorities anticipate long-term disruption in natural resources and energy, technology and innovation, trade and global value chains and global economic institutions. Mirage News
• [New] Some 72% of surveyed chief economists expect the global economy to weaken over the next year, amid intensifying trade disruption, rising policy uncertainty and accelerating technological change. Mirage News
• [New] Regional growth pathways are diverging: 56% anticipate greater divergence between advanced and developing economies, with MENA and South Asia emerging as bright spots. Mirage News
• [New] 72% of chief economists expect global economy to weaken in 2026 as disruptions in trade, technology, resources and institutions signal a shift to a new economic environment. Mirage News
• [New] By 2030, Africa will not only supply millions of digitally enabled roles but also host an expanding services economy where platforms that link learning to compliant global hiring will unlock disproportionate value. Tech | Business | Economy
• [New] By 2025 data centers are poised to increase their electrical consumption by 50%, while data volumes globally will surge by 500%. Bizclik Media Ltd
• [New] An AI that can rapidly design new drugs or materials could turbocharge an economy; one that can hack adversaries' networks or disable nuclear systems could upend global security. Medium
• [New] Analysts believe that the scattershot of tariffs by the world's largest economy will not only force multinational companies to reconsider their investment plans but will also prompt them to tweak their global supply chain to manage cost and maintain competitiveness. ST
• [New] A strong US economy tends to support stock markets by driving corporate earnings and lowering perceived risk, particularly amid growing worries about the escalating trade war. CoinTelegraph
• [New] Electricity consumption in the Middle East and North Africa has soared in recent decades and is set to keep rising sharply, with a range of sources expected to meet the growing demand as countries seek to diversify their power supplies. IEA
• [New] China is predicted to be self-sufficient in almost all critical technology and production sectors, the US is seen as losing some of its edge, and Russia is forecast to have no tech giants of its own. Bathtub Bulletin
• [New] There are early indications that 2025-26 may be another strong production season for South Africa's agriculture due to La Nina-induced rains. Business Report
• [New] Based on the collaboration with Riken, it is currently developing a 1,000-qubit superconducting quantum computer, scheduled to begin operation in fiscal 2026. FinExtra
• Bolstering national security will deliver both resilience and economic growth, leveraging and strengthening the UK's world-class defence supply chain. AtkinsRealis

Last updated: 30 September 2025