Global Scans · USA · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Donald Trump's surprise win in the Presidential election mean the world and America can expect prolonged uncertainty as new domestic policies are put in place, different international relationships formed and attitudes change towards current friends and rivals.

• [New] We hold a pessimistic outlook for the Botswana consumer over 2026 and 2027, forecasting real household spending to contract as diamond sector weakness dampens economic activity and a renewed inflationary uptick, driven by the US-Iran conflict, erodes consumer purchasing power. Fitch Solutions
• [New] Within U.S. sectors, we still favor tech as a core long-term holding alongside industrials, financials, health care, and energy as opportunities broaden. Truist
• [New] If Canada's retaliatory tariffs take effect, there is a possibility that the U.S. could escalate with new tariffs in response, intensifying the trade tensions. Russell Investments
• [New] To properly address distillation, policy should focus on illegitimate model access - and avoid imposing poorly targeted rules that could harm Americans and distort the open and competitive U.S. AI ecosystem. Institute for Law & AI
• [New] As a part of the U.S. Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program, the California Volcano Observatory aims to advance scientific understanding of volcanic processes and lessen the harmful impacts of volcanic activity in the volcanically active areas of California and Nevada. USGS
• [New] Although job losses attributed to AI represent a small share of the overall U.S. workforce, Americans of all age groups are more likely to view AI as a force that will take away jobs, not create them. Ipsos
• [New] Oil prices climbed more than 2% after renewed U.S.-Iran fighting raised fresh fears of disruption to shipping and crude exports through the Strait of Hormuz. oilprice.com
• [New] Drivers in the safest U.S. cities can go years longer between collisions, reducing risk and helping keep insurance costs more manageable, according to Allstate's 2026 America's Best Drivers Report. Allstate
• [New] NASA has placed its future of humans on the lunar surface on a single commercial partnership, with SpaceX - a mighty risk considering it represents the future of US human spaceflight. DebateUS
• [New] The United States will begin its first moon landings in decades under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. DebateUS
• [New] Competition from Chinese AI models: If the US stops short of banning Chinese models, their cost leadership could increase margin pressure on US providers. DJE Kapital AG
• [New] Russia has successfully tested a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile that could reach the US, its defence ministry has said. The Independent
• [New] Canada's existing counter-tariff on US steel and aluminum will increase from 25% to 50% to match the new US rate; its existing counter-tariff on US-made vehicles continues unchanged. Zonos
• [New] The prospect of expanded sanctions and Iran's threat to respond come after weeks of impasse, with the United States having not yet dislodged Iran's grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The American Legion
• [New] USS Abraham Lincoln heads home after demanding deployment, Iran warns that U.S. sanctions will not bring end to war, and U.S. surveillance plane flies through Taiwan Strait for first time in five months. The American Legion
• [New] For U.S. casualty, automobile and certain property catastrophe risks, insurers are more conservative when providing high limits and, in some cases, are actively looking to reduce their exposure. Aon
• [New] Dominant Region: North America is expected to hold approximately 38% revenue share in 2026, led by the U.S. aerospace and automotive sector's early adoption of electric variable geometry turbocharger actuators. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The American Automobile Association (AAA) announced this week that it expects this month to be the most expensive August on record for petrol prices, with US consumers paying an average of more than $4 a gallon (3.8 liters). Al Jazeera
• [New] The EU's gas stores have struggled to rise towards a watered-down target of 80% full by the start of winter, since the US-Israel war on Iran triggered severe disruption to exports of oil and gas from the Gulf region. The Guardian
• [New] Global lithium prices, which peaked in 2022 and corrected sharply in 2023-2024, are expected to stabilize in 2026 as demand from EV adoption (especially in Europe and North America) catches up with supply. Energy Solutions Intelligence
• As a complement to adoption data, we can anchor the economic weight by sector with PwC's 2030 view which quantifies 5G's GDP impact by industry-led by healthcare and smart utilities, followed by consumer & media (~ US$254 B), manufacturing, and financial services. cavliwireless.com
• There could be an attack from space within the next two years - something which has also been dubbed a potential Pearl Harbour in space for the US. DebateUS

Last updated: 16 September 2026