International - Financial Times - Credit Squeeze

Beijing faces calls to increase stimulus and support lagging demand in world’s second-biggest economy

Canberra pushes to increase business with south-east Asia at a time of heightened trade tensions

Policymakers sparred over decision to cut interest rates earlier in December

Analysts say Federal Reserve rate cuts will push the US currency lower in 2026

Stock market performance, strong activity and normalising labour markets show a volatile, but ultimately benign, 2025

White House has other ways to hit trading partners with duties

Also in today’s newsletter: Meta buys Chinese-founded AI start-up and Trump threatens Iran

Investors’ bet on AI boom and Tokyo’s ability to withstand trade turmoil buoy shares

The US president’s ‘liberation day’ tariffs spooked markets but the global trading system has proved to be resilient

US president says he will name Federal Reserve chair’s successor in January

Trump may not advance tariffs further but could broaden his campaign to new fronts of conflict

Also in today’s newsletter: Silicon Valley’s ‘fortress balance sheets’, and China’s new military drills around Taiwan

In spite of the erratic nature of Donald Trump’s decision making, a distinct pattern has emerged

Economists and tax collectors might be underestimating its impact

Fears about China’s control of the rare earth supply chain have bolstered demand for alternative suppliers

US midterms, a crunch poll for the UK PM, plus questions of nuclear arms treaties and the risk of an AI bubble burst

Steep fall in November nearly wipes out profit growth in 2025 as Beijing steps up pressure on over-investment

Ottawa and South American bloc aim to conclude a deal within a year

It has been a very mixed year for reforms and sensible governance

Rate of increase in output expected to slow despite Berlin’s fiscal push, FT survey finds