GlobalSource Partners | Country Insights

A skimmable summary overlaid with our analysis and links. Headlines: * There were no direct US-Iran strikes, but rhetoric was heated, and a Hormuz deal was not finalized. * Iran fired on three Adnoc tankers, and the US fired on a cargo ship heading for Iran. * The Houthis repeatedly struck A...

Sustained growth

INDONESIA · Report · 14 Aug 2026

Indonesia's Central Board of Statistics released its national accounts data for Q2 2026, showing that the Indonesian economy grew 5.29% Y/Y, below the Q1 rate of growth of 5.61%. With that, Indonesia's economy has grown by 5.45% in the first semester of 2026. The Central Board of Statistics al...

Chile's Tough Tariff Dilemma

CHILE · In Brief · 14 Aug 2026

The Chilean political and business class is still digesting the United States’ decision to impose a 12.5% tariff on a large share of Chilean exports. While the country will certainly take an economic hit, the real question is political, as the move challenges several assumptions that have guided ...

Flávio Bolsonaro had difficulty registering his candidacy, the official campaign period begins on Sunday and runs through October 1, and the government said it notified the U.S. about instating reciprocal tariffs

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 14 Aug 2026

When Senator Flávio Bolsonaro attempted to register his candidacy for the presidency, he was prevented from doing so because the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) system showed that he was affiliated with Missão rather than the PL. Yesterday, the TSE restored Flávio’s PL affiliation. His candidacy h...

Great news: Constitutional Court refused a Fidesz request to reverse the re-nationalisation of 'public interest trusts'

HUNGARY · In Brief · 14 Aug 2026

Fidesz has asked the Constitutional Court to annul four provisions of the Constitution's 16th and 17th amendment, all approved by the Tisza-dominated new parliament. These were:- the provision required for the so-called public interest trusts (PITs), a legal construction, through which Fidesz exp...

Shein’s IPO and the Chinese economy

CHINA ADVISORY · Report · 13 Aug 2026

Clothing company Shein’s expected IPO in 2026 is attracting attention because of its size and the global reach of the company. The IPO also sheds light on broader issues: a micro analysis of the company and region provides a window into China’s economy. Shein has been an important part of the loc...

Lula signed four decrees on policies for the electricity and fuels sectors, the STF will hold a hearing on whether the FGC will extend a loan to BRB, and the Federal Revenue Service may release new regulations on Tax Reform

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 13 Aug 2026

President Lula (PT) yesterday signed four decrees regulating policies for the electricity and fuel sectors. The measures regulate the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF); Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), aimed at the environmentally responsible storage of CO2; the legal framework for green hy...

Upcoming Webinar - Argentina's recovery-drivers, risks and timing

ARGENTINA · Report · 13 Aug 2026

Date: 14 Aug 2026 | Time: 10:00 AM EDT How will Argentina navigate the tradeoff between disinflation and economic growth in the second half of 2026? Can a steady or rising dollar demand destabilize the peso ahead of the presidential election? Can MECON's financing program ameliorate investor c...

Inflation forecast up, but easing hopes alive

TURKEY · In Brief · 13 Aug 2026

The CBRT released its third Inflation Report of the year today. The Bank once again revised its end-2026 inflation forecast upward, to 28% from 26%, while keeping its year-end interim target unchanged at 24%. Its forecasts for 2027 and 2028, which also serve as interim targets, were left unchange...

Economic performance looked better in recent months

RUSSIA ECONOMICS · In Brief · 12 Aug 2026

Recent economic and financial data indicate the Russian economy has been improving in recent months, though it’s still too early to celebrate. Rosstat’s preliminary estimate shows GDP grew by 1.3% y-o-y in 2Q26. Since GDP fell by 0.2% year-on-year in 1Q26, this means that in the first half of 202...

Continuous cycle

BRAZIL ECONOMICS · Report · 12 Aug 2026

The Copom Minutes are, overall, more dovish than its previous version pertaining to the June meeting. Even so, although we expect the Selic rate target reach 13.75% per annum at the end of the year, that is, 0.25 p.p. below its current level, we do not have sufficient elements to determine whethe...

Bi-Weekly Economic News Summary

KAZAKHSTAN · In Brief · 12 Aug 2026

Jul 29 Foreign Ministry: The Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan and the US discussed the CPC situation by phone. Jul 30 National railways: Freight traffic by rail between Kazakhstan and China increased by 9% y-o-y in 1H26. CPC: The company halted oil shipments at its marine terminal after a UAV atta...

Polls show that the election remains polarized between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro, the House may vote on the bill that reduces taxes on fuels, and Lula will sign four decrees on policies for the electricity and fuels sectors

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 12 Aug 2026

Between Monday and Tuesday, three opinion polls were released. The Nexus/BTG, Apex/Futura, and CNT/MDA polls converge on one central point: the presidential election remains polarized between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro, with both holding a wide lead over the other candidates. Today, the Lower Hous...

Peace Process: A Happy Ending of Sorts

TURKEY · In Brief · 11 Aug 2026

Global Source Partners TURKEY has publicly declared a recess for the month of August, but the Turkish parliament stubbornly denies this fundamental right. Instead, after sitting on its fat derriere for most of the winter/spring session, it passed a very useful piece of legislation before ITS rece...

High-tech employment remains stable, but AI is changing hiring patterns

ISRAEL · In Brief · 11 Aug 2026

In recent months, the debate regarding the impact of AI on the labor market has intensified. This has been driven by a growing number of announcements from technology companies about layoffs and efficiency measures. Against this backdrop, a recent survey by the Israel Innovation Authority and Zvi...