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Topic / economics

Globalisation / Global Economy

Cross-border shocks, global demand and the links between major economies.

Core exam brief

Know the idea before you use the evidence.

Definition

Globalisation is the increasing integration of economies through trade, capital, production, technology and labour flows.

Chain of analysis

Greater integration can expand markets and specialisation, but also transmits demand, financial and supply shocks more quickly across countries.

Evaluation trigger

Benefits depend on competitiveness, institutions, distributional effects, resilience and the degree of dependence on external demand or supply chains.

Latest verified coverage

30 Sept 2026 · United States

Energy

U.S. EV electricity-use growth slowed to 8% in early 2026

U.S. light-duty electric vehicles used 8% more electricity in the first half of 2026 than in the second half of 2025, well below the 13–24% six-month growth rates seen in recent years.

An electric car connected to a public charging station in Buffalo, New York

30 Sept 2026 · United States

Economic GrowthTrade

U.S. GDP growth revised up to 2.2% annualised in Q2 2026

U.S. real GDP grew at an annualised rate of 2.2% in the second quarter of 2026, 0.7 percentage points above the second estimate but below revised 2.5% growth in Q1.

A modern industrial factory in Silicon Valley

30 Sept 2026 · United Kingdom

Balance of PaymentsTrade

UK underlying current-account deficit narrows to £11.3bn in Q2 2026

The UK underlying current-account deficit, excluding precious metals, narrowed to £11.3 billion in Q2 2026, equal to 1.4% of GDP, from £14.3 billion in Q1.

Container freight train on the West Coast Main Line

30 Sept 2026 · United Kingdom

Economic GrowthTrade

UK GDP growth revised up to 0.5% in Q2 2026

UK real GDP grew by 0.5% in Quarter 2 2026, revised up from the first estimate of 0.4%, after growth of 0.6% in Quarter 1.

The London skyline seen from Waterloo Bridge

25 Sept 2026 · United States

EnergyCommoditiesInflation

Henry Hub natural gas prices were 6% lower this summer

The Henry Hub natural gas spot price averaged $2.93 per million British thermal units from June to August 2026, 6% below the same period in 2025 despite exceptionally hot weather.

Map of major natural gas pipelines across the United States

24 Sept 2026 · United States

Balance of PaymentsTrade

U.S. current-account deficit widens to $246.0bn in Q2 2026

The U.S. current-account deficit widened by $33.4 billion, or 15.7%, to $246.0 billion in Q2 2026, equal to 3.0% of current-dollar GDP compared with 2.7% in Q1.

Freight truck hauling an intermodal shipping container

15 Sept 2026 · Eurozone

Trade

The euro area recorded a €14.2 billion surplus in goods trade with the rest of the world in July 2026

The euro area recorded a €14.2 billion surplus in goods trade with the rest of the world in July 2026, with exports at €276.0 billion and imports at €261.8 billion.

Roll-on roll-off container ship entering a Mediterranean container terminal

11 Sept 2026 · United Kingdom

Trade

UK goods imports and exports rose in July 2026

UK goods imports rose 2.4% and goods exports rose 2.8% in July 2026; the total trade deficit was £9.0 billion in the three months to July 2026.

Container portal cranes at the Port of Auckland

28 Aug 2026 · United States

Energy

U.S. uranium production reached 2.1 million lb in 2025

U.S. uranium concentrate production reached 2.1 million lb in 2025, the highest level since 2017.

A worker at the Y-12 Plant in Oak Ridge examines a billet of enriched uranium metal

14 Aug 2026 · Eurozone

Trade

The euro area recorded a €8.6 billion surplus in goods trade with the rest of the world in June 2026

The euro area recorded a €8.6 billion surplus in goods trade with the rest of the world in June 2026, with exports at €272.5 billion and imports at €264.0 billion.

A container ship docking at a marine terminal

13 Aug 2026 · United Kingdom

TradeEconomic Growth

UK goods exports fell 6.3% in June as the Q2 trade deficit widened

UK goods exports fell 6.3% between May and June 2026 while goods imports fell 0.7%; the total goods-and-services trade deficit widened to £8.0 billion in Q2 2026.

Stacked freight containers at a container port

11 Aug 2026 · Global

InflationTrade

EIA expects Brent oil to ease from about $85 as supply recovers

The August outlook links oil supply, inventories and geopolitical disruption to the energy costs faced by households and firms worldwide.

An offshore oil platform near Santa Barbara, California

5 Aug 2026 · United States

TradeEconomic Growth

US trade deficit narrowed to $73.3 billion in June

Exports and imports both remained large, while the smaller deficit changed the net-trade contribution to US aggregate demand.

Shipping containers covering the docks at the Port of Newark

15 Jul 2026 · China

Economic GrowthTrade

China's economy grew 4.7% in the first half of 2026

Growth slowed in the second quarter as policymakers tried to support domestic demand while navigating trade and property-sector pressures.

The Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre and nearby buildings in China

8 Jul 2026 · Global

Economic GrowthTrade

IMF forecasts global growth of 3.0% in 2026

The July update describes a world economy still expanding, but exposed to trade, energy, financial and policy uncertainty.

The International Monetary Fund headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Analysis and example bank

29 July 2026 · United Arab Emirates

15-marker25-marker

UAE keeps Base Rate at 3.65% under the dirham's US dollar peg

On 29 July 2026, the Central Bank of the UAE kept its Base Rate at 3.65% after the US Federal Reserve left its Interest on Reserve Balances rate unchanged. The decision is a direct exchange-rate case because the Base Rate is anchored to the Fed under the UAE's fixed dirham-dollar regime. CBUAE's operating framework also states that it intervenes in the foreign-exchange market around USD/AED 3.672-3.673 to maintain the peg.

Dubai and its coastline photographed from the International Space Station

Updated July 2026 · China / Global

25-markerTrade

China’s growth slows and weakens global demand

China’s real GDP grew 4.3% year on year in Q2 2026, down from 5.0% in Q1. First-half growth was 4.7%. The example shows how slower activity in a major economy can transmit to other countries through trade and aggregate demand.

Rows of terraced houses in Dorset, United Kingdom