Trade

10 August 2026 · European Union

On 10 August 2026 the European Commission confirmed definitive anti-dumping duties on EU imports of terephthalic acid from South Korea and Mexico. Duties on Korean imports range from 6.1% to 13.3%, while Mexican imports face a 24.1% duty. The case is a strong protectionism example because it shows a targeted tariff-style measure intended to defend EU producers from dumped imports while creating potential costs for downstream users.

29 July 2026 · United Arab Emirates

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.

13 August 2026 · United Kingdom

ONS reported that the UK's total goods-and-services trade deficit widened by £0.3bn to £8.0bn in Q2 2026. The headline hides a major contrast: a £60.7bn goods deficit was largely offset by a £52.7bn services surplus. This is a strong balance-of-payments example because it teaches students not to confuse the trade balance with the entire current account.

11 August 2026 · Global

The EIA expected Brent crude to average about $85 a barrel in Q3 2026 before easing to around $69 in 2027 as inventories rebuild. This gives students a specific, current supply-shock example rather than a generic statement that oil prices are volatile.

26 August 2026 · United States

U.S. real GDP grew at a 1.5% annualised rate in Q2 2026, down from 2.1% in Q1. Yet private domestic final sales grew 4.2%, making this a strong example of why students should look beyond the headline GDP number.

Updated July 2026 · China / Global

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.