Economy

Suspension of USAID: An Opportunity for China?
Suspension of USAID: An Opportunity for China?

The Trump administration has suspended USAID, freezing billions of dollars in funding and humanitarian aid. The United States could offer China a real opportunity to expand its influence, particularly in Africa, Latin America and Asia — regions where American aid has always been essential. Since taking office on January 20, President Donald ...

Government Formation Delay: What Lies Ahead for Bank Withdrawal Limit Increases?
Government Formation Delay: What Lies Ahead for Bank Withdrawal Limit Increases?

As the political situation remains uncertain, especially regarding the formation of the government, the Central Bank of Lebanon decided at the end of January to suspend its previous policy that required banks to make multiple monthly payments to beneficiaries of Circulars 158 and 166. This decision restores withdrawal limits to pre-crisis ...

Lebanon Reconnects with the World: Airlines Resuming Flights
Lebanon Reconnects with the World: Airlines Resuming Flights

From the onset of the escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, all international airlines suspended their flights to Lebanon. Among them, major carriers such as Air France, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines halted their routes to Beirut, citing security concerns for passengers and crew amid ongoing bombardments and the inability to guarantee ...

Khalil: Approval of the 2025 Budget by Decree Is Necessary
Khalil: Approval of the 2025 Budget by Decree Is Necessary

The Caretaker Minister of Finance, Youssef Khalil, stated that “the approval of the 2025 budget draft by decree, after adhering to the deadlines set by law, has now become a necessity. According to him, “this remains financially safer than not approving it and resorting to expenditures based on the provisional twelfth rule.” Khalil noted ...

The Challenge of Housing Loans in Lebanon
The Challenge of Housing Loans in Lebanon

To encourage young graduates to stay in Lebanon, it is imperative to first offer them job opportunities and then viable solutions for homeownership. However, today, the landscape of real estate credit remains unclear, with no serious plan for the recovery of public and private institutions yet in place. In principle, three entities are capable of ...

Where Things Stand in China-US Trade Tensions
Where Things Stand in China-US Trade Tensions

China has made good on its threats to retaliate in the escalating trade war with the United States, imposing tariffs on American imports of energy, cars and machinery parts. That came just minutes after a 10 percent tariff hike on Chinese goods, announced by US President Donald Trump on Saturday, came into effect. Here's the state of play in the ...

Tariffs: Gold Shines and the Euro Crashes
Tariffs: Gold Shines and the Euro Crashes

After a year marked by record highs, gold seems poised to continue its surge in 2025, as investors seek to shield themselves from global economic uncertainties. The trade policies of US President Donald Trump, particularly the new tariffs that could provoke a trade war, dampen economic growth and fuel inflation, will likely benefit gold. Gold ...

US stocks open sharply lower on Trump tariffs
US stocks open sharply lower on Trump tariffs

Wall Street stocks opened sharply lower Monday, joining most international equity bourses in falling after US President Donald Trump launched trade wars against Canada, Mexico and China. The tariffs, if maintained, are expected to prolong or worsen inflationary pressures, hitting growth. About 25 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones industrial ...

OpenAI Announces New 'Deep Research' Tool for ChatGPT
OpenAI Announces New 'Deep Research' Tool for ChatGPT

US tech giant OpenAI on Monday unveiled a ChatGPT tool called "deep research" ahead of high-level meetings in Tokyo, as China's DeepSeek chatbot heats up competition in the AI field. Artificial intelligence newcomer DeepSeek has sent Silicon Valley into a frenzy, with its supposed low cost and high performance prompting calls for US developers to ...

Japan 'deeply concerned' at global impact of Trump tariffs
Japan 'deeply concerned' at global impact of Trump tariffs

Japan is “deeply concerned” about the possible repercussions on global trade of US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs targeting major trading partners Canada, Mexico and China, its finance minister said Sunday. Trump said Canadian and Mexican exports to the United States would face a 25 percent tariff starting Tuesday, while goods from ...

'Made in Lebanon:' When Local Takes Root
Social'Made in Lebanon:' When Local Takes Root

Wines, condiments of all kinds, baskets filled with honey, cakes and jams — stepping into Convivio in Antelias is like immersing yourself in the heart of Lebanese terroir. Since 2019, sisters Mirvat and Karine Sarkis have carefully curated the products they offer in their store. “When the economic crisis started, we decided to sell Lebanese ...

Figure of the Week: Decrease in Car Imports via the Port of Beirut in 2024
Numbers & FiguresFigure of the Week: Decrease in Car Imports via the Port of Beirut in 2024

Car imports through the port of Beirut have seen a significant -20% drop in the first eleven months of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. From January to November 2024, a total of 41,135 cars were imported, down from 51,423 during the same period last year, reflecting a slowdown in the automotive import sector.