Uncovering the secret food trade that corrupts Iran’s neighbours Oil and terrorism are not the country’s only exports

Iran is flooding the Gulf with foodstuffs. Nine out of ten aubergines, tomatoes and watermelons imported by the UAE are of Persian origin. Oman and Qatar are also being targeted. This is the most spectacular invasion you have never heard of www.economist.com/interactive/...

Thrilled to say that I have been named Journalist of the Year by the @wincottfound.bsky.social, for my coverage of Iran's sanction-busting, Russia's new economic friends and China's secret commodity stockpiles. Huge thanks to my colleagues and editors wincott.co.uk/matthieu-fav...

China has a weapon that could hurt America: rare-earth exports It has only just begun to use it

In the trade war between the US and China, most of the focus has been on the tariff tit for tat. But China has another weapon to hurt America: restrictions on rare-earth exports. That is a weapon it is starting to deploy. How much damage could it cause? www.economist.com/finance-and-...

Tin, an overlooked critical metal, is enjoying a boom Prized and in short supply, its price is very volatile

Markets are sliding. Oil and gas are tanking. Other commodities are down. So this week I wrote about a niche material that's holding up better than most. Tin is the one critical metal no one's talking about www.economist.com/finance-and-...

How Europe can hurt Russia’s economy Even if America lifts sanctions, the old continent has its own weapons

What if America lifts sanctions on Russia but Europe does not? Access to US tech, currency and payment networks, some say, is what Russia really wants. But the old continent has its own weapons. Ignored and threatened, it may be tempted to use them www.economist.com/finance-and-...

If it comes to a stand-off, Europe has leverage over America But pulling some of those levers would be so damaging as to make them unusable

Faced with Trump's bullying, Europe wants to avoid escalation. Its retaliatory tariffs are measured. The bloc still hopes that the worst instincts of the American president and his coterie can be moderated. But what if they can't? www.economist.com/briefing/202...

Syria’s economy, still strangled by sanctions, is on its knees It will not improve until they are lifted

Three months after Syria’s 14-year civil war ended, and as Ramadan begins, euphoria is being replaced by anger at the continuing atrophying of the economy. There is a way to change this www.economist.com/briefing/202...

Will Europe return to Putin’s gas? A deal with the devil would boost the continent’s miserable economy

As Trump starts talks with Russia on ending war in Ukraine, European gas prices are cooling. They are now 17% down from their peak of Feb 10th. How likely is it that Europe starts piping gas from Russia again? www.economist.com/finance-and-...

Donald Trump’s Super Bowl tariffs are an act of self-harm Duties on aluminium and steel will throttle American industry and fragment global markets

MUFG, a bank, estimates that a 25% tariff will push up the cost of a tonne of steel imported into America from $755 to over $900, negating a cost advantage that America currently enjoys over Europe. Donald Trump's metals wars will corrode the economy www.economist.com/finance-and-...

The Arctic: climate change’s great economic opportunity An enormous prize is on offer. When might it be grasped?

The Arctic’s first ice-free day may occur before 2030. For many this is a tragedy. But some smell a huge economic opportunity www.economist.com/finance-and-...

Iran is vulnerable to a Trumpian all-out economic assault Oil prices are already at a five-month high

After ignoring Iran's clandestine oil trade for most of his tenure, Biden is finally turning the screws. The result: Iran's oil exports are down by a quarter in 3 months. Now Trump promises maximum pressure... How will Iran - and oil prices - respond? www.economist.com/finance-and-...

Ukraine is winning the economic war against Russia Whether that lasts depends on its ability to overcome acute shortages of power, men and money

For the first time since 2022, it looks like Ukraine is winning the economic war. But it faces strong headwinds: the uptick of war, the downtick of domestic resources... and Donald Trump www.economist.com/finance-and-... Great to collaborate with @olliecarroll.bsky.social

Donald Trump wants to be the ultimate energy baron. But how much oil can he really pump? (Spoiler: much less than he says)
www.economist.com/finance-and-...

What would it cost to kill coal? The price of shutting down coal power, and what would be gained

Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel. Yet it still provides a third of global energy. What would it cost to kill it? My colleagues and I crunched the numbers in this COP-special interactive piece www.economist.com/interactive/...