May 2025
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Lessons from AWS to Upwork: How Tech Firms Are Tapping the $4.6 Trillion Global Digital Services Market
In a landmark shift for the global economy, the World Trade Organization (WTO) reported in April 2025 that digitally delivered services exports reached US$ 4.64 trillion in 2024, growing at a robust 8.3% annually. These services now represent 14.5% of total global exports of goods and services, underscoring a structural transformation in how value is…
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Why Oil Trade Dominates Global Headlines?
Oil trades consistently make global headlines because oil is not just a commodity—it is a geopolitical, economic, and strategic asset. Its trade and pricing influence nearly every aspect of modern life, from transportation and manufacturing to inflation and foreign policy. As a policy professional, you will frequently encounter global and national headlines centered around oil—whether…
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Navigating Uncertainty: WTO’s Global Trade Projections for 2025-2026
The World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) latest Global Trade Outlook and Statistics, 2025-26, signals growing turbulence in the world economy. Rising tariffs, increased trade policy uncertainty (TPU), and geopolitical shifts are expected to weigh heavily on trade and output over the next two years. The WTO’s revised forecasts indicate slower growth in merchandise trade and services,…
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International Trade Agreements as Statecraft: Evidence-Based Insights for Policymakers from Global Successes & Failures
In an increasingly interconnected world, global trade deals serve as the backbone of international economic activity. These agreements—whether bilateral, multilateral, or regional—define how goods, services, investments, and even labour move across borders. By lowering trade barriers and creating harmonised rules, trade deals facilitate economic growth, boost investor confidence, and solidify geopolitical alliances. However, while some…
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The United Kingdom’s Global Trade Strategy: A Post-Brexit Blueprint in Motion
Since the United Kingdom (UK) formally exited the European Union in January 2020, it has undertaken one of the most complex and consequential economic reorientations in recent global trade history. Once an integral member of one of the world’s largest customs unions, the UK now operates as an independent trading nation with the sovereign authority…
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Conflicts and Peace in the 21st Century: Real Stories from International Relations
International Relations (IR) as a discipline revolves around the dynamics of power, interests, cooperation, and confrontation among global actors. Two of the most central and enduring concepts in this field are conflict and peace. These phenomena shape world politics, development, diplomacy, and global governance. Understanding the nature of conflict and peace, along with their real-world…
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Mining Profits, Powering Portfolios: Critical Minerals for Forward-Looking Investors
As the world shifts toward clean energy, digital technology, and advanced manufacturing, critical minerals have emerged as the building blocks of the future economy. Their significance is no longer confined to national strategies or geopolitical competition—they are now at the heart of modern investment portfolios. From institutional players like corporates and fund managers to individual…