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US-Iran Conflict Escalates Global Economic Pressure

Since the outbreak of the conflict between the United States and Iran in late February 2026, the situation has now entered its fourth week, with Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz severely disrupting global crude oil supply. Brent crude prices briefly surged to USD 114 per barrel on March 22, marking an increase of more than 60% from around USD 70 before the conflict, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude hovered near USD 98. The sharp rise in oil prices has begun to feed into inflation data, with the U.S. February CPI recording a slight increase and market expectations pointing to further inflationary pressure in March. Amid soaring energy prices and heightened geopolitical uncertainty, global equity markets have experienced volatility, with Dow Jones futures declining 0.73% and S&P 500 futures falling 0.61%. Higher energy costs are not only weakening consumer purchasing power but also increasing manufacturing expenses, and Taiwan’s energy import costs could rise by more than 20% year-over-year. The key driver of turbulence in the global energy market lies in the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway transports approximately 20 million barrels of crude oil per day, accounting for about one-fifth of global supply; any disruption therefore creates a substantial supply gap. On March 22, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the strait, warning that failure to comply would result in strikes on Iranian power plants and energy facilities. Iran, in response, threatened retaliation against U.S. assets in the Middle East, escalating the risk of further confrontation. Recent joint U.S.-Israel airstrikes have reportedly destroyed multiple Iranian missile bases and naval facilities, with missile inventories declining sharply over the past 72 hours. However, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard continues retaliatory actions near Israeli nuclear facilities, increasing the geopolitical risk premium in oil markets. As energy supply instability spreads, several energy-intensive industries have begun to feel the impact. For example, aluminum smelters have shut down approximately 19% of production lines, further disrupting global supply chains. Markets are also concerned that the conflict could expand to Kharg Island, Iran’s key oil export hub, which could push oil prices toward the USD 120 range. In the short term, if the United States delays military action and engages in substantive negotiations, oil prices could retreat below USD 100 per barrel, potentially allowing global equity markets to rebound. However, supply risks remain elevated. In the medium term, if the conflict continues through the end of March, oil prices could surge beyond USD 150, intensifying global inflationary pressure and forcing the Federal Reserve to maintain tighter monetary policy. Taiwan’s export-oriented manufacturing sector would also face rising cost pressures. Market participants should closely monitor signs of internal military shifts within Iran as well as progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations. While energy diversification and strategic reserves may partially mitigate the shock, persistent geopolitical tensions could continue to weigh on global economic growth through the second half of 2026. Investors may increasingly turn to safe-haven assets such as gold and the U.S. dollar while also tracking developments among alternative energy suppliers.

US-Malaysia Trade Deal Declared Void: New Global Trade Dynamics

Malaysia announced on March 15, 2026, that the “U.S.–Malaysia Reciprocal Trade Agreement” (ART) signed with the United States is invalid. This marks the first case following the U.S. Supreme Court’s February ruling that tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were unlawful. The agreement, originally signed at the ASEAN Summit on October 26, 2025, reduced tariffs on Malaysian exports to the U.S. from 25% to 19%, covering approximately 12% of Malaysia’s exports to the U.S., including key industries such as electrical and electronic products, oil and gas, palm oil, and rubber products. This development may have broad implications for the global economy, potentially prompting other countries to follow suit, widening the U.S. trade deficit (total U.S.–Malaysia trade reached USD 24.9 billion in 2024, with Malaysia ranking 14th in U.S. trade deficits), and increasing supply chain instability and stock market volatility. The root cause of this development lies in the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on February 20, which determined that the Trump administration’s unilateral imposition of reciprocal tariffs under IEEPA was unconstitutional, thereby removing the legal foundation of the ART. As a result, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz, formally declared on March 15 that the agreement “does not exist.” Malaysia’s exports to the U.S. are highly dependent on electronic products (export value reached USD 43.39 billion in 2024, representing a 67% increase compared to 2020). The agreement had previously provided preferential market access; its invalidation raises concerns that the U.S. may initiate Section 301 investigations, potentially impacting major export sectors such as electronics. Furthermore, the Trump administration has warned that countries invoking the court ruling to withdraw from agreements may face retaliatory tariffs, exacerbating trade tensions. Malaysia has opted to exit the agreement to avoid compromising its economic sovereignty and trade surplus (approximately MYR 98.7 billion). Looking ahead, in the short term, U.S.–Malaysia trade may shift toward a general 10% U.S. tariff framework. While this transition could reduce export costs compared to the previous 19% rate, Malaysian exporters will still face uncertainty and must remain cautious of potential targeted tariffs under Section 232 or Section 301, particularly in the electronics and rubber sectors. In the medium term, if more countries declare similar agreements invalid, the global trade landscape may undergo restructuring due to a chain reaction, leading to further supply chain adjustments. The U.S. trade deficit could worsen (Malaysia’s exports to the U.S. totaled USD 3.867 billion in January 2025, down 9% month-over-month from December 2024), potentially fueling inflation and influencing Federal Reserve monetary policy. The Malaysian government is currently assessing cost-benefit implications and seeking ASEAN cooperation to diversify risks. Overall, the market outlook remains volatile, and investors are advised to closely monitor subsequent negotiation developments.

The Iran War and Its Impact on Global Growth and Inflation

From late February to early March 2026, the United States and Israel launched military actions against Iran, triggering a conflict that swiftly reverberated across the global economy. The escalation placed additional strain on an already tight energy market. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit chokepoint, was effectively closed for a period, pushing Brent crude prices from around USD 70 to above USD 80 per barrel, with an intraday high of approximately USD 82 per barrel as of March 3. The sharp rise in oil prices intensified global inflationary pressures, particularly for economies heavily dependent on energy imports, as production and transportation costs increased. Meanwhile, volatility in equity and foreign exchange markets widened, prompting capital flows into safe-haven assets such as the U.S. dollar and gold. Aviation, tourism, and consumer-related sectors came under pressure, adding further uncertainty to the global economic recovery outlook. The economic impact of the conflict can be explained through three primary transmission mechanisms. First, the Middle East serves as a central hub for global energy supply, with roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption to this route directly increases risk premiums in the energy market. According to Goldman Sachs, if the disruption were to last more than four weeks, oil prices could reflect an additional risk premium of approximately USD 14 per barrel. Second, rising energy prices transmit through the economy via cost pass-through effects, affecting manufacturing, transportation, and food production, thereby pushing up end-consumer prices and compressing corporate margins. The European Central Bank has warned that a prolonged conflict could exacerbate inflationary pressures and suppress output. Third, heightened geopolitical uncertainty has triggered a reallocation of global capital flows. Emerging market currencies and equities have weakened, while demand for the U.S. dollar and U.S. Treasuries has increased, tightening global financial conditions and amplifying market volatility. In the short term, if tensions de-escalate quickly and normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz resumes, oil prices and financial market pressures may partially ease, allowing inflationary and supply chain risks to gradually subside. However, if the conflict expands to include broader energy infrastructure or additional maritime routes, upward pressure on energy prices could persist over the medium to long term, posing a deeper drag on global economic growth. Analytical institutions estimate that a sustained USD 10 increase in oil prices could reduce global GDP growth by approximately 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points, with emerging markets facing more pronounced impacts. Under such circumstances, central banks may reassess their monetary policy stance in response to inflation risks, while corporations and investors adopt a more cautious approach to risk allocation. Over the coming weeks to months, the trajectory of geopolitical developments and the balance of energy supply and demand will remain key determinants of the global economic outlook. Read More at Datatrack

U.S. Tariff Dynamics: Impacts After Court Decision

The U.S. tariff policy has recently undergone significant changes. On February 20, the Supreme Court ruled that the broad reciprocal tariffs implemented by former President Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were invalid. This reduced the average effective tariff rate from the previously estimated 16.9% to 9.1%, still the highest level since 1946 (excluding 2025), but about one-third lower than the 2025 peak. As a result, short-term price levels increased by 0.6%, equivalent to an average household loss of around $800 (in 2025 dollars), with low-income households losing about $400. By the end of 2026, the unemployment rate is expected to rise by 0.3 percentage points, translating to a loss of approximately 550,000 jobs. In 2025, the trade deficit fell by only 0.2% compared with 2024, while the goods trade deficit grew by 2% year-on-year, indicating that tariffs had limited effect in reducing the deficit. These changes were primarily driven by the repeal of IEEPA tariffs, which significantly lowered rates for countries such as China, Canada, and Mexico—for example, China’s import tariff fell by nearly two-thirds. This prompted companies to apply for $142 billion in tariff refunds paid in 2025, providing short-term fiscal support. The Trump administration subsequently announced a 10% basic import tariff on global imports, later raised to 15%, while maintaining 25% national security tariffs under Section 232 on steel, aluminum, automobiles, and electronics to fill the policy gap and strengthen industrial protection. European firms expect the tariff impact to be even more pronounced in 2026, reflecting pressures from global supply chain restructuring. Overall, the combination of legal rulings and policy adjustments has reshaped the tariff structure, affecting import substitution and export competitiveness. Looking ahead, the tariff rate is expected to remain around 9.1% in the short term, with refund procedures supporting GDP growth in 2026. However, in the long term, the economy could shrink by 0.1% annually (about $300 billion per year), with manufacturing output slightly increasing by 1.2%, while agriculture and construction face pressure of about 2.4%. In the medium term, the government may invoke Section 122 or Section 232 to expand investigations, potentially raising tariffs to 15–24.1%. Fiscal revenues from 2026 to 2035 are estimated at $1.2 trillion (dynamic estimate $1 trillion), though the risk of retaliatory tariffs is rising in parallel.

U.S. December 2025 Retail Sales Flat, Below Expectations

Data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce on February 10, 2026 showed that retail sales in December 2025 totaled USD 735.0 billion, flat from November (0% MoM), falling short of market expectations for a 0.4% increase and below November’s 0.6% gain. On a year-over-year basis, growth slowed to 2.4% from 3.3% in November, indicating that momentum faded toward the end of the holiday shopping season. This marked the first flat monthly reading since 2024 and suggests a cooling in consumer spending momentum. By category, weakness across several segments weighed on the overall performance: Motor vehicle and parts dealers reported a decline, as trade tensions dampened demand. Furniture stores fell 0.9% MoM, electronics and appliance stores declined 0.4%, and clothing stores dropped 0.7%. Sales at restaurants and bars also decreased, reflecting softer discretionary spending. Building materials and garden equipment rose 1.2%, while gasoline stations edged up 0.3%, providing partial support. Core retail sales, excluding autos, gasoline, building materials, and food services, declined 0.1% MoM. Overall, persistent inflationary pressures and a high interest rate environment continued to constrain consumption, while tariff-related uncertainties weighed on confidence. In summary, December retail sales unexpectedly stalled, with annual growth moderating to 2.4%, signaling more cautious consumer behavior amid elevated prices and policy uncertainty. In the near term (1–2 months), retail activity is likely to remain subdued, with monthly growth potentially limited to 0.2–0.4% amid a wait-and-see stance from the Federal Reserve and ongoing tariff concerns. Over the medium term, if the labor market remains resilient and inflation continues to ease, retail sales growth could recover to around 3% YoY within six months. However, escalating trade tensions remain a key downside risk. Read More at Datatrack