Marketplace All-in-One How will the global economy fare in 2026?
Jan 1, 2026
Michelle Fleury, a BBC North America business correspondent, discusses the delayed impacts of U.S. tariffs and a K-shaped economic recovery influenced by AI. Lily Jamali, a BBC technology correspondent, highlights trends in open-source Chinese AI models and the cost advantages for developers. Together, they explore the speculative risks surrounding massive investments in AI and question whether the market is headed for a bubble. Their insights paint a complex picture of the global economy leading into 2026.
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Rapid Shift In Global Trade Order
- Global trade policy shifted far faster and more dramatically than many expected in 2025.
- Darshini David says the world trading order was turned on its head and showed resilience despite shocks.
K-Shaped U.S. Recovery
- The U.S. economy is splitting into winners and losers, creating a K-shaped recovery.
- Michelle Fleury notes wealthier, AI-exposed consumers spend more while lower-income households deplete savings and take on debt.
Three Camps In Global Growth
- Countries responded differently to U.S. tariffs, creating three economic camps globally.
- Darshini David says China and Brazil did better than expected, Taiwan and Vietnam profited from AI-related exports, while Europe struggled.