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Industrial metal markets are entering a period in which prices are increasingly determined by trade policy, inventory location, and geopolitical risk alongside traditional supply-and-demand fundamentals. U.S. tariffs, European restrictions on Russian-origin metals, China’s evolving trade strategy, energy costs, and disruptions to shipping routes are changing not only how much metal is available, but also where that metal is held and who can access it.

Saudi Arabia is increasingly moving from being a country affected by Middle Eastern instability to one attempting to shape the region’s economic and security architecture. That makes the kingdom one of the most important geopolitical variables for global investors to watch.

Indonesia’s upstream textile industry remained under considerable pressure during the first half of 2026, reflecting the persistent structural challenges facing the sector. Weaker demand from downstream manufacturers significantly affected production, while the continued influx of imported textile products further eroded the competitiveness of domestic producers.

Indonesia’s trade balance is projected to remain in deficit, extending the negative trend that began in May after an unprecedented 72 consecutive months of trade surpluses. Although economists expect the deficit to narrow compared with the previous month, the persistence of the shortfall underscores the growing pressure from rising imports, particularly capital goods and manufactured products from China, which continue to outpace export growth.

The United States introduced a significant new trade measure on July 24, 2026, when the Section 301 Forced Labor Import Duties officially took effect. The policy represents one of the most sweeping changes to U.S. import regulations this year because it applies broadly to imports from 60 economies rather than targeting only specific products or industries.

Global inflation risks are entering a new phase. While soaring energy prices have been the dominant driver of inflation in recent years, a sharp escalation in international logistics costs, triggered by mounting geopolitical tensions, is emerging as another major source of price pressures with potentially far-reaching consequences.

Trump has escalated trade tensions with Canada once again, announcing a new round of sweeping 50% tariffs on most Canadian imports. The latest tariffs would apply to a broad range of Canadian goods entering the United States, marking one of the most significant increases in trade barriers between the two countries in recent years.

PT Danantara Sumber Daya Alam (DSI) is preparing to fully implement Indonesia’s one-stop natural resources (NR) export management system on 1 September 2026, marking a significant step in the government’s efforts to strengthen governance of strategic commodity exports. The policy is designed to improve transparency in export transactions, oversight of export proceeds, and curb practices that have long been viewed as reducing state revenues

Trump has announced plans to impose a 20% levy on the value of all cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz, marking one of the most significant proposed changes to maritime security and international shipping policy in recent years. The announcement coincides with the United States’ decision to reinstate a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports.

Indonesia is exploring the possibility of extending carbon pricing incentives to ports that adopt green and smart operating standards under the country’s Carbon Economic Value (Nilai Ekonomi Karbon/NEK) scheme, a move that could create a new financial incentive for reducing emissions in the maritime sector while strengthening the competitiveness of national ports.