US Judge To Shield Scholars Who Challenged Deporting Of Pro-Palestinian Campus Activists

A new forecast from Bank of America projects the U.S. economy will see robust growth in 2026, driven by a powerful combination of fiscal stimulus, Federal Reserve policy, and a potentially more growth-friendly trade environment.

BofA analysts now expect the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) to expand by an average of 2.8% this year, significantly higher than the consensus outlook of 2.1%. This optimistic view is based on an updated analysis of key economic drivers expected to shape the year.

While the forecast anticipates a stronger first half of the year, growth projections for the second half have been lowered compared to BofA's previous estimates.

Fiscal Stimulus Fuels First-Half Momentum

A major pillar of the upgraded forecast is the expected consumer stimulus from President Donald Trump's signature budget legislation, the "One Big Beautiful Bill," passed last July. The bill is estimated to add as much as 0.4 percentage points to GDP growth this year through consumer spending and capital expenditure incentives.

Key provisions driving this tailwind include an increased cap on state and local tax deductions and an additional standard tax deduction for older Americans.

Furthermore, the conclusion of a prolonged government shutdown is expected to provide a one-time boost to economic activity, particularly in the first quarter.

The Lagged Effect of Fed Rate Cuts

Economic activity in 2026 is also set to benefit from the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions from the previous year. Analysts argue that the 75 basis points in interest rate cuts enacted last year will begin to buoy the economy.

Those reductions, which brought the Fed's target rate range down to 3.50% to 3.75%, were implemented to support a slowing labor market even as inflation remained elevated. The full impact of these cuts is now expected to filter through the economy.

A Positive Outlook on Trade Policy

BofA suggests that President Trump's aggressive trade policies could become more supportive of economic growth this year, regardless of an upcoming landmark Supreme Court decision on the legality of his tariffs. The analysts outline two distinct but positive scenarios:

• If the tariffs are struck down: This would act as an implicit fiscal easing, as the government would issue refund payments and the effective tax rate would likely decline.

• If the tariffs are upheld: Trade uncertainty would likely dissipate significantly. The administration would be expected to prioritize securing trade deals over announcing new tariffs ahead of the November midterm elections.

AI Investment Provides a Solid Foundation

Beyond specific policy actions, the ongoing strength in artificial intelligence-related investment is expected to provide a stable backbone for the economy. This trend, which observers noted as a key support for the wider economy throughout 2025, should "continue to grow at a solid pace," according to the analysts.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a press conference in Moscow on December 19, 2025.

Russia has described the Trump administration's threats to take over Greenland as an "extraordinary" development that challenges global norms, confirming it will continue to monitor the situation.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on the matter Friday, stating, "The situation is unusual, I would even say extraordinary from the standpoint of international law," according to the Russian state news agency Ria Novosti.

US Cites National Security Concerns

The remarks follow statements from U.S. President Donald Trump about acquiring Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory. Trump's interest in the island emerged after a military operation on January 3 to depose Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

According to the U.S. administration, gaining control of Greenland is a matter of national security. Washington claims it is the only power capable of countering an alleged threat posed to the island by Russia and China.

Peskov directly referenced the U.S. president's approach to global rules, noting that Trump "has said that international law is not a priority for him." He added, "The situation is developing along a different trajectory, and we, along with the rest of the world, will be watching to see which one."

Broader Criticism from Moscow

This is not the first time Russia has pushed back on the U.S. narrative. Earlier in the week, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called it unacceptable to frame Moscow and Beijing as threats to Greenland, accusing the West of applying double standards.

A spokesperson for the Kremlin was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC.

A Geopolitical Shockwave in Global Energy

A stunning operation in Venezuela on January 3 saw U.S. forces capture socialist leader Nicolás Maduro, an event that could reshape global energy markets for the next decade. Following the move, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would not only spearhead the rebuilding of the nation's collapsed oil infrastructure but also assume indefinite control over its crude exports.

This decisive action signals a potential opportunity for investors, but it also introduces significant geopolitical risks. The move has been framed as a modern revival of the Monroe Doctrine, a nearly 200-year-old U.S. policy asserting dominance in the Western Hemisphere and warning foreign powers against interference.

This 21st-century version, dubbed the "Trump Corollary" or "Donroe Doctrine," serves as a direct message to China and Russia that Latin America's resources, particularly its oil, are not open for their influence. President Trump stated his intentions plainly: "We're going to be using [Venezuela's] oil, and we're going to be taking oil."

The administration is already moving to market and sell 30 to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude, with President Trump directly controlling the proceeds. Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed a long-term strategy, stating the U.S. will sell Venezuelan oil "indefinitely," starting with existing storage and expanding to future production.

This policy directly challenges China, Venezuela's largest oil customer and Latin America's biggest trading partner since 2020. With extensive investments in regional ports, telecom, and power grids—including 37 port projects and $13 billion in credit lines—Beijing is unlikely to cede its influence easily.

The Challenge of Reviving a Broken Industry

Venezuela's vast resource wealth stands in stark contrast to its current output. The nation sits on over 300 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, the largest in the world and representing nearly one-fifth of the global total. Yet, due to decades of corruption and mismanagement, its production has collapsed. Once producing 7 to 8 million barrels per day, the country now accounts for just 1% of global oil supply, with output below 1 million barrels daily.

Reversing this decline presents a monumental task. The energy consultancy firm Rystad estimates that restoring Venezuela's oil production to levels from 15 years ago will require up to $110 billion in capital expenditure. To put that figure in perspective, it is double the entire global spending of all U.S. oil majors in 2024, according to a CLSA report.

Recognizing this financial hurdle, President Trump announced that the government would reimburse oil companies for their efforts to get the country's operations "up and running." He told NBC News, "A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent, and the oil companies will spend it, and then they'll get reimbursed by us or through revenue."

Corporate Resistance and Operational Hurdles

Despite government assurances, major industry players remain cautious. ExxonMobil, whose assets have been seized twice by Venezuela in the past, has expressed significant reservations. During a roundtable with the administration, CEO Darren Woods described the country as "uninvestable" without fundamental changes to its legal system and hydrocarbon laws. President Trump dismissed these concerns as "cute" and suggested he might block Exxon from operating in Venezuela.

Beyond capital, the industry faces a severe human resources crisis. Tens of thousands of skilled engineers and geologists have fled the country. Many also stripped equipment, vehicles, and copper wiring from the state-run oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela, before leaving. Furthermore, much of Venezuela's crude is ultra-heavy, requiring specialized processing and naphtha blending before it can be transported.

Market Reactions and Investment Outlook

News of Maduro's removal triggered a strong positive reaction in financial markets. Chevron, the only U.S. major currently operating in Venezuela, was the best-performing stock in the Dow Jones on January 5, surging as much as 10% during intraday trading before closing up approximately 5%. The company, which exports about 140,000 barrels a day from the country, is reportedly negotiating with the U.S. government for an expanded license to increase exports to both American refineries and third-party buyers.

Defense contractors in both the U.S. and Europe also saw their stocks climb following the events.

The return of Venezuelan oil to the global market is expected to increase supply, which would likely put downward pressure on crude prices. While this could be problematic for OPEC, it would benefit U.S. consumers, refiners, airlines, and shipping companies.

For investors navigating this new landscape, several areas warrant attention:

• Selective Energy Stocks: Companies with existing or potential exposure to Venezuela's reopening, such as Chevron, may see benefits.

• Defense Sector: Geopolitical tensions suggest maintaining an overweight position in defense stocks. This view is reinforced by discussions of a potential military takeover of Greenland and a push to raise the 2027 U.S. military budget to $1.5 trillion.

• Gold as a Hedge: A 10% portfolio allocation to gold, split between physical bullion and high-quality gold mining stocks, remains a recommended strategy for hedging against uncertainty.

A woman holds a sign bearing South Korean national flag with a portrait of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, as they wait for his arrival for the final arguments in his insurrection trial, at a court in Seoul, South Korea, January 13, 2026. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is due to face the first court ruling on Friday stemming from criminal charges over his failed martial law attempt, a case that could result in a long prison sentence if he is found guilty.

Yoon could receive a sentence of up to 10 years in jail if he is convicted on charges that include obstructing officials from executing an arrest warrant against him in January when he barricaded himself inside his residential compound and ordered the security service to block investigators.

He was finally arrested in a second attempt involving more than 3,000 police officers. His arrest was the first ever for a sitting president in South Korea.

Yoon, who is currently being held in the Seoul Detention Center, also faces allegations of falsifying official documents when he declared martial law in December 2024, claiming he planned to restore democratic order to the country that was under siege from the majority opposition and "anti-state" forces.

Separately, Yoon faces a number of other trials, including on a charge of masterminding insurrection. Prosecutors have asked the court to give him the death sentence on this charge, with a ruling scheduled for February.

Parliament, joined by some members of Yoon's conservative party, voted within hours to overturn his surprise martial law decree and later impeached him, suspending his powers.

He was removed from office in April last year by the Constitutional Court that ruled he violated the duties of his office.

While his bid to impose martial law lasted only about six hours, it sent shockwaves through South Korea, which is Asia's fourth-largest economy, a key U.S. security ally and long considered one of the world's most-resilient democracies.

Source: Reuters

India's recent flurry of free trade agreements (FTAs) may not be enough to shield its economy from the significant damage caused by high US tariffs, according to an analysis by economists at Barclays Plc.

In a Friday report, economists Aastha Gudwani and Amruta Ghare argued that while India's efforts to secure new trade deals are positive, they are unlikely to generate enough export growth to make up for the losses from US trade policy. "While the FTA spree certainly bodes well for making international trade more seamless, it may not necessarily result in higher exports large enough to offset the US tariff-inflicted pain," they wrote.

The High Cost of American Tariffs

The United States remains India’s largest single export market, accounting for 19.3% of its total exports before the tariffs were introduced. However, India is one of the few major economies without a free trade deal with Washington and currently faces a steep 50% tariff rate on many goods, among the highest in the world.

These levies have hit India’s labor-intensive industries particularly hard, including:

• Textiles and apparel

• Gems and leather

• Handicrafts

The ongoing trade friction and lack of a deal have pressured the rupee and prompted New Delhi to allocate $5 billion to support its exporters. The situation has also pushed India to accelerate trade talks with other partners, like the European Union, as it works to lower trade barriers and move away from its historically protectionist image.

Why Smaller Trade Deals Fall Short

While India has successfully signed new agreements, including deals with Oman and New Zealand last year, the trade volumes with these partners are too small to replace the US market.

"The sheer scale of things doesn't add up," the Barclays economists noted. They point to the electrical machinery sector as an example. While the UAE, Netherlands, and the UK are India's next largest partners after the US, "these three cumulatively do not make up for the market size that the US offers."

The report highlights that about 70% of India's exports to the US face a "serious threat" if the 50% tariffs remain in place. Key sectors at risk include leather, apparel, gems and jewelry, home furnishings, and marine exports.

A Broader Strategy with Uncertain Results

India is currently negotiating or already has FTAs with 16 of its top 20 export markets, which collectively represent 51% of its total trade. The US is included in this group of negotiation partners.

However, the real measure of success depends on execution. "The real test lies in translating these agreements into tangible export growth," Barclays stated, adding that success also hinges on whether these deals strengthen India's domestic industrial base.

The Potential of an EU Agreement

A prospective FTA with the European Union is seen as a crucial opportunity. The Barclays economists described a potential India-EU deal as a "big step towards export diversification and greater trade openness with a large bloc."

Expectations for progress are rising, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Luís Santos da Costa scheduled to visit India this month. The visit could signal a breakthrough in negotiations that have been ongoing for years.

Oil prices advanced on Friday, with both Brent and U.S. West Texas Intermediate benchmarks seeing gains as investors weighed ongoing supply risks from political instability in Iran against signs that the threat of immediate U.S. military action is receding.

By 1000 GMT, Brent crude rose 50 cents, or 0.78%, to $64.26 a barrel, putting it on track for its fourth consecutive weekly gain. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed 48 cents, or 0.81%, to $59.67.

Geopolitical Tensions Drive Market Volatility

Both oil benchmarks hit multi-month highs earlier in the week as protests flared up across Iran and U.S. President Donald Trump signaled the potential for military strikes.

The political upheaval continues to fuel uncertainty. "Oil prices are likely to experience greater volatility as markets digest the potential for supply disruptions," noted analysts at BMI.

However, fears of a direct conflict eased late on Thursday after Trump remarked that Tehran's crackdown on protesters was softening. Despite this development, analysts at IG cautioned that risks linked to Iran "remain significant, keeping the market nervous in the short term."

Focus on the Strait of Hormuz Chokepoint

A central concern for the oil market remains the potential for disruption to flows through the Strait of Hormuz. This critical chokepoint sees the passage of approximately 20 million barrels of oil per day. Analysts warned that any military escalation with Iran could threaten this vital supply route.

Ample Supply Outlook Could Cap Further Gains

While geopolitical tensions are providing short-term support, many analysts believe that higher global oil supply this year could create a ceiling for prices.

According to Phillip Nova analyst Priyanka Sachdeva, "the underlying balance still points to ample supply" despite the "steady drumbeat of geopolitical risks and macro speculation."

Sachdeva suggested that oil is likely to remain range-bound, with Brent crude trading broadly between $57 and $67 a barrel, unless there is a "genuine revival in Chinese demand or a meaningful bottleneck in physical barrel flows."