Economic Development Dispatch
Edition 19
Dearest Readers,
February’s developments point to an economy reshaped less by headlines and more capital, talent, resources, and risk. From shifting trade consequences and strategic state spending to AI, data infrastructure, and global supply chains, this edition tracks concentrating- and why it matters now.
Read on.
What’s New
2026: Four trends to watch in the year of trade consequences. Link
On the Rise
Beijing pours cash into Belt and Road financing in global resources grab. Link
Think Tank
Europe’s €307 million AI funding call. Link
How Arizona is cultivating talent for a US chip revival. Link
What will tech jobs look like in 2026? Link
2026 Global Data Center Outlook. Link
Looking for the Ladder: Is AI Impacting Entry-Level Jobs? Link
Uncovered
On every continent, food supplies have grown faster than the population. Link
Healthcare companies set for deals spree as drug patents expire. Link
China’s genius plan to win the AI race is already paying off. Link
Why the EU is ready to drop high tariffs on China-made EVs. Link
Ranked: How Global R&D Spending Growth Has Shifted Since 2000. Link
Mapped: Countries that Earn the Most from Tourism. Link
Visualised
Around a quarter of the bill of materials of an iPhone accrues to China-based suppliers, but generally for the lower margin components. A lot of the higher value manufacturing done in China is in factories owned by foreign firms. Link
The patterns outlined here suggest a global economy adjusting in real time. While outcomes remain uneven, direction is becoming clearer. We’ll continue mapping where capital, policy, and growth intersect- so you stay ahead of what comes next.
Stay tuned.