Global Political Analysis

America still calls the tune for the world economy, but it’s dancing ever more wildly to the rhythm of its own politics. In this report, we explore three stories with the power to shake markets: the government shutdown, Trump’s Supreme Court tariff showdown, and the trade war reignited in Washington.

As the world is still catching its breath from earlier rounds of the U.S.–China trade war that began during Trump’s first term, the American and Chinese cowboys — after a deceptively calm summer — once again face each other at high noon. How will this duel end, and what does it reveal about the broader struggle for power between Beijing and Washington?

The political crisis in France and the American budget drama are both symptoms of three incompatible demands on politics. What are these demands, and what are the political and economic consequences of the tensions between the three conditions?

Due to the new publication schedule, the regular GPA appears on Monday on a one-time basis.