Semafor World Economy 2026 —

Semafor Recommends

Semafor Logo

The exhibition of Australian sculptor Ron Mueck is being held at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, the final stop on its world tour.

Polly Barton’s novel What Am I, a Deer? follows a woman who is stricken by infatuation for a stranger after moving to Germany.

Does the US have a geostrategic imperative to lead in fake meat? It’s not so far-fetched, Bruce Friedrich argues in Meat.

David Stuttard’s Hubris, the third book in his series on fifth-century Athens, explores the city-state’s transformation into an empire under Pericles.

Clair-obscur, at the Pinault Collection in Paris, explores light and darkness while “balancing famous and under-the-radar names, especially women.”

Iran says Strait of Hormuz fully open during ceasefire

Oil prices plunged on the news that the key waterway would reopen.
A vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.Reuters/File Photo

Investors are underestimating global economic impacts of Iran war, top executives warn

The head of the London Stock Exchange said at Semafor World Economy Thursday that markets have adopted a sense of “rational complacency” that threatens to “tip over into irrational complacency.”
David Schwimmer (CEO - London Stock Exchange Group ) at Semafor World Economy 2026 on April 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. Kris Tripplaar/Semafor

Greer: Trump administration wants to be ‘pragmatic’ on China

“We live in the real world,” the US trade representative told Semafor World Economy.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer Kris Tripplaar/Semafor

10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon takes hold

The announcement follows weeks of war, though it was unclear if Hezbollah would agree to the truce terms.
Smoke rises in Lebanon following an explosion.Florion Goga/Reuters
AD
Politics

Rogan flanks Trump for new order promoting psychedelics research

Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has joined the prominent podcaster in touting the drugs’ benefits, also joined the Oval Office signing.
President Donald Trump, with Kennedy and Rogan at backNathan Howard/Reuters

Democratic group dings Collins on Iran in new ad

The ad urges the Maine Republican senator to “stop supporting Trump’s war, Mainers can’t afford it.”
Screenshot of adScreenshot/Majority Forward Videos/YouTube

State pressed on reported plan to condition health aid to Zambia

Three Democratic senators expressed concerns to Rubio about a push to gain access to the African country’s copper mines.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Capitol HillKylie Cooper/Reuters

10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon takes hold

The announcement follows weeks of war, though it was unclear if Hezbollah would agree to the truce terms.

Democrats wield power on national security votes

Democrats are weighing how to use their ample leverage on expiring surveillance powers and Iran funding.

Greer: Trump administration wants to be ‘pragmatic’ on China

“We live in the real world,” the US trade representative told Semafor World Economy.

Trump renews his threat to fire Jerome Powell

US President Donald Trump said he would fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell if he doesn’t step aside when his term expires next month, a move critics say would undermine the central bank’s independence.

Black Democrats want a post-Trump plan. The candidates are working on it.

Nearly a dozen potential presidential contenders showed up at Rev. Al Sharpton’s conference to talk to a deeply influential bloc of the party.

Bipartisan group of senators defends USMCA

More than three dozen senators will urge the Trump administration to extend the pact.

Immigration funding plan risks stranding Pentagon money

Senate Republicans’ plan for a quick-strike immigration enforcement funding bill could complicate plans to restock the Pentagon’s coffers.

Trump slams Meloni over pope, Iran

The US leader said Giorgia Meloni lacked “courage” for failing to join his war against Iran.
AD