Biweekly Global Business Newsletter Issue 140, Tuesday, August 5, 2025
“Resilience is the new currency of global business.”
Welcome to the 140th Edition of the Global Business Update – Global volatility has eased but rising tariff tensions are reshaping the international business landscape. President Trump’s sweeping new tariff orders—targeting imports from over 70 countries—are sparking concern across industries. U.S. consumers are reacting strongly: 86% express concern about tariffs, with 77% fearing a recession and 43% anticipating higher prices or product shortages. While intended to bolster U.S. manufacturing, economists warn these actions could trigger renewed inflation and suppress demand.
Trade policy uncertainty is now the top disruptor to global growth, according to McKinsey’s latest economic survey. Surprisingly, most executives are not prioritizing trade strategy responses; instead, AI investment remains their central focus. McDonald’s, for example, is rolling out AI-driven order systems globally after testing success in India.
Despite modest economic stabilization, the U.S. labor market has weakened, particularly in hospitality and entry-level tech jobs—partly due to automation pressures.
On the international stage, China’s trade dominance continues to grow, while its domestic consumption debate intensifies. The EU and U.S. remain large trading blocs but are now navigating more protectionist climates. Africa’s booming e-commerce sector shows promise, though limited credit access poses challenges.
The global franchise sector continues to show resilience amid global headwinds. McDonald’s is selling off the real estate for several restaurants in Hong Kong. Wendy’s is expanding into Italy and Armenia, adding up to 190 new units. Marco’s Pizza celebrates milestones in Mexico and Puerto Rico, reinforcing its international growth. Reborn Coffee signed a master franchise deal with Dubai’s Arjomand Group, aiming to scale in Europe and the Middle East. The RIFC 50 Index rose 2.2% in Q2, led by strong gains from Avis and Hertz. Krispy Kreme, however, dropped sharply. Asia Pacific remains a franchising hotbed, with demand driven by health-conscious brands and digital convenience across F&B segments.
This issue’s book is Resurgent: How established organizations can fight back and thrive in an age of digital transformation by Julian Birkinshaw and John Fallon. In Resurgent, business strategist Julian Birkinshaw and former Pearson CEO John Fallon dismantle the myth that only startups and disruptors succeed in volatile times. Drawing from two decades of data across global corporations, they reveal how established companies not only survive—but often thrive—amid technological, economic, and geopolitical upheaval.
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The mission of this newsletter is to use trusted global and regional information sources plus our network of 20+ in-country Associates to update our global readers on key global and local trends that can impact the success of their businesses at home and abroad. We subscribe to about 40 international information sources to keep our readers up to date on the world’s business. We do not get involved with or report on politics!
PLEASE NOTE: Some of the information sources that we provide links to in our newsletter require a paid subscription to directly access them. Clicking on a link may not give the reader access to the content.
Edited and curated by: William (Bill) Edwards, CEO & Global Business Advisor, Edwards Global Services, Inc. (EGS), Irvine, California, USA. Contact Bill with questions, comments and contributions. Bedwards@edwardsglobal.com, +1 949 375 1896
Link to our current and past newsletters: https://edwardsglobal.com/geowizard/
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First, A Few Words of Wisdom From Others For These Times
“Think globally, but act with surgical local precision.”, Amara Li, Asia Market Strategist
“AI is your compass, but culture is still your map.”, Ravi Menon, Global Innovation Consultant
“Resilience is the new currency of global business.”, Leila Morgan, CEO, Borderless Ventures
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Highlights in issue #140:
The World’s 50 Most Valuable Private Companies in 2025
Trump’s new tariffs will hit these major trading partners
86% of (U.S.) Consumers Express Concerns About Tariffs
Global Trade Dominance: U.S., EU, or China (2000 vs. 2024)
The Consumption Conundrum Dividing China’s Economists –
Brand Global News Section: Marco’s Pizza®, McDonald’s®, Reborn Coffee®, Starbucks® and Wendy’s®
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“Global Economics Intelligence executive summary, June 2025 – Overall economic volatility has subsided, but consumer confidence is deteriorating and demand remains fragile, despite inflation decelerating across most countries. Businesses are keeping a close watch on potential trade disruptions. Indeed, the perceived risk from shifts in trade continues to grow, according to the latest McKinsey Global Survey on economic conditions. Respondents cite changes in trade policy or relationships as the top growth disruptor in the global economy, their home economies, and for their companies (Exhibit 1). Interestingly, the survey found that responding to changes in trade dynamics isn’t the priority focus among business leaders in any industry: The largest group of respondents points to leaders prioritizing AI investments.”, McKinsey, July 30, 2025
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“The World’s 50 Most Valuable Private Companies in 2025 – 31 of the 50 most valuable private companies are based in the United States. AI-focused companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, xAI, and Safe Superintelligence are among the most highly valued. China has 8 entries, including ByteDance, Xiaohongshu, DJI, and Yuanfudao, showing strong representation in consumer tech and hardware. While public markets get most of the spotlight, private companies are quietly building massive valuations and shaping the future of industries. This visualization ranks the world’s 50 most valuable private companies in 2025, highlighting emerging powerhouses from different countries and sectors. The data for this visualization comes from CB Insights. It ranks private companies globally by their most recent reported valuations.”, Visual Capitalist and CB Insights, July 31, 2025
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“War, geopolitics, energy crisis: how the economy evades every disaster – Although today’s dangers are not in the same league as a world war, they are significant. Pundits talk of a “polycrisis” running from the covid-19 pandemic, land war in Europe and the worst energy shock since the 1970s to stubborn inflation, banking scares, a Chinese property bust and trade war. One measure of global risk is 30% higher than its long-term average (see chart 1). Consumer-confidence surveys suggest that households are unusually pessimistic about the state of the economy, both in America and elsewhere.”, The Economist, July 15, 2025
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“McDonald’s plans AI expansion to streamline customer orders, executive says – Fast-food giant to roll out AI tech that will catch order errors, forecast sales. The fast-food giant currently uses AI to verify orders at 400 restaurants in India, allowing the chain to catch and correct errors before food is handed to customers, according to the outlet. McDonald’s is planning to roll out the new system globally in two years, Head of Global Business Services Operations Deshant Kaila said, Reuters reported. Fox Business, August 1, 2025
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“Is AI Killing Entry-Level Jobs? Here’s What We Know – Job postings have plunged and unemployment is up for young people, yet new research suggests an emerging paradox in which AI may expand access in some fields. AI’s arrival is adding to the anxiety of graduates scrambling to land their first job interviews. It may also be making them less likely to secure one: The US unemployment rate for college-educated people age 22 through 27 reached 5.8% in March, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York—the highest level in four years and significantly above the national average. Many people blame AI. Researchers at job site Indeed found that postings for junior roles in the tech industry fell 36% from 2020 to 2025.”, Bloomberg, July 31, 2025
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Global Supply Chain, Energy, Commodities, Inflation, Taxes & Trade Issues
“Trade Between the U.S. and EU Is Massive. We Break It Down. After steeper threat, deal sets 15% baseline tariff on largest U.S. trading partner. While Mexico ranks as the largest single-country U.S. trading partner, the EU as a 27-nation bloc is larger, and EU trade policy is handled centrally. In 2024, the U.S. imported about $606 billion in goods from the EU and exported around $370 billion. This kind of imbalance is a major sticking point for Trump as he tries to use tariffs to revamp U.S. manufacturing. Europe is a big buyer of U.S. oil, gas, cars, airplanes—and human blood products like plasma. The U.S. shipped $32.3 billion worth of airplanes and airplane parts, plus $12.4 billion worth of vehicles to the EU. Many of the cars shipped across the Atlantic are European brands, like BMWs and Mercedes made in American factories. The U.S. sent $5.2 billion in blood products to the EU last year.”, The Wall Street Journal, July 29, 2025
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“Global Trade Dominance: U.S., EU, or China (2000 vs. 2024) – In 2000, the U.S. was the top trading partner for most of the Americas, several major Asia-Pacific economies, and parts of Africa. The EU dominated trade with much of Europe, large parts of Africa and Asia, and significant portions of South America. China was the largest partner for only a few smaller economies, including Myanmar, Mongolia, North Korea, Oman, Sudan, and Yemen. By 2024, China’s trade footprint expanded dramatically, becoming the largest trading partner for nearly all of Asia, much of Africa, and the majority of South America. The U.S. maintained dominance in North America and select countries in South America. The EU remained the leading partner for much of Europe, North Africa, and nearby regions, but its global reach diminished relative to China’s. China’s total trade surged from $474 billion in 2000 to $6.2 trillion in 2024, overtaking both the U.S. and EU to become the world’s leading trading power.”, Visual Capitalist and various other sources, July 7, 2024
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“Trump’s new tariffs will hit these major trading partners – Here’s how Canada, Mexico, China and other countries fare under President Donald Trump’s plan to rebalance global trade. In a pair of executive orders, President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on merchandise from about 70 countries, most of them set to fall into place in a week. Trump has argued that his high-risk trade strategy will rebalance a global system that he said has been tilted against the United States — even as some economists warn that it could lead to renewed inflation and recession.”, Washington Post, July 31, 2025
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“10 Most Expensive Countries in the World to Grab a Cappuccino – How much is too much for coffee? According to Deutsche Bank’s 2025 “Mapping the World’s Prices” report, the cheapest cup of cappuccino in the world is in Cairo, Egypt, at just $1.57. While Zurich in Switzerland tops the chart at a steep $6.77 per cup.”, Conde Nast Traveler, August 1,2 2025
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“86% of (U.S.) Consumers Express Concerns About Tariffs – 7% are worried about general inflation, 47% are worried about higher prices on nonessential items, and 43% of U.S. consumers are concerned about the limited availability of certain products. 77% of respondents are concerned about the possibility of a recession in the coming year. 71% of consumers say they are aware of new or proposed tariffs on goods imported into the U.S. 43% oppose tariffs, 29% support, and 28% feel neutral. 27% of U.S. consumers say tariffs will have a positive impact on the nation’s economy, 58% believe they will have a negative effect.”, Franchising.com, July 30th. From an article by M. Scott Morris
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Global & Regional Travel News
“A New Tourist Visa Will Make Travel Much Easier Among 6 Gulf Countries – Set to launch by early 2026, the new multicountry visa was modeled after Europe’s Schengen visa system. In a sweeping move set to transform travel in the Middle East, six Gulf countries have announced plans to implement a unified tourist visa, allowing visitors to move freely across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates under a single entry permit. Called the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Grand Tours Visa (or the GCC Unified Visa), the long-anticipated initiative, modeled on Europe’s Schengen visa system, is expected to launch by the end of 2025 or early 2026. GCC officials say the visa will simplify travel and encourage longer, multicountry trips throughout the region.”, AFAR, July 28, 2025
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Book Review
Resurgent: How established organizations can fight back and thrive in an age of digital transformation by Julian Birkinshaw and John Fallon. In Resurgent, business strategist Julian Birkinshaw and former Pearson CEO John Fallon dismantle the myth that only startups and disruptors succeed in volatile times. Drawing from two decades of data across global corporations, they reveal how established companies not only survive—but often thrive—amid technological, economic, and geopolitical upheaval.
Rather than chasing radical reinvention, the authors argue, resilient incumbents succeed through strategic adaptation, cultural consistency, and thoughtful long-term investments. Through case studies from industries like media, education, aviation, and healthcare, Resurgent shows how companies like Microsoft, Pearson, and Schneider Electric reinvented their trajectories without losing their identity.
This book is especially timely for 2025’s global leaders managing through tariff uncertainty, AI disruption, and market fragmentation. It offers a pragmatic, evidence-backed alternative to short-termism: recommit to purpose, empower people, and evolve decisively.
Five Key Takeaways:
Survival isn’t about speed—it’s about strategic clarity and durability.
Don’t abandon your core business; evolve it with conviction.
Reinvention can be incremental yet powerful – consistency builds trust across markets.
Empower local leadership in global operations to respond with agility.
Enduring companies balance purpose and performance, even under pressure.
Resurgent is a must-read for executives facing today’s complex global environment. It’s a thoughtful counterpoint to the “disrupt or die” narrative—grounded in experience, not hype.
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Country & Regional Updates
Africa
“How to unlock e-commerce in Africa – Small and medium-sized businesses need better credit access. Africa’s e-commerce sector is experiencing a renaissance. In 2025, Africa’s retail e-commerce is expected to reach over $39 billion, and $55 billion by 2029. This growth is driven by ambitious brands, from contemporary fashion labels to innovative lifestyle businesses, capturing both local and international demand. These businesses are leveraging digital commerce and modern payment rails to reach more customers than ever before. E-commerce is also emerging as a critical lever to help businesses recover from economic shocks and unlock the trade potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Yet one critical barrier threatens to limit their growth: access to affordable, flexible credit. The financing shortfall for sub-Saharan Africa exceeds $331 billion, with medium-sized consumer-facing businesses among the hardest hit. As Africa’s middle class expands, with roughly 212 million people projected to reach middle income status by 2030 and consumer spending expected to hit $2 trillion in 2025—the demand for e-commerce will surge. However, tight credit access could block supply-side growth.”, Fast Company, August 1, 2025
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Asia
“The global crypto wave is catching on in Asia as businesses warm up to stablecoins – Unlike conventional bank transfers that take days and incur steep processing fees, stablecoin transactions are nearly instantaneous and also cheaper. Singapore and Hong Kong were among the top three markets for stablecoin flows, just following the U.S. Businesses across Asia are increasingly warming up to stablecoins for cross-border transactions — a trend set to accelerate further as Hong Kong moves to legalize the use of digital tokens, experts told CNBC. From online travel agencies and luxury goods resellers to high-end hotels, companies are embracing stablecoin for payments, citing both speed and cost-efficiency compared to the traditional financial system. Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies usually pegged to sovereign currencies or even gold, making them more stable compared to other crypto assets.”, CNBC, August 1, 2025
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Canada
“Canadian producers relieved as Trump’s 50% tariff on imported copper spares key products – The White House said it will slap the duty on copper pipes, wires, rods, sheets and tubes as well as derivative products such as pipe fittings, cables and electrical components. However, copper concentrate and anodes and cathodes, semi-processed materials that companies in Canada produce and export in large volumes, as well as copper scrap, are exempt for the time being, it said.”, The Globe and Mail, July 30, 2025
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China
“The Consumption Conundrum Dividing China’s Economists – Household consumption — or rather the lack of it — has been at the center of the policymaking debate in China for several years, and top officials from President Xi Jinping down have become increasingly vocal about the need to increase domestic demand amid growing headwinds facing the world’s second-largest economy. As the government and its advisers prepare to put together the 15th Five-Year Plan to guide the country’s economic and social development through 2030, a contentious debate has erupted over the true strength of the Chinese consumer and what policies are needed to get them to spend more. The dispute is pitting influential economists against each other. One side argues that China’s consumption power is significantly underestimated by traditional monetary metrics, which don’t take price differences and currency valuations into account.”, Caixin Global, July 15, 2025
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United Kingdom
“HSBC tells managing directors to return to office four days a week – London-listed bank’s senior managers must ‘set the tone from the top’ by being present from October, following a trend in the banking sector. It is the latest example of a big UK company pushing for higher office attendance amid concerns over productivity since pandemic-era lockdowns caused a surge in remote working. The likes of JP Morgan, Tesco, John Lewis and Uber have all introduced policies to compel employees to show up more. HSBC’s memo defines in-office work as work in the bank’s offices or with customers, Bloomberg reported. It includes visiting stakeholders and attending conferences, offsite meetings or the equivalent.”, The Times of London, July 29, 2025
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United States
“The (U.S.) labor market has slowed to a crawl – Restaurant job growth has flattened in recent months while employment throughout the economy has slowed this year, according to new federal data. Restaurant and bar employment was flat in July, down 300 jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The industry has added just 100 jobs over the past two months, continuing a period of year-long, tepid employment growth.
The overall economic picture is not much better. The economy added 73,000 jobs, under expectations, but prior months’ jobs estimates were revised downward significantly. May’s job growth was revised downward to 19,000 from 144,000, for instance. June’s was revised to 14,000 from 147,000, according to the Labor Department.”, Restaurant Business, August 1, 2025
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“Charting the Global Economy: US Job Market Wavers in Cue for Fed – The US labor market is wavering after a slowdown in economic growth during the first half of the year — implications of heightened uncertainty tied to trade policy. Signs of a sluggish job market and the risk of a reacceleration in inflation due to higher import duties are dueling forces dividing Federal Reserve officials over the path of interest rates. In the wake of a weak jobs report on Friday, Treasury yields declined on bets the Fed will lower interest rates as soon as September after keeping them unchanged this week.”, Bloomberg, August 2, 2025
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The Accredited Franchise Supplier certification
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Global Brand & Franchise Sector News
“McDonald’s seeks US 153 million for 8 Hong Kong retail properties in rare asset sale – Fast-food chain to sell assets in Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, Mong Kok, Kennedy Town, Tai Kok Tsui, Yuen Long, Tsuen Wan and Tsz Wan Shan. McDonald’s Corp is selling eight retail properties in Hong Kong with an estimated market value of HK$1.2 billion (US$153 million), giving investors a rare opportunity to own fully tenanted assets, as the world’s biggest fast-food chain reviews its real estate portfolio in the city. McDonald’s said it would continue to operate its restaurants in the eight locations on long-term leases. Some of the properties would be sold with additional tenancies involving 7-Eleven convenience stores and independent pharmacies, it added.”, South China Morning Post, July 28, 2025. Compliments of Paul Jones, Jones & Co., Toronto
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“Starbucks Says Over 20 Firms Interested in Buying China Business Plans to Retain Significant Stake – On July 29 local time, during the earnings call for Q3 FY2025 (calendar Q2), Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol stated that the company has been actively looking for a strategic partner that shares its values to capture future growth opportunities in China. More than 20 interested parties have shown strong interest, and Starbucks is currently evaluating its options. Niccol candidly noted that the ideal partner would help Starbucks operate more efficiently in China. “This isn’t about capital — it’s about ensuring that the Starbucks brand remains in a position of strength. I believe there are still thousands more Starbucks stores to come in the China market,” he said.”, Caixin, July 29, 2025. Compliments of Paul Jones, Jones & Co., July 29, 2025
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“RIFC 50 Index – The RIFC 50 Index, initially published in 2002 by the Rosenberg International Franchise Center (RIFC), is the first stock index to track the financial market performance of the US franchising sector. It is published quarterly. The RIFC 50 Index gained 2.2 percent in market value in 2Q 2025, with 32 Index components posting positive returns, with 22 garnering double digit returns. Car rental franchisors Avis Budget Group (CAR) and Hertz Global (HTZ) had very strong performances, up +123 percent and +74.8 percent, respectively. Krispy Kreme Donuts (DNUT) had the Index’ weakest performance in 2Q 2025, shedding 40.3 percent of its market value. Year to date, the RIFC 50 Index is up 3.3 percent while over 1-year, 5-years, and 10-years, the RIFC 50 Index returned +11.9%, +80.0%, and 87.0% respectively. Since its inception in 2000, it has gained 497.5%.” The Rosenberg International Franchise Center, Peter Paul College of Business and Economics, University of New Hampshire, July 2025. Compliments of E. Hachemi Aliouche, Ph.D., Director – Rosenberg International Franchise Center, Rosenberg Chair in Franchising, University of New Hampshire
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“Reborn Coffee signs $1.7m franchise deal – The US specialty coffee group has inked licensing deals for over 100 stores across a dozen international markets, with its latest agreement focused on kickstarting outlet growth in Europe and the Middle East. US specialty coffee group Reborn Coffee has signed a master franchise agreement with Dubai-based Arjomand Group to open stores across Europe and the Middle East. The coffee chain, which has 11 stores in the US and a single international site in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has previously announced agreements to open outlets in the UAE, the Czech Republic, Austria and Italy. However, first stores in Dubai and Prague, which were scheduled to open in June 2025, are yet to materialise. Reborn also has multiple franchise deals in place to launch in China, alongside partnerships in South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Turkey – which could add over 100 stores to its international footprint, if fully realised.”, World Coffee Portal, July 21, 2025
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“Wendy’s Announces New Development Agreements for 190 New Restaurants Across Italy and Armenia. Momentum builds behind global expansion strategy as brand aims to accelerate global net unit growth to achieve 2,000 international restaurants by 2028. The Wendy’s Company announced today the finalization of two new franchise agreements that will add up to 190 new Wendy’s® restaurants across Italy and Armenia, marking a significant step forward in advancing the brand’s strategic priority to accelerate global net unit growth. These commitments support Wendy’s goal to achieve 70 percent of its unit growth outside the United States, with the Company expecting to reach 2,000 international restaurants by 2028.”, Wendy’s, July 29, 2025
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“Marco’s Pizza Celebrates Key International Milestones in Mexico and Puerto Rico – Marco’s Pizza, one of the nation’s fastest-growing pizza brands, celebrates major milestones in its international expansion strategy – marking one year since opening its first location in Mexico and ten years of operations in Puerto Rico. These anniversaries underscore the brand’s robust global appeal and continued investment in international development. Marco’s entrance into Mexico began in 2024 through a 50-unit master franchise agreement with Grupo Pizza Amantes SA de CV, a seasoned group of operators with decades of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry.”, Franchising.com, July 22, 2205
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“Trends shaping the next phase of growth in Asia Pacific’s franchise boom – F&B remains the most franchised sector in Asia Pacific. Brands in quick service restaurants, coffee chains and casual dining continue to expand rapidly, especially in Southeast Asia and China. Tech continues to shape how franchises operate as touchless payment systems, loyalty apps or app-based ordering become the norm. The booming health and wellness focus offers prime opportunities as brands focused on health-conscious lifestyle concepts are rapidly gaining traction across Asia Pacific. Consumers, especially younger demographics, are actively choosing brands that demonstrate environmental responsibility.”, Baker McKenzie, July 25, 2025
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To receive our biweekly newsletter in your email every other Tuesday, click here – https://insider.edwardsglobal.com
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Our Mission, Information Sources & Who We Are
Our biweekly global business update newsletter focuses on what is happening around the worldthat impacts new trends, health, consumer spending, business investment, the franchise sector, economic development, and travel. We daily monitor 30+ countries, 40+ international information sources and six business sectors to keep up with what is going on in this ever-changing business environment. And our GlobalTeam™ on the ground covering 25+ countries provide us with updates about what is actually happening in their specific countries. We do not get involved in or report on politics!
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William “Bill” Edwards: Global Advisor Is Uniquely Qualified to Steer Sr. Executives Successfully Through the Complex Waters of Going Global. With four decades of successful international business experience spanning virtually every corner of the world and many business sectors, Bill Edwards understands the global business landscape like no other. He has been a County Master Franchisee in five countries in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East; the Senior VP for a franchisor operating in 15 countries and a full-service consultant since 2001 taking 40+ companies global.
| To receive this biweekly newsletter in your email every other Tuesday, click here – https://insider.edwardsglobal.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
Our latest GlobalVue™ 40 country ranking
For a complimentary 30-minute consultation on how to take your business into new countries and make money doing it. For a complimentary call with Bill Edwards click on the QR code or contact Bill at bedwards@edwardsglobal.com and +1 949 375 1896
Biweekly Global Business Newsletter Issue 139, Tuesday, July 22, 2025
“I will either find a way, or make one”, Hannibal
Welcome to the 139th Edition of the Global Business Update – As always, our goal is to keep you informed, inspired, and strategically positioned for what lies ahead on global trends. This edition is longer than most as there is just lots of global business news to make our 4,600 subscribers aware of!
This edition spans critical business, economic, and geopolitical developments from around the world—curated to help global executives stay ahead of the curve.
Artificial intelligence continues to dominate headlines and reshape industries. ChatGPT now surpasses 500 million monthly users, as companies increasingly integrate generative AI into operations. Yet this digital transformation brings new ethical and operational complexities. Meanwhile, China’s biotech sector is rapidly evolving, positioning itself as a global competitor in pharmaceutical R&D and innovation. And the growing cost of power supplies for AI.
Economic resilience is also in focus. Argentina, despite its well-documented volatility, received a modest credit upgrade, reflecting recent reforms. At the same time, U.S. investors are increasingly looking abroad, as foreign stock markets outperform the S&P 500. Trade relations, however, remain tense. The U.S. has imposed new tariffs targeting Southeast Asia, even as countries like Indonesia navigate the disruption through last-minute deals.
On the consumer front, lifestyle shifts, and global pressures are front and center. Olive oil prices are skyrocketing due to climate-driven supply shortages, while the race for ultra-long-haul flights raises fresh concerns about traveler fatigue. Countries like New Zealand, Ireland, and Australia are recognized for offering the best work-life balance—an increasingly valuable benchmark in talent attraction and retention.
In the world of franchising, Taco Bell is making headlines for its global growth strategy. Auntie Anne’s launches in Australia, and World Gym has entered Brazil through a new master franchise agreement. We also take a closer look at franchise development in the Gulf region, where ambitious growth strategies are met with distinct cultural and regulatory considerations. Updates from China and the UK include key legal and operational shifts impacting both inbound and outbound franchise strategies. KFC’s new CEO is already making global waves.
This issue’s book is Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuval Noah Harari which explores how the evolution of information-sharing systems—from cave paintings to artificial intelligence—has shaped human history, economics, and power. Harari contends that the true engine of civilization is not tools or resources, but our growing ability to collect, store, transmit, and act on information at scale. Harari’s Nexus is a timely call to rethink strategy, ethics, and innovation in the age of intelligent systems.
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The mission of this newsletter is to use trusted global and regional information sources plus our network of 20+ in-country Associates to update our global readers on key global and local trends that can impact the success of their businesses at home and abroad. We subscribe to about 40 international information sources to keep our readers up to date on the world’s business. We do not get involved with or report on politics!
PLEASE NOTE: Some of the information sources that we provide links to in our newsletter require a paid subscription to directly access them. Clicking on a link may not give the reader access to the content.
Edited and curated by: William (Bill) Edwards, CEO & Global Business Advisor, Edwards Global Services, Inc. (EGS), Irvine, California, USA. Contact Bill with questions, comments and contributions. Bedwards@edwardsglobal.com, +1 949 375 1896
Link to our current and past newsletters: https://edwardsglobal.com/geowizard/
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First, A Few Words of Wisdom From Others For These Times
“I will either find a way, or make one”, Hannibal
“You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.”, Henry Ford
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”, Socrates
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Highlights in issue #139:
The World’s Top Countries by Natural Gas Reserves
The Best Countries for Life-Work Balance in 2025
What Are People Asking ChatGPT?
Global Stock Markets Are Eating the U.S. Market’s Lunch
Why olive oil is suddenly more expensive than ever
US firms say China market critical despite fraying relations other issues
Brand Global News Section: Auntie Anne’s®, KFC®, Taco Bell®, Planet Fitness® and World Gym®
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Please sign up for this amazing future looking August 6th event at the Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of California, Irvine at this link: www.enpinstitute.com/events
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Interesting Data, Articles and Studies
GlobalVue™ Country Ranking July 2025 – The latest version of the Edwards Global Services, Inc. quarterly country ranking as places to do business has just been published. Several countries moved up the ranking in the last quarter due to improved GDP growth projections for 2025, improved investor interest in new projects or changes in country political and/or economic stability. Several countries went down in the ranking for the same reasons. The GlobalVue™ ranking has been published quarterly since 2001 and is used by companies to plan and evaluate their international expansion.
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“What Are People Asking ChatGPT? In under two years, ChatGPT has gained 500 million monthly active users (MAUs). Software development queries are the top prompt category, with a 29% share, although it has fallen from 44% in April 2024. History and society is the second-most popular category, at 15% of prompts, up from 13% in April 2024 according to analysis from Sensor Towe. As adoption rises, daily app user time spent has surged 98% between April 2024 and April 2025. In April, ChatGPT’s top three referral sites were YouTube, Wikipedia, and the National Library of Medicine.”, Visual Capitalist and Sensor Towe, July 4, 2025
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“There are now more than half a billion mobile money accounts in the world, mostly in Africa — here’s why this matters – Mobile money allows people without banks to securely transfer funds via text message, and its adoption is growing rapidly. By the end of today, you’ll probably have used your bank account — maybe to buy groceries, pay rent, or send money to a friend. Even better, to receive your salary. It’s something many of us take for granted. However, for more than a billion people globally, transactions only happen with cash.That means carrying around physical notes and coins, traveling long distances just to send or receive money, and facing the constant risk of losing it or having it stolen. The absence of formal banking services adds yet another hurdle for people trying to escape poverty. But in recent years, “mobile money” has transformed how many people access financial services.”, Our World In Data, July 6, 2025
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“The Best Countries for Life-Work Balance in 2025 – Top-ranked countries like New Zealand and Ireland offer generous paid maternity leave (26 weeks) and high statutory annual leave (30+ days), supporting strong work-life balance. Most countries with universal healthcare also provide extensive sick pay (80–100%) and maternity benefits, reinforcing social safety nets for workers. The study evaluated paid leave, sick pay, maternity benefits, minimum wage, healthcare, happiness, work hours, LGBTQ+ rights, and safety, weighted to produce an overall score out of 100. Data was collected and analyzed in April 2025.”, Global Work-Life Index 2025, July 4, 2025
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“Global Stock Markets Are Eating the U.S. Market’s Lunch. Here’s Why—and How You Can Invest Internationally – Although the U.S. stock market has historically outperformed its international peers since the end of the Great Recession, cheaper valuations abroad, the U.S.’s higher-for-longer interest rate policy, and the appeal created by the weaker U.S. dollar are pushing some investors to look overseas. Global stocks are outperforming U.S. equities in 2025—a rare occasion, historically. Key factors contributing to the U.S. market’s underperformance are interest rate policy divergence, dollar weakness, and relative valuation gaps.”, Investopedia, July 18, 2025
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“AI is killing the web. Can anything save it? The rise of ChatGPT and its rivals is undermining the economic bargain of the internet. As users pose their queries to chatbots rather than conventional search engines, they are given answers, rather than links to follow. The result is that “content” publishers, from news providers and online forums to reference sites such as Wikipedia, are seeing alarming drops in their traffic. As Openai and other upstarts have soared, Google, which has about 90% of the conventional search market in America, has added ai features to its own search engine in a bid to keep up.”, The Economist, July 14, 2025
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Global Supply Chain, Energy, Commodities, Inflation, Taxes & Trade Issues
“Tariffs Target Southeast Asia – The region now accounts for more U.S. imports than China. Since 2016, the share of U.S. imports from China has fallen by nearly half, while imports from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have nearly doubled. The United States now imports more from Southeast Asia than it does from China. The new tariffs are aimed at reducing these growing imbalances. The new tariff package targets ASEAN countries not only for their trade deficit but also for their role in transshipping Chinese goods. Vietnam, now America’s largest ASEAN trade partner, faces a 20 percent tariff on its exports and a 40 percent tariff on goods rerouted from higher-tariff countries like China.”, Geopolitical Futures, July 11, 2025
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role in the global energy mix, used widely for electricity generation, heating, and as industrial feedstock. This graphic visualizes the top 10 countries with the largest proven natural gas reserves in the world. Countries are organized and colored by region, Reserves indicates that these stores of natural gas are economically viable to extract at the current market price. Data comes from the Oil & Gas Journal via the U.S. Energy Information Administration.”, Visual Capitalist, July 9, 2025
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“How the Port of Long Beach Plans to Finally Overtake Rival LA – LA has long enjoyed the title of the country’s busiest seaport, with Long Beach almost always in second place. LA’s reign looks shaky, however, thanks to just 19 acres of new land added to one Long Beach terminal. With the expansion, annual capacity at ITS will jump about 50% to 2.3 million TEUs, according to CEO Kim Holtermand. The extra 900,000 TEUs is likely be enough to surpass LA, which last year processed 10.3 million containers. (Long Beach, despite having its best year on record, handled 9.6 million.)”, Bloomberg, July 17, 2025
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“Why olive oil is suddenly more expensive than ever – Olives were a low-stress crop for millennia, but Greece shows how climate change has made the harvest much less predictable—and growing regions more desperate. Olives have been a hardy staple for thousands of years throughout the Mediterranean because the trees thrive in dry climates. But these days olive growers in Spain, Italy and Greece—the world’s top three producers—are struggling to keep their groves from getting too dry. Bloomberg, June 30, 2025
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“China Biotech’s Stunning Advance Is Changing the World’s Drug Pipeline – Chinese biotech’s advance has been as ferocious as the nation’s breakthrough efforts in AI and EVs, eclipsing the EU and catching up to the US. The number of novel drugs in China — for cancer, weight-loss and more — entering into development ballooned to over 1,250 last year, far surpassing the European Union and nearly catching up to the US’s count of about 1,440, an exclusive Bloomberg News analysis showed. The world’s strictest regulatory agencies, including the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency, increasingly view Chinese drugs as generally promising enough to justify devoting extra resources to speed up their review, handing them coveted industry designations such as priority review, breakthrough therapy designation or fast track status.”, Bloomberg, July 13, 2025
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Global & Regional Travel News
“Delta moves toward eliminating set prices in favor of AI that determines how much you personally will pay for a ticket – Delta has a long-term strategy to boost its profitability by moving away from set fares and toward individualized pricing using AI. The pilot program, which uses AI for 3% of fares, has so far been “amazingly favorable,” the airline said. Privacy advocates fear this will lead to price-gouging, with one consumer advocate comparing the tactic to “hacking our brains.” Fresh off a victory lap after a better-than-expected earnings report, Delta Air Lines is leaning into AI as a way to boost its profit margins further by maximizing what individual passengers pay for fares. By the end of the year, Delta plans for 20% of its ticket prices to be individually determined using AI, president Glen Hauenstein told investors last week. Currently, about 3% of the airline’s flight prices are AI-determined, triple the portion from nine months ago.”, Fortune, July 16, 2025
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“Up To 19h 15m: The US’s 10 Longest Nonstop Flights – Some of the world’s longest nonstop flights involve the US, a handful of which are ultra-long-haul. While definitions vary, this is usually taken to mean flights that take more than 16 hours. Inevitably, some services are operated by the niche Airbus A350-900ULR and the Boeing 777-200LR. They are, of course, designed for such missions, although both types are necessarily deeply unpopular. However, other equipment, including the A350-1000 and 787-9, both famed for their long ranges and economics, are also deployed. Unsurprisingly, Singapore Airlines from New York JFK Airport (the US’s leading widebody airport) back to Singapore is number one. It is the world’s longest nonstop scheduled passenger flight. Famously, it uses the 161-seat A350-900ULR, with 67 seats in business class and 94 in premium economy. To help with appeal, comfort, fares, and yields, regular economy is unavailable on the very expensive-to-operate route.”, Simple Flying, July 15, 2025
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Book Review
Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuval Noah Harari explores how the evolution of information-sharing systems—from cave paintings to artificial intelligence—has shaped human history, economics, and power. Harari contends that the true engine of civilization is not tools or resources, but our growing ability to collect, store, transmit, and act on information at scale. From oral traditions to writing, from the printing press to global internet platforms, each leap in information processing has transformed how societies—and businesses—function. Harari weaves historical analysis with future-facing insights, arguing that today’s AI revolution represents a fundamental shift in decision-making power, organizational design, and global coordination.
Harari’s Nexus is a timely call to rethink strategy, ethics, and innovation in the age of intelligent systems.
Five Takeaways for Global Business Leaders:
Information is infrastructure: As important as capital or labor—invest in your organization’s ability to manage and interpret data.
Adaptability trumps legacy: Every major network shift (e.g., writing, printing, AI) favors the flexible over the entrenched.
AI will redefine leadership: Delegating judgment to algorithms challenges traditional authority and requires new ethical frameworks.
Global networks are fragile and powerful: Interconnectedness enables scale—but also systemic risk.
Narratives still matter: Despite technology, human belief systems and trust networks remain vital for aligning teams and markets.
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Country & Regional Updates
Argentina
“Moody’s Raises Argentina’s Rating On Macroeconomic Reforms – The ratings agency upped Argentina’s long-term foreign currency sovereign credit ratings and local currency issuer ratings to Caa1 from Caa3. Moody’s Ratings has upgraded Argentina’s credit ratings due to macroeconomic reforms that are stabilizing and disinflationary. Argentina’s long-term foreign currency sovereign credit ratings were raised to Caa1 from Caa3. Reforms, including reduced spending, have spurred investment, wage increases and credit availability; however, structural issues persist. The economy returned to year-over-year growth in the fourth quarter of 2024 for the first time in six quarters, Moody’s said. The ratings agency said Argentina’s weak external buffers and structural barriers to investment still prevent the country’s rating from rising beyond Caa1.”, The Wall Street Journal, July 17, 2025
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China
“China’s exporters shrug off the trade war—for now – How long can they continue to do so? In the first half of the year, exports grew at the same pace as they did in 2024, helping to keep China’s gdp growth on track to meet its annual target. For now, China’s exporters appear to have shrugged off trade tensions with America. But that might not last much longer. America accounted for about 15% of China’s exports last year, but just 12% in the first half of 2025. Over that period China’s exports to South-East Asia, in particular, have risen rapidly. Shipments to Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia increased by 20%, 22% and 15% year on year respectively.”, The Economist, July 17, 2025
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“US firms say China market critical despite fraying relations other issues – Industry group president, in interview with Post, calls for talks to address issues beyond tariffs, export controls. A new survey of American companies operating in China has indicated that most of them consider the country’s market critical despite fraying bilateral relations, tariffs, economic weakness and lost market share. Nearly all respondents participating in an annual US-China Business Council survey said they cannot remain globally competitive without their business in the world’s second-largest economy, according to a report about the survey published by the advocacy group on Wednesday. This is despite the fact that a growing number of US firms report dropping sales, reputational damage and pressure on profitability in the face of growing geopolitical tensions and trade issues and stricter investment restrictions. Moreover, although leaving China is not viable for many American firms, the group said that fewer than half of survey respondents are optimistic about the future, given persistent concerns over tariffs, China’s deflation and insufficient demand and policy uncertainty. The survey covered about 130 of the group’s 270 member firms, most of which are large corporations that have been in China for over 20 years, and was conducted between March and May.”, South China Morning Post, July 17, 2025. Compliments of Paul Jones, Jones & Co., Toronto
Indonesia
“To Avoid Steeper Tariffs, Indonesia Reaches High-Stakes Trade Deal With the U.S. – Under the deal, most Indonesian exports to the United States will be subject to a 19% tariff, significantly lower than the 32% rate Trump had threatened to impose on Aug. 1. In exchange, the United States will receive what Trump called ”full and total” market access to the Indonesian economy, including exemptions from non-tariff barriers for U.S. goods. As part of the negotiated terms, Indonesia also committed to buy over $34 billion worth of U.S. imports, including $15 billion in energy purchases from firms such as ExxonMobil and Chevron, $4.5 billion in agricultural goods from suppliers such as Cargill and ADM, and a procurement agreement for 50 Boeing jets. Indonesia is the largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 15th-largest exporter to the United States.”, RANE Worldwide, July 17, 2025
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New Zealand
“10 reasons New Zealand is the best country on Earth – New Zealand, Aotearoa, is back on top of the world. After being knocked off the premier spot of the podium by South Africa in 2023, the Land of the Long White Cloud has once again been voted the best country in the world by our readers. Yet while other countries have become less welcoming, more violent, too hot, or too polluted, New Zealand has simply continued to offer a safe and friendly welcome to visitors who come for its mountains, forests, geysers, wineries, city harbours, and beaches – to be thrilled, awed, relaxed, and awakened. Which is why we go on holiday, after all.”, The Telegraph, July 11, 2025
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United Kingdom
“FINDING YOUR WAY – The Trade and Investment Guide to the UK – This guide is provided by the British American Business which is the leading transatlantic trade association incorporating the British-American Chamber of Commerce in the US and the American Chamber of Commerce in the UK.”, July 2025. Compliments of the British American Business Council of Orange County
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United States
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The Accredited Franchise Supplier certification
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Global Brand & Franchise Sector News
“How Taco Bell plans to accelerate its international momentum – The brand’s global marketing plan includes some playful lessons on how to eat a taco. During its Consumer Day in New York City in March, executives shared aspirations to nearly triple Taco Bell’s international footprint by 2030 with a goal of reaching 3,000 restaurants outside of the United States. That plan includes entry into nine new countries, including France, Greece, and South Africa, as well as accelerated growth in the United Kingdom, Spain, Australia, and India. For the brand piece, the team is connecting more with local cultures through initiatives like “encore hours” in the U.K., which allows restaurants to stay open late near music venues. It is also engaging in a bit of an educational campaign that teaches consumers the right way to eat a taco — head tilt and all, or “tiltvertising,” as it’s been called.”, Nation’s Restaurant News, July 8, 2025
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“American pretzel franchise Auntie Anne’s set to open across Australia – American franchise pretzel brand, Auntie Anne’s, is launching its first store at Sydney’s Westfield Parramatta on July 26. The brand has been brought to Australia by business partners Yu-Jin Lee and Johann Wong, with the intention of sharing Auntie Anne’s pretzels with a brand new audience. Lee and Wong have plans to open 60 stores across Australia over the next few years. ‘Australia represents a key milestone in our international growth strategy, and Yu-Jin and Johann with their passion, vision, and commitment to quality are exactly what we look for in franchise leaders,’ said Steven Yang, senior VP of Apac at GoTo Foods International.”, Inside Retail, July 16, 2025
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“Inside Scott Mezvinsky’s First 100 Days as KFC CEO – The global chicken giant has plans to modernize and accelerate while leaning on the people and culture that’s defined it for 73 years. One thing that separates KFC from other brands, he says, is it doesn’t merely have talent and capable leaders—it boasts them across the globe in 14 or 15 business units. Leading KFC demands understanding market-to-market strengths and potential, and deciphering how some countries can inform others, or which ones must be treated differently. Opening lines of communication and consistent, solid relationships with franchisees is one of those things, Mezvinsky says, critical to KFC’s success and why it’s managed to spread so fast globally. The chain opened 2,892 gross new restaurants across 97 countries in 2024, including 1,100 in Q4 alone. That number was 528 through 52 countries in Q1 2025.”, QSR Magazine, July 9, 2025
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“Restaurant Franchising in the Gulf: Navigating Opportunities and Strategic Decisions – The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—comprising Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman—continues to solidify its reputation as a hotspot for restaurant franchising. For U.S. brands seeking international expansion, the region offers high disposable incomes, a digitally savvy and youthful population, and a strong appetite for global and premium dining experiences. But behind the headlines lies a landscape that demands strategic planning, legal awareness, and the right local partnerships. Partnering with a single operator across multiple countries offers unified branding, centralized supply chain control, and operational efficiency, to name a few benefits.”, Franchising.com, July 11, 2025. This article is by Rebecca Viani who is partner with WhiteSpace Partners,
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“The franchisor-franchisee relationship in China – In China, the Franchising Regulation and the Measures for Information Disclosure are the two major regulations governing the ongoing relationship between franchisor and franchisee. The Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM) and its local counterparts are the government authorities in charge of the administration of franchise activities. From a regulatory standpoint there are some minor differences in how foreign franchisors are handled.”, Lexology, July 1, 2025
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“World Gym International Signs Master Franchise Agreement for Brazil – World Gym International (WGI) has entered into a Master Franchise Agreement (MFA) with Flag Holding LTDA. Flag Holding is led by CEO Flavia Almeida, co-owner and operator of 17 World Gym locations in Goiás and the Federal District of Brasília. Since opening the first World Gym in Brasília in 2012, Almeida has established the brand, offering a large selection of strength and cardio equipment. The MFA grants Flag Holding LTDA exclusive rights to expand World Gym into Brazil’s other states.”, Franchising.com, June 26, 2025
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“Planet Fitness Has Right Tools to Continue Growing – The low-cost gym giant is coming off four consecutive months of higher foot traffic despite raising its signature membership price to $15 from $10. Wall Street is positive on Planet Fitness due to increased foot traffic, despite raising membership prices. Analysts believe Planet Fitness can grow by opening locations and by leaning into its “Judgment Free Zone” mantra. Planet Fitness is attracting new gym-goers and is adding strength equipment to appeal to experienced members. As of March 31, Planet Fitness had about 20.6 million members and more than 2,700 locations. A large part of its growth story—as well as the fitness industry at large—is centered on Gen Z, which analysts say is the fastest-growing demographic of gym-goers.”, The Wall Street Journal, July 21, 2025
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To receive our biweekly newsletter in your email every other Tuesday, click here – https://insider.edwardsglobal.com
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Our Mission, Information Sources & Who We Are
Our biweekly global business update newsletter focuses on what is happening around the worldthat impacts new trends, health, consumer spending, business investment, the franchise sector, economic development, and travel. We daily monitor 30+ countries, 40+ international information sources and six business sectors to keep up with what is going on in this ever-changing business environment. And our GlobalTeam™ on the ground covering 25+ countries provide us with updates about what is actually happening in their specific countries. We do not get involved in or report on politics!
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William “Bill” Edwards: Global Advisor Is Uniquely Qualified to Steer Sr. Executives Successfully Through the Complex Waters of Going Global. With four decades of successful international business experience spanning virtually every corner of the world and many business sectors, Bill Edwards understands the global business landscape like no other. He has been a County Master Franchisee in five countries in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East; the Senior VP for a franchisor operating in 15 countries and a full-service consultant since 2001 taking 40+ companies global.
| To receive this biweekly newsletter in your email every other Tuesday, click here – https://insider.edwardsglobal.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
Our latest GlobalVue™ 40 country ranking
For a complimentary 30-minute consultation on how to take your business into new countries and make money doing it. For a complimentary call with Bill Edwards click on the QR code or contact Bill at bedwards@edwardsglobal.com and +1 949 375 1896
Biweekly Global Business Newsletter Issue 138, Tuesday, July 8, 2025
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Helen Keller
Welcome to the 138th edition of the Global Business Update, where we track the signals that matter for international business leaders, investors, and expansion-focused companies. As this edition goes to press on July 7th, the US has imposed new tariffs on several countries and moved the day when new deals need to be done to August 1. This edition features the newly released Q3 2025 GlobalVue™ Country Ranking, our proprietary index that evaluates the world’s top markets for international business expansion. Several countries climbed the list this quarter thanks to improved GDP outlooks, rising investor confidence, and political stabilization. Others dropped due to growing economic headwinds, policy uncertainty, or waning capital flows. We also highlight shifting executive sentiment in the face of global trade realignment. McKinsey’s latest global survey shows that trade policy uncertainty has overtaken inflation as the primary concern for business leaders, prompting many to pause or rethink international investments. In this edition you will also find:
A deep dive into Asia’s demographic epicenter—the Yuxi Circle—home to over half the world’s population
An update on AI-driven disruption, from Salesforce’s internal automation to Yum China’s operational overhaul
The World Economic Forum’s Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025, from structural battery composites to GLP-1s for neurodegenerative diseases
Geopolitical and economic shifts including NATO’s expanded defense spending targets, Canada’s first LNG exports to Asia, and Vietnam’s new U.S. trade deal
Regional snapshots on CEO confidence, Eurozone GDP growth, Chinese outbound mining deals, and the global trade/tariff reset under the Trump administration
And how YUM China embraces AI to boost efficiency and profitability.
From logistics and labor to policy and platforms, today’s cross-border challenges are more dynamic than ever.
This issue’s book is The Thinking Machine by Stephen Witt, How Nvidia, Jensen Huang, and a Bold Bet on AI Changed the Global Tech Landscape. In June 2024, Nvidia became the most valuable company in the world—a stunning milestone for a business that began in a California Denny’s three decades earlier. The Thinking Machine tells the inside story of how Nvidia transitioned from designing video game chips to powering the AI revolution—and in the process, redefined the future of computing. This is the story of the company that is inventing the future.
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But First……The mission of this newsletter is to use trusted global and regional information sources plus our network of 20+ in-country Associates to update our global readers on key global and local trends that can impact the success of their businesses at home and abroad. We subscribe to about 40 international information sources to keep our readers up to date on the world’s business. We do not get involved with or report on politics!
PLEASE NOTE: Some of the information sources that we provide links to in our newsletter require a paid subscription to directly access them. Clicking on a link may not give the reader access to the content.
Edited and curated by: William (Bill) Edwards, CEO & Global Business Advisor, Edwards Global Services, Inc. (EGS), Irvine, California, USA. Contact Bill with questions, comments and contributions. Bedwards@edwardsglobal.com, +1 949 375 1896
Link to our current and past newsletters: https://edwardsglobal.com/geowizard/
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First, A Few Words of Wisdom From Others For These Times
“People do business with people they know and like.”, Mary Thompson, CEO, BNI Worldwide
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”, Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.”, Richard Branson
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Highlights in issue #138:
GlobalVue™ Country Ranking July 2025
Economic conditions outlook, June 2025
The 40 Best Countries in the World, As Determined by the People
CEO confidence registers sharpest fall-off in a half-century
The Yuxi Circle: The World’s Most Densely Populated Area
Dollar Index Slumps 10.8% in Biggest First-Half Loss Since 1973
The Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025
Unlocking M&A Success in the Franchise Industry
Brand Global News Section: Burger King®, Firehouse Subs®, McDonald’s, Tim Hortons®, Popeyes®, and YUM China
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Please sign up for this amazing future looking August 6th event at the Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of California, Irvine at this link: www.enpinstitute.com/events
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Interesting Data, Articles and Studies
GlobalVue™ Country Ranking July 2025 – The latest version of the Edwards Global Services, Inc. quarterly country ranking as places to do business has just been published. Several countries moved up the ranking in the last quarter due to improved GDP growth projections for 2025, improved investor interest in new projects or changes in country political and/or economic stability. Several countries went down in the ranking for the same reasons. The GlobalVue™ ranking has been published quarterly since 2001 and is used by companies to plan and evaluate their international expansion.
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“Economic conditions outlook, June 2025 – Surveyed executives increasingly point to changes to trade policy and relationships as a disruptive force they expect to affect the world economy, their countries, and their companies. The perceived risk from shifts in trade continues to grow, according to the results from our latest McKinsey Global Survey on economic conditions.1Respondents to this quarter’s survey—which was in the field at the end of May through the first week in June—cite changes in trade policy or relationships as the top disruption to growth in the world economy, in their home economies, and even for their companies. Companies have already made changes as a result. Meanwhile, respondents’ long-standing focus on inflation is fading. Respondents continue to report less positivity about the state of today’s economy, though their views on near-term economic prospects are more upbeat now than in March.”, McKinsey & Co., June 30, 2025
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“The 40 Best Countries in the World, As Determined by the People – Switzerland is the best country in the world according to a global survey conducted in 2024. Respondents ranked it highly for business (#2), quality of life (#3), social purpose (#7), and cultural influence (#8) U.S. News designed its “Best Countries” ranking around 73 attributes grouped into 10 thematic subrankings, such as Quality of Life, Power, Entrepreneurship, etc. The attributes reflect public perceptions, not hard data. To gather this, the survey is distributed globally to about 17,000 respondents, including business leaders, informed elites, and general citizens. Each participant is shown a random subset of countries (that must meet GDP, tourism, and FDI thresholds) and asked to rate how strongly they associate those countries with each of the 73 attributes.”, USNews.com, July 5, 2025
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The Yuxi Circle: The World’s Most Densely Populated Area – If you wanted to capture over 55% of the global population inside a circle with a 4,000km radius, which city would you place at its epicenter? In 2013, a post appeared on Reddit marking a circular area of the globe with “more people living inside this circle than outside of it.” The circle had a radius of 4,000 km (just under 2,500 miles) and was named the Valeriepieris circle after author Ken Myers’ username. Acknowledging that the Valeriepieris circle is not actually a circle (it was drawn on a two-dimensional map rather than a globe) and is based on data that has become outdated, mapmaker Alasdair Rae went digging and discovered what he calls The Yuxi Circle, the world’s most densely populated area.”, Visual Capitalist, April 8, 2022. This was contributed by Mark Kasperowicz, Managing Partner, Digital Azimuth
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“The Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025 – Now in its 13th edition, the World Economic Forum’s report on the leading innovations that stand to shape tech, health care, and industry covers a wide scope of technologies still in their nascent phase. GLP-1s for neurodegenerative diseases, for instance, have the possibility to meaningfully help patients with Alzheimers and Parkinson’s as GLP-1s have aided in weight loss therapies. Meanwhile, structural battery composites are able to store electricity in a car’s frame or a plane’s structure—in turn reducing their overall weight.”, World Economic Forum, July 3, 2025
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“Salesforce CEO Says 30% of Internal Work Is Being Handled by AI – Tech leaders, including those at Microsoft and Alphabet, are highlighting AI’s potential to replace human workers, with Salesforce saying its internal AI use has allowed it to hire fewer people. Salesforce is developing an AI product that can handle tasks like customer service without human supervision, which has reached 93% accuracy, including for large customers like Walt Disney Co. Executives at Microsoft Corp. and Alphabet Inc. have said that AI is producing about 30% of new computer software code on some projects.”, Bloomberg, June 26, 2025
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“How the defence bonanza will reshape the global economy – As they spend big, politicians must resist using one pot of money to achieve many goals. or the first time in decades, the rich world is embarking on mass rearmament. Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the threat of conflict over Taiwan and President Donald Trump’s impulsive approach to alliances have all made bolstering national defence an urgent priority. On June 25th members of nato agreed to raise their target for military spending to 3.5% of gdp and allocated an extra 1.5% to security-related items (Spain insisted on a loophole). If they achieve that target in 2035, they will be spending $800bn more every year, in real terms, than they did before Russia invaded Ukraine.”, The Economist, June 26, 2025
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Global Supply Chain, Energy, Commodities, Inflation, Taxes & Trade Issues
“Donald Trump renews threat to hit trading partners with steep tariffs – White House extends deadline for ‘reciprocal’ levies from July 9 to August 1. Donald Trump has revived his threat to hit major trading partners with steep “reciprocal” tariffs even as he granted a three-week reprieve for countries to negotiate trade deals with the US. The president on Monday sent letters to Japan and South Korea, both among the US’s biggest trading counterparts, saying the country would impose 25 per cent levies beginning on August 1. South Africa would be hit with 30 per cent tariffs, Trump said, while also announcing big levies on several other countries.”, The Financial Times, July 7, 2025
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“The US Has More Copper Than China But No Way to Refine All of It – The industry will need to overcome high energy and labor costs, environmental regulations and a glut of cheap Chinese competition to make US copper smelting great again. The process has become almost prohibitively expensive in the US because of regulation, energy costs, labor and a glut of cheap Chinese competition. Freeport-McMoRan Inc.’s only US copper smelter—a hulking metal-processing facility at the edge of an old Arizona mining town—spits neon flames from its furnace like an industrial volcano. Freeport’s US operations cost about three times more than the company’s operations outside the country. Instead of processing copper in the US, many miners now turn abroad—where there’s more than enough capacity—to transform the raw materials they pull from the ground.”, Bloomberg, June 20, 2025
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“How trade tensions are really affecting the global economy – Companies are not yet rushing to relocate production to the US, but investment and dealmaking have already slowed. US tariff revenue surged almost fourfold from a year earlier to a record $24.2bn in May, while imports from China fell 43 per cent from the same month in 2024. But with policymaking so evidently at the caprice of Trump himself, it has become incredibly challenging for businesses to make long-term decisions about supply chains, according to Neil Shearing, chief economist at Capital Economics, a research company. ‘Relocating plants is an eight- to 10-year decision, but when you can’t predict what is happening next week, let alone next year or in five years, mitigation of the status quo is the likely strategy,’ he says. Now, as countries clamour to strike fresh deals with Trump before the July 9 deadline, deep unease still lingers through global boardrooms and supply chains. Many companies are resorting to holding strategies.”, The Financial Times, July 4, 2025
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“LNG Canada starts exports to Asia and explores pathways to expansion – A ship has left B.C. for Asia with the first load of liquefied natural gas from the new LNG Canada terminal, ushering a new era in energy exports at a time when Canada seeks to diversify markets away from the United States. The cost of building the first phase of the project has been pegged at $48.3-billion, including the $18-billion Kitimat terminal, the $14.5-billion Coastal GasLink pipeline and other infrastructure, as well as annual budgets for drilling in the North Montney region of northeastern B.C. Once the Kitimat terminal’s first phase is in full swing, there will be about 170 vessels a year transporting LNG to Asian markets.”, The Globe and Mail, June 30, 2025
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“Dollar Index Slumps 10.8% in Biggest First-Half Loss Since 1973 – The US Dollar Index has fallen about 10.8% year-to-date, compared with a 14.8% slump in the first half of 1973. Uncertainties associated with President Donald Trump’s trade and tariff policies – on top of his push for Federal Reserve rate cuts – have weighed heavily on the currency. The US dollar looks set for more pain after sliding to a new multi-year low, as dovish Federal Reserve pricing, softer economic data, and heightened policy uncertainty all weigh heavily on the greenback.”, Bloomberg, June 30, 2025
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Global & Regional Travel News
“America Has Pulled Off the Impossible. It Made Getting a Passport Simple – Washington isn’t known for tech innovation. How did a team of bureaucrats put their stamp on a process that hadn’t changed in 50 years? Now you can submit the application on your computer, upload a photo from your phone and pay with your credit card. No paper is necessary. To get a vital document that will accompany you around the world, you don’t even have to leave your kitchen table. The system has been open to the public for less than a year, but it’s already handling nearly half of all U.S. passport renewals, according to the State Department. And the really wild thing is that people are raving about it. In government surveys, online passport renewal gets positive reviews from 94% of respondents. That’s basically the approval rating of free pizza.”, The Wall Street Journal, July 4, 2025
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Book Review
In June 2024, Nvidia became the most valuable company in the world—a stunning milestone for a business that began in a California Denny’s three decades earlier. The Thinking Machine tells the inside story of how Nvidia transitioned from designing video game chips to powering the AI revolution—and in the process, redefined the future of computing.
At the center is CEO Jensen Huang, a Taiwanese-born entrepreneur who risked everything on AI long before it was proven. With rare access to Huang, his team, and investors, author Stephen Witt reveals how one leader’s conviction—and a team of brilliant, unconventional engineers—transformed Nvidia into a company that now supplies the supercomputers driving autonomous vehicles, generative content, robotics, and next-generation digital economies.
For global business leaders, this book offers a compelling look at the convergence of technology, geopolitics, and strategy. It highlights the importance of long-term vision, ecosystem thinking, and the ability to seize global opportunities in volatile environments.
As international companies prepare for the AI era, The Thinking Machine provides both inspiration and insight. This is not just the story of Nvidia—it’s the story of the next industrial revolution, unfolding now on a global scale.
This is the story of the company that is inventing the future.
5 Key Takeaways:
Global Vision Wins – Nvidia’s rise hinged on Huang’s ability to anticipate and act on worldwide tech demand, especially in the U.S.–China landscape.
Build the Ecosystem, Not Just the Product – CUDA made Nvidia indispensable globally. Think platforms, not just products.
Geopolitics = Strategy Now – Export bans, Taiwan chip supply, and AI policy show how geopolitics directly impact your business.
Cross-Cultural Grit Matters – Huang’s journey is a model of global resilience, conviction, and culturally aware leadership.
AI Is the New Infrastructure – No matter your sector, understanding how chips power AI is key to future-proofing your business.
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Country & Regional Updates
Canada
“Canada’s trade deficit narrows in May, exports to U.S. decrease for fourth straight month – Statistics Canada reported on Thursday that the country’s trade deficit, which reflects the difference between its exports and imports, fell to $5.9-billion. Exports to the United States in May slipped by 0.9 per cent, following a whopping 16-per-cent decline in April. It was the fourth consecutive monthly decline as the White House targets some sectors of the Canadian economy with punishing tariffs. This includes levies on steel, aluminum and automobiles, as well as on all goods that don’t comply with the continental free-trade agreement’s rules of origin. Last month, Mr. Trump doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50 per cent.”, The Globe and Mail, July 3, 2025
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China
“China’s first Legoland opens to tourists in Shanghai – Thousands of local tourists poured into China’s first-ever Legoland as it opened its gates in Shanghai on Saturday, the latest theme park hoping to capitalise on a domestic tourism boom. The Chinese branch of the British-owned theme park franchise is the biggest Legoland in the world. Despite the Chinese economy’s sluggish growth in recent years, domestic tourist spending grew 18.6 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to the previous year, according to statistics. Eager Lego fans rushed into the park as soon as it opened, wearing themed shirts and waving branded flags as they enjoyed the 318,000-square-metre (78.5-acre) compound in scorching temperatures.”, AFP, July 5, 2025
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“China snaps up mines around the world in rush to secure resources – Dealmaking hits highest level since 2013 as groups seek raw materials that underpin global economy. Chinese mining acquisitions overseas have hit their highest level in more than a decade as companies race to secure the raw materials that underpin the global economy in the face of mounting geopolitical tension. There were 10 deals worth more than $100mn last year, the highest since 2013 according to an analysis of S&P and Mergermarket data. Separate research by the Griffith Asia Institute found that last year was the most active for Chinese overseas mining investment and construction since at least 2013. The country’s huge demand for raw materials — it is the world’s largest consumer of most minerals — means its mining companies have a long history of investing overseas. Analysts and investors say that the rise in dealmaking partly reflects China’s efforts to get ahead of the deteriorating geopolitical climate, which is making it increasingly unwelcome as an investor in key countries such as Canada and the US.”, The Financial Times, July 5, 2025
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European Union
“Cautiously Optimistic EU Economic Data – In the first quarter, the eurozone doubled its growth rate from the previous quarter. In the first quarter of 2025, the eurozone recorded 0.6 percent quarter-on-quarter GDP growth, doubling the 0.3 percent rate seen in the fourth quarter of 2024. Year-over-year, GDP rose by 1.5 percent, up from 1.2 percent in the previous quarter. Household consumption contributed 0.1 percentage points to overall EU growth, while government consumption held steady. Employment in the eurozone rose by 0.2 percent from the previous quarter, supporting the modest expansion.”, Geopolitical Futures, July 4, 2025
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Latin America
“Latin American VC Activity Slows to Near Pre-Pandemic Lows – Venture capital dealmaking in Latin America has hit the slowest pace in almost seven years, in part due to global economic uncertainty and a pullback from US investors in the region. In the first half of the year, there were 335 transactions totaling $2.9 billion in Latin America, according to PitchBook data released Thursday. If the current pace holds, it could reach levels as low as those in 2016, before a rise in VC activity when the region was experiencing strong economic growth that drew US investors looking for high yields in new markets, Pitchbook analyst Kyle Stanford said in an interview. There were 384 deals in all of 2016, the data shows.”, Bloomberg, July 3, 2025
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Middle East
“Oman vs Qatar: The Gulf’s Quiet Giants with Very Different Etiquette – When Western professionals think about doing business in the Gulf, the spotlight usually shines on the giants: Saudi Arabia and the UAE. These are the high-profile players with ambitious visions, mega-projects, and headline-grabbing reforms. But just offstage, two quieter nations are commanding serious influence in their own, more understated ways: Oman and Qatar. And while both may seem “easier” at first glance — thanks to their soft-spoken reputations — they could not be more different in how they approach business, relationships, and etiquette.”, Middle east Sunday Pages, July 6, 2025. Written by Corina Goetz, Middle East & Saudi Etiquette & Business Specialist
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Singapore
“The little country building the world’s biggest mega-port – and it’s going to cost £10bn – A tiny Asian country will soon be home to the largest port in the world as a £10 billion project gets underway. A 16-mile-long port will become the largest in the world when it is completed in this small Asian country. One of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the world at the moment. The Tuas Mega Port in Singapore will cost around £10 billion once it opens. The project is already underway and is expected to be completed by the 2040s. The project promises to be a greener and smarter port compared to others around the world. The world’s largest port is currently located in Shanghai, China, but will be outranked once the Tuas Meg Port in Singapore opens fully.”, Express UK, July 6, 2025
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United States
“CEO confidence registers sharpest fall-off in a half-century, new survey finds – Biggest decline since the survey — conducted by the Conference Board in collaboration with the Business Council — started in 1976. Given the commencement of trade hostilities and the huge amount of uncertainty in foreign and economic policy that have characterized the past few months, the lack of top-executive conviction should come as no surprise. Just as damagingly, expectations for the future also deteriorated sharply, with more than half of respondents foreseeing worsening conditions over the rest of the year.”, Market Watch, May 29, 2025
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Vietnam
“Vietnam’s new US trade deal sparks optimism despite tariff challenges – Under the new deal, US goods into Vietnam will not be taxed while Vietnamese exports will face a 20 per cent US tariff. The Vietnam Stock Index reached its highest level since April 2022, indicating confidence that export stability had been achieved. On the face of it, the deal is highly unbalanced, with US exports to Vietnam enjoying tariff-free market access, while Vietnamese exports in the other direction now face a 20 per cent rate, slightly over twice last year’s average rate of 9.4 per cent. Furthermore, the new rate is vastly lower than the 46 per cent that Trump unveiled in April against Vietnamese goods.”, South China Morning Post, July 6, 2025.
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The Accredited Franchise Supplier certification
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Global Brand & Franchise Sector News
“Unlocking M&A Success in the Franchise Industry – Being prepared is the true competitive advantage. After a quieter period, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the franchise and restaurant industries are showing renewed momentum. Though deal volumes have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, strategic buyers, private equity firms, and multi-unit operators are reengaging the market with a pragmatic mindset. Today’s franchise M&A environment demands more than capital—it requires detailed planning, robust diligence, cultural alignment, and strategic discipline. ranchise transactions are inherently complex. Buyers must evaluate more than just financial performance—they need to understand franchise agreements, unit-level economics, development obligations, and the strength of franchisor-franchisee relationships.”, QSR Magazine, June 27, 2025
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“KFC, Pizza Hut operator Yum China embraces AI to boost efficiency, profitability – Digital ordering accounted for about 90 per cent of Yum China’s sales in 2024, backed by its 540 million ‘membership’ consumers. The firm, which introduced its Q-Smart AI-powered assistant in June, was expected to help reduce waste, improve quality and save labour costs, chief technology officer (CTO) Leila Zhang said in an interview. The AI-powered system could help with staff scheduling, inventory replenishment and meal preparation, she added. ‘When we think about AI and robotics, one of our primary considerations is to empower our restaurant managers,’ she said. ‘We develop systems and AI-powered digital tools to allow them to work more efficiently, freeing up more of their time so they can focus on delivering exceptional customer service.’”, South China Morning Post, July 6, 2025
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“The Fast Food Giant Behind Burger King Also Owns 3 Other Iconic Chains – Restaurant Brands International came about from the unique merger of Burger King and Tim Hortons in 2014. The two companies were brought together by an outside owner named 3G Capital, based in Brazil, and the deal was partially funded by famous investor Warren Buffett. Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes, and Firehouse Subs are all owned by Restaurant Brands International. While all four of these chains are owned by this single conglomerate based in Toronto, Restaurant Brands International does still operate them as independent businesses in each’s home country.”, The Tasting Table, June 18, 2025
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“The Star Ingredient McDonald’s Leaves Off The Menu In India – With tens of thousands of McDonald’s locations worldwide in over 100 countries, exploring the overseas offerings at the ubiquitous burger chain can be an amazing view into local cultures. Many of these products combine classic McDonald’s items with local flavors, like a bacon McMuffin that uses halloumi cheese in Cyprus, or a burger with bulgogi sauce in Korea. Some are entirely unique to different nations, like McD’s version of the porridge dish bubur ayam in Indonesia and Malaysia. But one of the things that stands out about McDonald’s international menu items in India is that you can’t get a hamburger at all. That’s right. Beef patties are nowhere to be found in any Indian McDonald’s. This stems from the country’s dietary culture.”, The Tasting Table, June 25, 2025
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To receive our biweekly newsletter in your email every other Tuesday, click here – https://insider.edwardsglobal.com
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Our Mission, Information Sources & Who We Are
Our biweekly global business update newsletter focuses on what is happening around the worldthat impacts new trends, health, consumer spending, business investment, the franchise sector, economic development, and travel. We daily monitor 30+ countries, 40+ international information sources and six business sectors to keep up with what is going on in this ever-changing business environment. And our GlobalTeam™ on the ground covering 25+ countries provide us with updates about what is actually happening in their specific countries. We do not get involved in or report on politics!
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William “Bill” Edwards: Global Advisor Is Uniquely Qualified to Steer Sr. Executives Successfully Through the Complex Waters of Going Global. With four decades of successful international business experience spanning virtually every corner of the world and many business sectors, Bill Edwards understands the global business landscape like no other. He has been a County Master Franchisee in five countries in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East; the Senior VP for a franchisor operating in 15 countries and a full-service consultant since 2001 taking 40+ companies global.
| To receive this biweekly newsletter in your email every other Tuesday, click here – https://insider.edwardsglobal.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
Our latest GlobalVue™ 40 country ranking
For a complimentary 30-minute consultation on how to take your business into new countries and make money doing it. For a complimentary call with Bill Edwards click on the QR code or contact Bill at bedwards@edwardsglobal.com and +1 949 375 1896
Biweekly Global Business Newsletter Issue 137, Tuesday, June 24, 2025
“Think global, act local.”, Patrick Geddes
Welcome to Edition #137 of the Edwards Biweekly Global Business Update, your trusted biweekly briefing on the complex and fast-moving developments shaping global trade, investment, and franchising. This edition provides curated insights across several sectors—from energy strategy shifts in Canada to etiquette nuances in the Gulf—and is designed to help executives anticipate risks and spot new global opportunities.
This issue captures a world in continuing flux. The OECD has revised its inflation forecasts upward for 2025 and 2026, highlighting how persistent trade barriers and geopolitical instability are reshaping economic expectations. At the same time, global unemployment trends paint a mixed picture—some nations are hitting record lows, while others like Spain are now struggling with double-digit jobless rates.
In the realm of global aid, major donor countries are pulling back. With official development assistance projected to drop by up to $60 billion, there’s growing concern over the future of global health, education, and infrastructure initiatives. Meanwhile, cities once known for stability—like Vienna—have seen their reputations shaken, underscoring how safety and security increasingly influence global livability and business decisions.
Trade and tourism are also under pressure. President Trump’s second-term policies, including new travel bans and protectionist tariffs, may have wiped out $12.5 billion in U.S. tourism revenue this year and triggered retaliatory moves in regions like Southeast Asia. Meanwhile the biggest companies across America are cutting their workforces.
On the franchise front, innovation continues. From Yum China’s rollout of an AI assistant for KFC store managers to U.S. Congressional recognition of June 11 as the first-ever World Franchise Day, we see both technological and political forces validating the growing relevance and success of the franchise model worldwide. And some casual-dining franchise chains are staging a comeback.
In this issue’s book, Marketcrafters: The 100-Year Struggle to Shape the American Economy, Chris Hughes, Co-Founder of Facebook, presents a compelling historical narrative that challenges the myth of the “free market” as a natural phenomenon. Instead, he argues that markets are deliberately created and continuously shaped by policymakers, economists, and corporate interests—a process he calls “marketcraft.” Covering a century of U.S. economic history, from New Deal reforms to Big Tech’s modern dominance, Hughes reveals how intentional rule-making has defined winners and losers in the American economy.
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But First……The mission of this newsletter is to use trusted global and regional information sources plus our network of 20+ in-country Associates to update our global readers on key global and local trends that can impact the success of their businesses at home and abroad. We subscribe to about 40 international information sources to keep our readers up to date on the world’s business.
PLEASE NOTE: Some of the information sources that we provide links to in our newsletter require a paid subscription to directly access them. Clicking on a link may not give the reader access to the content.
Edited and curated by: William (Bill) Edwards, CEO & Global Business Advisor, Edwards Global Services, Inc. (EGS), Irvine, California, USA. Contact Bill with questions, comments and contributions. Bedwards@edwardsglobal.com, +1 949 375 1896
Link to our current and past newsletters: https://edwardsglobal.com/geowizard/
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First, A Few Words of Wisdom From Others For These Times
“Choose lazy people to do difficult jobs, they always find ways to do it easily.”, Bill Gates
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”, Eleanor Roosevelt
“We must ensure that the global market is embedded in broadly shared values and practices that reflect global social needs, and that all the world’s people share the benefits of globalization.”, Kofi Annan
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Highlights in issue #137:
Global Inflation Projections in 2025 and 2026
How Much it Costs to Make 100 T-Shirts
Yum China is testing an AI assistant for store managers
Unemployment Rates in OECD Countries in 2025
How Weight-Loss Drugs Blew Out the U.S. Trade Deficit
Trump’s $12 Billion Tourism Wipeout
Brand Global News Section: Chili’s®, Honeymoon Dessert® and YUM China
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Please sign up for this amazing future looking August 6th event at the Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of California, Irvine at this kink: www.enpinstitute.com/events
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Interesting Data, Articles and Studies
“Global Inflation Projections in 2025 and 2026 – Average headline inflation across the OECD is projected to be 4.2% in 2025, and 3.2% in 2026. The OECD’s previous inflation projections have been revised upwards due to escalating trade barriers. After a global spike in inflation following the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, central banks have worked to cool price growth. This visualization shows the OECD’s latest inflation projections through 2026, highlighting where price pressures are easing—and where they are still stubbornly high.”, OECD Economic Outlook, June 2025
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“Global aid at a crossroads – Global aid faces a pivotal moment. After years of official development assistance increasing, major foreign donors have announced significant reductions. As a result, a 15 to 22 percent reduction in funds is expected, for an estimated loss of $41 billion to $60 billion, according to McKinsey & Co. Senior Partner Tania Holt and coauthors. Stakeholders can consider several levers to combat these challenges, including mobilizing additional resources and reprioritizing investments and programs.”, McKinsey & Co., June 11, 2025
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“Unemployment Rates in OECD Countries in 2025 – Japan and Mexico have the lowest unemployment rates at 2.5%. Spain’s unemployment rate of 10.9% is the highest of all OECD countries. Unemployment rates in Türkiye, Slovenia, and Slovakia are at their lowest levels since 2001. As of March 2025, the average unemployment rate across OECD countries stood at 4.9%, nearly in line with its lowest level since 2001. However, behind that average lies a wide spectrum, ranging from countries at near-record unemployment lows to others grappling with high joblessness.”, OECD & Visual Capitalist, June 20, 2025
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“The world’s most liveable cities in 2025 – Vienna has lost its crown. Instability threatens living standards everywhere. Vienna is a case in point. The Austrian capital was the world’s most liveable city from 2022 to 2024. But this year it lost its place because two foiled terrorist attacks—on a Taylor Swift concert and on a train station—brought down its stability score, which quantifies the threat of military conflict, civil unrest and terrorism. Smaller places generally do well on the index. Only three cities in the top 20 have more than 6m residents. London and New York are in 54th and 69th place respectively.”, The Economist, June 16, 2025
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Global Supply Chain, Energy, Commodities, Inflation, Taxes & Trade Issues
“How Much it Costs to Make 100 T-Shirts – This graphic breaks down the cost to produce 100 T-shirts from manufacturers in various countries. Bangladesh offers the lowest total cost and cost per shirt. Shipping costs significantly impact the total cost, with locations like Ho Chi Minh and Guangdong showing higher shipping fees. Manufacturing in the USA is the most expensive option, with the highest bulk order fee and cost per shirt, despite lower shipping costs. Based on quotes from 50 manufacturers across the U.S., China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Pakistan, as of April 2025.”, Successful Fashion Designer, June 9, 2025
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Global & Regional Travel News
“Trump’s $12 Billion Tourism Wipeout – Four months into the president’s second term, his policies are upending tourism worldwide. Nine charts show the toll on global travel. US President Donald Trump’s “America First” policies have cut into travel worldwide. The simmering trade war, the crackdown at the border and the rollback of LGBTQ rights—capped by a ban on visitors from a dozen countries announced on June 4—have led to tens of thousands of canceled trips. With travelers choosing alternate destinations, the American economy will lose out on $12.5 billion this year, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council—which will widen the trade deficit, because economists count spending by visitors to the country as an export.”, Bloomberg, June 5, 2025
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Book Review
In Marketcrafters: The 100-Year Struggle to Shape the American Economy, Chris Hughes presents a compelling historical narrative that challenges the myth of the “free market” as a natural phenomenon. Instead, he argues that markets are deliberately created and continuously shaped by policymakers, economists, and corporate interests—a process he calls “marketcraft.” Covering a century of U.S. economic history, from New Deal reforms to Big Tech’s modern dominance, Hughes reveals how intentional rule-making has defined winners and losers in the American economy.
Hughes draws from his background in politics and technology to show how power, not just policy, influences economic outcomes. The book is rigorously researched yet highly readable, offering both historical insight and a call to action for more democratic participation in market design. For global business leaders, Marketcrafters is a timely reminder that markets are not immutable—they’re built, and they can be rebuilt for broader prosperity.
Top 5 Takeaways for Global Businesspeople
Markets Are Engineered, Not Natural – Policies, institutions, and legal frameworks actively shape economic systems.
Power Determines Outcomes – Market structures often reflect the interests of those with influence, not pure efficiency.
Globalization is a Policy Choice – Trade liberalization, labor flows, and tech regulation are outcomes of crafted decisions, not inevitabilities.
Economic Fairness Requires Deliberate Design – Equity and competition don’t emerge on their own—they must be built into market rules.
Business Leaders Are Market Participants and Market Shapers – Executives must recognize their role in shaping fair and functional systems, not just operating within them.
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Country & Regional Updates
Canada
“Strategic Projects Under Consideration in Canada – Ottawa has ambitions to become an energy superpower. The Canadian government is making a strong push to improve the country’s strategic independence. The government of Prime Minister Mark Carney has rallied provincial and business leaders to fast-track infrastructure projects that will make Canada more self-reliant, improve national security and support long-term economic growth. The country wants to become an energy superpower (both for internal consumption and export), improve its export infrastructure, build a strong Arctic presence and boost development of critical mineral resources. Tensions with the U.S. are accelerating these efforts, but the projects address longstanding needs that will persist long after the Trump administration.”, Geopolitical Futures, June 13, 2025
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China
“China’s Top 100 Chain Stores in 2024 Released – Based on the results of the 2024 industry basic situation survey, the China Chain Store & Franchise Association (CCFA) released the “Top 100 Chinese Chains in 2024”. In 2024, the sales volume of the top 100 chain enterprises will be 2.13 trillion yuan, and the total number of stores will be 257,200, an increase of 4.9% and 13.5% respectively over the previous year’s top 100 chain enterprises. Among the top 100 chain enterprises, there are 46 comprehensive retailers, 23 supermarkets, 13 convenience stores, and 18 specialty stores. Among them, comprehensive retail enterprises face the greatest growth pressure, with 19 enterprises experiencing year-on-year sales growth, and 9 enterprises achieving year-on-year double growth in sales and number of stores.”, China Chain Store & Franchise Association, June 18, 2025. Compliments of Paul Jones, Jones & Co., Toronto
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“Despite Stronger Trade Ties, China’s Influence in Latin America Will Remain Limited – In 2000, the United States was the main trade partner of countries across the Western Hemisphere. However, China soon became the largest trading partner of most regional countries, especially in South America, after joining the World Trade Organization in 2001 and expanding commerce with the region. In the coming years, China will diversify and expand trade and investment in Latin America and the Caribbean amid U.S. protectionism, but Beijing’s influence will likely remain limited due to its declining financial capacity and the region’s enduring ties with the West.”, RANE Worldview, June 11, 2025
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Middle East
“Same Gulf? Different Rules: The Saudi vs UAE Etiquette You Can NOT Ignore – When most Western professionals think of the Gulf region, they tend to paint it with the same brush: conservative, wealthy, hierarchical, and relationship-driven. And while there is truth to that, each country has its own unwritten rules that can make or break a deal. One of the biggest mistakes expats make is assuming the Gulf is culturally identical. Many think a smooth pitch in Dubai guarantees success in Riyadh. In reality, copying your UAE approach in Saudi can damage trust overnight. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the subtle but important differences between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).”, Star Katz, June 22, 2025. Compliments of Corina Goertz.
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United States
“The Biggest Companies Across America Are Cutting Their Workforces – It isn’t just Amazon. There’s a growing belief that having too many employees will slow a company down—and that anyone still on the payroll could be working harder. U.S. public companies have reduced their white-collar workforces by a collective 3.5% over the past three years, according to employment data-provider Live Data Technologies. Over the past decade, one in five companies in the S&P 500 have shrunk. New technologies like generative artificial intelligence are allowing companies to do more with less. The message from many bosses: Anyone still on the payroll could be working harder.”, The Wall Street Journal, June 18, 2025
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“How big trade deficit drop as tariffs hit imports is playing out inside U.S. supply chain and economy – The U.S. trade deficit has plunged as imports surged and then plummeted as a result of President Trump’s trade war and tariffs. The impact of rapid global economic shifts can be seen in the supply chain activity across the U.S., from warehouses to freight orders and inventory. The data points to greater pain for small businesses. The U.S. trade deficit fell by the largest amount on record in April as imports fell by over 16% after a surge in orders to beat President Trump’s tariffs, but there’s a worrying flip side for the consumer. As the trade war whipsaws global economic activity, supply chain data shows that the retail inventory crunch could be next and small business across the country are bearing the brunt of the pain. From freight orders to inventory and warehousing, the latest logistics data shows the inability of many importers to make business decisions related to inventory levels.”, CNBC, June 5, 2025
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“How Weight-Loss Drugs Blew Out the U.S. Trade Deficit – Shipments have propelled Ireland, a country of 5.4 million, to the second-largest goods-trade imbalance with the U.S., behind China. Planes have been jetting from Ireland to the U.S. this year carrying something more valuable than gold: $36 billion worth of hormones for popular obesity and diabetes drugs. Fit into temperature-controlled air-cargo containers, the pharmaceutical ingredients have had a huge impact on the U.S. trade imbalance. The shipments have propelled Ireland, a country of only 5.4 million people, to the second-largest goods-trade imbalance with the U.S., trailing only China. They accounted for roughly half of the $71 billion in goods the U.S. imported from the country in the first four months of the year.”, The Wall Street Journal, June 20, 2025.
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Vietnam
“Vietnam risks being the trade war’s biggest loser. Does it have a plan B? The south-east Asian country benefited hugely from US-China tensions, but the Trump tariffs strike at the heart of its economy. On Trump’s so-called “liberation day”, he announced Vietnam would face a 46 per cent tariff rate, one of the highest in the world. For A&M and its 120 employees, new orders from American clients slowed to a trickle. Like thousands of companies across Vietnam, it is now frantically trying to figure out its future. The country’s recent economic success — with GDP growth at 7 per cent last year — has been driven primarily by exports to the US and surging investments from companies fleeing China.”, The Financial Times, June 12, 2025
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The Accredited Franchise Supplier certification
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Global Brand & Franchise Sector News
“(U.S.) Congressional Leaders Introduce Resolution Recognizing First-Ever World Franchise Day – A bipartisan and bicameral group of lawmakers today introduced a historic congressional resolution recognizing June 11 as the first-ever World Franchise Day, honoring the franchise business model’s impact on job creation, entrepreneurship, and economic development across the United States and the world. The resolution is being led in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Sens. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Chris Coons (D-DE), and in the U.S. House by Representatives by U.S. Reps. Kevin Hern (R-OK), Troy Carter (D-LA), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), and Beth Van Duyne (R-TX). The House resolution has 12 bipartisan original cosponsors. ‘World Franchise Day is a powerful reminder of the franchise model’s unparalleled ability to create opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs of all backgrounds and walks of life,’ said Matt Haller, IFA President and CEO.”, The International Franchise Association, June 11, 2025
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“Yum China is testing an AI assistant for store managers – The company began incorporating similar tools as early as 2019. Yum China today announced the pilot launch of “Q-Smart,” an artificial intelligence-enabled assistant for restaurant managers, at select KFC restaurants. According to the company, Q-Smart helps with labor scheduling, inventory management, and food quality and safety inspection. Managers can interact with the system using wearable devices such as wireless earphones and smart watches, creating a hands-free experience rather than having to rely on touchscreens or PCs to complete tasks. An example of Q-Smart’s application is its ability to monitor a restaurant’s inventory and compare it with upcoming sales forecasting, reminding managers to make timely ordering decisions. Q-Smart can also understand and respond to managers’ voice commands, helping them to conduct equipment inspections and inventory counts. Further, the system can provide real-time support and solutions for managers to handle urgent operational issues.”, NRN, June 20, 2025
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“After a Bruising Year, Casual-Dining Chains Try to Stage a Comeback – Vintage restaurant brands aim for overhauls without scaring loyal customers; ‘No one is getting drunk at Cracker Barrel’. Restaurants like Cracker Barrel and Red Lobster are working to stage a comeback by spending millions to update menus and dining rooms. Red Lobster is recovering from bankruptcy with new leadership, menu updates and improved customer sentiment. Chains like Chili’s and Texas Roadhouse have focused on offering high service levels and good prices. U.S. restaurant bankruptcies last year hit the highest level in decades excluding 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic upended the industry. TGI Fridays, Rubio’s Coastal Grill and Red Lobster were among chains that filed for Chapter 11, closing hundreds of restaurants……the shakeout in casual dining continues as brands such as Denny’s, Applebee’s and Hooters close locations in efforts to improve profitability. Restaurant locations run by the largest casual-dining chains dropped 1.2% last year, the first unit decline since 2020, according to market-research firm Technomic.”, The Wall Street Journal, June 20, 2025
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“Honeymoon Dessert launches global partner program – The dessert industry seeks new support points through self service model and overseas expansion. Honeymoon Dessert, which is sandwiched between the forces of new tea drinks, has launched a global partner program while fine-tuning and adjusting its business model, emphasizing its determination to expand overseas. Honeymoon Dessert “has now arrived in Southeast Asia, North America, Europe and other places”, and a new store in Thailand is about to open. After 30 years, Honeymoon Desserts is not only exploring the old business of stores.”, Caijing.com.cn, June 17, 2025. Compliments of Paul Jones, Jones & Co., Toronto.
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To receive our biweekly newsletter in your email every other Tuesday, click here – https://insider.edwardsglobal.com
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Our Mission, Information Sources & Who We Are
Our biweekly global business update newsletter focuses on what is happening around the worldthat impacts new trends, health, consumer spending, business investment, the franchise sector, economic development, and travel. We daily monitor 30+ countries, 40+ international information sources and six business sectors to keep up with what is going on in this ever-changing business environment. And our GlobalTeam™ on the ground covering 25+ countries provide us with updates about what is actually happening in their specific countries. We do not get involved in or report on politics!
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William “Bill” Edwards: Global Advisor Is Uniquely Qualified to Steer Sr. Executives Successfully Through the Complex Waters of Going Global. With four decades of successful international business experience spanning virtually every corner of the world and many business sectors, Bill Edwards understands the global business landscape like no other. He has been a County Master Franchisee in five countries in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East; the Senior VP for a franchisor operating in 15 countries and a full-service consultant since 2001 taking 40+ companies global.
| To receive this biweekly newsletter in your email every other Tuesday, click here – https://insider.edwardsglobal.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
Our latest GlobalVue™ 40 country ranking
For a complimentary 30-minute consultation on how to take your business into new countries and make money doing it. For a complimentary call with Bill Edwards click on the QR code or contact Bill at bedwards@edwardsglobal.com and +1 949 375 1896
Biweekly Global Business Newsletter Issue 13, Tuesday, June 10, 2025
“In the midst of every crisis, lies great opportunity.”, Albert Einstein
Welcome to Issue #136 of the Global Business Update – As we hit the midpoint of 2025, the global economy is sending mixed—and at times, conflicting—signals. In this issue, we cover everything from rising gold prices to sinking tourist numbers, from trade skirmishes to surprising growth pockets.
The global economy sputters as new tariffs return under Trump, intensifying trade tensions now hitting on three fronts. We’re seeing ripple effects: jobs at the Port of Los Angeles are down by half, international tourist arrivals to the U.S. continue to decline, and tariffs are already making dolls more expensive for American families. Yet, in a twist, AmCham reports no polled U.S. firms in China are planning to reshore to the USA.
Meanwhile, China generated more electricity in 2024 than the U.S., EU, and India combined, and Starbucks is cutting prices in China as competition grows. Vietnam emerges as a high-growth market, while Canada pushes for faster project approvals and freer trade. Europe quietly doubles its growth pace, attracting investor attention.
This issue also features a deep dive into life expectancy by country, a timely look at The Art of Uncertainty, and what America’s Pizza Economy says about the real one. But despite the tariff challenges, Freddies® is opening its first restaurant in Canada!
One More Thing… In this issue’s book, The Art of Uncertainty: How to Navigate Chance, Ignorance, Risk and Luck, global strategist and philosopher Dennis Shirshikov challenges conventional views on control and prediction in business. This thought-provoking book argues that embracing uncertainty—not avoiding it—is the most powerful way to succeed in today’s complex and volatile global environment.
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But First……The mission of this newsletter is to use trusted global and regional information sources plus our network of 20+ in-country Associates to update our global readers on key global and local trends that can impact the success of their businesses at home and abroad. We subscribe to about 40 international information sources to keep our readers up to date on the world’s business.
PLEASE NOTE: Some of the information sources that we provide links to in our newsletter require a paid subscription to directly access them. Clicking on a link may not give the reader access to the content.
Edited and curated by: William (Bill) Edwards, CEO & Global Business Advisor, Edwards Global Services, Inc. (EGS), Irvine, California, USA. Contact Bill with questions, comments and contributions. Bedwards@edwardsglobal.com, +1 949 375 1896
Link to our current and past newsletters: https://edwardsglobal.com/geowizard/
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First, A Few Words of Wisdom From Others For These Times
“Uncertainty is the new norm. Leaders must rely on their ‘muscle memory’—past experience and foundational knowledge—to navigate challenges like trade policy shifts, fluctuating markets, AI integration, and evolving workforce dynamics.”, Janet Truncale – Global Chair & CEO, Ernst & Young (EY)
“Never to let one’s self be beaten down by persons or by events.”, Marie Curie
“Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.”, Abraham Lincoln
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Highlights in issue #136:
How Long People Live, by Country
Global Economy Sputters as Trump Inks New Tariff
Plunge in Overseas Demand Hits China Manufacturing, Caixin PMI Shows
Jobs at the Port of Los Angeles are down by half, executive director says
Fewer international tourists are visiting the U.S.
What America’s Pizza Economy Is Telling Us About the Real One
Euro Economies Doubling Growth Grabs Investor Attention –
Brand Global News Section: Dave’s Hot Chicken®, Freddies®, Little Cesars® and Starbucks®
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Interesting Data, Articles and Studies
“Global Economics Intelligence executive summary, April 2025 – Markets fluctuate but return to early April levels; first-quarter US GDP data indicates consumer spending and investment growth despite 0.3% contraction, while China and Europe outpace expectations. Persistent high consumer prices and elevated levels of uncertainty continue to affect households, leading to low levels of overall consumer confidence in the US and beyond. Despite the uncertainty, leading indicators were above long-term trends across the main economies during March. Economies are continuing to reduce interest rates, except Russia and Brazil, which have been raising rates to combat high inflation.”, McKinsey & Co., May 29, 2025
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“Global Economy Sputters as Trump Inks New Tariff – Despite promised blowback from Europe, Donald Trump formally raised steel and aluminum tariffs to 50% from 25% on Tuesday. The move by the president raises trade tensions at a time when the US is locked in negotiations with numerous trading partners over his so-called “reciprocal” duties before a July 9 deadline. While those tariffs have been deemed by US courts to likely be illegal, they remain in place as litigation over them proceeds. The steel levies aren’t implicated by the rulings.”, Bloomberg, June 3, 2025
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“A New Era for the Global Economy – Established economic and trade rules are being eroded, without a clear replacement emerging. Over the past two decades, the global economy has endured significant shocks – most notably the 2008 financial crisis and the economic fallout from pandemic-related lockdowns. These events severely hindered real GDP growth. Despite these disruptions, the primary indicator of economic activity has remained resilient. Growth rebounded quickly after the pandemic, surpassing 3 percent for many countries. Still, the IMF expresses caution. It does not expect strong economic growth to continue into the coming year, although it does forecast positive growth overall. Ongoing instability – especially in trade relationships and global conflicts – poses serious risks. These factors threaten supply chains and the flow of goods, shifting economic risks to the downside. For example, new tariffs imposed by the United States, along with retaliatory measures by its trading partners, prompted the IMF to lower its global growth forecast in the January 2025 World Economic Outlook update to 2.8 percent for the year.”, Geopolitical Futures, May 28, 2025
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“How Long People Live, by Country – How long you live depends a lot on where you’re born. For example, Western European countries have an 80+ life expectancy at birth. However, several African countries have a below 60 life expectancy, a lifespan that is a full 20 years shorter. Parts of already Africa battle a perfect storm of difficult living conditions: poor nutrition, not enough clean water, and violence. However, the biggest difference between life expectancies of Africans and residents of high-income regions are for those before the age of 5 and after 60.”, Visual Capitalist and UN World Population Prospects 2024, May 22, 2025
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“China Generated More Electricity in 2024 Than the U.S., EU, & India Combined – China generated over 10,000 TWh (terawatt-hour) of electricity in 2024. That’s more than the combined output of the U.S., EU, and India—the next three biggest producers.”, Our World In Data, June 1, 2025
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“Why central banks are playing a big role in pushing up gold prices – Governments are buying up gold as they see it as a safe investment – and, in some cases, a tool for evading Western sanctions. Gold prices have surged this year as investors seek safe investments amid a spike in economic uncertainty unleashed by US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Countries are increasingly experimenting with creating gold-backed digital assets and trading systems that bypass the dollar-denominated financial system, according to an article by Kimberly Donovan and Maia Nikoladze of the Atlantic Council’s Economic Statecraft Initiative published earlier this month.”, South China Morning Post, May 27, 2025
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Global & Regional Travel News
“Travel advisor survey shows bookings decline, but not across the board – A majority of travel advisors say that bookings are down this year compared to last, with the economy, consumer confidence and price sensitivity all playing roles. A Travel Weekly survey fielded last month found that 27.8% of respondents reported a significant decrease in bookings so far in 2025, while 29.9% reported a slight decrease. That adds up to 57.7% who are reporting some kind of decrease. Ten percent reported no change in bookings, 18.5% reported a slight increase, and 12.8% reported a significant increase.”, Travel Weekly, June 2, 2025
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“Fewer international tourists are visiting the U.S. — economic losses could be ‘staggering,’ researchers estimate. Spending among international visitors to the U.S. is poised to fall $8.5 billion this year, according to Oxford Economics. Tourists are avoiding the U.S. as a destination amid tensions tied to Trump administration policy related to trade and the border, experts said. A relatively strong dollar and weak global growth prospects are also playing a role, they said. Spending from foreign visitors to the U.S. is poised to fall by $8.5 billion this year as negative perceptions tied to trade and immigration policy lead overseas tourists to look elsewhere, according to a research note published by Oxford Economics. The spending decline, which works out to a drop of about 5% relative to last year, is a result of less foot traffic. International arrivals to the U.S. are expected to fall about 9% this year, Aran Ryan, director of industry studies at Tourism Economics, part of Oxford Economics, wrote in a research note last week.”, CNBC, May 28, 2025
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Book Review
In The Art of Uncertainty: How to Navigate Chance, Ignorance, Risk and Luck, global strategist and philosopher Dennis Shirshikov challenges conventional views on control and prediction in business. This thought-provoking book argues that embracing uncertainty—not avoiding it—is the most powerful way to succeed in today’s complex and volatile global environment. For professionals in international business, Shirshikov’s insights are particularly resonant.
Through compelling case studies and psychological insights, the book explores how successful decision-makers don’t eliminate risk; instead, they learn to work with randomness, incomplete information, and ambiguity. This mindset is essential in international markets, where variables such as cultural nuance, regulatory shifts, economic volatility, and geopolitical tension can disrupt even the most well-planned strategies.
Shirshikov emphasizes agility, scenario thinking, and the use of probabilistic models to guide choices—not for perfect forecasts, but to build resilience and adaptability. His discussion of “productive ignorance” is especially valuable for global business leaders, reminding us that humility and curiosity often yield better long-term outcomes than false confidence.
Ultimately, The Art of Uncertainty offers a compelling toolkit for thriving amid global ambiguity. For entrepreneurs, executives, and strategists operating across borders, this book is not only timely—it’s indispensable.
5 Key Takeaways for International Businesspeople
1. Embrace Uncertainty as a Strategic Asset: Use uncertainty to identify opportunities and drive innovation in unpredictable markets.
2. Make Decisions with Incomplete Information: Take action using probabilities and patterns, essential for navigating new territories.
3. Leverage “Productive Ignorance”: Recognize gaps in knowledge to ask better questions and build stronger local partnerships.
4. Design Flexible, Resilient Strategies: Use scenario planning and optionality to adapt to shifting global conditions.
5. Differentiate Luck from Skill: Understand the role of timing and luck to remain humble and prepared for change.
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Country & Regional Updates
Africa
“Africa’s gen AI potential – Africa has embraced gen AI with remarkable speed, and its institutions are quickly catching up with and in some instances leading global developments. However, the continent’s progress so far with both gen AI and AI more broadly is only the tip of the iceberg, say Partner Mayowa Kuyoro and coauthors. Gen AI adoption varies widely by sector, with digitally mature sectors such as technology, telecommunications, and financial services leading the way. The authors estimate that at-scale deployment of gen AI could lead to $61 billion to $103 billion of additional economic value across Africa.”, McKinsey & Co., May 29, 2025
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Canada
“Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies”., President Kennedy, Ottawa in 1961.
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“Canada Introduces Bill to Speed Up Project Approval, Dismantle Trade Barriers – Officials say removing internal trade barriers and expediting approval of major infrastructure and resource projects would help maximize Canada’s economic potential. Canada introduced legislation on Friday that aims to accelerate approval of resource and infrastructure projects, and knock down internal trade barriers that analysts estimate cost the domestic economy tens of billions of dollars in growth. As for internal trade barriers, this marks the federal government’s boldest effort yet to get the country’s 10 provinces and three territories to mutually recognize their rules and regulations. For instance, provinces have different rules regarding how long truckers can work, and minimum energy efficiency requirements in appliances like washing machines. Wine made in one province can’t be directly sold to customers in another. Further, labor mobility is hampered as provinces have differing rules on who is qualified to work in the trades.”, The Wall Street Journal, June 6, 2025
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China
“Plunge in Overseas Demand Hits China Manufacturing, Caixin PMI Shows – China’s manufacturing shrank in May at the fastest pace since September 2022, with overseas demand falling at a quicker pace, a Caixin-sponsored survey showed Tuesday. The Caixin China General Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), which gives an independent snapshot of the country’s manufacturing sector, came in at 48.3, down from 50.4 in April. A reading above 50 indicates an expansion in activity, while a number below that signals a contraction. The Caixin PMI is one of the earliest available monthly indicators of activity in the world’s second-largest economy. Manufacturing accounted for around 26% of China’s GDP in the first quarter, according to government data.”, Caixin Global, June 3, 2025
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“China Tariffs Already Mean Fewer, More Expensive Dolls for American Kids – Toy makers are raising prices and are cautious about producing more amid uncertainty over tariff levels. Trump’s tariffs on China are hurting U.S. toy makers, who face higher costs and reduced assortment. A federal trade court ruling on tariffs was put on hold, adding to uncertainty for businesses. Smaller toy makers struggle to fulfill orders as Chinese factories prioritize larger customers. Trump’s China tariffs have been hurting low-margin industries such as toy makers, where companies say there are few alternatives to raising prices. As a result, these businesses expect American shoppers to face a smaller assortment of goods this Christmas—and at a higher cost.”, Wall Street Journal, June 7, 2025
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“No polled US firms in China shifting production back to US, AmCham survey finds – ‘Instead, they are localising operations or shifting some production to third countries,’ the American Chamber of Commerce says after poll of 112 member companies in China. “Tariffs are an added challenge for our member companies at a time when operating in China is already becoming more complex,” said Alvin Liu, AmCham China chair. Despite the challenges, however, most companies are not planning to exit China, the survey found. None report shifting production back to the US.”, South China Morning Post, June 6, 2025. Compliments of Paul Jones, Jones & Co., Toronto
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European Union & The Euro Zone
“Trump’s Trade Fight Now a War on Three Fronts – The European Union is preparing for another round of trade talks with the US, but it’s also warning that it may speed up retaliatory measures if President Donald Trump follows through on his latest threat: a 50% levy on steel and aluminum imports. The European Commission, which handles trade matters for the EU, said Monday it “strongly” regrets the tariff hike—up from an originally planned 25%—and said the move is undermining efforts to reach a solution to the trade conflict.”, Bloomberg, June 2, 2025
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“Euro Economies Doubling Growth Grabs Investor Attention – Eurozone economies led by Ireland and Germany expanded twice as much as previously reported to begin the year, with exports surging in anticipation of US tariffs. Eurostat’s upward revision to 0.6% growth caught most economists by surprise and capture a currency union that’s so far proving resilient. For all the Sturm und Drang hurled by the Trump administration, Europe’s macro-economic picture still shows light on the horizon. Private equity investors have a new-found love for Germany and are prowling for deals. Defense technology stocks are booming as investors pour into meeting EU security requirements. The reassessment of European fortunes takes place as jitters spread among investors eyeing what’s taking place on the other side of the Atlantic. The US has ceased to be a secure destination because of risks stemming from Trump’s tax and spending bills, according to the chief economist at French asset manager Carmignac.”, Bloomberg, June 6, 2025
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Middle East
“Etiquette Is Not Fluff: It is Strategy in the Gulf Market – When Western companies think about business expansion into the Gulf, their minds often jump straight to legal structures, market size, product fit, and perhaps even localisation. And yes, they are important. But one area often dangerously overlooked is this: Etiquette! Not as a nice-to-have. Not as an afterthought. Not to be googled as quick fix. But as a strategic imperative.
In the Gulf region — comprising countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman — Etiquette is not just about saying the right thing or offering the correct greeting. It’s about showing respect, building trust, and signalling that you understand the invisible rules of the game. If you don’t understand these rules, you are not just being seen as impolite. You are being seen as untrustworthy, incompetent, or simply not ready for serious business.”, Star Kat – Middle East Sunday Pages, May 25, 2025. Compliments of Corina Goetz
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United States
“Jobs at the Port of Los Angeles are down by half, executive director says – Job opportunities at the Port of Los Angeles are dwindling as President Trump’s steep tariffs take a hit on global trade and a major economic engine for the regional economy. Nearly half of the longshoremen who support operations at the port went without work over the last two weeks, Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, said in an interview. The port processed 25% less cargo than forecast for the month of May, he said.”, The Los Angeles Times, June 7, 2025
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“How big trade deficit drop as tariffs hit imports is playing out inside U.S. supply chain and economy – The U.S. trade deficit has plunged as imports surged and then plummeted as a result of President Trump’s trade war and tariffs. The impact of rapid global economic shifts can be seen in the supply chain activity across the U.S., from warehouses to freight orders and inventory. The data points to greater pain for small businesses. The U.S. trade deficit fell by the largest amount on record in April as imports fell by over 16% after a surge in orders to beat President Trump’s tariffs, but there’s a worrying flip side for the consumer. As the trade war whipsaws global economic activity, supply chain data shows that the retail inventory crunch could be next and small business across the country are bearing the brunt of the pain. From freight orders to inventory and warehousing, the latest logistics data shows the inability of many importers to make business decisions related to inventory levels.”, CNBC, June 5, 2025
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Vietnam
“Vietnam: a high-growth market going cheap – It has been 50 years since Vietnam was reunited after a 25-year war that devastated the country………..in the late 1980s, the government performed a sharp U-turn and turned Vietnam into a very capitalist country under autocratic rule. Since then, GDP per capita has risen from $270 a year to $4,300 in an economy that has grown from $6.3 billion to $430 billion, notes Tod Davis of brokers Deutsche Numis. Wider signs of social progress are equally impressive: the population has increased from 44 million to 100 million, male life expectancy at birth has risen from 61 to 75, literacy has risen from 57% to 96%, and the poverty rate has fallen from 78% to around 3%. With the economy growing at 6% per annum, ‘Vietnam is likely to become a high income nation similar to Taiwan and South Korea, with a GDP per capita of $12,500 within 20 years’, says Brook Taylor, chief executive of VinaCapital. The threat of tariffs is the current worry (America’s trade deficit with Vietnam is its third-largest), but this may be exaggerated. VinaCapital expects the US to settle for a 20% tariff in the end, probably with a high-tech exemption. This would reduce GDP growth from 7% to about 6% for 2025.”, Money Week, June 6, 2025
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The Accredited Franchise Supplier certification
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Global Brand & Franchise Sector News
“Starbucks to cut prices in China – Consumer businesses under pressure from weaker economic backdrop and intense competition. Starbucks will cut the prices of several iced and tea-based drinks in China, as the coffee chain grapples with heated competition in its second-biggest market. The Seattle-based company said in a social media post on Monday it would reduce the prices of products, including tea lattes and frappucinos, by an average of Rmb5, taking the price of certain drinks to Rmb23 ($3.20). Businesses in Chinese consumer sectors from cars to food and beverage have been under pressure to lower prices amid a weaker economic backdrop and intense competition.”, The Financial Times, June 9, 2025
Editor’s Note: The Shanghai price is the same as it is in Southern California!!
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Roark Capital Investment Adds Sizzle to Dave’s Hot Chicken’s Explosive Growth Plans –With the private equity firm now a majority owner, the fast casual plans to become a worldwide sensation, with 155-165 stores opening this year. Dave’s Hot Chicken president Jim Bitticks remembers visiting restaurants five years ago and asking cofounder Dave Kopushyan what he thinks the brand will be someday. His answer? ‘We won’t sell until it’s a billion.’ Dave’s, founded in 2017 by childhood friends Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, and Tommy Rubenyan, started with $900 and a parking lot pop-up in East Hollywood. The brand became an instant sensation, and a couple of years later, it brought on Phelps—the former CEO of Wetzel’s Pretzels and Blaze Pizza—to begin franchising.
Since then, Dave’s has grown swiftly. After opening roughly 80 stores each in 2023 and 2024, the plan is to open 155 to 165 locations this year and around the same in 2026. The fast casual is working through a pipeline of over 1,000 franchise locations across the U.S., the Middle East, and Canada.”, QSR Magazine, June 2, 2025
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“What America’s Pizza Economy Is Telling Us About the Real One – Higher-end pies are still selling, but for lower-income consumers even frozen pizza is becoming a luxury. For the longest time, pizza has been the go-to dinner order for anyone looking to feed a family fast and on the cheap. What’s often touted as America’s favorite food took on another attribute during the pandemic: safe. Domino’s Pizza Inc., the largest of the delivery chains, and its smaller rival Papa John’s International Inc. each registered double-digit year-over-year same-store sales increases in the US and North America, respectively, in 2020, helped by Covid-19 lockdowns. Four years on, though, it looks as if low-income consumers are being priced out of pizza. Those same-store sales were down at all three pizza chains in the first quarter of 2025, declining 5% at Pizza Hut, 2.7% at Papa John’s and 0.5% at Domino’s. Domino’s did have one metric to celebrate, at least: Takeout ticked up 1%, because, as Chief Financial Officer Sandeep Reddy explained in an earnings call, it costs less than delivery.”, Bloomberg, June 6, 2025
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“Little Caesars makes India debut with NCR outlet plan – Harnessing Harvest to lead franchise push. Little Caesars, the world’s third-largest pizza chain by global presence, is set to enter India this month by opening its first outlet in the Delhi-NCR region, the company said on Friday. This will be the brand’s 30th global market. The Detroit-based brand, known for its ‘hot-n-ready’ pizzas and Crazy Bread, has partnered with Harnessing Harvest as its India franchisee. ‘Launching in India marks an exciting milestone for Little Caesars as we expand into our 30th country,’ said Paula Vissing, President, Global Retail at Little Caesars Pizza, in a statement. The company’s foray into India is part of a wider global expansion that recently included markets like Cambodia and Kuwait, PTI reported.”, The Times Of India, June 7, 2025
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“Freddy’s to open first Canadian restaurant – The Winnipeg unit is the first outside the U.S. for the growing burger chain, which is building out a significant store pipeline. The fast-growing burger brand is developing its Canadian footprint through a master franchise agreement with North 49 Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, and the first unit has been in the works for some time. Freddy’s has grown rapidly since its 2021 acquisition by Thompson Street Capital, according to its franchise disclosure document. In 2022, the brand said it was targeting a total unit count of about 1,000.”, Restaurant Dive, June 2, 2025
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To receive our biweekly newsletter in your email every other Tuesday, click here – https://insider.edwardsglobal.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our Mission, Information Sources & Who We Are
Our biweekly global business update newsletter focuses on what is happening around the worldthat impacts new trends, health, consumer spending, business investment, the franchise sector, economic development, and travel. We daily monitor 30+ countries, 40+ international information sources and six business sectors to keep up with what is going on in this ever-changing business environment. And our GlobalTeam™ on the ground covering 25+ countries provide us with updates about what is actually happening in their specific countries. We do not get involved in or report on politics!
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William “Bill” Edwards: Global Advisor Is Uniquely Qualified to Steer Sr. Executives Successfully Through the Complex Waters of Going Global. With four decades of successful international business experience spanning virtually every corner of the world and many business sectors, Bill Edwards understands the global business landscape like no other. He has been a County Master Franchisee in five countries in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East; the Senior VP for a franchisor operating in 15 countries and a full-service consultant since 2001 taking 40+ companies global.
| To receive this biweekly newsletter in your email every other Tuesday, click here – https://insider.edwardsglobal.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
Our latest GlobalVue™ 40 country ranking
For a complimentary 30-minute consultation on how to take your business into new countries and make money doing it. For a complimentary call with Bill Edwards click on the QR code or contact Bill at bedwards@edwardsglobal.com and +1 949 375 1896
