Key Points of the Global Economic News on April 28, 2026

The solar energy central Phuoc Thai 2 (commune Phuoc Huu, Khanh Hoa province). Photo: Cong Thu/TTXVN

1. Energy Security: a lever to strengthen Vietnam’s competitiveness: Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW on national energy security until 2030, with a vision towards 2045, has reaffirmed the crucial role of energy for Vietnam’s economic security and sustainable competitiveness. According to M&G Investments experts, maintaining a stable and high-quality energy system that complies with international ESG standards is essential to attract long-term foreign direct investments (FDI) in high-tech sectors such as semiconductors or data centers. With significant potential in wind and solar energy and a strategy to gradually reduce its dependence on coal, Vietnam is emerging as an attractive destination for clean energy investments in Southeast Asia, enhancing investor confidence and modernizing the national value chain.

2. China: Solar energy expected to surpass coal: China National Power Grid Corporation predicts that the country’s solar energy production capacity will exceed coal production capacity for the first time in 2026, marking a significant milestone in the transition to green energy. By the end of March 2026, non-fossil fuel capacity had reached 2.46 billion kW, representing 62% of the total installed capacity, with wind and solar energy accounting for 68.2% of newly added electricity production capacity.

3. EU demands Google to open Android operating system to AI competitors: The European Commission has required Google to open its Android operating system to competing artificial intelligence (AI) services to enhance competition, in accordance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). In response, Google warned that this measure could result in unnecessary costs and weaken user privacy protection, while the EU threatened fines of up to 10% of the company’s total global revenue in case of refusal.

4. Japan maintains interest rates unchanged amid geopolitical instability: The Bank of Japan (BoJ) decided to keep its key interest rate at 0.75% during its April 28 meeting, reflecting caution regarding risks associated with conflicts in the Middle East and rising energy prices. BoJ raised its core inflation forecasts for the current fiscal year to 2.8%, while lowering economic growth projections to 0.5% due to negative impacts from the global crude oil market.

5. Low-cost airlines massively reduce flights due to fuel costs: Low-cost carriers like Ryanair, Transavia, and Volotea are experiencing heavy losses and have to cancel thousands of flights following the surge in kerosene prices after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. AirAsia X (Malaysia) raised prices by up to 40% and Lufthansa canceled 20,000 flights, signaling a worsening situation for airlines struggling to absorb cost increases given their economic model.

6. US-Iran tensions impact Fed’s monetary policy: The Federal Reserve is expected to maintain its key interest rate between 3.5% and 3.75% during this week’s meeting amid ongoing tensions between the US and Iran disrupting supply chains. The price of Brent crude oil has increased by around 50% since the conflict began, pushing American inflation over 2% and raising concerns about labor market weaknesses.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/diem-tin-kinh-te-the-gioi-noi-bat-ngay-2842026-20260428204859399.htm