Key points of the global economic news on May 14, 2026

1. A global oil shock could force the ECB to raise interest rates:
   Philip Lane, chief economist of the European Central Bank (ECB), believes that the global oil shock caused by the conflict in the Middle East could compel the ECB to raise interest rates to prevent energy prices from impacting wages and overall price levels. He suggests that the ECB could raise rates in June, despite geopolitical tensions weighing on eurozone growth. He highlights that this new shock comes after a period of high inflation following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, making businesses and consumers particularly sensitive to price fluctuations.

2. U.S. and China consider tariff reductions:
   The United States and China are reportedly considering gradually establishing a trade control mechanism for non-sensitive goods to national security. Under this proposal, each party could identify a list of goods worth about $30 billion to reduce tariffs and allow exports to respective markets. Known as the “Trade Council,” this mechanism was first mentioned in March by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and is a topic of high-level discussions between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping.

3. U.S. House of Representatives passes bill allowing year-round sale of E15 gasoline:
   On May 13, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill allowing year-round sales of E15 gasoline, a fuel containing 15% ethanol produced from corn, across the United States. This is a significant victory after over a decade of lobbying by agricultural organizations to promote the consumption of surplus corn. The bill was passed by a vote of 218 to 203 but still needs approval from the U.S. Senate and the President. If implemented, this legislation is expected to boost corn demand and improve U.S. farmer incomes.

4. South Korea’s ICT exports reach record level thanks to AI:
   In April 2026, South Korea’s ICT exports reached $42.71 billion, a 125.9% increase from the previous year, marking a historical high. According to the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, it is also the first time the country’s ICT exports have surpassed $40 billion for two consecutive months. This achievement is mainly attributed to strong demand for semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) products.

5. Unemployment in France reaches 5-year high:
   France’s unemployment rate reached 8.1% in the first quarter of 2026, the highest level since 2021, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE). The number of active jobseekers currently stands at around 2.6 million, an increase of 68,000 compared to the previous quarter. Unemployment rose significantly among 25-49 year-olds, reaching 7.3%, its highest level in over 5 years. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate remains high at around 21.1% amid nearly stagnant economic growth in France.

6. EIA: Oil tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz drops to lowest level in years:
   According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), oil and petroleum product traffic in the Strait of Hormuz dropped to 14.6 million barrels per day in the first quarter of 2026, the lowest level in years. This represents a significant decrease from the 20.4 million barrels per day recorded in the same period in 2025 and the 20.7 million barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2025. The EIA notes that this nearly 6 million barrels per day decline constitutes a major supply disruption, raising concerns in the market and causing global oil price volatility.

7. Experts warn of AI-fueled cyberattack risks:
   Experts caution that AI-powered cyberattacks could significantly increase and become a global threat in the near future. Lee Klarich of Palo Alto Networks stated that exploiting vulnerabilities with AI could emerge in the next 3 to 5 months. A report on May 13 also indicated that some new AI models can detect and exploit vulnerabilities beyond expectations, raising concerns about the rapid development of next-generation cyberattack tools.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/diem-tin-kinh-te-the-gioi-noi-bat-ngay-1452026-20260514210125662.htm