Week in Review Archive

The United States economy contracted by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Commerce Department, the first quarter of decline since 2022. The decline in gross domestic product (GDP) is due to a large surge in imports despite other parts of the economy slowing down, all while inflation remains high.

South Korea’s economy is currently facing a period of slower growth, with the first quarter of 2025 experiencing a contraction of 0.1% in gross domestic product (GDP). This downturn is attributed to various factors, including heightened political uncertainty and crippling tariffs.

Japan’s economy has shown strength and growth so far this year, but the unpredictability of the brewing trade war and the broad-sweeping implications of tariffs from a major trade ally could slow the nation’s growth.

Despite its improvements, Saudi Arabia’s economy still struggles—hindered by oil dependency, high youth unemployment, fiscal sustainability challenges and fluctuating oil revenues. However, its economic reform plans, particularly Vision 2030, have improved the quality of life for their citizens and residents by expanding opportunities for growth, fostering greater global integration and enhancing governmental efficiency.

As much as the European Union flounders under economic headwinds, Portugal’s economy reports strong growth, beating out previous forecasts. In 2024, Portugal’s economy expanded by 1.9%, beating out the expected growth by 0.1%, with forecasts predicting that the economy would grow by 2.1% in 2025.

Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia’s economy has struggled with a slowdown due to budget challenges and oil production cuts. In 2023, its economy contracted to 0.8% following extended oil production cuts among the OPEC+ member states, of which Saudi Arabia is a top member, which continues to weigh on GDP growth, Reuters reports.

Mexico’s economy continues to slump, as two back-to-back quarters of contraction bring the nation closer to a technical recession. With droughts stretching across the region and on-again, off-again tariffs from the United States, the nation is facing an uphill battle to revert course and avoid a recession.

Brazil’s economy has improved significantly in recent years. In 2024, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose by 3.4%, achieving the strongest annual expansion since 2021. The GDP grew by 3.6% in the fourth quarter, coming in just below market expectations.