Main points of global economic news for June 19, 2026

1. Thailand approves four new standards for agricultural products and strengthens regulations on frozen durian: At the second meeting of the Thai Agricultural Standards Committee 2026, chaired on June 18 by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Piyarat Tiyapairat, members approved draft regulations providing for the suspension and withdrawal licenses of producers, exporters, importers of agricultural products and standards control bodies that do not comply with regulations. According to Ms. Piyarat, perfecting the legal framework and standards for agricultural products is essential to ensure product quality and meet the growing demands of consumers and trading partners, particularly in major export markets.

2. The Ifo Institute raises its forecasts for German economic growth for 2026: The Ifo Institute for Economic Research in Germany has slightly raised its growth forecast for Germany in 2026, bringing it to 0.8%. This improvement is explained by the hope of an end to the Iranian conflict and by high public spending. Published on June 18, these new forecasts indicate that Germany’s gross domestic product (GDP) could grow by 0.8% in 2026 and continue growing at this rate in 2027. This readjustment suggests a slightly more favorable outlook for the German economy compared to estimates. previous years, even if the largest European economy remains stuck in its longest period of stagnation since 1949.

3. The United States launches the largest clean energy project in history, worth $11 billion: SunZia, the largest clean energy infrastructure project in U.S. history, including an $11 billion wind farm and power transmission grid in New Mexico, has officially begun operations after a nearly 20-year wait for permits and construction. According to a June 18 announcement by investor Pattern Energy Group, the SunZia megaproject has a generation capacity of up to 3,650 MW and a transmission line of 885 km (550 miles). This line will carry electricity from central New Mexico to south-central Arizona. The project will then distribute about two-thirds of the electricity westward to supply California consumers.

4. The EU agrees to develop new tools to counter the sharp increase in Chinese exports: Following discussions held in Brussels, Belgium, on the morning of June 19, European Union (EU) leaders pledged to develop stronger trade defense tools to curb the surge in Chinese exports. The EU, however, affirmed that it would continue to favor a constructive dialogue with China to avoid an open trade war.

6. Oil prices soar after Switzerland peace talks are canceled: Oil prices rose in the afternoon of June 19 as prospects for a lasting ceasefire between the United States and Iran dimmed following the cancellation of peace talks in Switzerland and increased Israeli military activity in Lebanon. At 1:45 p.m. Vietnam time, Brent gained 51 cents (0.64%) to $80.36 per barrel, while WTI rose $1.28 (1.7%) to $77.88 per barrel. Despite this rebound, the two main crude oils remain on track for a cumulative decline of around 8% over the past week.

7. The EU plans to remove obstacles to cross-border capital flows for banks: On June 18, local media reported that the European Union (EU) is set to remove barriers to cross-border capital flows for banks within the EU. EU banks will be given greater freedom to transfer funds between countries, according to a draft report from the European Commission. At the same time, capital requirements for mortgages and unrated corporate loans could be reduced.