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Commodity trade faces geopolitical turbulence, Willis reports
Globenewswireยท 2025-10-16 08:00
Core Insights - Commodity traders are facing renewed geopolitical risks due to military conflicts, increasing tariffs, and pressure on global supply chains, which may lead to volatility-driven profits for some players [1][2] Risk Analysis - The report identifies tariffs as the biggest economic threat to commodity traders, reshaping trade flows and injecting unprecedented policy uncertainty [7] - China remains the largest buyer in most commodity sectors, with slowing growth and deflation risks potentially affecting balance sheets, necessitating close monitoring of the economy [7] - Climate change is reshaping commodity markets, altering seasonal fuel demand and straining logistics [7] - Geopolitical tensions, particularly around Ukraine, continue to impact commodity markets, raising fears of supply shocks due to potential Black Sea trade disruptions [7] - Maritime trade faces rising disruptions from drone-enabled attacks and weakening global security guarantees, increasing costs and threatening the flow of global commodities [7] Emerging Risks - The evolution of European sustainability regulations could become a significant concern, impacting the global market's operation and balancing the need for reliable imports with data privacy and climate impact [3] - Potential turmoil in the global bond market may arise from the end of extraordinary stimulus measures aimed at combating post-pandemic inflation, with isolated examples raising concerns for larger problems [3] Industry Perspective - The current protectionist era is prompting governments and businesses to move towards onshore production, yet trade remains crucial for commodities that are difficult to produce in many regions [4]