US Hits Brazil With a 12.5% Forced-Labor Tariff; Brazil Heads to the WTO
The US imposed a 12.5% forced-labor tariff on Brazil under Section 301 for failing to ban imports made with forced...
July 24, 2026Section
Global Economy Briefing
The Global Economy Briefing is The Rio Times’ daily read on the world’s macro picture and what it means for Latin America. Each edition covers the Federal Reserve and major central banks, U.S. and European data, China’s growth, oil and commodity prices, and the currency and rate moves that ripple into emerging markets. It connects global developments to the Brazilian real, the Mexican peso and the region’s equities and bonds. This hub archives every Global Economy Briefing – browse the latest below for a clear, English-language guide to the international forces driving Latin American markets.
US-Backed Venezuela Transition Talks Set to Begin in August
US-backed Venezuela transition talks begin August 1 with a joint National Assembly–opposition agenda. María Corina Machado is excluded from the...
July 24, 2026
Chile Winter Storm Damage Tops $700 Million
Chile winter storm damage surpasses US$700 million, with $400M in public infrastructure losses, 17,000 homes hit, and 13 dead. See...
July 24, 2026
Dominican Republic’s Economy Grows 6.4% in June, Its Best Month
Dominican Republic economy grew 6.4% in June, its strongest month of 2026, as construction jumped 14.9% and mining rose 18.1%...
July 24, 2026
US Sanctions Cuba’s Health Minister Over Doctors Sent Abroad
The US sanctioned Cuba’s health minister and nine state entities on July 23, alleging the overseas medical missions keep 50–95%...
July 24, 2026
Global Economy Briefing — July 24, 2026
Global economy: Wall Street loses altitude, the dollar tightens its grip and commodities stay volatile as investors reassess Fed risks...
July 24, 2026
Venezuela Earthquake Damage Hits $19.6 Billion
The World Bank estimates direct physical damage from Venezuela's June earthquakes at US$19.6 billion, with reconstruction possibly reaching US$50 billion.
July 24, 2026
Brent Crude Hits US$100 as Houthi Attacks Disrupt Red Sea
Brent crude rose above US$100 a barrel, its first time since May, after Houthi attacks on Saudi tankers in the...
July 23, 2026
Venezuela Hosts IDB Mission After 7-Year Break
An IDB technical mission arrived in Caracas on July 22, its first Venezuela visit in 7 years, to assess the...
July 23, 2026