Oil prices increased by over 2% as the US conducted a third night of strikes against Iran, with Brent crude surpassing $85 a barrel. The escalation in the Middle East has led to heightened concerns about energy prices affecting global economies, while European gas prices have also risen significantly.
In China, exports surged 27% in June, driven by demand for AI-related products, marking the largest increase in four months. Despite this growth, domestic demand remains weak, with retail sales stagnating and fixed asset investment declining, raising concerns about the sustainability of the export boom.