Global Scans · USA · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Donald Trump's surprise win in the Presidential election mean the world and America can expect prolonged uncertainty as new domestic policies are put in place, different international relationships formed and attitudes change towards current friends and rivals.

• [New] The US economy is projected to expand at a pace of 1.6% year-over-year in 2025, and by 1.3% in 2026. The Conference Board
• [New] The State Department, which reviews all foreign weapons sales, will now assess drone export requests similarly to how it evaluates fighter jet sales, a shift designed to streamline reviews and open new markets for American defence firms. Al Arabiya English
• [New] EPA wants to repeal the Mercury and Air Toxics and carbon pollution standards for power plants, which are major greenhouse gas emitters, putting current and future generations of people in the U.S. at risk for premature death and compromised health. American Public Health Association
• [New] With high ambition at all levels of government and society, the United States can meet its 2030 NDC target and reduce emissions by 65% by 2035 with the full implementation and expansion of key federal and non-federal policies. Center for Global Sustainability
• [New] Returning to allowing full and immediate expensing of R&D and capital expenditures would foster expanding opportunities to advance manufacturing and research and development in the U.S. The Heritage Foundation
• [New] YouTube's cross-platform strategy has created an unprecedented opportunity for monetization across the entire device ecosystem. / USA SENAL NEWS
• [New] Strategic decoupling could significantly affect security issues between China and the US, particularly Taiwan, one of the most sensitive dimensions of US-China relations. RSIS_NTU
• [New] If former U.S. President Donald Trump returns to office and reinstates or expands tariffs, the global trade environment could shift dramatically. ItaCham
• [New] The U.S. population will increase from 350 million people in 2025 to 367 million people in 2055. Congressional Budget Office
• [New] The US AI Action Plan will continue to be implemented as multiple agencies and offices require consultation and action, including the Federal Trade Commission and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). MIT OpenCourseWare
• [New] Salt Typhoon's infiltration of telecommunications networks and Volt Typhoon's sabotage preparations in U.S. sectors like energy and transportation reveal China's intent to dominate cyberspace, exploiting vulnerabilities in the U.S.'s fragmented cybersecurity framework. CYFIRMA
• [New] Governments in the US, China, EU, and Singapore have enacted new legislation to address privacy and cybersecurity risks along with the adoption of a control-oriented strategy. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Advocates will call on lawmakers to reaffirm U.S. leadership in fighting modern-day slavery through continued funding of the State Department's anti-human trafficking work. IJM USA
• [New] The first US interest rate cut since President Donald Trump took office for a second term is likely to seize the spotlight in a week that will determine policy settings for half of the world's 10 most-traded currencies. financialpost
• [New] The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has integrated counterterrorism into a broader mission, emphasizing global transportation security and intelligence coordination Counterterrorism and Threat Prevention Policy - Homeland Security. Ainvest
• Emissions We forecast U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to increase by 1.5% in 2025, followed by a decrease of 0.5% in 2026. EIA - Energy Information Administration
• Fraud losses in the U.S. facilitated by generative AI will climb from $12.3 billion in 2023 to $40 billion by 2027, a compound annual growth rate of 32%. DeepStrike
• If we include overseas production controlled by US companies, the global manufacturing value of the US could reach $3.9 trillion - much closer to China's total. Policy Center
• The United States is pushing back against a global carbon pricing plan for the shipping sector, threatening retaliatory measures - including tariffs, port levies, and visa restrictions - against countries that support it. Reccessary
• The additional cost, which raises the total visa fee for entering the U.S. to approximately $442, will create a significant barrier for travelers from non-visa waiver countries such as Mexico, Brazil, and India. Disney Dining

Last updated: 17 September 2025