Shivangi, Author at Inspirepreneur Magazine

China and US Face Off Over Strategic Panama Canal Ports

ShivangiFebruary 13, 2026February 13, 202605 mins

The geopolitical struggle over the Panama Canal’s entrances has intensified as Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison warns Maersk of possible legal action. After Panama’s Supreme Court voided CK Hutchison’s port concession, the government asked Maersk to assume temporary control. The move follows sustained pressure from the Trump administration to limit Chinese influence over the strategic waterway. Beijing has threatened economic retaliation, while CK Hutchison has launched international arbitration, setting the stage for a complex and prolonged legal battle over one of the world’s most vital trade corridors.

U.S. and Taiwan Finalise Landmark Trade and Tariff Deal

ShivangiFebruary 13, 2026February 13, 202605 mins

The United States and Taiwan have agreed to a monumental trade deal that will peg import tariffs on Taiwan at 15%, while securing an agreement from Taiwan on vastly expanding its purchases of American goods. The agreement, which at more than $44 billion represents a significant increase in energy sales, also breaks down barriers for American beef and corn to enter the Chinese market. Levelling up against other Asians and with it, the potential for tens of billions worth of U.S. tech investment promises to reduce supply chain risk while slashing the trade deficit.

Global Markets Shift as Tech Giants Face Massive Selloff

ShivangiFebruary 13, 2026February 13, 202605 mins

A renewed selloff in the technology sector has erased hundreds of billions in value, triggered by rising production costs at Cisco and intensifying fears of AI-driven job losses. Apple suffered its worst trading session in nearly a year, losing $200 billion in market capitalisation. As Microsoft’s AI chief predicts rapid automation of white-collar roles, investors are shifting toward international markets and traditional safe-haven assets like gold and government bonds. Attention now turns to upcoming U.S. inflation data for signs of market stabilisation.

Gold High Again After Sharp Drop as Investors Eye U.S. Economy

ShivangiFebruary 13, 2026February 13, 202605 mins

Gold prices rallied on Friday, rising 1.3% to nearly $5,000 an ounce after plunging earlier in the week. The rebound is happening as markets gear up for key U.S. inflation numbers that should offer insight into when the Federal Reserve may start trimming interest rates. While the metal has been under pressure in recent weeks thanks to robust jobs data, this rebound indicates that investors continue to turn to gold as a hedge during stock market turmoil. Silver and platinum also gained from Thursday’s steep decline.

It's Official: Foreigners Don’t Pay Trump’s Tariff, U.S. Consumers Do

Foreigners Don’t Pay Trump’s Tariff, U.S. Consumers Do, Report Says

ShivangiFebruary 13, 2026February 13, 202605 mins

A fresh analysis from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York confirms that it’s American households, not China through straightforward product tariffs, or foreign nations through retaliatory measures or currency devaluation, that are shouldering the burden of all these trade wars. The report concluded that in 2025, almost 90% of the cost of these import taxes was borne by U.S. businesses and consumers. Australians have protested that a $1,000 increase in annual household costs contradicts assertions that foreign exporters would pay the levies. As Washington becomes increasingly polarised, so too does the dispute over the real price tag of those trade policies

With $100M Boost, Donald Trump Jr. Lifts Axiom to $2B Valuation

ShivangiFebruary 13, 2026February 13, 202606 mins

Axiom Space has raised an impressive $350 million in a fresh investment round to further its commercial space ambitions. Led by Qatar Investment Authority and Type One Ventures, the round included an investment from 1789 Capital, a fund owned by the company of Donald Trump Jr. The funding will go toward building the AxEMU spacesuits for NASA’s Artemis III lunar mission, along with the first modules of Axiom’s private space station. CEO Jonathan Cirtain has confirmed the company still plans to meet its 2027 delivery targets despite shake-ups in NASA leadership and federal space policy.

Angus Taylor Becomes The New Leader Of The Liberal Party of Australia

ShivangiFebruary 13, 2026February 13, 202605 mins

Angus Taylor has defeated Sussan Ley 34 to 17 in a partyroom vote in Canberra to become the federal Liberal Party leader. The leadership spill is the final act of Ms Ley nine month tenure, with the former minister expected to resign from Parliament shortly. Senator Jane Hume has taken over as deputy leader from Ted O’Brien. In his first speech Mr. Taylor concentrated on the economy’s prospects for recovery, as well as immigration and Australian values, in an effort to win back voters who have been increasingly voting for minor political parties.

$30B Boost Lifts Anthropic to $380 billion Valuation

ShivangiFebruary 13, 2026February 13, 202604 mins

AI startup Anthropic has secured $30 billion in a landmark Series G funding round, propelling its total valuation to $380 billion. The round, led by GIC and Coatue, also saw participation from tech giants Microsoft and Nvidia. This growth is largely driven by the success of Claude Code and the Claude Cowork agent, which have seen rapid adoption among enterprise clients. With an annual revenue run-rate now hitting $14 billion, Anthropic is solidifying its position as a primary rival to OpenAI in the global artificial intelligence market.

This Invisible Mineral Running Your Life Is Now a Trade Weapon

ShivangiFebruary 12, 2026February 12, 202606 mins

Neodymium powers the motors inside smartphones, electric vehicles and wind turbines, yet China controls about 90 per cent of the world’s rare earth processing. That dominance has turned the mineral into a strategic trade weapon. In response, the Trump administration launched “Project Vault,” a $12 billion effort to build a national mineral reserve and protect U.S. manufacturing. With few viable alternatives available, this small element now plays an outsized role in tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

Instagram Chief Says Users Can’t Be “Addicted” to the App, In A Case

ShivangiFebruary 12, 2026February 12, 202606 mins

Instagram chief Adam Mosseri testified in a major Los Angeles trial, rejecting the idea that social media causes “clinical addiction.” The lawsuit, brought by a 20-year-old woman named Kaley, is the first in a wave of cases seeking to hold tech companies accountable for youth mental health harms. Mosseri defended Instagram’s design choices and beauty filters, despite internal emails showing staff concerns about body image effects. The outcome could shape the future of the social media industry.