by Lucia Dore
Learning Business English is a journey that will take you from the difficulties of learning a language to the thrill of understanding, speaking, and writing a language more fluently.
The world is in turmoil, politically and economically. Business English (as opposed to everyday English) can also help you to navigate this turmoil.
“Volatile” is how the world is frequently described, both politically and economically. Forecasts abound of weak economic growth across all countries and all sectors. As well as economic uncertainty, and geopolitical instability, there is rapid technological disruption, mainly because of the exponential growth of artificial intelligence.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Chief (WEF) Economists’ Outlook from September 2025 global growth is projected to be 3.0 percent for 2025 and 3.1 percent in 2026, an upward revision from the April 2025 WEF report.
The tariffs imposed by the United States on the rest of the world mean there are shifting alliances and weakening multilateral cooperation, according to the WEF Outlook in its September 2025 report. Geopolitical tensions, weak growth forecasts in many advanced economies, shifting alliances, and weakening multilateral cooperation are major concerns. Simultaneously, structural changes from artificial intelligence and trade realignments are creating long-term systemic risks and opportunities.
Global inflation is expected to fall, but US inflation is predicted to stay above target. Downside risks from potentially higher tariffs, elevated uncertainty, and geopolitical tensions persist. Restoring confidence, predictability, and sustainability remains a key policy priority for governments around the world, according to the September WEF report.
What the OECD says
According to the OECD’s interim report released in September, “global GDP growth is projected to decrease from 3.3 percent in 2024, to 3.2 percent in 2025 and 2.9 percent in 2026, as front-loading ceases and higher tariff rates and still-high policy uncertainty deepen”.
Moreover, the report says that annual GDP growth in the United States is projected to fall from 2.8 percent in 2024 to 1.8 percent in 2025 and 1.5 percent in 2026, as strong investment growth in high-technology sectors is more than offset by higher tariff rates and a drop in net immigration. Euro area GDP growth is expected to grow by 1.2 percent in 2025 and 1.0 percent in 2026, with increased trade frictions and geopolitical uncertainty offset by easier credit conditions.
Growth in China is projected to be 4.9 percent in 2025 and 4.4 percent in 2026, as front-loading unwinds, higher tariffs take effect, and fiscal support fades.
Inflation is projected to decline in most G20 economies as economic growth moderates and labour market pressures ease. Headline inflation is projected to fall from 3.4 percent in 2025 to 2.9 percent in 2026
the G20 economies, with core inflation in the G20 advanced economies remaining broadly stable at 2.6 percent in 2025 and 2.5 percent in 2026.
As you navigate the complexity of the world, economically and politically, there is very little you can do that is as cost-effective as learning Business English. The ability to speak Business English will enable you to negotiate more effectively, that is getting a win-win outcome for all; understand different cultures better, speak the language of the business you are in, making networking even better at any type of event, even making it more likely you’ll be asked to speak at conferences and thereby amplify your brand, and to write more effectively.
The world might be in turmoil but there is no need for you to be. Stay ahead of the pack and enhance your career by learning Business English (www.learnbusinessenglish.net)