IIR's January 19 Market Scorecard Brings You Breaking Geopolitical News

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Researched by IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)--Stay current with the latest geopolitical events, and more importantly, instantly connect to how these events may impact you and your business strategies.

Event	MarCon*	IIR Comment	Outlet	IIR News
Trump asks Putin to join Gaza 'board of peace' even as Ukraine war rages		AI Summary: In a geopolitical paradox, President Trump invited Vladimir Putin to his "Board of Peace" to oversee Gaza's reconstruction, despite Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. While the Kremlin weighs this potential rapprochement, experts criticize the initiative's structure as a "neocolonial" framework that prioritizes external powers and commercial interests over genuine Palestinian sovereignty and political agency.	Aljazeera	Levithan Gas Field Expansion, Talen's PJM Acquisition: Your Daily Energy News
Clashes reported after Syria and Kurdish-led forces agree ceasefire		AI Summary: This fragile agreement marks a historic pivot from Kurdish autonomy toward a centralized Syrian state. By surrendering strategic resources and integrating forces into national institutions, the SDF trades regional power for cultural recognition. However, immediate ceasefire violations and persistent sectarian distrust highlight the immense difficulty of unifying a nation scarred by decades of conflict.	BBC	White House Meeting Calls for PJM Emergency Power Auction
Oil steadies as Iran supply fears ease and Greenland moves into spotlight		Oil prices were largely steady on Monday as civil unrest in Iran subsided, reducing the likelihood of a U.S. attack that could disrupt supply from the major producer, while the market also tracks developments in the stand-off over Greenland. EU leaders will convene in Brussels on Thursday for an emergency summit after Trump's threats to impose tariffs on several EU countries over his demand to acquire Greenland, a European Union spokesperson said on Monday.	Reuters	Venezuelan Barrels Trickle in Amid U.S. Sale Claims
European markets fall after Trump's Greenland tariffs threat; autos and luxury sell off Asia-Pacific markets mostly slip as investors assess Greenland developments and key China data		AI Summary: President Trump's ultimatum demanding Greenland under threat of tariffs against NATO allies sent European markets tumbling, specifically hammering export-dependent luxury and automotive sectors. Conversely, the surge in defense stocks and gold reveals a market grimly pivoting toward geopolitical instability, viewing this diplomatic coercion as a structural fracture in transatlantic relations. AI Summary: President Trump's ultimatum demanding Greenland under threat of tariffs against NATO allies sent European markets tumbling, specifically hammering export-dependent luxury and automotive sectors. Conversely, the surge in defense stocks and gold reveals a market grimly pivoting toward geopolitical instability, viewing this diplomatic coercion as a structural fracture in transatlantic relations.	CNBC	Equinor Spending US$10 Billion To Maintain Norway's Output Canada, China Ink Strategy Agreements
US Natural Gas Jumps on Colder Outlook for Last Week of January		AI Summary: U.S. natural gas futures rallied nearly 14% as shifting forecasts predict Arctic blasts sweeping the Eastern and Midwestern corridors. This looming freeze has triggered critical alerts from major power grids like PJM, forcing the market to price in soaring heating demand that currently outweighs robust production metrics, effectively resetting winter volatility expectations.	Bloomberg	Targa Expands Permian Footprint with Acquisition, New Pipeline
China hits 2025 GDP target -- but quarterly growth drops to 3-year low		AI Summary: China met its 5% annual GDP target in 2025, weathering an unprecedented U.S. trade war through a record $1.19 trillion trade surplus. However, growth decelerated to a three-year low in Q4, revealing a "lopsided" economy dependent on exports while grappling with a property downturn and sluggish domestic demand, despite bright spots in the services sector.	SCMP	Panama's Mulino to Announce Decision on Future of Copper Mine
Tesla Fires Up America's First Major Lithium Refinery		AI Summary: Tesla's new lithium refinery in Corpus Christi, Texas--North America's largest--is now operational, employing a novel, sustainable process to convert spodumene ore into battery-grade hydroxide. This facility represents a critical step in the Trump Administration's broader strategy to regionalize supply chains, reduce Chinese dependence, and secure energy independence through direct federal investment in domestic mineral infrastructure.	OilPrice	Amazon Sources Copper from Environmentally Friendlier Arizona Mine
Week 01/12/26 - 01/19/26		Hard to believe this MLK Day that the topic surrounding Greenland could dramatically affect the World's Order that has been understood since WWII. But it could. There are many meetings scheduled this week to suss out the U.S. demands. Meanwhile, war wages in Eastern Europe as there appears to be no sign of a ceasefire like the one announced in Syria. Also, for the Middle East the "Board of Peace" takes shape to oversee Gaza reconstruction as part of "Phase II" of the tense Israel-Gaza accord. This likely will be anything but peaceful. Just like the economic and commodity markets roiling in a volatile fashion with all the geopolitical brinksmanship playing out. It is easy to imagine this will be a memorable week as the world turns...
*MarCon (Market Condition 1-5, with 5 being the highest impact) indicates directional bias or price effect for the relevant commodity (Oil, Natural Gas, Chemicals, etc.) and is graded by our team of experts here at IIR.

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IIR News is a trusted source of news for the industrial process and energy markets, powered by Industrial Info Resource's Global Market Intelligence (GMI).

About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 Trillion (USD).

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