Different Trends in Global Manufacturing Due to Middle East Instability

中東局勢不穩導致全球製造業呈現不同趨勢

Jul 1, 2026, 08:34
ChinaFinance

Introduction

Recent industrial data from several major economies show a divided global manufacturing scene. While East Asia and France are seeing strong growth, Turkey is experiencing a decline and South Korea's growth is slowing down.

近期幾個主要經濟體的工業數據顯示，全球製造業呈現分化局面。雖然東亞與法國增長強勁，但土耳其正經歷衰退，而韓國的增長則有所放緩。

Main Body

The Japanese industrial sector has shown great strength, with business confidence reaching its highest level since 2018. This growth was mainly caused by high demand for semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI), which helped offset the problems of high energy costs. Consequently, the S&P Global Japan Manufacturing PMI rose to 54.8, the best quarterly result in over twelve years. However, the Bank of Japan is still worried about inflation, as wholesale prices rose by 6.3% in May. This may lead to changes in interest rates to stabilize the economy after energy shocks caused by the conflict involving Iran.

日本工業部門表現強勁，企業信心達到 2018 年以來最高水平。這次增長主因是對半導體與人工智慧（AI）的強勁需求，幫助抵消了高能源成本的問題。因此，S&P Global 日本製造業 PMI 升至 54.8，為十二年多來最佳的季度結果。然而，日本銀行仍擔心通貨膨脹，因為 5 月的批發價格上漲了 6.3%。在涉及伊朗的衝突引起能源衝擊後，這可能會導致利率調整以穩定經濟。

In China, the manufacturing sector saw its strongest quarterly growth since late 2020, with a June PMI of 51.7. Although new orders grew for thirteen months in a row, exports decreased. Similarly, France returned to growth with a PMI of 51.2, but the sector still faces transport problems and supply chain issues because of the Middle East conflict. South Korea also grew, but the pace slowed to a PMI of 52.1 in June due to lower export demand and higher costs for raw materials.

中國製造業在 6 月的 PMI 為 51.7，呈現 2020 年底以來最強勁的季度增長。儘管新訂單連續 13 個月增長，但出口有所減少。同樣地，法國以 51.2 的 PMI 回歸增長，但由於中東衝突，該部門仍面臨運輸問題與供應鏈挑戰。韓國亦有所增長，但由於出口需求下降及原材料成本增加，6 月的 PMI 增速放緩至 52.1。

On the other hand, Turkey's manufacturing sector shrank, with the PMI falling to 47.1. This is part of a 27-month decline marked by fewer new orders and lower employment. The Istanbul Chamber of Industry emphasized that this drop was caused by market uncertainty and supply disruptions from the regional conflict. While some countries can pass higher costs to customers, the general geopolitical situation continues to hurt global supply chain efficiency and business confidence.

另一方面，土耳其製造業萎縮，PMI 下降至 47.1。這是 27 個月衰退趨勢的一部分，特徵為新訂單減少及就業率下降。伊斯坦堡工業商會強調，此次下跌是由區域衝突導致的市場不確定性與供應中斷所引起。雖然部分國家能將較高成本轉嫁給客戶，但整體地緣政治局勢持續損害全球供應鏈效率與企業信心。

Conclusion

Global manufacturing is currently split; AI-driven demand is supporting growth in East Asia and Europe, whereas geopolitical instability continues to harm industrial stability in Turkey and South Korea.

全球製造業目前呈現分化；AI 驅動的需求正支持東亞與歐洲的增長，而地緣政治不穩定則持續損害土耳其與韓國的工業穩定性。

Vocabulary Learning

🚀 The 'B2 Bridge': Moving Beyond 'Because'

At the A2 level, you likely use 'because' for every reason. To sound like a B2 speaker, you need to show how one thing creates another. This is called Cause and Effect Linkage.

🛠️ The Upgrade Path

Look at how the text avoids saying "because" repeatedly. It uses these professional alternatives:

  1. "Caused by..." →\rightarrow Used to link a result directly to its source.

    • A2: The drop happened because of the conflict.
    • B2: "This drop was caused by market uncertainty."

  2. "Due to..." →\rightarrow A sophisticated way to introduce a reason, often at the start or end of a sentence.

    • A2: Manufacturing is split because the Middle East is unstable.
    • B2: "Trends in Global Manufacturing due to Middle East Instability."

  3. "Consequently..." →\rightarrow Use this to start a new sentence that shows the result of the previous one.

    • A2: Demand was high, so the PMI rose.
    • B2: "...helped offset the problems of high energy costs. Consequently, the S&P Global Japan Manufacturing PMI rose..."

⚠️ The Logic Shift: 'Offset'

One word in this text is a "B2 Power Word": Offset.

In A2 English, you might say: "The good things were more than the bad things." In B2 English, you say: "The high demand offset the high energy costs."

Meaning: To balance one negative effect with a positive one so that the final result is neutral or positive.

Quick Guide for your next writing:

  • Instead of Because →\rightarrow Try Due to
  • Instead of So →\rightarrow Try Consequently
  • Instead of Balanced →\rightarrow Try Offset

Vocabulary Learning

offset (v.)
To balance or counteract the effect of something
Example:The company's high sales in Asia helped offset the losses it suffered in Europe.
stabilize (v.)
To make something unlikely to change or fail, especially suddenly
Example:The government implemented new policies to stabilize the economy after the crisis.
wholesale (adj.)
Relating to the sale of goods in large quantities to be retold by others
Example:Wholesale prices often increase before the cost of goods rises for the final consumer.
shrank (v.)
Became smaller in size, amount, or value
Example:The company's market share shrank significantly after the new competitor entered the market.
emphasized (v.)
To give special importance or attention to something
Example:The manager emphasized the need for better communication between the two departments.
disruptions (n.)
Interruptions to a process or system that prevent it from continuing normally
Example:Severe weather conditions caused major disruptions to the flight schedule.
geopolitical (adj.)
Relating to the influence of geography on politics and international relations
Example:Geopolitical tensions between the two nations have led to a decrease in trade.
instability (n.)
A state of being unstable; lack of predictability or reliability
Example:Political instability in the region has discouraged foreign investment.
Practice B2 words in a crossword→