The engine room
Four economies make a huge share of the world's goods — from phones and chips to cars and ships. When their factories and exports slow down together, the world usually feels it in prices and jobs within months.
China
The world's biggest factory floor — official PMI and exports.
Japan
Machinery, cars, and components — industrial production.
South Korea
Chips and ships — exports are a famous global early-warning signal.
Taiwan
Most of the world's advanced computer chips — exports.
Common questions
Why does this site track China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan specifically?
These four economies together make an outsized share of the world's manufactured goods — from phones and semiconductor chips to cars and ships. When their factories and exports slow down together, it tends to show up in global prices and jobs within months.