The world bids farewell to 2025. This 2025 year in review highlights a period defined by seismic political shifts and significant global upheaval. Global markets reeled from new trade wars, conflicts simmered, and fragile truces offered brief reprieves. The planet also faced its fiercest climate challenges yet, making this comprehensive 2025 year in review a critical analysis of these unfolding events.
Trump’s Return and the 2025 Year in Review of Trade Turmoil
Donald Trump returned to the U.S. presidency, and his administration quickly enacted sweeping tariffs. These new levies targeted nearly all global imports, with tariffs rising from 2.5% to an estimated 27%, marking the highest level in over a century. U.S. tariff revenue surged past $30 billion monthly. Trump claimed this brought back wealth lost to other nations, but the Trump tariffs disrupted global commerce and caused households to face rising prices due to higher import costs. The erratic rollout of these Trump tariffs caused economic uncertainty worldwide, a key point in our 2025 year in review of trade turmoil.
Navigating Conflicts and Fragile Peace in the 2025 Year in Review
Geopolitical tensions remained high throughout the 2025 year in review. The war in Ukraine continued into its fifth year, and peace negotiations intensified. President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy multiple times, with a significant meeting occurring in Florida in late December. They discussed security guarantees and a draft peace plan that was reportedly near completion, though thorny territorial issues remained unresolved. Trump also held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia accused Ukraine of an attack on Putin’s residence, further straining peace prospects, a critical element of the 2025 year in review focusing on geopolitical tensions.
In Gaza, a fragile ceasefire took effect on October 10th, following a significant escalation involving Israel and Iran. This truce brought a brief respite, but the situation remained unstable, with accusations of violations periodically arising. The Gaza ceasefire instability is a major concern in this 2025 year in review, alongside other fragile truces.
The Unrelenting Climate Crisis in the 2025 Year in Review
2025 proved to be one of the hottest years on record, with global temperatures being exceptionally high. Central Asia, the Sahel, and northern Europe recorded their hottest years ever. The world experienced devastating extreme weather events, including massive wildfires. The Los Angeles wildfires in January caused billions in damage. Hurricane Melissa struck in October, causing widespread impact. Floods, droughts, and heatwaves also ravaged communities. These climate events cost the world over $120 billion, highlighting the urgent need for action on fossil fuel emissions, a somber note in our 2025 year in review of the climate crisis 2025 and its extreme weather.
Societal Divisions in the 2025 Year in Review
Societal divisions were starkly visible in the 2025 year in review. On December 14th, a terrorist attack struck Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Two gunmen killed 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration, making it Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in decades. In September, political activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated, shot while speaking at Utah Valley University. This event sparked widespread debate and disciplinary actions against those perceived to have celebrated his death. Faith leaders mourned the passing of Pope Francis, who died on April 21st at the age of 88, marking the end of a significant pontificate. The world also grappled with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, with discussions focusing on its ethical implications and governance. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup was hosted across several U.S. cities, a notable event in this 2025 year in review.
Looking Ahead
As the 2025 year in review concludes, the world reflects on a year of intense political friction. Trump tariffs reshaped global economics. Fragile peace efforts continued amid ongoing conflicts, and the planet’s warming climate posed ever-greater threats from global upheaval. These events, including the 2025 political shifts and trade turmoil, set a challenging stage for the years to come, making this 2025 year in review essential for understanding the present.