Business and Finance
Survey: As 2025 Begins, CEOs Are Most Worried About a Trade War and Recession

NEW YORK /PRNewswire/ — As the new year begins, what will keep the world’s executives up at night?
CEOs globally rank intensified trade wars as the top geopolitical risk to their companies. They say tensions between the US, EU, and China will have the greatest geopolitical impact, according to a new survey from The Conference Board.
When it comes to economic risks, leaders can’t seem to kick the recession jitters. Concern of an economic downturn remains high: 46% of CEOs globally identify it as a high-impact issue in 2025—down modestly from 53% in 2024.
Amid geopolitical and geoeconomic tumult, more CEOs are strengthening their supply chains. Among US CEOs, 71% plan to alter their supply chains over the next 3-5 years—an increase from 54% in the 2024 survey.
CEOs also weighed in on AI. They say the biggest benefit has been workforce productivity, demonstrating AI’s ability to support workers rather than replace them…at least for now. However, many are struggling to integrate the technology because of talent concerns: 45% of CEOs globally say lack of expertise is the top challenge to implementing AI.
This year’s survey reflects the views of more than 1,700 executives, including over 500 CEOs. The survey’s participants—CEOs, C-suite leaders, and board directors—weighed in on the top business threats and opportunities in 2025. They were primarily from four regions: North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Highlights from C-Suite Outlook 2025 include:
GEOPOLITICS & TRADE
CEOs say a global trade war and US-EU-China tensions are top geopolitical challenges in 2025
- Global instability and competition on the front burner: Amid talk of tougher trade policy, CEOs worldwide named US-EU-China tensions among the high-impact issues facing their business in 2025. That ranges from 34% of US CEOs to nearly 50% in Asia and Europe.
- Leaders remain focused on cyberattacks: 25% of CEOs and 36% of C-suite executives name it a high-impact issue in 2025. Fears of a foreign cyberattack rank high among risks CEOs fear most in the US (45%) and Europe (35%).
- Risks vary by region: Among economy-related geopolitical risks, CEOs cited higher energy prices (35%) as their top risk. That includes 47% of CEOs in Japan and Europe, and 36% of Europe’s CEOs also fearing energy supply risks.
RECESSION
Recession tops the economic worry list: CEOs say it’s their #1 economic concern in 2025
- The fear of a downturn persists: Globally, 46% of CEOs identified a downturn/recession as a high-impact issue for 2025. That’s down modestly from 53% in last year’s survey.
- Recession is the top concern for all regions excluding Japan: Japan’s CEOs top concern is labor shortages (66%).
DEBT in the US
A ticking time bomb: US CEOs remain deeply worried about the nation’s debt
- Top concerns: An outsized 51% of US CEOs see US national debt and deficits, followed by decoupling or derisking from China, as the greatest external geopolitical concerns for their businesses.
- Policy & globalization impacts: Regarding what they think will have the greatest impact, issues cited by US CEOs include US debt & deficits (38%), regulation (32%), protectionism (27%), corp. tax rates (22%), immigration (21%).
SUPPLY CHAINS
Supply chain resiliency gains momentum: More CEOs are planning to shake things up
- A big increase among US CEOs: 71% of US CEOs plan to alter their supply chains in the next 3-5 years. It’s a significant increase from 54% in last year’s survey.
- A big increase among Europe’s CEOs: 77% plan to alter their supply chains, an increase from 61% in 2024.
- The how—top changes being made to supply chains: CEOs across most regions—excluding the US—are using digital technology/AI to improve performance tracking as a primary goal. US CEOs chose vendor diversification.
- The why—top reasons for altering supply chains: Among the roughly 80% of CEOs looking to alter supply chains, most are doing so to lower costs and risk of supply chain disruptions.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
CEOs are struggling to integrate AI…mainly because they don’t have the right talent
- Lack of talent: Among CEOs globally, 45% say lack of expertise is the top challenge to implementing AI.
- Is worker resistance overblown? Only 9% of CEOs cite worker resistance as a top challenge to implementation.
- In what areas has AI made the biggest improvements? According to CEOs globally, workforce productivity (44%), customer satisfaction (25%), innovation (24%), operational resilience (18%), and ROI from marketing (12%).
ESG
As extreme weather events intensify, climate events are top of mind for CEOs globally
- Concerns/Risks: Among CEOs globally, 34% cite climate events as the top ESG factor impacting business. That’s second to only sustainability, cited by 39%.
- Priorities: When it comes to environmental priorities, there are stark regional differences.
- Among CEOs globally, renewable energy tops the list.
- US CEOs are most focused on climate resilience/adaptation.
- Europe and Japan’s CEOs are most focused on carbon neutrality.
- CEOs in other areas of Asia are most focused on renewable energy.
PROFIT PLANS
Outside of Japan, few CEOs are looking to raise prices in 2025. Instead, the focus is on innovation, tech, and product development.
- Innovation leads: Worldwide, 37% of CEOs say innovation is a top priority for growing profits, followed by introducing new products/services (29%) and investing in technology, including AI (26%).
- Just 13% expect to increase prices.
- Higher budgets for marketing tech: 37% of CEOs globally—including 57% in Europe and 31% in the US—say they plan to increase their marketing budgets by 10% or more on AI and data analytics to support the drive for profits.
About The Conference Board
The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead™. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.ConferenceBoard.org
SOURCE The Conference Board
Discover more from Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Lifestyle
Von Miller and GlassesUSA.com team up to launch an AI-designed eyewear collection

ATLANTA, Feb. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — GlassesUSA.com, a leader in the online eyewear industry, has just unveiled Drop 2 of its collaboration with NFL icon Von Miller. This collection showcases the results of a design process that leverages AI technology to reimagine every detail of the eyewear collection.
A fierce competitor on the field and a style innovator off it, Von Miller is the perfect partner for GlassesUSA.com’s mission to lead the eyewear industry through innovation. Together, Miller and the GlassesUSA.com team used AI to create an eyeglasses and sunglasses collection that embodies individuality, confidence, and cutting-edge design.
The Von Miller Eyewear Collection features premium acetate frames, complete with bold colors, innovative materials, and the signature VM logo embedded in the designs. Each pair is available as both prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, giving customers more ways to express their individuality.
“Eyeglasses is about expressing who you are. I wanted to create something that empowers people to own their individuality,” said Von Miller. “Working with GlassesUSA.com and their AI technology allowed us to design a collection that makes finding your perfect pair of frames easy and exciting.”
This collaboration isn’t GlassesUSA.com’s first venture into AI. The brand has already made waves with its Pairfect Match AI, a cutting-edge tool that helps customers find their perfect frames. Now, the same innovative spirit extends into product design, showcasing GlassesUSA.com’s commitment to blending technology and creativity to revolutionize eyewear.
“At GlassesUSA.com, we leverage AI to develop innovative products and features that enhance the eyewear experience. Von was an amazing partner with an outstanding perspective on eyewear—we couldn’t have asked for a better collaborator on this project.” said Arie Tom, GlassesUSA.com’s CMO.
“We asked Von to imagine the kind of glasses he envisions—frames that push boundaries and speak to his unique sense of style,” said Lihi Kopel, Head of Design at GlassesUSA.com. “With AI, we reimagined how the frames, temples, and even the smallest details could look and feel, and brought it to life, creating something truly exceptional.”
The Von Miller Eyewear Collection is available now, exclusively at GlassesUSA.com. The drop consists of 6 styles and 17 SKUs, There are 4 optics and 2 sunglasses styles included. The color pallet is based on digital colors like digital purple, light green, gray, and metallics.
Customers can use the Virtual Try-On Tool to see how the frames look before purchasing, ensuring a perfect fit. Starting at $78, this collection redefines what’s possible in eyewear design.
Learn more at: Von Miller’s official glasses collection, exclusively at GlassesUSA.com.
About GlassesUSA.com:
Founded in 2007, GlassesUSA.com, a subsidiary of the Optimax Eyewear group, has quickly become one of the leading direct-to-consumer online eyewear retailers in the United States. We offer the largest selection of styles and brands, with over 10,000 styles of glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses, making it easy for everyone to find their perfect pair. Our mission is to enhance our customers’ lives by delivering eyewear tailored to their unique needs, style preferences, and budgets.
By controlling the entire supply chain, from product design and manufacturing to optical lens production and the digital shopping experience, GlassesUSA.com provides exceptional savings, offering high-quality eyewear at up to 70% off traditional retail prices. Our broad selection includes popular brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada, and Gucci, as well as our own brands such as Muse, Ottoto, Revel, and Amelia E., starting from just $29, including shipping. GlassesUSA.com also offers a variety of optical lens options, coatings, and upgrades to meet every customer’s needs.
GlassesUSA.com develops and deploys innovative technology and AI-driven solutions to transform the eyewear industry and offer customers a seamless shopping experience.
GlassesUSA.com’s Tech Suite Includes:
- Pairfect Match AI™: Re-inventing the eyewear shopping experience with the power of AI. Pairfect Match AI™ provides customers with personalized frame recommendations based on their unique facial features, taking into account face shape and style preference.
- Live Try-On: An AR Virtual Mirror that bridges the physical and virtual worlds and enables users to try on thousands of glasses from home with their mobile phones.
Our products are meticulously crafted in our state-of-the-art optical lab in Atlanta, GA, with next-day shipping available across the US. GlassesUSA.com is part of the Optimax Eyewear group.
For more information, please visit https://www.GlassesUSA.com
SOURCE GlassesUSA.com
Discover more from Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Consumer Corner
Bipartisan Legislation Reintroduced to Protect Utilities, Ratepayers from PFAS Costs
The Water Environment Federation supports the reintroduction of the Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act, ensuring PFAS producers cover cleanup costs, protecting water utilities and communities from financial burdens.
WASHINGTON /PRNewswire/ — The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has expressed strong support for the reintroduction of the Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act. This bipartisan legislation, led by Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) and Celeste Maloy (R-UT), aims to protect water utilities from undue financial burdens associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The bill ensures that PFAS producers, rather than the public, bear the cost of remediation.
“Water utilities and their customers should not be forced to pay remediation costs for issues they did not create,” said Ralph Exton, WEF’s Executive Director. “We applaud Representatives Gluesenkamp Perez and Maloy for their leadership in championing this critical legislation.”
The reintroduction of this legislation follows the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) designation of PFOA and PFOS – two PFAS chemicals – as hazardous substances under CERCLA. This designation compels water utilities nationwide to remove these chemicals from drinking water, a process that involves significant financial costs.
By classifying PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances, the EPA’s designation leaves water and wastewater utilities vulnerable to potential lawsuits from PFAS manufacturers. These entities may attempt to shift financial responsibility onto utilities through litigation, increasing operational costs that ultimately affect ratepayers.
“The Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act is a crucial step in ensuring that water and wastewater utilities — and, ultimately, the communities and ratepayers they serve — are not unfairly burdened with the costs of PFAS contamination cleanup,” said Exton. “These utilities are involuntary receivers of PFAS and did not create or profit from PFAS. However, without congressional action, they could be forced to bear immense financial and operational challenges.”
This legislation is necessary to protect utilities after their systems have been involuntarily affected by PFAS, but source control at the industrial and residential levels is a more efficient and cost-effective solution. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency found that PFAS can be bought for $50 – $1,000 per pound. However, it costs between $2.7M and $18M per pound to remove or destroy from municipal systems depending on facility size.
Originally introduced in the previous Congress by Rep. John Curtis (R-UT), the bill received broad bipartisan support and remains an essential step toward ensuring fair and just accountability for PFAS contamination.
About WEF
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of more than 30,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. Established in 1928, WEF’s mission is to inspire the water community in pursuit of human and environmental well-being. WEF’s goals are to attract and develop a passionate workforce, cultivate a purpose-driven community to sustainably solve water challenges for all, and lead the transformation to the circular water economy.
SOURCE Water Environment Federation
Discover more from Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Lifestyle
A How-To Guide for Participating in Clinical Trials

(Family Features) Clinical trials help researchers studying chronic conditions answer important questions about the diseases and their treatment options. However, uncertainty about what to expect and a lack of knowledge about how to get started can prevent patients from joining a clinical trial.
Choosing to take part in a clinical trial means helping a study team figure out if a new method of diagnosis, treatment or prevention is effective. If you live with a chronic condition, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, and want to help find answers for others who share your experience, a clinical trial is an option to consider.
Once you identify a study that interests you, you’ll want to talk with the professionals involved in your ongoing treatment, a clinical research coordinator and your family to gather information necessary to determine whether the clinical trial is a good fit.
To find additional information about clinical trials and begin exploring trials in your area, visit crohnscolitisfoundation.org, and consider these steps for participating in a trial.
1. Talking with Your Doctor
Your gastroenterologist and other care providers can help determine whether a clinical trial is right for you and may be able to help point you toward recommended trials. It’s important to ask if or how your doctor will continue to be involved in your care if you participate in a trial.
2. Finding a Study
If you need help beyond your care team in identifying clinical trial opportunities in your area, organizations dedicated to your condition can be a good resource. For example, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation offers an online Clinical Trial Finder for individuals with inflammatory bowel disease.
3. Talking with the Research Coordinator
A clinical trial research coordinator can provide details specific to your circumstances and needs. You can discuss potential benefits and risks, why the trial is being conducted and who is involved in the health care team. You can talk about past treatments and how this study may differ from your previous experiences. Other questions you might ask include what your options are if the trial doesn’t work, any costs you might expect and what your personal commitment will be.
4. Evaluating the Fit for You
Once you have the necessary information, you’ll be able to consider whether you’re ready to move forward with registering for the trial. You’ll want to weigh factors like your time commitment, travel distance and whether the trial will affect your personal or professional obligations.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
Discover more from Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
-
Urbanism1 year ago
Signal Hill, California: A Historic Enclave Surrounded by Long Beach
-
News2 years ago
Diana Gregory Talks to us about Diana Gregory’s Outreach Services
-
Senior Pickleball Report2 years ago
The Absolute Most Comfortable Pickleball Shoe I’ve Ever Worn!
-
STM Blog2 years ago
World Naked Gardening Day: Celebrating Body Acceptance and Nature
-
Senior Pickleball Report2 years ago
ACE PICKLEBALL CLUB TO DEBUT THEIR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED INDOOR PICKLEBALL FRANCHISES IN THE US, IN EARLY 2023
-
Travel2 years ago
Unique Experiences at the CitizenM
-
Automotive2 years ago
2023 Nissan Sentra pricing starts at $19,950
-
Senior Pickleball Report2 years ago
“THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS OF PICKLEBALL” – VOTING OPEN