Saturday, May 11

Global Economics

Looking at economic forecasts for the global economy and the impact of national and multinational policies.

What’s Ahead for the Global Economic Order After G7 Summit?
11Jun By Patti MohrNo Comments
Global Economics, Global Trade, International Law, Legal Battles, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, Types of News: Analysis

What’s Ahead for the Global Economic Order After G7 Summit?

June 11, 2018--Before exiting early from the G7 Summit in Canada and withdrawing his endorsement for the joint communique, U.S. President Donald Trump negotiated an edit that has a major impact on the global economy. Specifically, Trump's team insisted on changing the phrase "the rules-based international order" to "a rules-based international trading system." While the edit may seem small, it may represent one of the most significant geopolitical shifts in 70 years. The change from "the" to "a" indicates that Trump -- and now also the other six signers of the 2018 communique -- no longer support the rules-based international order that the United States and its allies put in place in the post-World War II world. Instead, they now support a theoretical system, however abstract or ...
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Market Correction Could See 40 Percent Drop, JP Morgan Exec Says
8Mar By Patti MohrNo Comments
Finance, Investing, Global Economics, Types of News: Brief

Market Correction Could See 40 Percent Drop, JP Morgan Exec Says

March 8--Although equity markets are still in a growth cycle, an eventual correction could mean a decline of 20 to 40 percent, according to a top executive at JP Morgan Chase & Co. "Markets are functioning, and we're doing well," Daniel Pinto, JP Morgan Co-President and Co-Chief Operating Officer, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Thursday. "We know there will be a correction at some point." Pinto estimated that the markets have two to three years before the end of the growth cycle. He said that while volatility has come down, markets are still going to react to "anything that relates to inflation or growth." Eventually, when liquidity dries up, markets could fall as much as 40 percent. "The most important thing for someone like us is just to be prepared. Be...
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A Tale of Two Koreas: Part I
6Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Communism, Dictatorship, Diplomacy, Global Economics, Global Trade, Types of News: Infographic

A Tale of Two Koreas: Part I

February 18, 2018--In a symbol of historic and familial ties, athletes from both North Korea and South Korea will march together in the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies in Pyeongchang, South Korea. The show of unity masks the extreme differences between the two countries. The two Koreas could not be more different in their national priorities, economies and quality of life. On the one side of the border, in South Korea, the quality of life is quite strong. The vast majority of the population has access to the best technologies and mobile communications. The economy is the 11th largest in the world, and trade with the rest of the world approaches $1 trillion. In contrast, in North Korea, the economy is one of the weakest and most isolated in the world. Trade in goods with the rest of ...
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Look Beyond GDP, World Economic Forum Says
25Jan By Patti MohrNo Comments
Foreign Aid, International Development, Global Economics, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, Types of News: Brief

Look Beyond GDP, World Economic Forum Says

Economic growth as measured by gross domestic product is necessary for a country's well-being, but it is not enough. To ensure adequate or rising living standards for people, you need sustainable and inclusive growth, according to members of the World Economic Forum. "Any growth, for it to be meaningful, has to be inclusive," said Saadia Zahidi, a member of the WEF Executive Committee. "Unsurprisingly, we find that while growth is recovering, there are still major challenges when it comes to equity and inclusion across both rich and poor economies." The World Economic Forum executive committee released a report this week on inclusive growth as world leaders started to gather at its annual conference in Davos, Switzerland. Global Growth Strong The World Bank predicts the world economy wil...
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Global economic growth expanded in 2017
17Jan By Patti MohrNo Comments
Global Economics, Global Trade, Types of News: Brief

Global economic growth expanded in 2017

The global economy rebounded in 2017, rising to 3 percent up from 2.4 percent in 2016, as trade picked up momentum, advanced economies increased investments, and developing countries exported more commodities, the World Bank reported Jan. 9. The bank sees global growth edging up slightly to 3.1 percent in 2018 as developing countries experience greater growth while advanced economies begin to back off emergency monetary policies. These numbers differ from projections the International Monetary Fund made in October. The IMF predicted a 3.6 percent rise in the global economy in 2017 and 3.7 percent in 2018. A Turning Point The numbers suggest the global economy has recovered from the 2008-2009 global economic crisis. The World Bank predicts this year will "be the first year since ...
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Amid Protests, Brazil Passes 20-Year Austerity Plan
16Dec By Patti MohrNo Comments
Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Domestic Politics, Global Economics

Amid Protests, Brazil Passes 20-Year Austerity Plan

News Brief Damaged by a two-year recession, corruption scandals and protests at home, Latin America's largest economy turned to constitutional reforms to control its rising debt and spending. Brazil's Senate voted 53-16 in favor of a 20-year cap on spending increases for social welfare programs. The House has already passed the bill, which becomes law. The constitutional amendment, PEC 55, will cap government spending on health care, education and social security through 2036 at current rates adjusted for inflation. Supporters said it will create certainty in fiscal budgets, control rising debt, and attract foreign investment. They said the amendment also guarantees a floor for the spending programs. Opponents, however, said the spending caps would hurt the poorest and lock fu...
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Greece Puts Debt Bills Up For Democratic Vote
27Jun By Patti MohrNo Comments
Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Democracy, Europe, EU, Eurozone, Foreign Aid, International Development, Global Economics, Types of News: Brief

Greece Puts Debt Bills Up For Democratic Vote

Greece is to hold a national referendum to decide whether the country will accept a deal offered by creditors over the country's debt obligations and tax, spending and pension policies. Caught between his government's promises to pay its debts and his own campaign promises to oppose fiscal reforms demanded by creditor institutions, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced today that he will let the people decide the fate of the country. "Our responsibility is for the future of our country. This responsibility obliges us to respond to the ultimatum through the sovereign will of the Greek people," Tsipras said. While it seems like a lot is riding on the national referendum, scheduled to take place Sunday, July 5, the vote might come too late. Greece owes a debt payment of €1.5...
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ON THE HORIZON: A Nicaraguan ‘Grand’ Canal
23Jun By Patti MohrNo Comments
Global Economics

ON THE HORIZON: A Nicaraguan ‘Grand’ Canal

With an estimation that global trade will continue to accelerate, a privately-held global firm is set to build a massive canal project across Nicaragua linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is considered one of the largest infrastructure projects being planned in the world today. Rights to develop and manage the project belong to HKND Group, a privately-held infrastructure development firm run by a Chinese businessman Wang Jing. The firm calls its project is the Nicaragua Grand Canal and Development Project, which is also known as the Grand Canal. Ground could break on the project as early as this year. Plans and talks have been underway since 2012. The Nicaraguan government agreed to give the HKNG Group rights to plan, design, construct, operate and manage the canal, and the N...
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ONE VIEW: Global Collaboration to Grow as Transport Decreases
1May By Patti MohrNo Comments
Global Economics, Global Trade

ONE VIEW: Global Collaboration to Grow as Transport Decreases

In a Wall Street Journal article "The Future of Global Trade," Atlantic Council Chairman Jon Huntsman predicts radical changes ahead for the way the world does business. They include more complex global governance, automation of high-tech work and greater cross-border collaboration on ideas. A few of his points: Long-distance trade in manufacturing and agriculture will decline due to the rise of 3D and 4D printing and urban farming, which localize production. Meanwhile, international cooperation in the free flow of ideas will increase, making regulation, ownership of ideas and governing more difficult. The New Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank may gain more influence over global trade, lessening the role of the World Trade Organization as arbiter and ...
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