World economy



Donald Trump US president

Populism Takes A Heavy Toll

Everywhere in the Western world, the political debate is becoming increasingly toxic. Just attend a Donald Trump meeting to get acquainted with politics grounded on ludicrous nonsense and scornfully abusive remarks towards women, migrants and Muslims. Not to mention how shamefully he upgrades the Ku Klux Klan, portraying it as a respectful club.


Brazil bottoming

Is Brazil Bottoming Out?

UBS | Brazil is arguably facing its deepest recession since the 1930s. However, the recent improvement in investors’ perception of the country, combined with data suggesting economic activity is stabilizing, raises the critical question of whether Brazil has reached an inflection point.


china IMF

Amidst Concerns Over High Debt, China Promises To Do Its Homework

Christine Lagarde’s two-day-visit to China concluded on Monday without any specific agreements on how Beijing will fend off financial risk. But Premier Li Keqiang insisted that they will use all the tools available. Trillions of renminbi of debt have built up in the Chinese economy as a result of decades of stimulus and easy credit.


Draghi, Yellen will meet at Jackson Hole

A Tale Of Two Central Banks

Both main central banks face a challenging outlook. The ECB may have saved the day recently by showing it still commands enough firepower to support the economy, even if its room for manoeuvre seems hopelessly narrow. The Federal Reserve seems caught in a nasty trap.




Obama in Greece

US Trade Policy Clouds Climate Prospects

Veena Trehan | Obama’s legacy will be scarred if he deviates from focusing on addressing climate change. In August 2015, US President Barack Obama made a memorable trip to the Arctic just months after approving Shell’s drilling off the coast of Alaska. At the time, he said: “Climate change is no longer some far-off problem; it is happening here, it is happening now.”


chinese factory

China Could Face Social Unrest

Many respected analysts believe that GDP growth will be closer to 5% than the 6.5% announced by the Chinese authorities in their latest five-year plan. As a result of this, these analysts expect a rise in social unrest. And the Chinese government’s goal of reducing industrial overcapacity by firing 5-6 million employees in so-called “zombie companies” over the next 2-3 years will serve to heighten tensions.