Miguel Navascués | Everyone talks ever more passionately demanding that climate change be slowed by changing from energy based on oil and gas to one that does not produce CO2. But no-one explains if technological change will really allow this to happen in time.
Caixabank Research | The current expansionary phase in the US economy is on course to be the longest in history and so far has avoided upheavals. Nevertheless, over recent years, it has produced financial imbalances, especially in the corporate sector, which could destabilise the economy as a whole in an adverse economic scenario. Below we analyse it in more detail.
Louise Montgomery via Fair Observer | When it comes to agricultural technology, business opportunity is filling the void left by political inertia.
Debt/Ebitda ratios of US companies is estimated to be around 3.3X compared to 2.3X in 2008, although the coverage of interest ratio (Ebitda/interests) reaches 7.4X compared to 7.3X in 2008. Therefore, although the level of debt is indeed high, the capacity to pay is also elevated, which is what really matters.
Freya Higgins-Desbiolles via The Conversation | The tourism industry’s challenge is to develop effective strategies to bring tourists and locals into better alignment.
Knowledge Wharton via Fair Observer | China is the world’s biggest market for electric vehicles — and conditions are ripe for a shakeout.
Central bank independence is increasingly at risk around the world.
Alicia Garcia Herrero and Jianwei Xu (Natixis) | After several peaceful months, the US-China trade has been taken back to central stage following Trump’s unexpected announcement to ramp up tariffs from 10% to 25% on Friday if no deal is reached by this Friday. Fears of resurged uncertainties spread among investors, tumbling world market over the past few days.
John Feffer via Fair Observer | With wannabe monarchs like Donald Trump that show far less deference to democracy than the current occupants of Buckingham Palace and Kyoto’s Chrysanthemum Throne, who needs actual kings and queens?
Shaun Riordan | The US has once before tried to use trade restrictions to force an Asian power to abandon its strategy. It did not end well.