25 November 2018 The European economy surged between mid-2016 and the end of last year -- expanding at an impressive 3% annual clip during this interval. This year has been quite a different story, as growth has consistently disappointed: indeed, GDP advanced a meagre 0.8% (annual rate) during the third quarter of 2018. There are … Continue reading Europe: Slipping Towards Recession?
12 November 2018 Last weekend's gathering of world leaders to commemorate the centenary of the World War I armistice was also an occasion to celebrate 70 years of European peace and stability. It was also appropriate to recognise the European Union's contribution to this extended period of prosperity. However, there existed also a sense of … Continue reading Auf Wiedersehen Mon Ami(e)!
25 October 2018 We all know China's economy is slowing. Indeed, markets and pundits agonise when GDP results fractionally dip below expectations, as highlighted by the spike in market volatility following the recent news Chinese output advanced "only" 6.5% during Q2 2018 (compared to the 6.6% forecast). To be sure, such results seem disappointing, as … Continue reading China: Slowdown Just Beginning
11 October 2018 After years of describing NAFTA as "the worst trade deal in history", the Trump Administration along with Canada and Mexico signed the US Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA). The White House, naturally, hails the accord as a historic triumph for American workers and farmers. Critics view the deal as a simple rebranding of … Continue reading After USMCA, Taking Aim at China?