How tariffs hurt the ones you love
US stock markets fell in response to the announcement of President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs until the tariffs were paused a few days later. This
Decoupling without deglobalisation: The new geography of trade blocs
As geopolitical tensions rise, fears of deglobalisation have taken centre stage. However, world trade has remained surprisingly resilient, at least through 2023. This column uses
Global economy showing signs of moderate slowdown says IMF
Global growth is projected to slow from 3.3 percent in 2024 to 3.2 percent in 2025 and 3.1 percent in 2026. The global economy is
IMF sounds alarm about high global public debt, urges countries to build buffers
The IMF this week edged up its 2025 global growth forecast given a more benign impact from tariffs. Global public debt is projected to rise
Gold leaps above $4,100 on Fed rate cut hopes, US-China trade tension
Fed Chair Powell to address NABE annual meeting on Tuesday. Gold prices jumped to a record high above $4,100 on Tuesday, supported by rising expectations
Oil recoups some losses after US-China trade tensions
Oil prices rose on Monday after hitting five-month lows in the previous session, as investors focused on potential talks between the presidents of the United
Re-imagining South Africa’s state structure for inclusive growth
When economies lose momentum and stagnation becomes entrenched, a shift in thinking and action is imperative. So urged Kofi Annan at a Davos panel decades
Soviet communism was not more successful at reducing inequality than other regimes
Inequality is a major concern for many economies, prompting the question of whether some regimes are more effective at reducing inequality than others. This column
Sparking the investment miracle developing economies need to create jobs
Developing economies today face an investment shortfall of historic proportions. Meeting even the most modest development goals will require a huge investment push—equal to about 5 percent
The return of inflation: Why ‘look through’ can backfire under incomplete information
Central banks facing post-pandemic inflation often considered ‘looking through’ supply shocks. Using a New Keynesian framework in which agents gradually learn whether a cost-push shock
