With US-China talks to agree a truce in the economic superpowers’ trade war reaching an imminent crunch point, Louis Kuijs, our chief Asia economist recently talked to the Pacific Exchanges podcast from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
Topics: China, Global trade, Global supply chain, CPTPP, RCEP, China liberalisation, US-China technology, Tarrifs, Trade war, Trade talks
Illicit trade is a persistent and growing threat, as technology, the global economy and e-commerce open new opportunities for counterfeit products to infiltrate supply chains and provide consumers with illicit products. Many understand the risks—that illicit trade can cause serious public health issues, and that the proceeds from illicit sales fund other criminal activities. Others view some form of illicit trade as the soft underbelly of the global economy— the price to be paid for frictionless trade.
A new study from Oxford Economics seeks to understand this evolving issue better—specifically, the attitudes and behaviours of those that influence the demand and the supply for illicit goods, so that illicit trade can be contained. We surveyed more than 37,000 consumers, across 37 European countries, buying five products; cigarettes and tobacco, alcoholic drinks, films, music and games, clothing and accessories and medicines.
Topics: Thought leadership, Trade, Public policy and regulations, Global trade, Global economy, Illicit Trade
Is the world economy’s current, long-running upturn running out of steam? Jittery financial markets that have struggled to regain a firm footing since February’s sell-off, anxieties over the US-China trade tariffs confrontation, and now a spate of weaker data for some major economies have all sparked concern over whether the global economy’s expansion may be stuttering or at risk.
Topics: Global Economic Model, Trade, Global economics, Manufacturing, Global trade, Global growth, Leading indicators
Businesses are increasingly positive about prospects for the world economy, with optimism over the global outlook at its strongest for two years, according to Oxford Economics’ latest survey of global risk perceptions among clients and business contacts, including some of the world’s largest companies.
Topics: Trump, Global economics, China, Global surveys, Business and economic outlook, North Korea, Protectionism, China slowdown, Global trade, US tax cuts, Fiscal stimulus