How US economy thriving in warlike situation of the world

In US, growth has slowed but remained strong enough to keep the unemployment rate from rising

This summer’s fears about escalating trade tensions and war, slowing global growth and an inverted yield curve in the United States have let up somewhat as the year has progressed. Economic mood swings have become commonplace, however, with the trade standoff with China intensifying or deescalating with the speed of a tweet or offhand comment.

Despite this turbulence, the US economy has shown great resilience. Growth has slowed but remained strong enough to keep the unemployment rate from rising. Hiring slowed in August and factory activity eased, while consumer spending remained strong. Businesses have grown more cautious also. Capital spending has slowed, particularly in light of the inverted yield curve and all the subsequent speculation about a possible recession. But a recent batch of housing data has pointed to a firming US economy.

The erratic nature of trade talks has undoubtedly contributed to a falloff in consumer confidence. This downturn in expectations could see consumers holding back on spending. Indeed, consumer spending slowed more than expected in August. On the upside, incomes rose while price pressures are steady.

The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-percentage point for the second time in as many months to cushion the economy against a global slowdown amplified by the US-China trade war. The Fed is essentially taking out insurance with these rate cuts to prevent those risks from turning into something bigger.

Global economic growth has continued on its gradually slowing path as US-China trade tensions have persisted, Brexit issues remain unresolved and monetary easing by several major central banks has yet to have much effect in terms of stabilizing and strengthening global economic activity.

While the underwhelming performance of the major economies has contributed to slower growth, some key emerging economies have also contributed to the less favourable outlook. In particular, China’s economy remains on a slowing path, with export growth turning negative in US dollar terms. India’s economic growth has been very disappointing during the first half of 2019, though, unlike China, some recovery is expected in Indian growth over time.

How should the relatively good domestic economy in the US and forecasts for the second half of this year be seen against significant risks from trade, a slowdown in some of American trading partners, and the low long-term rates creating an inverted yield curve? At times like this, it is important to carefully study incoming economic data. If the risks become pronounced and threaten the US outlook, then further monetary easing may be appropriate. However, if the data continue to indicate a US economy growing slightly above the level considered to be the economy’s potential growth rate, with continued gradual increases in wages and prices, then no immediate policy action is likely required.

In fact, the gradual slowing of GDP growth is not really that surprising – and is not necessarily a signal of a weakening economy headed for a recession, but instead a natural pattern. As resource constraints, e.g., the availability of workers, become more binding and the effects of the fiscal stimulus wane and with monetary policy only marginally accommodative, actual economic growth should settle in the vicinity of the growth rate associated with the economy’s potential.

The outlook continues to be shaped by expectations that a truce will eventually be found in the trade dispute, which will reduce some of the uncertainty hanging over the economy. Domestic demand is holding up well and continues to maintain strong momentum, given the higher levels of employment, solid income growth and strong position of overall household and corporate balance sheets. The inverted yield curve is a warning, however, that even the less globally exposed US economy is not immune to effects of slower global growth.

A forecast for 2019 real GDP growth of around 2.2% is reasonable given the developments of the first three quarters of 2019. However, the longer-term economic outlook remains uncertain due to cooling global growth, a faltering manufacturing sector, the fading effects from the 2017 tax cut and trade frictions.

Concerns over tariffs and geopolitical uncertainties have increased discussion around a possible economic downturn. However, to date, these elevated risks have not become reality, at least for the US economy, because Trump administration’s machination through Pentagon and NATO keeps the world in a war-war situation. Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq and some other countries in Middle-East particularly keep the American armaments industries thriving at the cost of economic crises in Middle-East and South Asia.

Global terrorism has become a challenging problem for all countries now. There are about 174 or more terrorist organizations all over the world. But now a new phenomenon has developed like religious terrorism.

The days of Imperial Dominances have gone long ago. The present world will not tolerate the dominance of dollar and American interference. NATO alliance is struggling militarily under US leadership. There is no doubt that NATO is approaching at the cross-roads. Peace loving and democratic people around the globe are now seeking for a humane world order.

The writer is politician, columnist & Director General,

Bangladesh Foundation for Development Research  

 

 

How US economy thriving in warlike situation of the world

In US, growth has slowed but remained strong enough to keep the unemployment rate from rising

This summers fears about escalating trade tensions and war, slowing global growth and an inverted yield curve in the United States have let up somewhat as the year has progressed. Economic mood swings have become commonplace, however, with the trade standoff with China intensifying or deescalating with the speed of a tweet or offhand comment. Despite this turbulence, the US economy has shown great resilience. Growth has slowed but remained strong enough to keep the unemployment rate from rising. Hiring slowed in August and factory activity eased, while consumer spending remained strong. Businesses have grown more cautious also. Capital spending has slowed, particularly in light of the inverted yield curve and all the subsequent speculation about a possible recession. But a recent batch of housing data has pointed to a firming US economy. The erratic nature of trade talks has undoubtedly contributed to a falloff in consumer confidence. This downturn in expectations could see consumers holding back on spending. Indeed, consumer spending slowed more than expected in August. On the upside, incomes rose while price pressures are steady. The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-percentage point for the second time in as many months to cushion the economy against a global slowdown amplified by the US-China trade war. The Fed is essentially taking out insurance with these rate cuts to prevent those risks from turning into something bigger. Global economic growth has continued on its gradually slowing path as US-China trade tensions have persisted, Brexit issues remain unresolved and monetary easing by several major central banks has yet to have much effect in terms of stabilizing and strengthening global economic activity. While the underwhelming performance of the major economies has contributed to slower growth, some key emerging economies have also contributed to the less favourable outlook. In particular, Chinas economy remains on a slowing path, with export growth turning negative in US dollar terms. Indias economic growth has been very disappointing during the first half of 2019, though, unlike China, some recovery is expected in Indian growth over time. How should the relatively good domestic economy in the US and forecasts for the second half of this year be seen against significant risks from trade, a slowdown in some of American trading partners, and the low long-term rates creating an inverted yield curve? At times like this, it is important to carefully study incoming economic data. If the risks become pronounced and threaten the US outlook, then further monetary easing may be appropriate. However, if the data continue to indicate a US economy growing slightly above the level considered to be the economys potential growth rate, with continued gradual increases in wages and prices, then no immediate policy action is likely required. In fact, the gradual slowing of GDP growth is not really that surprising and is not necessarily a signal of a weakening economy headed for a recession, but instead a natural pattern. As resource constraints, e.g., the availability of workers, become more binding and the effects of the fiscal stimulus wane and with monetary policy only marginally accommodative, actual economic growth should settle in the vicinity of the growth rate associated with the economys potential. The outlook continues to be shaped by expectations that a truce will eventually be found in the trade dispute, which will reduce some of the uncertainty hanging over the economy. Domestic demand is holding up well and continues to maintain strong momentum, given the higher levels of employment, solid income growth and strong position of overall household and corporate balance sheets. The inverted yield curve is a warning, however, that even the less globally exposed US economy is not immune to effects of slower global growth. A forecast for 2019 real GDP growth of around 2.2% is reasonable given the developments of the first three quarters of 2019. However, the longer-term economic outlook remains uncertain due to cooling global growth, a faltering manufacturing sector, the fading effects from the 2017 tax cut and trade frictions. Concerns over tariffs and geopolitical uncertainties have increased discussion around a possible economic downturn. However, to date, these elevated risks have not become reality, at least for the US economy, because Trump administrations machination through Pentagon and NATO keeps the world in a war-war situation. Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq and some other countries in Middle-East particularly keep the American armaments industries thriving at the cost of economic crises in Middle-East and South Asia. Global terrorism has become a challenging problem for all countries now. There are about 174 or more terrorist organizations all over the world. But now a new phenomenon has developed like religious terrorism. The days of Imperial Dominances have gone long ago. The present world will not tolerate the dominance of dollar and American interference. NATO alliance is struggling militarily under US leadership. There is no doubt that NATO is approaching at the cross-roads. Peace loving and democratic people around the globe are now seeking for a humane world order. The writer is politician, columnist Director General, Bangladesh Foundation for Development Research