Economist Podcasts Yield signs: the global economy
Aug 16, 2019
John O'Sullivan, an author on financial markets, and Olivia Ackland, a reporter covering Congo, dive into the current global economic landscape. They discuss investors flocking to safe assets amid rising anxiety over trade tensions and recession fears. The conversation shifts to the remarkable resilience of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, exploring its conservation efforts and the intertwined struggles of nature and local communities. They also touch on the fascinating complexities of language evolution, revealing why some languages are particularly challenging to learn.
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Market Anxiety
- Investors are moving towards safer assets like government bonds due to global economic anxiety.
- This trend is evident in negative interest rates on European and Swiss bonds and falling commodity prices like copper.
Economic Concerns
- America's long economic expansion and limited tools to combat a recession are causing concern.
- Low interest rates and slow fiscal policy responses leave little room to maneuver during a downturn.
Trade War Anxiety
- The US-China trade war is a significant source of economic anxiety.
- The escalating conflict affects businesses by creating uncertainty and hindering investment.