Economy
Charting the World Economy: 2020 Banking on Friendlier Trade

(Bloomberg) –Policy makers from around the world are hoping America’s freshly inked trade agreements will help spark an improvement in the global economy this year after a dismal 2019.
In the wake of the U.S.-China trade deal and as President Donald Trump readies his signature on the USMCA trade agreement, data this week showed the fallout on Germany’s economy from tepid global demand and trade uncertainty. In the U.S., Federal Reserve rate cuts last year appear to be bearing fruit in the housing market.
Here’s some of the charts that appeared on Bloomberg this week, offering insight into the latest developments in the global economy.
U.S.
New home construction surged in December as low mortgage rates spurred sales and warmer weather allowed crews to step up work. Homebuilding probably contributed to U.S. growth for a second straight quarter.
Europe
Germany’s economy expanded in 2019 at the slowest pace in six years, when manufacturing took a battering and the country was dragged to the brink of a recession.
Productivity Puzzle
The cost of the U.K.’s productivity crisis is “already multiples of even the worst-case Brexit scenario,” according to Bank of England Chief Economist Andy Haldane.
Asia
The deal signed between the U.S. and China brings a pause in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies, but skepticism remains as to whether China can actually buy an additional $200 billion in goods and services, including $95 billion in commodities as promised.
Seeking Relief
Total government support since the Hong Kong protests started in June is now at more than HK$35 billion, or about 1.2% of 2018 GDP.
Emerging Markets
The Turkish central bank’s fifth straight interest-rate cut pushed the benchmark below zero, when adjusted for inflation
World
Wealthy bargain hunters should be wary of splashing their cash in Hong Kong: That’s according to research released Thursday from Julius Baer Group, which broke out the world’s most expensive cities for a variety of luxury goods and services — from houses to handbags to whiskey.
–With assistance from Ben Stupples, Iain Rogers, Chris Reiter, Ana Monteiro, James Mayger, Carolynn Look, Cagan Koc, Hannah Dormido, Andrew Atkinson and Qiang Wang.
-
Economy2 months ago
Is Gold a Good Investment in 2025? A Deep Dive into the Precious Metal’s Future
-
Alamaliktistaad Magazines2 months ago
Al-Iktisaad, March 2025
-
OER Magazines2 months ago
OER, March 2025
-
Automotive1 month ago
South Korea Plans to Support Auto Sector with US$2B Following US Tariffs
-
News2 months ago
Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro launches in the Middle East
-
News1 month ago
Oman Oil Prices Witness Drop Amid Shifting Global Trade Dynamics
-
News1 month ago
Aligning HR Strategies with Oman Vision 2040: A Roadmap for Organisational Growth – OER Business Summit 2025
-
News2 months ago
Omantel Partners with TeKnowledge to Enhance Employee Skills in AI & Data Science