World Perspectives

China Hit Worst; IMF Backs Trade Distortions; Realigned Politics; Nut Melk

China Hit Worst Like the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) assessment on a global basis, the Asian Development Bank this week kept its current forecast for gross domestic product (GDP) growth in developing Asia at 6 percent this year and 5.9 percent in 2019. However, it warned that growth would suffer if the U.S.-China trade spate worsens. An argument can be made that China has already suffered economically from that situation. Just a look at major equity markets since the initial imposition of Section 232 duties by the Trump administration shows that it is China’s markets that have suffered (see graph below).

  IMF Backs Trade Distortions Import tariff escalation or imposing higher duties on more heavily pr...

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From WPI Consulting

Weighing in on strategic realignment

WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.

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