How the internationalisation of China’s currency could offset the global trade slowdown

The  start of 2016 has seen a tumultuous start for the global financial system. Oil prices have descended below $30 a barrel and economic developments in China have brought episodes of volatility - trading in the Shanghai Composite Index was halted twice in the first week of the year due to sharp selling.

While the slowdown in China has understandably made the markets nervous, it’s worth pointing out that with an estimated $4 trillion in foreign exchange reserves, the opening up of the Chinese financial system and the internationalisation of the renminbi (RMB) are likely to have a significant impact on the global economy.

US trade deficit soars to six-year high: Signal or noise?

With the US trade deficit at a six-year high, analysts have attributed the widening gap to a strong appreciation of the US dollar coupled with labor strikes at ports along the California coast. Is the rising deficit a true economic signal, or just noise?

Last week saw a perfect storm for US trade as the Department of Commerce reported the highest trade deficit since October 2008. The trade deficit ballooned by 43% in the month of March, making it the biggest month-to-month jump in 18 years.

Why the EU should not get into bed with the US over trade

Ruben L. Oppenheimer

A US-European free trade zone is on the agenda. There are at least four good reasons for Europe to stay away from it, writes the liberal Die Welt.

Olaf Gersemann | Martin Greive