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Showing posts with the label Navigating Global Waters: Understanding the Balance of Payments

U.S. Economic Growth Slows Amid Tariff Pressures: A 2025 Outlook

📉 U.S. Economic Growth Slows Amid Tariff Pressures: A 2025 Outlook As 2025 unfolds, the U.S. economy is showing signs of strain amid a global slowdown and heightened trade barriers. Here's a detailed look at the latest forecasts and implications based on insights from the OECD, Federal Reserve, and key market indicators . 📊 1. U.S. Growth Forecast Downgraded by OECD The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has revised the U.S. GDP growth forecast for 2025 to 1.6% , down from 2.8% in 2024 . The forecast for 2026 remains muted at 1.5% , reflecting persistent uncertainty driven by: Elevated trade barriers Reduced consumer spending power Sluggish business investment 💸 2. Tariffs Fueling Inflation & Trade Costs The average U.S. tariff rate has climbed to 15.4% , the highest level since 1938 . These tariffs have raised import costs, which are now being passed on to consumers: Projected consumer price inflation is expected to rise to...

Navigating Global Waters: Understanding the Balance of Payments

  In the interconnected world of international trade and finance, the balance of payments serves as a compass, guiding countries through the currents of global economic activity. In this post, we'll explore the concept of the balance of payments, unravel its components, and understand its significance in the realm of international economics. What is the Balance of Payments? The balance of payments (BoP) is a systematic record of all economic transactions between residents of a country and the rest of the world during a specific period, typically a year. It provides a comprehensive snapshot of a country's economic interactions with the global economy, encompassing trade in goods and services, financial flows, and transfers of capital. Components of the Balance of Payments The balance of payments is divided into three main components: Current Account: The current account records transactions involving the exchange of goods and services, income from investments, and transfers of ...