Sudden escalation of trade tensions sends shockwaves through global economy | UN News
Amid escalating trade tensions and growing policy uncertainties, the global economy stands at a fragile turning point, according to a new report on Thursday from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).
In the United States, growth is projected to slow “significantly”, said DESA, as higher tariffs and policy uncertainty are expected to weigh on private investment and consumer spending.
Several major developing economies, including Brazil and Mexico, are also experiencing downward revisions in their growth forecasts.
China’s economy is expected to grow by 4.6 per cent this year, down from 5.0 per cent in 2024. This slowdown reflects a weakening in consumer confidence, disruptions in export-driven manufacturing, and ongoing challenges in the Chinese property sector.
Inflation risks
By early 2025, inflation had exceeded pre-pandemic averages in two-thirds of countries worldwide, with more than 20 developing economies experiencing double-digit inflation rates.
This comes despite global headline inflation easing between 2023 and 2024.
Food inflation remained especially high in Africa, and in South and Western Asia, averaging above six per cent. This continues to hit low-income households hardest.
Rising trade barriers and climate-related shocks are further driving up inflation, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated policies to stabilise prices and protect the most vulnerable populations.
Developing economies
“The tariff shock risks hitting vulnerable developing countries hard,” said Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.
As central banks try to balance the need to control inflation with efforts to support weakening economies, many governments – particularly in developing countries – have limited fiscal space. This makes it more difficult for them to respond effectively to the economic slowdown.
For many developing countries, this challenging economic outlook threatens efforts to create jobs, reduce poverty, and tackle inequality, the report underlines.
