Programs & Projects

Global Economic Futures

Global Economic Futures

Trade wars, populism, and geopolitics. The world is quickly becoming more fraught as complex forces threaten to disrupt and reshape the global economy in profound ways. In this context, the Lowy Institute launched the Global Economic Futures project aimed at better understanding this rapidly changing global economic landscape, where it might take us, and the key choices to be made.

The project examines the future shape of the global economy especially given rising tensions between the world’s two largest economies – the United States and China – and the possible implications for, and changing roles of, major regional economies, including Australia, India, Indonesia and others.

Experts
Latest publications
News and media
The limits to global monetary policy
The limits to global monetary policy
With forecasts of a slower global economy, central banks around the world are contemplating easier monetary policy. The problem is that monetary policy is already in “easy” mode…
Why Trump and Xi will do a deal
Commentary
Why Trump and Xi will do a deal
Originally published in the Australian Financial Review John Edwards
Osaka G20: finding the right beat for hard conversation
Osaka G20: finding the right beat for hard conversation
A rap-style music video to promote the Osaka G20 leaders’ summit to be held on 28–29 June contains the lyrics “Let’s talk! Let’s dance! Here is Osaka wonderful city! Let’s…
Averting a global calamity? Trump and Xi at the G20
Research Notes
Averting a global calamity? Trump and Xi at the G20
The outlines of a trade deal between the United States and China are there. But without a return to the negotiating table, the dispute could rapidly escalate,…
Trump’s Mexico tariffs an ominous sign for global economy
Trump’s Mexico tariffs an ominous sign for global economy
Donald Trump’s tariff threat against Mexico may end up signaling a lot more than just the President’s latest twitter-launched policy tirade. By eroding any of Trump’s remaining…
America’s fiscal policy rethink reaches Japan
America’s fiscal policy rethink reaches Japan
Among some prominent policy wonks in America, a profound rethink of fiscal policy has been underway for the last couple of years, making the case for more-expansionary – or at…
Jokowi - business as usual will not be enough
Commentary
Jokowi - business as usual will not be enough
Originally published in Nikkei Asian Review Roland Rajah , Ben Bland
Trump’s tariff tussle
Trump’s tariff tussle
As predictable as Big Ben striking the hour, as subtle as a battering ram, the final stages of the US-China trade negotiations involve upping the ante with a further tariff…
Why US-China talks should focus on technology as the greater threat, instead of trade
Commentary
Why US-China talks should focus on technology as the greater threat, instead of trade
Originally published in South China Morning Post. Roland Rajah
The first rule of a trade war: know thine enemy
The first rule of a trade war: know thine enemy
If the US and China do manage to reach agreement on their current economic dispute, what happens next? Forebodingly for the government that Australia elects on 18 May, all of…