Global Economic Governance
Will the G20 address inequality at the Brisbane summit?
Of the 60-plus official meetings that have taken place under Australia's 2014 G20 presidency, a grand total of one has managed to produce a final communiqué or meeting report that…
The WTO is in big trouble
The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Roberto Azevedo, says the institution has descended into 'paralysis'.
Director-General of the World Trade…
Which countries are driving global growth?
Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.
With the G20 focused on increasing economic growth, it's worth remembering where the global action is. The above graph from the IMF…
China wants a bigger piece of the smartphone business
The smartphone in your pocket embodies today's cutting-edge technology. It is also a product of a global supply chain decidedly old-school in the way it shares rewards.
Two…
Why the IMF's poor forecasting matters
Economic forecasting is the butt of jokes, but someone has to do it. You can't make sensible macro policy without some view of how the economy will travel. It's the IMF's…
IMF changes its tune on infrastructure
In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF has joined the chorus of international institutions (G20, OECD) calling for more infrastructure spending.
What new elements does the…
G20: Cairns meeting had substance, but now we need action
Last weekend's meeting of G20 finance ministers in Cairns achieved more than many other similar G20 meetings. But will it 'change the destiny of the global economy' as claimed by…
G20 must save the WTO, among other things...
As John Lennon wrote, 'life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.' How true for Australia's plans for the G20. Life is not being kind in the lead-up to the…
BNP Paribas fine is G20's dollar dilemma
There are many countries which do not much like the central role of the US dollar. But while they generally (and grudgingly) agree that there is not much to be done about it for…
G20: The case for an inclusive growth target
Earlier this year Treasurer Joe Hockey negotiated a significant commitment among G20 Finance Ministers to aim for an additional 2% of global growth over the next five years. As…