IMF: Outlook is bright for US and global economies this year

WASHINGTON — The International Monetary Fund has upgraded its economic outlook for the United States in 2018 and foresees a strong year for the global economy as well. But its chief economist warns that the prospect of an escalating trade conflict “threatens to undermine confidence and derail global growth prematurely.”

The IMF predicted Tuesday that the U.S. economy will grow 2.9 per cent this year, up from the 2.7 per cent it had forecast in January and from the 2.3 per cent growth the economy achieved last year. The U.S. economy will enjoy a boost through 2020 from tax cuts President Donald Trump signed into law in December, the IMF predicts.

The lending agency kept its forecast for worldwide growth this year at 3.9 per cent, which would be its fastest pace since 2011. The world’s major regions are expanding in unison for the first time in a decade, aided by low interest rates and a revival in global trade. The IMF expects trade to grow 5.1 per cent this year, which would be the fastest pace since 2011.

The IMF issued the update to its World Economic Outlook on the eve of spring meetings in Washington this week of the 189-nation IMF, the World Bank and the Group of 20 major economies.

Maurice Obstfeld, the IMF’s chief economist, warned in prepared remarks that the economic gains the agency foresees face a rising risk from “escalating tensions over trade.” Trump, who campaigned on a pledge to protect U.S. industries from what he argues is unfair foreign competition, has slapped tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. He has also proposed imposing tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese imports to punish Beijing for its aggressive attempts to obtain foreign technology.

China has countered by proposing tariffs on $50 billion in U.S. products, including soybeans — a highly valuable export for America’s farm belt — and small aircraft. Trump has, in turn, ordered the U.S. trade representative to consider targeting up to an additional $100 billion in Chinese imports.

The prospect of a trade war between the world’s two biggest economies has rattled financial markets for weeks. For now, though, the global outlook remains sunny, thanks to low borrowing rates and increasing trade and investment.

The IMF upgraded its forecast for the 19-country eurozone to 2.4 per cent — which would be its best showing since 2007 — and up from the 2.2 per cent it predicted three months ago. The eurozone, which emerged only slowly from its 2011-2012 debt crisis, is expected to benefit from continued low rates.

China is projected to grow 6.6 per cent this year, decelerating from 6.9 per cent growth in 2017. The world’s second-biggest economy is attempting a transition from super-fast growth based on often-wasteful investment to slower but steadier growth built increasingly on consumer spending.

India is expected to outpace China, registering 7.4 per cent growth this year. Japanese economic growth is forecast to decelerate to 1.2 per cent from 1.7 per cent in 2017. Japan’s economy has long been hobbled by an aging workforce and dwindling population.

A recovery in the prices of commodities such as oil, which imploded in 2014-2015, likely will help developing economies this year. Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy is expected to grow 3.4 per cent this year, up from 2.8 per cent in 2017. Latin America is forecast to expand 2 per cent this year, up from 1.3 per cent in 2017.