Reuters (March 18)
Top banking heads in Australia believe the Trump administration’s “protectionist policies would likely strain the global economy in the medium term with higher costs and lack of certainty.” However, they believe Australia is “better placed than Canada, which sells 85% of its exports to the U.S.” In contrast, Australia’s U.S. exports are, “small compared to its overall export trade,” amounting annually to only about $15 billion.
Tags: $15 billion, Australia, Banking, Canada, Certainty, Exports, Global economy, Higher costs, Protectionist policies, Strain, Trade, Trump administration
Star Tribune (February 21)
Hit by higher costs for barley, a can shortage and soaring shipping costs, “even the world’s largest beer manufacturers are passing on their higher costs to consumers.” Up to now, “consumers have taken it in stride. Just as higher grocery bills are offset by dining out less, a bigger tab at liquor stores is being absorbed by a lack of travel and entertainment expenses.” Even so, there are worries we may be reaching a turning point where consumption will fall.
Tags: Barley, Beer, Can, Consumers, Dining out, Entertainment, Groceries, Higher costs, Manufacturers, Shipping, Shortage, Soaring, Travel, Turning-point
New York Times (December 29)
UK companies got hit with “higher costs and endless forms” in the first post-Brexit year. “While the worst of the Brexit trade disruptions are over, British exports to the European Union are down and companies are frustrated.”
Tags: Brexit, Companies, Down, Endless forms, EU, Exports, Frustrated, Higher costs, Trade disruptions, UK
