Protectionism Reduces Volume of Trade in Global Economy, Says Indosuez’s Owens Thomsen

The transcript discusses the US-China trade dispute, highlighting protectionism as a major threat to the global economy. It examines the role of the US consumer and trade policies, questioning the economic motivations behind them. The discussion also covers China's trade surplus with the US and the balance of power in the world economy. The role of the WTO and the importance of rule-based global trade are emphasized, with concerns about the effectiveness of bilateral trade strategies.

What is considered a major threat to the global economic cycle according to the discussion?

• Technological advancements

• Currency fluctuations

• Inflation

• Protectionism

How did the US administration's tax policy contradict its trade balance goals?

• By imposing stricter import regulations

• By subsidizing exports

• By cutting taxes instead of raising them

• By increasing import tariffs

What is the underlying issue in the US economy as discussed?

• Excessive government spending

• Trade surplus

• Savings deficit

• High unemployment rates

What was a significant aspect of the WTO complaint against China?

• Labor laws

• Environmental regulations

• Intellectual property issues

• Currency manipulation

What is the desired outcome for global trade according to the discussion?

• Unilateral trade actions

• Protectionist policies

• Rule-based global trade

• Bilateral agreements