U.S. Economic News
September 9, 2019
U.S. News
The Wall Street Journal reports that a key reason for current low interest rates across the globe is the buildup of debt held by governments, businesses, and households following the Great Recession, which made it difficult for central banks to raise rates. Although taking on debt helped pull economies out of the slowdown, it also left companies and consumers highly sensitive to rate hikes and more likely to pull back on spending if economic conditions weaken. WSJ
According to the Financial Times, exports from China fell more than anticipated last month as U.S. buyers did not front-load orders as much as expected before new tariffs went into effect on September 1. The weak export data comes amid announcements by Chinese officials of new, aggressive stimulus measures that signal Beijing’s increasing concern over the impact of the trade war. FT