Globalisation takes a back seat: World trade is expected to grow more slowly than global output for the third consecutive year. The resurgence of economic nationalism in some parts of the world means World Trade Organisation rules will be put to the test. The world’s biggest bilateral trade route (US-China) is likely to come under pressure. In the absence of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership being agreed upon, this trend could continue into the longer-run.
US monetary policy moves back towards normality: The Federal Reserve will continue to tighten monetary policy. Indeed, it is possible that the Fed could tighten faster than currently suggested depending on the pace, size and implementation of the new administration’s fiscal plans. On the flipside, economies which rely on the dollar for financing is expected to come under pressure.
Politics drives uncertainty: The Eurozone may hold half a dozen elections. Germany, France, the Netherlands and potentially Italy and Greece (equivalent to more than 70% of Eurozone GDP) are expected to run general elections and could experience disruption to their normal political cycle. Spain is likely to hold a referendum on the future of Catalonia.
Detailed predictions from PwC’s global team of economists:
1. The US will drive growth in the G7
In PwC’s main scenario, the US is expected to grow by around 2% - the fastest in the G7 - on the back of strong job creation and household consumption. It could surprise on the upside if the new administration lowers taxes and pursues plans to boost spending on infrastructure. The organisation’s analysis suggests the US will contribute around 70% to G7 growth in our main scenario, despite making up half of G7 GDP in absolute terms.
2. Core Eurozone employment will hit an all-time high
The ‘peripheral’ economies are expected to grow faster than the ‘core’ for the fourth consecutive year. Irish GDP growth is expected to be the leader of the peripheral pack, expanding by more than 3% per annum, while France and the Netherlands will lead the core, growing at a rate of 1.5%. On the jobs front, employment in the core is expected to hit an all-time high of around 97 million. But this will be outperformed by the periphery, which will create around 100,000 more jobs than the core.
3. Indonesia is set to become the world’s 16th trillion dollar economy
Asia will remain the fastest growing region of the world, but the spotlight will shift away from China to India and Indonesia. It is thought that Indonesia is on course to join the elite ‘trillion dollar’ economy club this year. In comparison, Chinese growth is projected to remain at around the 6% mark. India’s contribution to world GDP growth could reach almost 17% this year. China’s growth may be slowing, but if it manages to grow at 6.5% per year, it will add an economy the size of ‘Turkey’ to global output. It is thought that Brazil and Russia will start growing again on an annual basis by 0.5% and 1% respectively, aided by a rise—albeit small—in commodity prices.
4. Pressure on the Gulf (GCC) countries due to population growth
In 2017, Saudi Arabiais projected to add two ‘Icelands’ to its working age population. The other GCC countries are also expected to see strong growth of around 2% in their labour force. The challenge facing the GCC economies is to create employment opportunities while reforming public finances
Some of the key macroeconomic risks businesses should consider and plan for in the next 12 months:
Onshoring the greenback reveals cracks: Tighter US monetary policy could encourage a gradual repatriation of US dollars. PwC’s risk matrix shows that Malaysia, Turkey and Chile are especially exposed to this risk as their foreign currency debt levels stand at 71%, 64% and 55% of their GDP. Banks with exposure in those economies could face some pressure if not well capitalised. But on the flipside, for some commodity-reliant economies like Brazil and Russia, a higher oil (and other commodity) price outlook coupled with a flexible exchange rate regime could help to soften the impact of capital flowing back to the US.
China will feel the costs of higher private sector debt burden: China’s non-financial sector debt stands at more than 250% of GDP. If non-financial debt grows at the same average rate as it has since 2010, China could add over $650 billion to its total debt pile by the end of 2017. China’s relatively closed capital account means its risk rating is medium, reducing its exposure to foreign currencies. But China’s non-financial debt accumulation has accelerated since 2008, nearing the high debt to GDP ratios seen in the Eurozone’s crisis countries. Last year, China’s credit to GDP gap (the difference between the credit-to-GDP ratio and long-run trends, indicating unsustainable accumulation) surpassed levels which indicate a risk of crisis within the next three years. This risk will be heightened if property prices fall sharply, undermining the foundations of the debt pile.
