Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Silver Prices Surge to New Record Above $60 as Supply Concerns and Fed Expectations Boost Demand 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Stocks Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Decision and JPMorgan Warning Weighs on Markets 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Global Forex Markets Brace for Fed Decision as Yen Extends Weakness 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Emerging markets and developing countries are grappling with rising debt and sluggish growth as global trade uncertainty spikes, warned World Bank Chief Economist Indermit Gill. Speaking during the IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington, Gill emphasized that escalating tariffs, particularly from U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent policies, are intensifying economic pressures.
The International Monetary Fund recently slashed its 2025 global growth forecast to 2.8%, down half a percentage point from January, citing the surge in tariffs by the U.S., China, EU, and others. Gill noted that uncertainty indices have soared, exacerbating an already fragile situation compared to past crises like the 2008 financial collapse or the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike those events, the current shock stems from policy decisions, meaning it could still be reversed.
Emerging markets have seen foreign direct investment (FDI) fall sharply, from 5% of GDP during peak periods to just 1% today. Net interest payments now consume 12% of emerging market GDP, double the 2014 figure, while poorer countries spend as much as 20% of GDP on debt servicing, squeezing budgets for education and healthcare.
Gill stressed that many countries are at risk of debt distress, particularly if global growth and trade continue to weaken. With inflation keeping interest rates high, rolling over debt could become even costlier.
To counteract these risks, Gill urged developing countries to urgently negotiate lower tariffs with the U.S. and extend reduced rates globally. According to World Bank models, such steps could deliver significant growth boosts and help stabilize vulnerable economies.
