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Big Economic Reads: Virus Spread Unnerves Global Central Bankers

Big Economic Reads: Virus Spread Unnerves Global Central Bankers

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The spread of the coronavirus continued to unsettle central bankers and other observers of the world economy.

That’s the main topic in our collection of this week’s analysis, scoops and enterprise from Bloomberg Economics:

Enda Curran reported how central bankers are eyeing the virus with wariness, although few have acted to shield their economy, with Thailand an exemption. Bloomberg Graphics showed the fallout from the health crisis and Bloomberg reported that China may cut its growth target and seek some slack from the U.S. regarding its recent trade deal.

Big Economic Reads: Virus Spread Unnerves Global Central Bankers

Donald Trump’s multi-fronted trade war rattles, on with Bryce Baschuk reporting how the U.S. may withdrawl from a global deal on government contracts. Jenny Leonard and Sridhar Natarajan revealed that the White House has still not ruled out limiting Americans’ investment in Chinese companies. Still, Bloomberg also reported that the Chinese officials are hoping the U.S. will agree to some flexibility on pledges in the recent interim trade deal, given the virus.

Big Economic Reads: Virus Spread Unnerves Global Central Bankers

Trump may also play a disruptive role as U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson starts to negotiate a new post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union, Shawn Donnan and Jenny Leonard reported. Meantime, Joe Mayes showed how Johnson’s recent election victory poses some challenges to those negotiations.

Big Economic Reads: Virus Spread Unnerves Global Central Bankers

Eric Martin and Andrea Navarro reported how Mexico’s government is trying to raise taxes without people noticing, while Patrick Gillespie outlined Argentina’s strategy for dealing with its debt burden.

Big Economic Reads: Virus Spread Unnerves Global Central Bankers

The current edition of Bloomberg Markets magazine is devoted to trade so check out some of the contributions including postcards from around the world depicting an ordinary day for an extraordinary world economy.

Big Economic Reads: Virus Spread Unnerves Global Central Bankers

To contact the reporter on this story: Simon Kennedy in London at skennedy4@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Stephanie Flanders at flanders@bloomberg.net, Zoe Schneeweiss, Craig Stirling

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