World Bank raises East Asia and Pacific growth outlook to 4.5%
The World Bank lifted its 2026 regional forecast as AI-linked exports rose, while warning that growth remains uneven and exposed t...
By David L. Chen 14 hours agoSenior Columnist
David L. Chen
David writes the opinion column on currencies, trade, and the politics of global capital. Formerly an FX strategist in Hong Kong and London.
Latest from David L. Chen
Men’s labor market participation has fallen, but the decline is uneven
Recent job data show men losing employment ground, while longer-run participation declines are concentrated among younger and less...
By David L. Chen 1 day ago
U.S. aid cuts raise food-crisis warning for UN agencies
Experts say reduced foreign assistance could weaken food-crisis monitoring and response as trade disruptions and climate risks com...
By David L. Chen 6 days ago
Indonesia finance minister Suahasil Nazara faces fiscal credibility test
Suahasil Nazara has replaced Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, with the 2027 budget set to test his pledge to keep Indonesia’s deficit below 3...
By David L. Chen 2 weeks ago
BOJ rate hike sees yen fall as Japan markets read a less-hawkish signal
Japan’s yen weakened, bond yields fell and stocks rose after a BOJ rate increase that analysts said offered limited evidence of fa...
By David L. Chen 2 weeks ago
Inflation outpacing wage growth cuts into US purchasing power
US consumer prices rose 3.4% in August as average hourly earnings increased 3.1%, according to figures reported by CNBC.
By David L. Chen 3 weeks ago
Cyclospora outbreak over after record U.S. lettuce-linked illnesses
CDC says the 21-state outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce is over, while FDA continues examining how the contamination occur...
By David L. Chen 3 weeks ago
Global development crisis of agency drives call for grassroots funding
Gordon Whitman argues that development policy needs durable community organisations with the leverage to shape aid decisions.
By David L. Chen 3 weeks ago
U.S.-Canada import ban to cover alcohol, whey and motorcycles from Sept. 29
Washington will bar specified Canadian goods from Sept. 29 while separately revising its 50% tariff list on Sept. 15.
By David L. Chen 3 weeks ago
Trump presses Fed against possible September rate hike
The White House has urged the Fed to avoid raising rates as markets price a possible September move and Kevin Warsh stresses infla...
By David L. Chen 4 weeks ago
Japan foreign reserves in August fall by record $79.6bn after yen support
Japan’s reserves fell 6.18% to $1.208tn in August after record yen-buying operations, with foreign securities leading the decline.
By David L. Chen 4 weeks ago
US payrolls August 2026 rise 162,000 as unemployment holds at 4.1%
US employers added 162,000 jobs in August, far above surveyed forecasts, while unemployment stayed at 4.1% as the labour force als...
By David L. Chen 1 month ago