Africa energy poverty persists despite oil and gas reserves, authors say
Rabah Arezki and Michael L. Ross say export-focused oil and gas policies leave 600 million Africans without home electricity.
By David L. Chen 2 months 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
Brent crude $90 level returns as shipping indicators soften
Brent’s front-month future was back at $90 Wednesday morning, with Econbrowser citing lower SoH reopening odds and Bab el Mandeb t...
By David L. Chen 2 months ago
Middle income health trap threatens health financing, authors warn
Tom Achoki and Walter O. Ochieng say aid exits can leave middle-income countries unable to fund vaccines, HIV care and primary hea...
By David L. Chen 2 months ago
Europe climate resilience plans are falling short, Boccaletti says
Giulio Boccaletti says Europe’s heat, grid and demographic pressures require economy-wide adaptation, not only disaster response.
By David L. Chen 2 months ago
Wealth tax extreme wealth debate revived after Musk tops $1tn
Michael Madowitz says US lawmakers can use improved wealth-tax designs as Elon Musk’s fortune highlights dynastic power concerns.
By David L. Chen 2 months ago
US ICC policy shift draws warning from Eric Alter
Eric Alter says Washington’s move from helping the ICC on Russia to opposing it over Israel could cede legal influence to other st...
By David L. Chen 2 months agoTPS work permits raise jobs concern as employers face labor squeeze
About 350,000 TPS recipients are set to lose work permits, raising concerns for employers in health care, social services and cons...
By David L. Chen 2 months agoChina Q2 GDP estimates show wider gap between official and alternative data
BOFIT says official Chinese growth slowed to 4.3% in Q2, while its alternative measure put expansion at 3.1%.
By David L. Chen 2 months agoCleveland Fed CPI nowcast points to renewed cost pressures in July
Cleveland Fed nowcasts, incorporating gasoline data through July 22, suggest inflation measures are being pushed by rising fuel pr...
By David L. Chen 2 months agoPortugal 1976 MIT mission recalled by Jeffrey Frankel
Harvard economist Jeffrey Frankel recounts a 1976 central-bank assignment as Portugal faced reserves pressure and rebuilt democrac...
By David L. Chen 2 months ago
Trump tariff threat over Canadian smoke raises climate trade concerns
Vera Songwe argues the US-Canada dispute could recast climate damage as a trade and security issue, with wider implications for gl...
By David L. Chen 2 months ago
Trump sets 2028 tariff schedule for imported generic medicines
The president said generic drug imports would face no U.S. tariff for two years, then a 100% levy in 2028 and 200% a year later.
By David L. Chen 2 months ago