The new mediocre: the world economy

After Elon Musk’s first extended interview since SpaceX’s blockbuster IPO, The Economist editor-in-chief reflects on what he told her: that AIs will be in charge in ten years, his dark view of Europe and the inevitably of civil war in Britain. At what age is a child responsible f ...  Show more

Many people, including politicians, love to hate the super-rich, and assume they have gamed the system. Yet our correspondent reports that a growing share of today’s wealthiest earned their money providing goods and services we all want. A new crackdown on scam compounds in Cambo ...  Show more

The International Monetary Fund lowers 2023 growth outlook; Money market funds, bonds see inflows of cash; Feds seek comment on how to ensure AI is safe; Crucial reports on inflation and retail sales are due this week To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices vi ...  Show more

The International Monetary Fund is sitting on oodles of cash, but failing to disburse it. We examine why China’s lending practices are putting the IMF on <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2023/04/05/how-to-fix-the-international-monetary-fund?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medi ...

This episode of the Weekly Tradecast looks at the update to the UN’s Trade and Development Report with UNCTAD director Richard Kozul-Wright. On the positive side – despite high inflation, high interest rates and gloomy forecasts – the global economy grew 2.7% last year. The bad n ...  Show more

The IMF warns that the global economy is in danger of getting stuck on a low-growth, high-debt path. The United States' self-centered approach disillusions diplomats over the one billion U.S. dollars raised in pledges to support Lebanon. Chinese President Xi Jinping stresses the ...  Show more