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International Economics: A-Level Economics

A collection of articles relating to the 'international' elements of Economics and relating to IB, Pre-U and A-Level Economics.

Curated by Graham Watson

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October 28, 2:15 PM

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Fed set to hold interest rates steady in last decision before midterms | Federal Reserve | The Guardian | International Economics: A-Level Economics | Scoop.it

From www.theguardian.com - October 28, 6:00 AM

Graham Watson's insight:

And across the pond, today's seen the Federal Reserve hold interest rates, having increased them last month, in the last monetary policy decision prior to the midterm elections. It won't please President Trump.

However, the prospect of a further increase before the end of the year will impress him even less.

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October 28, 5:19 AM

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From www.bbc.co.uk - October 27, 7:16 PM

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Is this a demographic tipping point? China now has more elderly dependents than children, meaning that it's going to face a shrinking labour force going forward. It poses a challenge in terms of pensions and healthcare and will also see changing patterns of consumption as the silver economy becomes more important.

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October 27, 6:24 AM

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From www.bbc.co.uk - October 27, 2:01 AM

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A bit of a state of the nation piece about the midterm elections in the US and how the economic performance of the country is perceived by voters. Couldn't happen to a nicer man.

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October 24, 6:04 AM

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From www.bbc.co.uk - October 23, 4:09 PM

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This is the bit that I just can't get: how does anyone in the Trump administration think that ad hoc reduction of some tariffs helps anyone in any meaningful sense. Yes, it's a purely political move to try and gain some support in the forthcoming mid-term elections, but it increase uncertainty and in doing so damages trade.

And as for the electors swung by the removal of these tariffs, well, they might want to think about who put them there in the first place.

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October 21, 3:01 AM

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From www.bbc.co.uk - October 20, 3:30 PM

Graham Watson's insight:

Another day, another challenge to President Trump's tariffs and another round of uncertainty to undermine trade. In this case, an American food company faced with 50% tariffs on imports of Canadian cheese is taking the government to court arguing that its exceeding its authority and causing harm to US firms. And so it goes, to quote one of the finest novels of the 20th century.

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October 16, 4:47 AM

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France drops opposition to UK being included in ‘Made in Europe’ legislation | European Union | The Guardian | International Economics: A-Level Economics | Scoop.it

From www.theguardian.com - October 15, 3:28 PM

Graham Watson's insight:

It seems that, like an ex-boyfriend, the French want the UK back, with the news that they're dropping their opposition to UK car manufacturers being included in the Made in Europe agreement. The conditions?

The UK must aligned itself with the EU over tariffs relating to Chinese EVs. Hmmm. Some hard thinking to be done.

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October 15, 3:36 AM

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Two container ships sink near strait of Hormuz amid surge in Iranian attacks | Strait of Hormuz | The Guardian | International Economics: A-Level Economics | Scoop.it

From www.theguardian.com - October 14, 1:05 PM

Graham Watson's insight:

Just worth noting: however, it looks like there's increased disruption to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, and this has wider implications for the global economy.

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October 14, 8:59 AM

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From www.bbc.co.uk - October 14, 8:47 AM

Graham Watson's insight:

US inflation continues to rise, the President's contentious oil deal with Russia notwithstanding. But then again, if you introduce tariffs, and engage in a conflict with a major oil producer, what do you expect?

The reality is that the President's lost interest in things like the end of the conflict with Iran, and has never had any interest in the day-to-day management of the economy - and why would you when you are getting richer by the day and able to make much more interesting outlandish electoral pledges like $5,000 for every American?

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October 13, 2:54 PM

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From www.youtube.com - October 12, 4:00 AM

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This clip starts with a remarkable statistic: in 2025, China added as much generating capacity to its electricity network as India has in its entire system in 12 months. That's 500GW of power, largely in the form of renewables.

The problem is that China is now producing more power than network can cope with, to the extent that some estimate it wasted as much power as would have powered France for the year. They are doing this in anticipation of the rise of AI, automation and hi-tech manufacturing, in the hope that they can be in vanguard in all these areas.

The problem is that they've struggled to adapt their power system in the past. This excellent clip looks at the implications of greater demand for power and how China is looking to supply it.

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October 13, 7:06 AM

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IMF warns global economy ‘could soon test the limits of resilience’ | International Monetary Fund (IMF) | The Guardian | International Economics: A-Level Economics | Scoop.it

From www.theguardian.com - October 12, 10:00 PM

Graham Watson's insight:

Despite a positive bill of health for the UK economy, the global outlook is much more mixed, with the IMF suggesting that low energy reserves and poor management of public finances are going to challenge the ability of governments of developed economies to grow in the next couple of years.

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October 11, 6:18 AM

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Developing nations face triple shock from energy crisis, El Niño and borrowing costs, UN warns | Economics | The Guardian | International Economics: A-Level Economics | Scoop.it

From www.theguardian.com - October 11, 12:00 AM

Graham Watson's insight:

Heather Stewart's article looks at the prospects for developing nations at a time when they face a triple threat: from the ongoing energy crisis, extreme weather events linked to El Niño and higher borrowing costs Such are the threats highlighted in a UNDP Report, "No Time To Recover", and a number of campaigners are calling for a more considered approach to debt relief as a result.

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October 10, 6:01 AM

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France’s dilemma: protesters demand spending as markets require fiscal restraint | France | The Guardian | International Economics: A-Level Economics | Scoop.it

From www.theguardian.com - October 10, 12:00 AM

Graham Watson's insight:

It seems to be a weekend for replaying old favourites - this time, Phillip Inman looks at the ongoing protest in France, noting the conflict between the populist demands for higher government spending and the financial markets desire for the government to rein in spending.

As the article notes: "France’s debt-to-GDP stood at 115.6% in 2025, while its budget deficit was 5.1%, compared with 94.3% and 4.3% for the UK respectively", so France's problems are more acute than ours. However, as the gilets jaune protest of 8 years ago made clear, it's difficult to summon up the political will to tackle this dilemma.

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October 10, 1:48 AM

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From www.bbc.co.uk - October 9, 6:30 PM

Graham Watson's insight:

Let's me frank, this is not an Economics story in any sense, other than it might temporarily increase the supply of oil and conveniently lower petrol prices prior to the midterm elections in the US.

I don't even see it as a political story. It's a story about how the US has elected a President who puts his own interests ahead of that of the country and has a moral compass so skewed that the continued support of the religious right reveals how morally bankrupt evangelical Christians in the US are. That is all.

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October 28, 5:57 AM

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The climate crisis will destroy our economies – we learned this 20 years ago. When will we act? | Fiona Harvey | The Guardian | International Economics: A-Level Economics | Scoop.it

From www.theguardian.com - October 28, 4:00 AM

Graham Watson's insight:

A reminder of the 20th anniversary of the Stern Review that highlighted the destructive potential of climate change, and rather sadly, how little things have changed since then. It's worth a read, if only to see how slowly economic orthodoxy has changed.

You might want to have a think about why that's the case.

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October 27, 6:36 AM

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Super-rich get ‘double dividend’ from causes and costs of climate crisis, report finds | Climate crisis | The Guardian | International Economics: A-Level Economics | Scoop.it

From www.theguardian.com - October 27, 1:00 AM

Graham Watson's insight:

One of the more interesting reminders that economics is all about incentives, with Oxfam suggesting that the richest members of the global elite are investing in disaster recovery and thus potentially benefitting from climate change and extreme weather, with the charity suggesting that this gives them an incentive to impede action to tackle the issue.

It's quite a claim, and suggests that in itself this also widens income inequality.

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October 26, 6:21 AM

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From www.bbc.co.uk - October 23, 7:11 PM

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This article highlights the debate in California about the prospect of a tax on billionaires - the so-called Proposition 40. It puts wealth taxes back in the spotlight, and highlights the level of income and wealth inequality in the US, although the article, unhelpfully, conflates the two.

On thing of note for me - the article notes that "Google co-founder Sergey Brin has given more than $100m to a political organisation funding ballot measures that could block the wealth tax". Of course, he's only motivated by protection of the public interest.

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October 23, 9:10 AM

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From www.youtube.com - October 23, 4:00 AM

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Two years into Sanae Takaichi's government, this Bloomberg clip looks at her ambitious plans for investment - looking to promote ¥370 trillion ($2.3 trillion) in public and private investment across the economy, at a time when the country has the worst debt:GDP ratio of any country in the G10, and faces ongoing challenges such as the ageing population.

There's now a sense that we will have to wait and see, albeit the challenges facing Japan are among some of the most pressing.

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October 16, 4:48 AM

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From www.theguardian.com - October 16, 3:00 AM

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I told you they want us back...

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October 15, 9:18 AM

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The global economy is muddling through against the odds. But a storm is coming | Larry Elliott | The Guardian | International Economics: A-Level Economics | Scoop.it

From www.theguardian.com - October 15, 1:00 AM

Graham Watson's insight:

The Cassandras are gathering - according to Larry Elliott - with the annual IMF meeting in Bangkok being overshadowed by the prospect of a global crisis.

He suggests that the ongoing situation in the Middle East and the shocks to the global supply chain as well as the higher borrowing costs precipitated in large part by the level of investment in AI means that international co-operation could be at a premium going forward.

His solution? A reversion to New Deal principles, greater emphasis on fiscal policy and, to some extent, a renunciation of monetary orthodox that, in his eyes, has heightened inequality and and surrendered policymaking power to financial markets rather than governments.

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October 15, 3:24 AM

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From www.bbc.co.uk - October 14, 7:01 PM

Graham Watson's insight:

Globalisation writ large. This article travels along the global supply chain with a Chinese toy, tracking its journey to US shelves, and noting the value-added at every turn. Definitely worth a read.

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October 14, 3:36 AM

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Global financial system is failing developing countries, says Ed Miliband | Ed Miliband | The Guardian | International Economics: A-Level Economics | Scoop.it

From www.theguardian.com - October 14, 1:00 AM

Graham Watson's insight:

I'll just suggest that it's easy to say the right things, far harder to achieve them in response to this Guardian article, and it seems a grim inevitability that we need to discuss debt relief every 15-20 years. However, there are complicated economic issues here - not least moral hazard, as far as the debtors are concerned - and the extent to which it seems that the risk burden is largely borne by public money rather than private investors.

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October 13, 8:22 AM

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EU to limit Chinese hybrid vehicle imports to 350,000 a year | Electric, hybrid and low-emission cars | The Guardian | International Economics: A-Level Economics | Scoop.it

From www.theguardian.com - October 12, 7:23 AM

Graham Watson's insight:

A lovely real world example of a quota, with the news that the EU is going to use WTO rules to introduce a 350,000 vehicle cap on the number of hybrid cars that China is going to be allowed to import into the EU from December.

The "Made in Europe" policy is being seen as an attempt to stop the perceived deindustrialisation of the EU in the face of Chinese competition, some of it unfair and contrary to WTO rules.

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October 12, 4:46 AM

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Volkswagen boss backs EU plan to bolster domestic European industry | Volkswagen (VW) | The Guardian | International Economics: A-Level Economics | Scoop.it

From www.theguardian.com - October 11, 12:53 PM

Graham Watson's insight:

I've always said that "Turkey's don't vote for Christmas" and here's an example, with the boss of Volkswagen praising the prospect of the EU's "Made in Europe" push that's designed to protect EU manufacturers, especially in the car industry, from increased Chinese competition.

Such a move, and the publicity associated with it is a form of protectionism, and will have adverse effects on economic efficiency. The article also makes it clear that VW are under pressure - they've reduced the number of models they offer across their portfolio - including Audi and Skoda - to 75, and are belatedly focusing on electric cars, such as the new ID Tiguan.

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October 11, 6:12 AM

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From www.youtube.com - October 11, 4:00 AM

Graham Watson's insight:

Bloomberg carries an excellent interview with the Head of the WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and ranges far and wide, covering all sorts of trade related themes and, in doing so, highlighting the role of the World Trade Organization, making a case for its continued relevance in an increasingly bipolar world.

And we'll draw a veil over the experiences of a former Nigerian Finance Minister in battling corruption.

vape distro's curator insight, October 23, 4:47 AM

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October 10, 1:54 AM

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China agrees to ‘halve’ hybrid car exports to EU in landmark deal | Automotive industry | The Guardian | International Economics: A-Level Economics | Scoop.it

From www.theguardian.com - October 9, 11:05 AM

Graham Watson's insight:

Wow! I've just been teaching protectionism to my Year 13 students, and is this an example of a lesser spotted voluntary export restraint? Certainly, it would appear that way, with the EU and China seemingly agreeing that the latter should halve its hybrid car exports to the EU over the next four years.

It's interesting - from the EU's perspective it looks like this might, at the margin, save some jobs in car manufacturing. However, I'm not sure - I suspect China's agreed to this in the knowledge that it's already got a big enough toehold in the market, and a burgeoning reputation, to know that long-term, it's well-placed to continue to outshine established European manufacturers, and, given a reduction in supply, at a higher price too.

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International Economics: A-Level Economics

Fed set to hold interest rates steady in last decision before midterms | Federal Reserve | The Guardian

China's families are now supporting more old people than kids

US midterm elections: Trump's biggest economic problem looks familiar

US lifts tariffs on some Canadian goods before midterm elections

Trump sued over Canadian tariffs in latest legal challenge

France drops opposition to UK being included in ‘Made in Europe’ legislation | European Union | The Guardian

Two container ships sink near strait of Hormuz amid surge in Iranian attacks | Strait of Hormuz | The Guardian

US inflation rises more than expected ahead of midterm elections

Why China Is Building More Power Than It Can Use

IMF warns global economy ‘could soon test the limits of resilience’ | International Monetary Fund (IMF) | The Guardian

Developing nations face triple shock from energy crisis, El Niño and borrowing costs, UN warns | Economics | The Guardian

France’s dilemma: protesters demand spending as markets require fiscal restraint | France | The Guardian

Trump's shock Russia deal highlights mounting pressure to curb fuel prices

The climate crisis will destroy our economies – we learned this 20 years ago. When will we act? | Fiona Harvey | The Guardian

Super-rich get ‘double dividend’ from causes and costs of climate crisis, report finds | Climate crisis | The Guardian

Are California voters about to impose 'world's first' tax on billionaires?

Can Japan’s Economy Afford Takaichi’s Big Bet?

UK could quickly re-enter EU with ‘Switzerland plus’ deal, senior MEP says | Brexit | The Guardian

The global economy is muddling through against the odds. But a storm is coming | Larry Elliott | The Guardian

How a Chinese-made toy gets to a US retailer

Global financial system is failing developing countries, says Ed Miliband | Ed Miliband | The Guardian

EU to limit Chinese hybrid vehicle imports to 350,000 a year | Electric, hybrid and low-emission cars | The Guardian

Volkswagen boss backs EU plan to bolster domestic European industry | Volkswagen (VW) | The Guardian

Trade Wars, Fighting Corruption and Rethinking Globalization | Leaders with Francine Lacqua

China agrees to ‘halve’ hybrid car exports to EU in landmark deal | Automotive industry | The Guardian