Global imbalances: The bears zero in on Goldilocks

The causes of unprecedented global financial imbalances are complex, and understanding them is key to predicting what happens next. But do global economic prospects, as Brian Reading suggests, boil down to a simple question: will Americans stop wanting to borrow and spend before Eurasians stop wanting to save and lend?

World Economic Forum Special Report: Contents

Brian Reading
Director
Lombard Street Research

The world is suffering unprecedented financial imbalances between and within economies. Their inevitable reduction, whenever and wherever, will dominate global growth prospects over the next several years. The most spectacular imbalances are the US current account deficit and its domestic counterparts, government and household sector financial deficits. Some say that American profligacy (the spending spree) is to blame. This was accepted wisdom a few years ago.

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