Financial Turmoil and the Global Economy
Article by David H. McCormick
These are unprecedented and difficult times for the global economy. The world's financial market conditions are severely strained, and risks to the global growth are significant. The largest advanced economies are feeling this most acutely. In the United States, our financial markets are experiencing unprecedented challenges, and this is adding even greater pressure to our already slowing economy.
These developments are affecting the entire globe. Emerging market countries in recent years, including those in Asia, have made impressive strides in strengthening their fundamentals, accelerating their economic growth and cushioning themselves against external shocks. Nevertheless, as the events of the past several weeks have shown, emerging markets like China are not immune from the global financial stress. Even financial markets with little direct exposure to mortgage-related assets risk becoming destabilized by diminishing market confidence and slowing export growth. Because we are all affected by this crisis, we must work together to address this instability and restore the health of the world economy.
