Three big central banks, the US Fed, the ECB & the UK's Bank Of England have all kept interest rates where they were, while waiting to assess the inflationary pressures that stem from the continuing US attacks on Iran (and Iran's response).

However, in all cases higher rates are far from impossible before the end of the year... even if its now clear that really this is a policy for another age (and not sure it really worked even then).

Central banks need a new 'tool'.

#economics
h/t FT

For UK manufacturers the problem may not be the wave of Chinese imports (the UK has few industrial sectors directly competing with low-cost Chinese firms) but rather the defensive posture adopted by the EU to protect its members' industries.

The tariffs & other constraints intended to reduce Chinese imports into the EU, are also often catching UK exporters (now we outside the EU)... its just one more way Brexit has undermined the economy it was suppose to 'save'.

#brexit #economics
h/t FT

For those of you missing Bite Size Economics, I have taken a pause (which might be some time, I have another series of daily posts in mind), but I will still be happy to respond to questions & comments related to the forty posts (thirty statements & ten examples)....

For those who've not seen them, the posts are all collected under the hashtag: #BiteSizeEconomics

#economics #politics #FinancialServices #markets #workers #IntellectualProperty #corporations #trade #tariffs #PoliticalEconomy