While acquiring companies have underperformed stock indexes for the past two years, the outlook for M&A may be brightening.
"While it is tempting to sail alone, countries must resist the siren call of self-sufficiency,” Christine Lagarde says.
Imagine what it was like to sit in the C-suite of a U.S.-based steel distributor the day the president announced a 25% tariff on foreign-made steel.
Growing protectionist views in the United States threaten to upset the economic status quo, Zurich finds.
To defend some domestic industries, President Trump is ready to slap tariffs on foreign producers. But has he weighed the costs to the wider economy?
The International Trade Commission clears the way for the White House to impose trade barriers on imports of Samsung and LG washing machines.
In its latest economic outlook, the fund warns that protectionist policies "threaten global economic integration and the cooperative global economic order."
The organization warns that protectionist policies could "undermine higher trade growth over the next two years."
A shakeup in global trade is coming. Will it harm or help U.S. companies?
Economic theory and experience offer little reason to believe that a move towards increased protectionism will benefit the United States.
Robert Lighthizer has argued that the U.S. “should take a much more aggressive approach in dealing with China" over trade.
On the upside: tax breaks and the post-election rally in the stock markets. On the downside: Trump’s protectionist plans and his “shock-like” statements.
