ADB sees 6% Asia growth

Bank warns of risks from potential China-US trade war

HONG KONG, April 11, (AFP): The Asian Development Bank lifted its outlook for growth in developing Asia this year thanks to a pick-up in the global export demand but it warned of risks from a potential China-US trade war.

Its flagship Asian Development Outlook on Wednesday also flagged the impact of technological advancements on jobs in the region, which it said could worsen already deep inequality.

The ADB predicted growth of six percent this year, compared with its previous forecast of 5.7 percent, and 5.9 percent in 2019.

The forecast comes against a backdrop of rising trade tensions between China and the United States, the world’s biggest economies and key drivers of global growth.

Since President Donald Trump at the start of March imposed tariffs on steel and aluminium imports as part of his protectionist “America First” agenda, China and the United States have swapped tit-for-tat tariff threats on goods worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

ADB chief economist Yasuyuki Sawada said in a statement: “Though prospects are firm, risks are clearly to the downside. Protectionist measures and retaliation against them could undermine the recent pickup in trade growth.”

The report said measures implemented by the US so far have not “discernibly dented” trade to and from developing Asian countries, but it added further actions and retaliation could hurt optimism.

It added a “less headline-grabbing” risk lies in diminished capital flows to the region if the US decides to raise interest rates faster than expected.

It predicted Chinese growth would slow this year to 6.6 percent and 6.4 percent in 2019 as it “leans further toward financial stability and a more sustainable growth trajectory”.

The giant economy expanded 6.9 percent last year despite battles against a massive debt and pollution, while leaders look to transition its growth driver to domestic consumption instead of the exports and state investment.

Most Southeast Asian economies are projected to sustain or exceed the 5.2 percent expansion seen last year, with stronger domestic demand but moderating export growth.