Economics

One of World Trade's Top Prognosticators Is Worried About 2019

  • WTO chief economist says leading indicators point to slowdown
  • Concerns mounting over impact on investment and consumers
Robert KoopmanPhotographer: VCG/Visual China Group
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One of the key engines of the world economy -- global trade -- looks increasingly precarious as leading indicators point to a meaningful slowdown next year, according to the World Trade Organization’s chief economist.

“When you look at those leading indicators, they continue to weaken. It’s almost like a death from a thousand cuts,” Robert Koopman said in an interview Thursday. “There’s not any one big change in those leading indicators but, boy, they are starting to add up.”