Charts of the Week: Policy Conflict

Global equity markets There has been a sharp divergence between the performance of US equity markets in recent weeks compared with broader global equity markets (excluding the US). A US-led surge, visible in the S&P 500 index, reflects investor confidence in a more market-friendly domestic policy shift under a new Trump administration, including anticipated tax cuts and deregulation. In contrast, the Dow Jones global ex-US index has declined sharply, as the prospect of renewed trade tensions and unilateral US energy policies have raised concerns about the outlook for the rest of the world (see chart 1).

US financial conditions A strong performance from the equity market over the past several months has, more generally, served to loosen financial conditions in the US economy. This can be seen in chart 2 below showing the Fed’s calculations for the impulse to US growth from aggregate financial conditions together with the contributions from the underlying components. That decomposition specifically shows that since the beginning of this year, there were some modest headwinds to future growth stemming from changes in short- and long-term interest rates as well as from an appreciating US dollar. But higher house prices and firmer equity prices have been more significant tailwinds to GDP growth, offsetting the tightening from elsewhere.

Asia’s trade exposure to the US How important is the US economy as an export destination for economies in the Asian time zone? Chart 3 below provides some context. The data suggest that Vietnam leads the pack, with nearly 30% of its exports destined for the US, and reflecting its role as a manufacturing hub for goods such as electronics, textiles, and furniture. Taiwan, Japan and South Korea follow closely, driven by their strong integration into US-supply chains, and especially in semiconductors and high-tech components. In contrast, Australia and Indonesia chalk up some of the lowest shares, due to their relatively heavy reliance on commodity exports to China.

Japan’s economy Japan’s economic dependence on global growth fluctuations is underscored by the significant role net exports have played in driving the economy. As chart 4 below indicates, domestic demand—and particularly consumption and fixed investment—has been sluggish in recent years, leaving net trade to shoulder the burden in sustaining economic growth. That said, private consumption showed signs of improvement in the Q2 and Q3 of 2024, while net trade weighed on the overall pace of growth during the same period. However, this rebound in consumption may prove fleeting, as real wage growth has recently lost momentum. And as previously discussed, export growth and capital investment could face additional headwinds in an increasingly uncertain and protectionist global environment, posing further challenges to Japan’s fragile recovery..

Global electricity prices Energy policy has been a key focal point over the past few days owing to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan. And likely shifts in US policies toward climate change and the energy transition may generate some political and economic instability in the months ahead. To elaborate on this, chart 5 below shows current levels of electricity prices measured in US dollars per KW/h. The UK, Japan, and Germany top the list with prices exceeding $90/MWh, reflecting a combination of factors, including a high reliance on imported energy. Canada and the US, in the meantime, enjoy the lowest prices, below $40/MWh, due to the former’s abundant hydroelectric resources, and the latter’s low reliance on global energy markets. Against that backdrop, it is no coincidence that Canada and the US have seen a relatively robust growth rate over the past few months. Germany, the UK and Japan, in the meantime, have experienced a relatively weak pace of growth. To be sure there are other reasons for this growth disparity. But energy prices have been important.

Germany’s energy mix Germany's economic challenges, particularly the role of its energy sector, warrant closer scrutiny. Chart 6 below highlights the evolution of Germany's per capita electricity generation mix, showcasing a significant shift over the past two decades away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy. However, total per capita electricity generation has declined in recent years, underscoring the difficulties from replacing conventional energy sources with renewables. Critics argue that the rapid rollout of renewable energy, without adequate investment in grid and storage infrastructure, has created inefficiencies and escalated costs. These energy challenges have likely compounded broader economic instability and potentially raise questions about the sustainability and strategic execution of Germany's energy transition.