Yi Wen is an economist and assistant vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. His research interests include macroeconomics and the Chinese economy. He joined the St. Louis Fed in 2005. Read more about the author and his research.
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored many societal issues, including the capacity of different world governments to contain the virus’ spread.
For much of U.S. history, gold reserves and trade flows were closely linked. That changed with the end of the gold standard.
The U.S. goods trade balance appears closely linked to the stages of America’s industrialization.
The proposed trade agreement USMCA and trade disputes with China may have an impact on the U.S. auto sector.
The rise of the U.S. dollar as an international reserve currency and a shift in comparative advantage in manufacturing are key economic changes driving the large U.S. trade deficit.
Regional income inequality in China isn’t as severe when housing costs are also taken into account. However, the disparity is greater than in the U.S.
Adjusting income to account for local cost of living provides a better picture of living standards within the St. Louis Fed’s Eighth District.
Why would somebody buy a government bond with a negative yield? See what's behind the negative interest rates offered in Europe and Japan.
Since the financial crisis, many have speculated that as a financial sector becomes more developed, volatility can become excessive.
China’s industrial revolution over the past 35 years is probably one of the most important economic and geopolitical phenomena since the original Industrial Revolution in the 18th century. The rapid growth has puzzled many, in part because China tried and failed at this transformation before. What was the “secret” this time?
Since 2009, percentage growth in GDP has been the highest in Asia and Africa and the lowest in Europe, followed by North America. The mediocre performance on the latter two continents could have something to do with their advanced and open financial systems, which might have made it easier for the global financial crisis to spread through them.
Despite the theory of global economic convergence, few developing countries have actually been able to catch up to the income levels in the U.S. or other advanced economies. They remain trapped at a relatively low- or middle-income level.
A look at food prices in the two countries helps to explain the increasing correlation in their inflation patterns. One reason why their food prices are moving together is the increased trade between the countries.
In contrast with many people’s expectations, the Fed’s injection of $3.5 trillion into the economy caused no significant inflation or increases in the price level. There are many possible explanations in the mainstream; an alternative is a liquidity trap.
