The Editorial Team |

Biden’s China Policy Hinges on How Much Xi Is Willing to Give

NEW YORK (Bloomberg Businessweek) — As Joe Biden settles into the White House, there’s been endless debate about what his China policy should, could, and will be. Yet it takes two superpowers to tango, so Xi Jinping’s approach to Biden will be every bit as critical as Biden’s to Xi—perhaps even more so. Any significant improvement in U.S.-China relations is impossible unless Xi is willing to dance. Is he? We don’t know with any certainty….

Yellen Takes Charge at Treasury With Economic Rebound Weakening

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NEW YORK (Capital Markets in Africa) — Janet Yellen won confirmation to become U.S. Treasury secretary, building out President Joe Biden’s team as the administration struggles to win bipartisan support for a $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief plan for shoring up a weakening economic recovery. The first woman to serve in the post, Yellen will take charge of a department with responsibilities spanning tax policy and government spending to financial stability, economic sanctions, and foreign-exchange policy….

Senate to Begin Trump Trial Then Pause for Biden Confirmations

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NEW YORK(Capital Markets in Africa) — Senators will be sworn in as jurors in Donald Trump’s impeachment trial Tuesday and issue a summons to the former president. But they will then mostly set it aside for two weeks as they plow through confirmation votes on President Joe Biden’s cabinet and work on another pandemic relief plan. The unprecedented trial ceremonially kicked off Monday night as a delegation of House Democrats who will act as prosecutors…

Crypto Markets Show More Signs of Excess Amid Bitcoin Rebound

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LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) — In financial markets filled to the brim with froth, one of the more speculative corners is showing signs of bubbling yet again. Bitcoin rebounded from its sharp sell-off last week which saw prices plunge more than 12%, the steepest weekly drop since last March. The digital asset bounced back from below $30,000 Friday to trade around $34,400 as of 10:22 a.m. Monday in New York. “It’s a little bit…

NIGERIA PREVIEW: Renewed Growth Risks Top Inflation Concerns

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LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) — The Central Bank of Nigeria is likely to keep rates on hold on today as it bids to support the recovery amid the second wave of Covid-19 infections. Inflation is surging, but policymakers view the above-target rate as unavoidable, with supply bottlenecks being amplified by the pandemic. The rate decision is expected at 1 p.m. London time. Activity in Nigeria has shown signs of improvement since the gradual opening…

GLOBAL INSIGHT: Covid Debt of Emerging Nations — Who’s at Risk?

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JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) — In 2020, emerging market debt rocketed higher. Has necessary pandemic stimulus planted the seeds of future fiscal crisis? Bloomberg Economics’ analysis shows South Africa is vulnerable but Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Russia are less exposed. Persistently low-interest rates partially offset the impact of higher borrowing. An increase in interest rates would raise the pressure, but from current low levels, the impact is likely manageable. Most of the debt…

Kenya Sees Strong 2021 GDP Growth After Dodging Contraction

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NAIROBI (Capital Markets in Africa) — Kenya’s economy is expected to expand this year as activity resumes following Covid-19 lockdowns, boosting tax revenue and government spending. East Africa’s largest economy will probably expand 6.4% this year and growth will slow to 5.5% in 2022, with scheduled elections likely to dampen activity, Treasury said in a report on its website. The Treasury estimates that gross domestic product increased 0.6% in 2020, which would make it one…

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