Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that the world’s total public debt will exceed $100 trillion for the first time in 2024, driven by increased government spending and slower economic growth. This alarming trend highlights the need for urgent fiscal policy changes as debt levels soar.
Key Findings from the IMF Fiscal Monitor
According to the IMF's latest Fiscal Monitor report, global public debt is expected to reach 93% of global GDP by the end of 2024, approaching 100% by 2030—a significant increase from 89% in 2019. The report warns that current debt projections may underestimate future outcomes due to political pressures favoring higher spending, particularly in the U.S., the world's largest economy.
Political Landscape and Campaign Promises
As the U.S. presidential election approaches, candidates from both parties are proposing new tax cuts and spending initiatives. Republican candidate Donald Trump's plans could add approximately $7.5 trillion to the national debt over ten years, while Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, may add about $3.5 trillion. These promises could exacerbate already rising debt levels.
The Need for Fiscal Consolidation
The IMF emphasizes the importance of fiscal consolidation during this period of solid growth and low unemployment. Current efforts, averaging 1% of GDP over the next six years, are inadequate to stabilize debt levels. The report suggests that a cumulative tightening of 3.8% is essential to achieve fiscal sustainability.
Conclusion
With projections indicating a potential rise to 115% of global GDP in a severely adverse scenario, countries like the U.S., China, and several others face significant fiscal challenges. To mitigate these risks, the IMF urges countries to implement credible fiscal plans to enhance resilience against future economic shocks.
