Macklem Sept 4
  • Trade disruptions also increase variability of inflation
  • We have to focus on risk management, balancing upside risks to inflation with downside risks to economic growth
  • Cost of global goods many not fall as fast as globalization, and that could put more upward pressure on inflation
  • Global trade has slowed and that is a big concern for Canada
  • The growth we are seeing in trade is shifting from goods to services, pandemic may have provided a more durable boost to trade in services
  • Seemingly vast potential of digitalization suggests future growth in trade will tilt to services

The last comment on digitlization is a notable one for the long-term macro view of the world. Digital services are a seeming winner-take-all and the winners will likely be AI agents. Managing that will be a huge challenge for economies.