THE GLOBAL LANDSCAPE has changed since our last update in October 2016. These changes have been mainly shaped by an anticipated shift in the United States (US) policy mix, higher growth and inflation and a stronger dollar.
In the US – while potential policy changes remain uncertain – fiscal policy is likely to become expansionary, while monetary policy is expected to tighten faster than previously expected because of stronger demand and inflation pressures.
As a result, growth is projected to rise to 2.3 per cent in 2017 and 2.5 per cent in 2018 – a cumulative increase in GDP of half percentage point relative to the October forecast. The expected change in the policy mix and growth has led to an increase in global long-term interest rates, a stronger dollar in real effective terms, and a moderation of capital flows to Latin America.
Improved outlook for other advanced economies and China for 2017-18
Reflecting somewhat stronger activity in the second half of 2016 as well as projected policy stimulus.
Some recovery in commodity prices.
Especially metal and oil prices, on the back of strong infrastructure and real estate investment in China, expectations of fiscal easing in the US, and agreement among major petroleum producers to cut supply.
The impact of these global currents on Latin America is mixed, and domestic factors continue to dominate for some countries.
A positive boost from higher anticipated demand in the US could be offset by higher global interest rates and uncertainty stemming from possible changes in US trade and immigration policy, particularly for Mexico and Central America. At the same time, higher commodity prices since early 2016 have benefited commodity exporters. Yet, commodity prices are still expected to remain low relative to their historical standards.
On balance, economic activity in the region is expected to expand by 1.2 per cent in 2017 and 2.1 per cent in 2018, following a contraction of 0.7 per cent in 2016.
The projected recovery is weaker than in our October forecast, given persistent weakness in some of the largest economies even as others continue to see moderate growth.
To spur activity, countries in the region are easing monetary policy, where appropriate, using available space to calibrate fiscal adjustment, and, more importantly, pursuing much-needed supply-side reforms.
South America: domestic policies and commodity prices at play
In Brazil, GDP continued to contract in the third quarter of 2016, and end-year activity indicators point to a delay in the recovery as private spending remains weak. Real GDP growth in 2017 is expected to turn positive and reach 0.2 per cent. However, elevated unemployment and high private sector debt will continue to be a drag on demand.
To spur growth, the government has announced measures to help highly indebted companies and reforms to reduce red tape and the cost of doing business.
To bolster confidence in public finances, a constitutional amendment to cap central government noninterest spending in real terms was approved, and the government has submitted to Congress a draft pension reform.
In Argentina, the pace of contraction of economic activity slowed in the second half of 2016, but real GDP is projected to rebound this year, as higher real wages boost consumption, stronger external demand supports exports, and public investment accelerates.
Still, because of the weaker than forecasted output growth in the last two quarters of 2016, GDP growth projections for 2016 and 2017 were revised down to -2.4 and 2.2 per cent, respectively.
Mexico’s economy continues to grow moderately but is entering a difficult terrain. The outlook is clouded by uncertainty about US trade policy which, along with tighter financial conditions, will be a drag on activity. To maintain market confidence and put public debt firmly on a downward path, it is important to persevere with fiscal consolidation.
Although inflation has been rising following the sharp peso depreciation and increases in energy prices, the tightening of monetary policy should help keep inflation expectations under control.
Going forward, further tightening will only be needed to prevent any second-round effects, as the rise in inflation that is due to changes in relative prices of tradable goods will be temporary.
Economic activity in Central America and the Dominican Republic has been supported by faster US growth, though higher global interest rates and an appreciation of the dollar pose downside risks, particularly for countries where exchange rates do not depreciate with respect to the US dollar.
Inflation is low, at 2.25 per cent, and external positions are robust given still low commodity prices and strong remittances inflow in some countries.
Prospects for the Caribbean region are improving, with moderate growth projected for 2017. Growth in tourism-dependent economies will be supported by the expected higher growth in the US, while commodity exporters will benefit from somewhat higher (though still low) commodity prices, notably of oil. The region continues to face several risks, including the withdrawal of correspondent banking relationships and a high degree of policy uncertainty in the US.
Countries should enhance resilience and long-term growth
Amid increasingly volatile external conditions, exchange rate flexibility has served the region well and should remain the first line of defence against shocks. Well-established monetary policy frameworks in the region are suited to limit the exchange rate pass-through to consumer prices.
Strong risk management practices and policies facilitating corporate balance sheet repair are also critical to reduce vulnerabilities arising from a tightening of global financial conditions and sharp currency movements.
Countries should continue to use available space to calibrate fiscal adjustment, as commodity prices are expected to remain low relative to their historical levels, notwithstanding the recent uptick.
The needed pace of adjustment will depend on debt levels and market pressures. Beyond macroeconomic policy adjustment, structural reforms – such as decreasing informality and red tape, boosting infrastructure quality, and improving education and rule of law – are essential to support medium-term growth.
Alejandro Werner is director of the International Monetary Fund’s Western Hemisphere Department. He recently gave this update on the region’s economic outlook.
