1. Is the world economy headed for a soft or hard landing?
It’s barely landing. The US has sneezed, and the world says “Gesundheit”. The US slowdown is having less impact because it is not the only locomotive anymore. Growth this year will be about the same as last year, continuing the recent record string.

1. Is the world economy headed for a soft or hard landing?
A soft landing is already under way. There are two inter-related reasons for being reasonably optimistic. First, today’s financial markets are a lot more sophisticated and resilient than they used to be. If a shock occurs, it is likely to be digested without dramatic systemic implications.

1. Is the world economy headed for a soft or hard landing?
The world economy is in a long landing, rather than hard or soft. The Eurasian saving glut has forced over-borrowing to compensate, and the resultant weakening of balance sheets is an increasing force, whereas the Eurasian surplus flow of liquidity is diminishing.

1. Is the world economy headed for a soft or hard landing?
Probably a soft landing, but one cannot be sure.

1. Is the world economy headed for a soft or hard landing?
That depends on whether we can reduce the current account imbalances, especially in Asia. Emerging markets with export-led growth and resource exporting countries have amassed enormous foreign exchange reserves.

1. Is the world economy headed for a soft or hard landing?
There is a serious risk of a hard landing. The good news is that the engines of growth for the world economy have become more diversified (even if interlinked). Weaknesses in the US economy may be offset with continuing strengths in Europe, China and India.

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