Western countries are still grappling with decade-high interest rates and elevated inflation. But in China, prices fell on a year over year basis in July. And amid softer consumer demand and a wobbly real estate market, the Chinese central bank has taken the opposite measure to its Western counterparts: cutting key lending rates. 

Just how bad could things get in China? In this episode of the 10-Minute Take, RBC economists Carrie Freestone and Claire Fan break down what's happening and what it might mean for the rest of the world. We explore the slew of data coming out of the country, add some important context on demographic trends before bringing the conversation back to Canada.

When China sneezes, do we all catch a cold?

The U.S. unemployment rate has remained near historic lows amid massive uncertainty from trade wars. 
A long-term structural trend—surging retirements—is keeping the unemployment rate from rising drastically even during short-term cyclical deterioration in the labour market.

In this episode of the 10-Minute Take, RBC Economics’ Carrie Freestone and Claire Fan discuss:
• The mechanisms of how record retirements keep the unemployment rate low over the medium-term.
• Why the U.S. arguably needs more new workers than it needs new jobs.
• How these structural forces will play out with near-term cyclical forces (like a labour market deterioration).
• How immigration policy in Canada has blunted—but not fully eliminated—the cost of population aging.


Why is the U.S. unemployment rate low amid trade uncertainty?

Macroeconomics for everybody! The (new) 10-Minute Take podcast from RBC Economics will explain (in simple terms) what the latest economic data means and why you should care.  It's everything you wanted to know but were too shy to ask -- in less than 10 minutes.

Why is the U.S. unemployment rate low amid trade uncertainty?

The 10-Minute Take

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