Carlos Casanova

The joint US-Japan yen intervention – the first coordinated currency action between the two countries in 15 years – signals how seriously policymakers now regard the yen’s weakness. While the immediate impact was substantial, the medium-to-long-term effectiveness hinges on the fundamentals, and above all on the wide US-Japan rate gap that keeps carry trades attractive and leaves the yen vulnerable unless the Bank of Japan (BoJ) tightens rates further or the US Federal Reserve makes rate cuts. What are the key hurdles the BoJ must overcome to support currency stability without undermining growth?

China’s fifteenth five-year plan (2026–2030), to be unveiled by the National People’s Congress in March, is expected to reshape how the People’s Bank of China manages the renminbi (RMB) exchange rate.

China is positioning itself to become a global leader in technological innovation.

Trade tensions with the United States, marked by 50% tariffs on Indian exports, have dampened sentiment. However, despite trade-related uncertainties, the growth outlook has been revised upwards, reflecting India’s strong long-term potential.

On 12 May, the United States (US) and China established a temporary ‘trade consultation mechanism’, reducing tariffs by 115% for 90 days. While this may ease tensions, high tariffs are still expected to exert upside pressure on US prices, and trade volatility could drag on economic growth in China.

The post-election fiscal tightening in 2024, coupled with persistent inflationary pressures, has cast a shadow over India’s economy.

As part of UBP’s 2025 Investment Outlook, senior economist Carlos Casanova examines China’s recent efforts to address its structural challenges. Despite the country’s initiatives, UBP remains cautious about the prospects of the world’s second-largest economy, as they are likely to fall short of expectations.

The statements in late 2024 from China’s central bank and the country’s Politburo sparked hopes of a ‘whatever it takes’ moment, only to see these dashed, as policy actions have fallen short of expectations.