With Charles Hugh Smith & Gordon T Long

26 Minutes, 36 Slides

The US and China may have both passed their Golden Era's where the low hanging fruit of prosperity has been picked. Though very different situations with different challenges, both global industrial powerhouses exhibit some surprising similarities. Also, both face challenges and hurdles that may not be surmountable without great social readjustment.

USA - A Former Export Led and Now Consumption Driven Economy

The 1950s/60s in the US should not be considered as "normal" -- but rather as a one-off, extraordinary anomaly. The era was extremely unique. Unfortunately, many unsustainable assumptions became inculcated into the fabric of American culture based on false expectations. This has subsequently led to massive distortions as a result of futile fiscal and monetary attempts to sustain a society consuming more than it produces.

The distortions are now in plain view as the Wall Street financial engine and its financialization has completely disconnected 'Wall Street' from the realities of 'Main-Street America'.

CHINA - An Export Led but Investment Driven Economy

China's problems may be different but their unprecedented growth of credit is not.

When China's economic (in purchasing power parity (PPP) or nominal dollars) GDP was $500 billion, an expansion of $50 billion equated to 10% a year. Now that China's PPP gross domestic product is around $13 trillion, a 10% growth rate would require an expansion of $1.3 trillion--roughly the entire GDP of Spain or Canada.

Obviously, fast growth is easy when low-hanging fruit was abundant, but becomes progressively more difficult to maintain as the economy expands. This is especially true when you realize that China's GDP has been investment driven. The investment growth now required is no longer mathematically possible as is the rate of moving to a more consumption led growth. The Chinese people are savers, not the consumers that Americans are.

Chinese savers and investors have historically, instead of consuming, invested heavily in housing. Unfortunately, Chinese housing is showing major signs of cracking. Both Charles and Gordon see the Shadow Banking system as the commonality which is being used to sustain the imbalances and distortions - at least temporarily.

It is clear the Chinese and American economies are facing new era's where the low hanging fruit is gone and the 'heavy political lifting' lies ahead.

For more detail signup for your FREE copy of the GordonTLong.com

THESIS PAPER: FINANCIAL REPRESSION

Signup for notification of the next MACRO INSIGHTS

Request your FREE TWO MONTH TRIAL subscription of the

Global Macro Tipping Points (GMTP) Report at GordonTLong.com

No Obligations. No Credit Card.