US-China Trade War Seen as 2020’s Biggest Economic Threat

Logistics industry survey finds executives worried despite new trade deal

DAVOS, Switzerland – Jan. 22, 2020 – Just days after the United States and China signed a deal that de-escalates months of back-and-forth trade retaliation, a survey of logistics executives shows that the supply chain industry continues to see a U.S.-China trade war as the top threat to global growth.

In a poll conducted this month by Agility and Transport Intelligence, logistics professionals were surveyed for their thoughts on the global economy and the leading threats to growth in 2020*. The results are part of the annual Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index, a look at industry sentiment and a ranking of the world’s 50 leading emerging markets.

Twenty-eight percent of respondents see a US-China trade war as the biggest threat to global growth in 2020. US-Iranian tensions were next (19%), followed by a slowdown in the Chinese economy (17%).

What is the biggest threat to global economic growth in 2020?

Three of the leading threats involve China, which highlights its growing importance to the global economy and its ability to affect the fortunes of other countries.

The findings come just a week after Washington and Beijing signed a “phase one” trade deal in which they agreed to halt imposition of new tariffs and restore the flow of many goods and commodities that had been cut off by months of friction.

Only 8% of those surveyed see Brexit as the largest threat in 2020.

*The survey of 330 logistics and supply chain professionals was conducted by global research group Transport Intelligence as part of the 2020 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index, which will be released Feb. 10, 2020.