The Risk of Cold War II: IMF Official Warns of Growing Fragmentation

A Turning Point: Cold War II?

The International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s first deputy managing director, Gita Gopinath, delivered a speech at the 20th World Congress of the International Economic Association in Colombia where she discussed the possibility of a new Cold War. Drawing parallels between the past and present, Gopinath highlighted the growing tension between the United States and China as a potential catalyst for a new era of geopolitical rivalry.

Increased Economic Interdependence

One key difference between the Cold War and the current geopolitical landscape is the level of economic interdependence among nations. Gopinath pointed out that today's economies are heavily integrated into the global marketplace, with complex global value chains driving global trade. Compared to the Cold War era, where global trade to GDP was only 24 percent, it now stands at 60 percent. This increased interdependence could amplify the costs of fragmentation and geopolitical rivalry.

Uncertainty in Alliances

Gopinath further emphasized the uncertainty surrounding alliances in the present-day geopolitical landscape. Unlike the clear divide between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, countries now face within-country swings in political leadership ideology. This shifting landscape makes it difficult to predict which bloc countries may align with, adding to the overall uncertainty and potentially raising costs even further.

The Economic Costs of Cold War II

While Gopinath acknowledged that there are currently no widespread signs of retreat from globalization, she cautioned that fault lines are emerging, leading to geoeconomic fragmentation. If this fragmentation deepens, the world could find itself in a new Cold War. The economic consequences of such a scenario could be significant, as the world has become more interconnected than ever before. Gopinath stressed that a fragmented world would hinder efforts to tackle common challenges and result in losses for emerging and developing countries.

Advocating for a Multilateral Trading System

In light of the potential risks, Gopinath highlighted the importance of advocating for a multilateral rules-based trading system and the institutions that support it. Policymakers must recognize the gains from open trade and work towards preserving them. By doing so, they can mitigate the economic costs associated with a new Cold War and ensure that the world can effectively address global challenges.

Avoiding Cold War II

The IMF official's warning serves as a reminder of the dangers of growing geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation. It is crucial for nations to prioritize multilateral cooperation and maintain open trade to safeguard against the potential economic and geopolitical consequences of a new Cold War. By doing so, the world can navigate through this critical turning point and foster a more stable and prosperous global landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should You Purchase Gold?

Gold was considered a safety net for investors during times of economic turmoil in the past. Many people are shifting away from traditional investments like bonds or stocks to instead look toward precious metals such gold.

Although gold prices have shown an upward trend in recent years, they are still relatively low when compared to other commodities like oil and silver.

Some experts think that this could change in the near future. According to them, gold prices could soar if there is another financial crisis.

They also point out that gold is becoming popular because of its perceived value and potential return.

If you are considering investing in gold, here are some things that you need to keep in mind.

  • Before you start saving money for retirement, think about whether you really need it. You can save money for retirement even if you don't invest in gold. The added protection that gold provides when you retire is a good option.
  • You should also be aware of what you are getting into before you buy gold. There are many types of gold IRA accounts. Each type offers varying levels and levels of security.
  • Last but not least, gold doesn't provide the same level security as a savings account. Losing your gold coins could result in you never being able to retrieve them.

Don't buy gold unless you have done your research. If you already have gold, make sure you protect it.

Who has the gold in a IRA gold?

The IRS considers an individual who owns gold as holding “a form of money” subject to taxation.

You must have gold at least $10,000 and it must be stored for at the least five years in order to take advantage of this tax-free status.

While gold may be a great investment to help prevent inflation and volatility in the market, it's not wise to keep it if you won't use it.

If you plan to sell the gold one day, you will need to report its worth. This will affect how much capital gains tax you owe on cash you have invested.

Consult a financial advisor or accountant to determine your options.

How is gold taxed by Roth IRA?

The tax on an investment account is based on its current value, not what you originally paid. So if you invest $1,000 in a mutual fund or stock and then sell it later, any gains are subject to taxes.

If you place the money in a traditional IRA, 401(k), or other retirement plan, there is no tax when you take it out. Capital gains and dividends earn you no tax. This applies only to investments made for longer than one-year.

Each state has its own rules regarding these accounts. In Maryland, for example, withdrawals must be made within 60 days of reaching the age of 59 1/2 in order to qualify. You can delay until April 1st in Massachusetts. New York allows you to wait until age 70 1/2. To avoid penalty fees, it is important to plan and take distributions in time to pay all your retirement savings.

Statistics

  • (Basically, if your GDP grows by 2%, you need miners to dig 2% more gold out of the ground every year to keep prices steady.) (smartasset.com)
  • Gold is considered a collectible, and profits from a sale are taxed at a maximum rate of 28 percent. (aarp.org)
  • If you take distributions before hitting 59.5, you'll owe a 10% penalty on the amount withdrawn. (lendedu.com)
  • Instead, the economy improved, stocks rebounded, and gold plunged, losing 28 percent of its value in 2013. (aarp.org)
  • This is a 15% margin that has shown no stable direction of growth but fluctuates seemingly at random. (smartasset.com)

External Links

cftc.gov

finance.yahoo.com

forbes.com

law.cornell.edu

How To

The best way to buy gold (or silver) online

First, understand the basics of gold. Gold is a precious metal similar to platinum. It is rare and used as money due to its durability and resistance against corrosion. It is very difficult to use and most people prefer to purchase jewelry made of it over actual bars of Gold.

There are two types of gold coins available today – one type is legal tender, while the other is called bullion. Legal tender coins are designed for circulation in a country. They often have denominations like $1 or $5 or $10.

Bullion coins are minted for investment purposes only, and their values increase over time due to inflation.

They aren’t exchangeable in any currency exchange. For example, if a person buys $100 worth of gold, he/she gets 100 grams of gold with a value of $100. Each dollar spent earns the buyer 1 gram gold.

When you are looking to purchase gold, the next thing to know is where to get it. There are many options for buying gold directly from dealers. First, you can visit your local coin store. You can also try going through a reputable website like eBay. You may also be interested in buying gold through private sellers online.

Individuals who sell gold at wholesale and retail prices are called private sellers. Private sellers typically charge 10% to 15% commission on each transaction. That means you would get back less money from a private seller than from a coin shop or eBay. This is a great option for gold investing because you have more control over the item’s price.

You can also invest in gold physical. Although physical gold is easier to store than paper certificates you will still need to ensure it is safe. Physical gold should be stored in an impenetrable container, such a vault and safety deposit box to ensure its safety.

To purchase gold by yourself, you can visit a bank and a pawnshop. A bank will provide you with a loan that allows you to purchase the amount of gold you desire. Pawnshops are small establishments allowing customers to borrow money against items they bring. Banks usually charge higher interest rates that pawn shops.

Finally, another way to buy gold is to simply ask someone else to do it! Selling gold is also easy. Set up a simple account with GoldMoney.com and you will start receiving payments instantly.

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By: Kevin Helms
Title: The Risk of Cold War II: IMF Official Warns of Growing Fragmentation
Sourced From: news.bitcoin.com/us-china-rivalry-risks-cold-war-ii-warns-imf-official/
Published Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2023 03:30:24 +0000

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