BoE warns of global economic risks amid US tariff hikes

LONDON - The Bank of England (BoE) warned Wednesday that the global economy faces rising downside risks, citing escalating US tariffs.

In its latest Financial Stability Report, Britain's central bank highlighted that tariff hikes, particularly by the US, are dampening global demand and weighing on business investment decisions.

Disruptions to global supply chains and geopolitical tensions are also exacerbating uncertainty around inflation, it added.

"Financial markets experienced a period of significant turbulence in April following announcements by the US on trade policy," said BoE Deputy Governor for Financial Stability Sarah Breeden, adding that risks and uncertainties associated with geopolitical tensions, reduced co-operation on trade and international policy, and government finances globally are still elevated.

Amid the tariff threat, the report noted the vulnerabilities of global household and corporate debt vulnerabilities. "Globally, household and corporate balance sheets remain healthy in aggregate but face headwinds in the context of an uncertain economic outlook," it said.

Over the past six months, one of the big economic problems and chaos has been Washington's trade policy, said Steve Nolan, a senior lecturer in economics at Liverpool John Moores University.

He added that the uncertainty of the trade policy "has had massive effects" on the markets and the bonds.

Nolan's remarks echoed with the report, which warns that trade policy changes create particular difficulties for corporate sectors in impacted regions, resulting in reduced profits and increased manufacturing expenses.

In the euro area, the report cautioned that the steel and automotive industries in the area are "particularly export-oriented and therefore tariff-sensitive," and the automotive industry receives a large share of bank lending.

According to the European Central Bank's Financial Stability Review in May, trade frictions could significantly affect the resilience of euro area firms in key export-oriented industries. Intensifying trade frictions could worsen the outlook of firms, especially in the manufacturing sector.

In terms of global public sector debt vulnerabilities, the report also highlighted that public debt-to-GDP ratios are rising globally.

In Britain, sectors such as manufacturing, which are heavily reliant on US demand, are especially exposed, with analysts warning that falling global consumption and rising production costs could affect British companies' profitability.

Noting that a new trade agreement between Britain and the United States in May has brought some relief, the report cautioned that a further escalation in trade disputes globally could amplify financial stress and drag on economic growth.