World Trade Weak Again at Start of 2015

The weakness of the Chinese economy, the marked appreciation of the dollar and the sharp fall in activity in Russia dampened world trade growth at the beginning of the year. The EU economy is currently benefiting from the recovery in some euro area periphery countries, the expansion of domestic demand in Germany, and the pick-up in industrial production in Eastern Europe. The improvement in the terms of trade on account of the fall in crude oil prices stimulated Austrian imports. While this depressed net exports, domestic demand increased to the same extent. The decline in investment eased somewhat. Real GDP barely expanded, and the unemployment rate increased further.