The IMF has warned rapid wage increases in eastern Europe risk eroding the region’s competitive edge, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country will maintain indefinite control over Gaza, and Australia’s prime minister went to China this week in a dramatic turnround in relations between the two countries. Plus, economists are worried falling pork prices in China might tip the country back into deflation.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Soaring wage growth risks blunting eastern Europe’s edge, IMF warns
Israel plans ‘indefinite’ controls over Gaza, says Benjamin Netanyahu
Australia seeks reset with Xi Jinping while balancing ties with US
The quick and easy guide for countries resisting Chinese trade coercion
Falling pork prices threaten to push China back into deflation
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Joanna Kao, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.