Geopolitical Strife Could Cost Global Economy $14.5 Trln Over 5 Years

09 October 2024, Palestinian Territories, Gaza City: A general view of buildings damaged by Israeli strikes. Photo: Mahmoud Issa/Quds Net News via ZUMA Press/dpa
09 October 2024, Palestinian Territories, Gaza City: A general view of buildings damaged by Israeli strikes. Photo: Mahmoud Issa/Quds Net News via ZUMA Press/dpa
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Geopolitical Strife Could Cost Global Economy $14.5 Trln Over 5 Years

09 October 2024, Palestinian Territories, Gaza City: A general view of buildings damaged by Israeli strikes. Photo: Mahmoud Issa/Quds Net News via ZUMA Press/dpa
09 October 2024, Palestinian Territories, Gaza City: A general view of buildings damaged by Israeli strikes. Photo: Mahmoud Issa/Quds Net News via ZUMA Press/dpa

The global economy could face losses of $14.5 trillion over a five-year period from a hypothetical geopolitical conflict which hits supply chains, insurance market Lloyd's of London said on Wednesday.

The economic impact would result from severe damage to infrastructure in the conflict region and the potential for compromised shipping lanes, Lloyd's said in a statement.

Wars in Ukraine and Gaza have already disturbed shipping routes in the Black Sea and Red Sea.

"With more than 80% of the world's imports and exports – around 11 billion tons of goods – at sea at any given time, the closure of major trade routes due to a geopolitical conflict is one of the greatest threats to the resources needed for a resilient economy," Lloyd's said.

The possibility of such a geopolitical conflict was a systemic - or low likelihood but high impact - risk, Lloyd's said.

Lloyd's said it has also researched other potential systemic risks in partnership with the Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies, including cyber attacks and extreme weather events.



Trump Says he 'Couldn't Care Less' if Car Makers Hike Prices Due to Tariffs

President Donald Trump waves to supporters from his limousine as he arrives at Trump International Golf Club, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
President Donald Trump waves to supporters from his limousine as he arrives at Trump International Golf Club, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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Trump Says he 'Couldn't Care Less' if Car Makers Hike Prices Due to Tariffs

President Donald Trump waves to supporters from his limousine as he arrives at Trump International Golf Club, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
President Donald Trump waves to supporters from his limousine as he arrives at Trump International Golf Club, Saturday, March 29, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he did not warn car industry executives against raising prices as tariffs on foreign-made autos come into force, telling NBC News he "couldn't care less" if they do.

The White House has been preparing to impose new tariffs on a range of consumer goods on April 2, a move that has drawn criticism from international leaders and concerns about potential price increases for consumers.

In the NBC News interview, Trump said his permanent tariffs on foreign-made automobiles would be a boost to US-domiciled factories and was confident the move would lead to increased sales of American-made cars. "I hope they raise their prices, because if they do, people are gonna buy American-made cars," Reuters quoted Trump as saying.

Trump maintained that he would only consider negotiating on the tariffs "if people are willing to give us something of great value."

The tariffs are part of Trump's efforts to promote American manufacturing and reduce the country's trade deficit.

Trump's trade policies have been a key focus of his presidency, with ongoing tensions with major trading partners.