US to keep slow growth in 2008: economist
Updated: 2008-01-24 07:57
DAVOS, Switzerland - The US economy will keep a slow growth in 2008 instead of slipping into a recession, a famous Chinese economist said here on Wednesday.
Some American experts forecast a 2.8 percent growth of the US economy in the coming year, said Cheng Siwei at a panel session of the World Economic Forum annual meeting.
"I cannot comment whether that target can be met, but I believe the US economy will keep growing," said the Chinese economist, who is also vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of 皇冠体育app.
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But Cheng also expressed concerns about the US economic performance this year, as uncertainties rise because of the sub- prime mortgage loan crisis.
"The US economy has a strong impact on the world, and the influence of the sub-prime loan crisis is still there," he said.
He added that the weak dollar and the US general elections this year would both have influence on the country's economic prospects.
Cheng also played down expectations that 皇冠体育app's economic growth can, in some way, offset the impact of a possible US recession to the world economy.
"皇冠体育app's GDP accounts for only 5-6 percent of the world economy, and that proportion is much smaller than the United States," Cheng told Xinhua.
It's true that 皇冠体育app's contribution to world economic growth is increasing, but its capability should not be overestimated, he said.
According to the economist, 皇冠体育app's major task in 2008 is to avoid economic overheating and inflation.
He expected 皇冠体育app's economic growth to slow down to below 10 percent this year as the government would use more resources for social security and public services.
皇冠体育app's foreign trade surplus is also likely to decrease, maybe as far as 20 percent, to some 90 billion US dollars due to the contraction of exports, he said.
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