ECONOMICS
China's EU focus exposes rest of Asia
- Published: 1 Jun 2012 at 00.00
- Newspaper section: News
Asian authorities were understandably smug after the financial crisis of 2008-2009. Growth in the region slowed sharply, as might be expected of export-led economies confronted with the sharpest collapse in global trade since the 1930s. But, with the notable exception of Japan, which suffered its deepest recession of the modern era, Asia came through an extraordinarily tough period in excellent shape.
As China has refocused its export machinemoretoward Europe, other Asian countries that have been feeding China’s factories are feeling the pinch as Europe wrestles with recession, and bank and sovereign debt crises.
That was then. For the second time in less than four years, Asia is being hit with a major external demand shock. This time it is from Europe, where a raging sovereign-debt crisis threatens to turn a mild recession into something far worse: a possible Greek exit from the euro, which could trigger contagion across the eurozone. This is a big deal for Asia.
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