U.S. Is World’s Most Competitive Economy for First Time in a Decade

WSJ ^ | 16 Oct 2018 | Joanna Sugden

[mandaladon]

The U.S. is back on top as the most competitive country in the world, regaining the No. 1 spot for the first time since 2008 in an index produced by the World Economic Forum, which said the country could still do better on social issues.

America climbed one place in the rankings of 140 countries, with the top five rounded out by Singapore, Germany, Switzerland and Japan. All five countries’ scores rose from 2017, with the U.S. notching the second-biggest gain after Japan’s.

The top spot hasn’t gone to the U.S. since the financial crisis stalled output and triggered a global economic slowdown.

“Economic recovery is well underway, with the global economy projected to grow almost 4% in 2018 and 2019,” said the report, published Tuesday by the organization that produces the Davos conference on global politics and economics.

However, “recovery remains vulnerable to a range of risks and potential shocks,” the authors warned. They cite a brewing trade war between the U.S. and China as a possible hindrance to growth that could potentially derail the recovery and deter investment. The U.S. has levied tariffs on a total of $250 billion of Chinese goods and China has retaliated with tariffs on $110 billion of U.S. exports as the two nations spar over trade imbalances and other issues.

[mandaladon]

The report scores countries on how closely they match up to the competitive ideal. The U.S. scored 85.6 out of a possible 100. America’s vibrant entrepreneurial culture and its dominance in producing a competitive labor market and nimble financial system “are among the several factors that contribute to making the U.S.’ innovation ecosystem one of the best in the world,” the report said.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So who gets the credit?

[wireman]

Obviously, according to the press it will be Obama.

Haha!!!

[matt04]

This has nothing to do with Trump! This is a direct result of Obama’s economy and what great shape he left it in when Russia stole the election for Trump! #notmypresident #iloveobma #obamaeconomey #drumph

/s

[bray]

Taking the Commie restrictions off the economy.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks mandaladon.

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• Trump's North American Trade Triumph
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[rdl6989]

Eight long years of that decade were the Obama years lol.

[wgmalabama]

Americans. We are second to none. Unless you go hang out a Walmart of the first few days of the month at 11pm. Then we look like idiots.

[mkmensinger]

“regaining the No. 1 spot for the first time since 2008...”
Let’s see...what happened in 2008 to screw up the US economy? I just can’t imagine what that might be. /s

[Sicon]

the World Economic Forum, which said the country could still do better on social issues.

Yeah, because “social issues” have so much to do with economic competition...

[EdnaMode]

Yup.

[SaveFerris]

I’ll start listening to the admonitions of the World Economic Forum right about the time I start listening to:

The United Nations
The World Council of Churches
Nancy Pelosi
Maxine Waters
Elizabeth 1/64th Warren
Barack Hussein Obama
Hillary Clinton

(we could be here all day - wait, we already are)

[Eleutheria5]

It’s all Trump’s fault. He’s making other countries feel inferior, so as to promote racism and jingoism throughout the world./s

[Fiddlstix]

We should now name it the 0BushMa decade.....
Doncha think.....

[Uncle Miltie]

FB is censoring this article.

Can anyone else successfully post this for friends to see?

In the first few minutes after my post, it appeared on my general feed. After about 5 minutes, the link was no longer shown. FB appears to be censoring this article. Try it yourself!

[Born to Conserve]

“Gee, a decade would include Obama and W...”

Care to try that again?

[vette6387]

According to Obama: “he managed to loosen the lid on the economy over a period of 8 years so Trump could simply unscrew it!” All he had to do for the economy to flourish was to leave. So my question is, why didn’t he leave 8 years earlier? (s)

[Eagles Field]

This madness must stop! The big orange meanie needs to taste impeachment. I mean, like, he’s all insensitive and stuff. Bring back higher taxes, stifling regulations, appeasement to mad men, crushing debt. What this country needs is masked beta male thugs ruling the streets ! We are nothing without the wisdom of Hollywood. Innocence presumed is obsolete, evidence is archaic, feelings our shrine. Freedom of speech should be dictated by freaks disgruntled. Screeching Feminists banshees testing the fabric of yoga pants begging favor for pink hair and malcontent soy boys sporting man buns in skinny jeans.

[SaveFerris]

[Care to try that again?]

No. Where do 10 years take you?

I get October 16, 2008 (roughly).

[SaveFerris]

(if one were to take a decade as 10 years without regard to leap years)