The global economy is growing at about 3% a year. This is roughly equal to the average growth rate for the last 50 years. However, growth predictions are ticking slightly downwards, mainly due to concerns around trade. And there are still high levels of government and corporate debt arising from the financial crisis and subsequent period of low interest rates. Nowhere is this better illustrated than China, which is forecast to overtake the US as the world's largest economy as early as this year, on some measures. But China's national debt is over 300% of GDP, and US tariffs threaten growth. Increasing rivalry between the US and China is currently focused on trade, and specifically on technology. There is also tension between the US and Russia, based largely on sanctions. US presidential elections will take place in November this year, setting the path for future US policy