Slower Global Growth Reflects Close Economic Links

PAUL WISEMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) ⿿ Mounting fears about Spain's financial health help illustrate why the global economy is in its worst shape since 2009.

Six of the 17 countries that use the euro currency are in recession. The U.S. economy is struggling again. And the economic superstars of the developing world ⿿ China, India and Brazil ⿿ are in no position to come to the rescue. They're slowing, too.

The lengthening shadow over the world's economy illustrates one of the consequences of globalization: There's nowhere to hide.

Investors drove up Spain's borrowing rates Monday over concern that the government's debts might force it to seek a bailout. The interest rate on Spain's 10-year bond touched 7.56 percent ⿿ the highest since the euro began in 1999. Stocks around the world tumbled in response.

Worries about Spain intensified after its central bank said the economy shrank 0.4 percent in the second quarter. The government predicts the economy will keep contracting next year as tax hikes and spending cuts hurt consumers and businesses.

Italy has also been swept up by fears that it may need to request aid. Rates on Italy's government bonds jumped Monday, and stock prices sank.

Economies around the world have never been so tightly linked ⿿ which means that as one region weakens, others do, too. That's why Europe's slowdown is hurting factories in China. And why those Chinese factories are buying less iron ore from Brazil.

As a result of this global economic slowdown, the International Monetary Fund has reduced its forecast for world growth this year to 3.5 percent, the slowest since a 0.6 percent drop in 2009. Some economists predict the global economy will grow a full percentage point less.

For now, few foresee another global recession. Central banks in China, Britain, Brazil, South Korea and Europe have cut interest rates in the past month to try to jolt growth. European leaders have begun to focus more on promoting growth, not just shrinking debt and cutting budgets.

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