Explained: What’s behind recession fears

Trade and geopolitical uncertainties have hit all major economies. Is a global recession upon us? Where does India stand, and what can it do to insulate itself at this time?

Explained: Why the US-China trade war might lead to a global recession — US President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, western Japan. (AP File Photo: Susan Walsh)

The global economy continues to be hit by bad news as one big economy after another falters on economic growth. On Wednesday, data from Germany, the world’s fourth-biggest economy, showed that its GDP contracted by 0.1% in the April-June quarter (Q2). Ongoing trade tensions between the US and China, and the uncertainty due to Brexit have impacted German exports badly. Germany is the world’s third-biggest trader after the US and China.