Trade uncertainty ‘surging’ in many countries, IMF warns

A new measure of trade uncertainty shows it is “surging” in many countries across the world, research published by the International Monetary Fund finds.

A team of economists has created a new tool called the World Trade Uncertainty index, for 143 countries starting in 1996. The index is based on country reports by the Economist Intelligence Unit, a consultancy owned by British firm the Economist Group.  

The team tallies the number of times the words ‘uncertain’, ‘uncertainty’ and