TRUMP EFFECT:US president-elect Donald Trump’s protectionist trade stance could trigger a trade war with China, disrupting the global supply chain, an academic said

Taipei Times
Date: Dec 28, 2016
By: Lisa Wang / Staff reporter

Consumer confidence fell to a more than three-year low this month, dragged by concerns over inflation and a less rosy employment market, a survey by National Central University showed yesterday.

The index shed 0.49 points to 77.22 this month, from 77.71 last month, better than a decline of 1.24 points last month, as the domestic and worldwide economy improves, the survey said.

With the economy gathering traction, consumer confidence could register a positive movement next month or in the first half of next year, said Dachrahn Wu (吳大任), director of the university’s Research Center for Taiwan Economic Development, which conducted the survey.

“There is the likelihood of positive growth in the first half of next year as faster GDP growth will help brighten the prospects for the economy, household income, the job market and the stock market,” Wu said.    [FULL  STORY]