Trade tensions, dollar danger cloud optimism

World Bank expects global economy to be better this year than last year

Potential trade disputes between the United States and China and a strengthening dollar are among the biggest threats to a brightening global economic outlook, according to leading economists at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

As political leaders, businessmen and bankers meet in the resort in the Swiss Alps this week, they can draw hope from a more benign economic picture and a rally in global stock markets on expectations of major stimulus under a new US administration led by Donald Trump.