Making Sense of a Bifurcated World: Oxford Economics Global Outlook 2026
16:00 – 18:00 | The Executive Centre, Singapore Land Tower, 50 Raffles Place, Singapore 048623
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Geopolitical and economic developments this year are a symptom of the new era for the global economy –one defined by self-interest, geopolitical tensions, trade fragmentation or regionalisation, more frequent adverse supply shocks and jobless growth. Economies, from the US to China to parts of Asia, are also becoming increasingly bifurcated. This has important implications for economic growth, policies and financial markets.
In this panel discussion, we examine what will shape the economy for the remainder of 2026 and over the next several years:
- Will there be a long economic shadow from the Middle East conflict?
- How will the shift from globalisation to regionalisation continue to play out?
- What are the policy trade-offs in a bifurcated global economy?
- Contributing factors to jobless growth and how immigration will make this a symptom and not a bug.
- Is AI a shock absorber or disruptor? What if the AI boom turns into a bust?
Agenda
Our Speakers
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Ryan Sweet
Managing Director - Macro Forecasting and Analysis
Ryan SweetManaging Director - Macro Forecasting and Analysis
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-sweet-4704148/
Ryan Sweet is the Global Chief Economist|Managing Director at Oxford Economics where he helps shape and coordinate the team’s global economic analysis and forecasting. Previously, Ryan was the Chief US Economist and led a team that was among the most accurate high-frequency forecasters of the economy.
Prior to joining Oxford Economics, Ryan spent 17 years at Moody’s Analytics as a member of the U.S. macroeconomics team and was also a co-host of the Inside Economics podcast. Ryan has also been an adjunct professor in the Economics and Finance Department at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
Ryan received a master’s degree in finance from John’s Hopkins University, a master’s degree in economics from the University of Delaware, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Washington College.
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Louise Loo
Head of Asia Economics
Louise LooHead of Asia Economics
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louiseloo/
Louise Loo is the Head of Asia Economics at Oxford Economics. She leads the firm’s macroeconomic research and forecasting efforts on Greater China.
Prior to joining Oxford Economics, she was a senior economist at Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs. At Goldman Sachs, she was also a long-term advisor to China Ministry of Finance and the China-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) with regards to their sovereign credit ratings.
Louise is a regular contributor to various international financial news outlets and has earned Economics and public policy degrees with Sheffield University and Columbia University.
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James Lambert
Director of Economic Consulting, Asia
James LambertDirector of Economic Consulting, Asia
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-lambert-6b742927/
James is the Director of Oxford Economics’ economic consulting services in Asia.
James moved to this role from Oxford Economics’ London office, where he headed up a team dedicated to exploring the economic impact of technology. He delivered high profile studies on the growth of the digital economy, the impact of automation and the implications for the labour market.
Prior to joining Oxford Economics, James spent over six years in the Government Economics Service. He worked in economics teams of the Cabinet Office, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for Transport. There, he gained experience in microeconomic analysis and impact assessment as well as international macroeconomics, economic risk analysis and energy security. In the FCO, James spent three years working on economic issues in East and South East Asia. He also previously worked for the International Labour Organization.
