Events

Geopolitical tensions, shifting trade policies, rising fiscal pressures and military activities in Venezuela and Iran are reshaping the global economic and political landscape and creating new challenges for policymakers, investors, and corporate leaders.

In this roundtable discussion, Joshua Grundleger, Director in the Sovereigns group at Fitch Ratings, will share insights from Fitch’s recent global economic and sovereign credit research. Drawing on Fitch’s latest outlooks, the discussion will explore how escalating military and trade tensions, evolving geopolitical rivalries, and persistent policy uncertainty are influencing global growth, inflation dynamics, and sovereign credit profiles.

Recent Fitch analysis highlights that heightened tariff activity and geopolitical fragmentation could dampen global growth, weigh on investment, and complicate monetary policy decisions across major economies.

The session will also examine the implications for Canada. While Canada maintains a strong credit profile, rising deficits, higher public debt levels, and slower economic growth present longer-term challenges for fiscal sustainability and credit resilience.

Participants will discuss how geopolitical developments — from trade conflicts and shifting alliances to the upcoming review of North American trade arrangements — may affect Canada’s economic outlook, financial markets, and sovereign risk assessments.

The roundtable will also consider how governments and businesses can navigate an environment characterized by slower growth, heightened uncertainty, and evolving global economic relationships.

This interactive discussion will provide participants with an opportunity to engage directly with Fitch’s sovereign credit perspectives and gain a deeper understanding of the key geopolitical forces shaping the Canadian and global economic outlook.

The agenda for the event is:
4:00-4:30 – Networking
4:30-5:30 – Roundtable Discussion
5:30-6:00 – More networking

This session is part of TABE’s “Middle Power, Major Stakes: Canada in the Era of Geopolitics and Global Rivalry” series.

This session (and series) is being organized by Alex Ciappara, a TABE Board member.