More bad news: IMF cuts eurozone growth view - and it can get even worse

Washington - US Treasury Secretary Lew in Europe this week for talks on economic landscape in wake of Brexit

The International Monetary Fund cut its eurozone growth outlook for the next two years over uncertainties sparked by Britain's vote to leave the European Union, and warned that the conditions could worsen if confusion continues to reign in financial markets.
In its annual policy review of the 19-country euro currency bloc, the IMF said it now expects 2016 growth of 1.6 per cent, down from the previous forecast of 1.7 per cent, while the 2017 growth forecast will drop to 1.4 per cent from 1.7 per cent previously.
In its annual policy review, the IMF said a further global growth slowdown could derail the euro area's domestic demand-led recovery, and further Brexit spillovers, the refugee surge, increased security concerns and banking weakness all could take their toll on growth.
But IMF European Department deputy director Mahmood Pradhan said that if the separation negotiations drag out between the EU and the UK and continue to cause risk reductions in financial markets, euro area growth would slow further.
"If that risk aversion is prolonged, we think the growth impact could be larger and at this point, it is very difficult to tell how long that period lasts," Pradhan told reporters on a conference call.
He added that the 1.4 per cent growth scenario for 2017 assumes a relatively swift negotiation of a deal that would preserve full tariff-free access to the European Union common market for Britain. Even this "best-case" scenario will cause a slowdown in investment and weigh on consumer and market confidence, he said.
The IMF has not fully calculated the drag on growth that would result from a full arm's-length relationship that would revert Britain's EU status to basic World Trade Organisation tariff and access rules. Pradhan said that would be a "significant change" for Britain, which sends some 40 per cent of its exports to the EU.
"If you went to the WTO option, just getting there would take a very long time - and that itself will be very damaging," Pradhan said.
In its report, the IMF said medium-term prospects for the euro zone are "mediocre", constrained by crisis legacy problems from high unemployment, elevated public and private debt and deep-rooted structural weakness.
"As a result growth five years ahead is expected to be about 1.5 per cent, with headline inflation reaching only 1.7 per cent," the IMF said.
 
Lew off to Europe
Meanwhile, United States Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew will travel to Europe this week for talks on the economic landscape in the wake of Britain's vote to quit the European Union, the Treasury said.
Lew will hold talks with counterparts in Paris, London, Brussels and Berlin during the July 11-14 trip.
The main subject will be "continued economic stability and shared economic growth in the United Kingdom, Europe, and globally following the United Kingdom's referendum on membership in the European Union," the Treasury Department said in a statement.
Lew also plans to meet business leaders and market participants to discuss the global economy.