Americas in 2021

2021 will witness a number of key economic and political shifts across the Americas. Undoubtedly, all eyes will be on the US as president-elect Joe Biden sets out his policy agenda. Elsewhere in the region, mid-terms in Argentina could provoke social unrest and Brazil’s right-wing president, Jair Bolsonaro, will seek to build a platform for his re-election.

To help organisations through what will likely be a turbulent year, The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has recently published a guide to the Americas in 2021. Covering four key economies, we have taken a look at everything from major political and economic developments to emerging trends that might have flown under the radar.

Here’s what can be found in our regional guide to the Americas in 2021:

Argentina

Key things to watch:

• The government will lose ground in the mid-terms

• Banking sector troubles will brew

• Argentine corporates will face big risks—and some opportunities

Brazil

Key things to watch:

• Centrist parties’ gains put reforms at risk

• A weak opposition will benefit the current president, Jair Bolsonaro

• Social programmes are front and centre, but tax reforms won’t be

Mexico

Key things to watch:

• Burgeoning labour incomes and a growing risk of labour unrest

• Openings for private investment amid fiscal austerity

• The fraying of Mexico’s party system

United States

Key things to watch:

• Conservative judiciary hampers policymaking

• Digital tax battle with EU returns

• The US irrevocably loses sway in emerging markets

The complete “Americas in 2021” guide is available to download here.

The EIU has created a series of regional guides highlighting the trends to watch in some of the world’s key economies this year. Download your regional guide:

Asia in 2021

Europe in 2021

Middle East & Africa in 2021