Throughout 2017, the world economy was closely linked with politics. That is why world political leaders exerted maximum influence on the economy last year. This article is about top 7 most powerful politicians for the world economy in 2017.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States on January 20, 2017. Trump is the first billionaire president in the US history. Moreover, Trump is the chairman and president of The Trump Organization, a conglomerate that owns properties around the world including commercial spaces and hotels.
Trump's external and internal policy is characterized by protectionism and desire to review many trade and business relations with all states, which has repeatedly provoked strong criticism from other world leaders. "America first!" is the main motto of Donald Trump.
Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin played a big role in agreements of oil-producing states on oil output cuts in 2017. Without the participation of the Russian side, crude exporters were unlikely to come to an agreement, and the cost of oil could not break above $60 per barrel.
In addition, although the war in Syria did not directly affect the world's economy, geopolitical conflicts often led to increased market volatility.
Xi Jinping
China's leader Xi Jinping is actively pursuing his policy in Asia, strengthening the country's presence in the region, which causes discontent of the United States and aggravates the geopolitical conflict between the two countries. Also, Xi successfully carries out reforms in his country, which ultimately affect all global commodity markets.
Under the leadership of Jinping, China conducted successful trade agreements and deals with the EU countries in the past year. For example, the project of the New Silk Road, an international transport system proposed by Jinping, will be able to improve the global economic cooperation.
Satoshi Nakamoto
Satoshi Nakamoto is the nickname of a person who created the most popular cryptocurrency (bitcoin). The true identity of the creator of the virtual currency is still unknown. Cryptocurrencies remain in the focus of the financial world throughout the year.
Legalization of cryptocurrencies concerns many governments since financial regulators in many countries are afraid of bitcoin competition with traditional currencies, and at the same time they can not regulate the use of the cryptocurrency.
Jeff Bezos
Founder and CEO of one of the world's largest Internet trading platforms Amazon.com. Jeff Bezos became the second (after the founder of Microsoft Bill Gates) businessman, whose capital reached $100 billion in 2017. In the new year, Bezos is considered the richest man in the world, as the size of his capital has increased even more. The entrepreneur intends to make his company the largest retail trading platform. In addition, he actively participates in the development of other important projects, such as tourists space exploration on the Blue Origin rockets.
Ilon Mask
The founder of Tesla, which manufactures electric vehicles, has practically revolutionized the world of cars that do not operate on fuel polluting the environment. The spread of electric motors can even reduce the demand for oil in the future, experts say.
In addition, Mask intends to participate in projects devoted to the exploration of space and the creation of colonies on Mars.
Janet Yellen
US Federal Reserve Chairperson Janet Yellen announced she would leave the FED in February 2018. Her successor will be Jerome Powell. Yellen started the process of normalizing the monetary policy in the United States and made important steps to reduce the huge balance sheet. She also managed to increase the funds rate to 1.25-1.5%.
However, Donald Trump decided not to reappoint current Fed Chair Janet Yellen, despite praising her excellent management of the US economy over the past four years.