Global Geopolitical Risk Concerns for Businesses in 2017

Last year, the Western world experienced the twin surprises of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union and Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election. Elsewhere, geopolitics will play out in 2017 through numerous elections, the possibility of succession in several countries, continued economic polarization, and more. Multinational organizations must be aware of, and prepare for, such political and economic risks in both developed and developing markets. Surges in immigration, increases in terrorism threats, and the knock-on effect of global financial crises will continue to amplify global risks in 2017. As many countries shift their focus inward and become more protectionist, it appears we may have hit “peak globalization,” potentially hindering global trade moving forward.