Nigeria, March 13 -- The White House's ever-changing trade policy declarations have confused investors, but a softer-than-expected U.S. inflation report gave them some respite. Additionally, if inflation keeps declining, the U.S. Federal Reserve will have leeway to lower interest rates if the economy appears to be about to collapse.

Alec Kersman, managing director and head of Asia-Pacific at Pimco, stated on CONVERGE LIVE in Singapore that while most analysts are not now predicting a recession, the likelihood of one occurring in the United States is higher than last year.

Nevertheless, on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on all imports of steel and aluminium, regardless of their nation of origin. Trade partners...