Reply #16: CEOs see protectionism biggest US economy threat (asswipes)

[UpInArms]

http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN1817734220070419

WASHINGTON, April 19 (Reuters) - Unfolding problems in the
subprime mortgage market are less of a threat to the U.S.
economy than trade protectionism, rising health care costs and
frivolous lawsuits, according to a Financial Services Forum
survey released on Thursday.

Chief executives at 20 of the world's biggest financial
services institutions also saw 2.5 growth in the U.S. economy
for 2007. For the first quarter, the economy should expand at a
2 percent rate, the survey found.

The executives were asked to use a scale of 1 to 5 to rank
a variety of issues that threaten the U.S. economy, with 5
being the most serious threat. Protectionism was the top worry
with a ranking of 3.8, followed by frivolous litigation at 3.5.
The next three threats -- health care costs, the U.S. housing
market, and higher tax rates -- each ranked at 3.47.

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