Summary: Interview with economist Stephen Koukoulas Leon and Garry discuss issues including: · China's manufacturing growth falling to an eight-month low in February, reflecting further weakening in the world's second-largest economy but China's government pledges to deliver economic growth of about 7.5 per cent this year · US manufacturers in February rebounded from a weather-hobbled January although production contracted but the US president announces his 2014 budget which suggests the US economy will continue to grow. His forecast is for GDP to grow by 3.1 percent versus 1.9 percent in 2013. · US Secretary of State John Kerry bluntly warning Russia it risks losing its place among the prestigious Group of 8 developed nations over its deployment of troops in Crimea but Russian president Vladimir Putin quells fears that Russia will go to war · Chinese investors now the largest source of foreign investment in Australian property in 2012-13, according to figures from the Foreign Investment Review Board · Federal cabinet agreeing to remove the foreign-ownership restrictions on Qantas Airways, opening the way for a split of the airline’s domestic and international arms, as well as a protracted political fight. Qantas Airways would still face national interest tests even if the laws relating to majority Australian ownership were repealed · Qantas Airways considering legal action against Virgin Australia Holdings, claiming the smaller airline’s foreign ownership levels breach rules for Australian-based international carriers. · Qantas managers, including chief Alan Joyce are expected to appear before a Senate inquiry into the airline
