Core Viewpoint - The U.S. government shutdown has led to a suspension of official economic data releases, impacting not only the U.S. but also other countries that rely on this data for economic assessments [1][3][5]. Group 1: Impact on Global Economies - Countries like Japan are facing challenges in making policy decisions due to the lack of U.S. economic data, complicating their monetary policy strategies [3][5]. - The shutdown has created a "data blind spot," increasing the risk of policy missteps as countries navigate economic uncertainties [1][3]. - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns that ongoing political pressure on data collection agencies could erode public trust in official statistics, complicating policy formulation for central banks and governments [5][6]. Group 2: Concerns Over U.S. Governance and Data Reliability - The shutdown, along with other recent events such as pressure on the Federal Reserve and the dismissal of the Labor Statistics Bureau chief, highlights deeper issues regarding U.S. governance and data reliability [4][5]. - There is growing skepticism about the U.S. governance capabilities and the reliability of its data, which could affect global reserve management and monetary decisions [5][7]. - The absence of reliable official statistics makes it difficult for countries to compare economic data over time, increasing uncertainty in economic assessments [7]. Group 3: Alternative Data Sources - Despite the shutdown, the Federal Reserve continues to collect economic data independently, and private data service providers are offering alternative solutions [5][6]. - Central banks are adapting by piecing together non-official data to make short-term assessments, although this approach lacks the comparability of official statistics [5][7].