DHAKA: Donald Trump winning the US presidency is considered one of the top 10 risks facing the world, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit.

The research firm warns he could disrupt the global economy and heighten political and security risks in the US.

However, it does not expect Trump to defeat Hillary Clinton who it sees as ‘his most likely Democratic contender’.

He is rated as riskier than Britain leaving the European Union or an armed clash in the South China Sea, reports the BBC.

China encountering a ‘hard landing’ or sharp economic slowdown and Russia’s interventions in Ukraine and Syria preceding a new ‘cold war’ are among the events seen as more dangerous.

‘Thus far Mr Trump has given very few details of his policies - and these tend to be prone to constant revision,’ the EIU said in its global risk assessment, which looks at impact and probability.

The EIU ranking uses a scale of one to 25, with Trump garnering a rating of 12, the same level of risk as ‘the rising threat of jihadi terrorism destabilizing the global economy’.

‘He has been exceptionally hostile towards free trade, including notably Nafta, and has repeatedly labeled China as a currency manipulator,’ the EIU said.

It warned his strong language directed towards Mexico and China in particular ‘could escalate rapidly into a trade war’.

Trump has called for a ‘big big wall’ to be built on the US-Mexican border, paid for by Mexico, to keep its illegal immigrants and drug dealers out of the United States.

BDST: 1616 HRS, MAR 17, 2016
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