by Calculated Risk on 4/22/2005 11:26:00 AM

It appears that oil prices have started to slow the US economy. But less developed countries are really feeling the pinch. Speaking at the Asia-Africa summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo warned that oil prices could lead to a "global recession".

Arroyo told the meeting in Jakarta, featuring some of the world’s leading oil consumers, that unsustainable prices were driving many countries to the brink of financial instability.

“There’s no question that the rising price of oil has the potential to put the brakes on economic expansion,” Arroyo said, urging delegates to work together to “prevent such a crisis”.

The rising trend of oil prices could worsen to levels that could halt economic growth or even prompt global economic recession, Arroyo said.

“It is stripping oil-importing Asia and Africa of our ability to manage for global competitiveness. It is preventing us from pursuing our economic development programmes with vigor. It is requiring us to face the spectre of economic decline,” she said.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo made similar comments at the ministerial meeting of the conference.

"The current trend in oil prices points toward a situation that could halt global economic growth and further widen the gap between the rich and poor countries," Romulo said.

Spot oil prices reached $55 per barrel earlier today.