The temporary trade-off comes not from inflation per se, but from unanticipated inflation, which generally means, from a rising rate of inflation.

Then last month Vietnam's construction ministry called for a temporary halt to the trade, to assess its impact on the environment and the local building industry.

This means that local social and economic disruptions may be temporary. They may, however, be amplified in today's closely interrelated and interdependent systems of trade and commerce.