The sinking global economy is suffering through a colossal disinflationary shock that could briefly push it into dangerous deflation territory for the first time in decades.

With many national economies all but shutting down in an effort to contain the coronavirus, prices on everything from oil and copper to hotel rooms and restaurant take-out are tumbling.

"A powerful disinflationary tide is now rising,” said Joseph Lupton, global economist at JPMorgan Chase & Co.