The title says "probably", and you are misrepresenting it as two extremes (a "hint", and "calling it") and expressing this misrepresentation like you're appalled.

What is your motivation for this?

My motivation is calling out what the possible motivation for the article is, which is my duty and right, as a member of the HN community. I can weigh-in just like the author of the piece did.

Statements like:

By most measures, the global economy is in the midst of the deepest slowdown since 2015, and in many cases since 2009.

The author goes on to explain that:

the problem has stemmed from trade policy, which has turned sharply protectionist and attempted to remake global supply chains.

Yes, things are changing, and like pouring antiseptic ointment on a burn, it can sting a little. The turning of a big ship takes time, longer than it took to create this article and make it seem we are off-course.