In The News

With China on Mind, India, US and Japan to Hold Trilateral Meet in Washington

December 6, 2011
Meetings of any group of nations outside traditional global or regional forums like the G20 or ASEAN often raise eyebrows. Excluded nations either shrug or bristle over the new matchups. India, Japan and the US – the world’s top-ranking economies excluding China – will hold their first trilateral meeting, billed as the three leading Pacific democracies reviewing Asia Pacific regional issues. “...

Britain Becomes Even More Wary of Unity

Anthony Faiola December 5, 2011
The United Kingdom moved cautiously on EU integration, retaining the pound and rejecting the euro as common currency. By opting out of the euro, Britain maintained the ability to print money and set interest rates. “Yet, as a member of the bloc, Britain has agreed to bind itself to regional regulations, employment laws and legal rulings, in exchange for a stronger voice in European affairs and...

Central Banks' Action Hints At US Fears

Geoffrey T. Smith December 2, 2011
The world’s largest central banks, led by the US Federal Reserve, have united to ease the flow of money and bank loans in the global system. The Wall Street Journal’s Geoffrey Smith compares the defensive measures tried in war, pointing out many analysts worry about what comes next and whether the defenses will hold. Perhaps most notable is the support from the US Federal Reserve. US taxpayers...

Brazilian Paves Way for China’s Carmakers

Joe Leahy November 29, 2011
With a burgeoning middle class, the Brazilian automotive market has expanded rapidly, becoming the fourth largest in the world in 2010. In such a fast-growing market, Brazilian consumers have developed no brand loyalty and show no aversion to foreign models, explains Joe Leahy of the Financial Times. So taking advantage of a market opportunity, Chinese car manufacturers like JAC Motors are...

Stop the Great Firewall of America

Rebecca MacKinnon November 25, 2011
Protection sometimes can go too far. Proposed US legislation that aims to prevent the theft of intellectual property could actually aid and abet censorship efforts, complementing those in China. “The bills would empower the attorney general to create a blacklist of sites to be blocked by Internet service providers, search engines, payment providers and advertising networks, all without a court...

How Walmart Is Changing China

Orville Schell November 23, 2011
Walmart is working with China to identify and reduce waste in packaging, shipping and energy use, explains China expert Orville Schell in an article for the Atlantic. Any cost-saving idea can be multiplied among thousands of suppliers, thousands of stores, millions of employees and shoppers. Since 2005, Walmart and China “are engaging in a bold experiment in consumer behavior modification, market...

Latin America: Shift in Direction Fuels Growth Across Continent

John Paul Rathbone November 21, 2011
Latin America has remained largely immune to the global financial crisis sweeping through developed economies due to burgeoning trade ties with Asia, particularly China. In the last 10 years, trade between Latin America and China rose sixfold to $230 billion. China is the biggest trading partner for Brazil and Chile, according to the Inter-American Development Bank. This rapid rise is mainly...