In The News

Status in the New Asia

Roger Cohen May 14, 2014
The desire to feel special is a universal quality among humans. People who no longer must worry about survival and security pursue status in varying ways including wealth, knowledge, purpose or notice. The notion that globalization equals homogenization is too simple, argues Roger Cohen, in his column for the New York Times. “‘Mass’ is becoming a problematic word in the global marketplace,” he...

Global Food Security: Debunking the “China Threat” Narrative

Zhang Hongzhou April 24, 2014
In assessing food security, analysts point to two challenges – climate change along with rising demand in China. Zhang Hongzhou, associate research fellow with the China Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, argues that “playing up the China threat narrative is rather misguided and unhelpful to global food security.” Food self-sufficiency is not an option for growing...

Exploring Spices, We Bring the World to Our Tables

Susan Kelleher April 15, 2014
Spice is an ancient trading item and descriptions of one Seattle dealer suggest that the business did not change much over the past century. But Americans now embrace spicy dishes, watching competing cooking shows on television, exploring recipes and ordering spices online, and experimenting at home. “The wide availability means that pure spices that once inspired epic ocean journeys, wars,...

United Nations: Climate Impacts “Overwhelming”

Matt McGrath March 31, 2014
The impacts of climate change are severe and already underway – with higher risks of flooding, wildfires, food and water shortages, and property damage, suggests a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change of the United Nations. The report is based on more than 12,000 peer-reviewed studies. Researchers anticipate high costs for adaptation and disaster relief. “Humans may be able...

US FDA Chief: If You Want Our Market, Meet Our Standards

March 4, 2014
US regulators seek cooperation on quality control from its supplier of foods and medicines. "If Indian pharmaceutical companies want to sell in the US, they need to comply with our standards, practices and expectations,” said Margaret Hamburg, commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, according to a report in the Times of India. She offered the comments during a trip to India and...

Canadian Pizza Eateries in Bind as Cheese-Import Loophole Closes

Barrie McKenna December 19, 2013
Trade barriers protect industries only briefly. Canada has a 200-plus percent tariff on imported cheeses, designed to protect its diary industry. Restaurants took advantage of a loophole to purchase special cheese-and-pepperoni kits from the United States, but the government revised rules; packages with fresh cheese now include the tariff. “Restaurants have long chafed at special Canadian rules...

Abe Team Seeks to Kill Rice Subsidy Program by 2018

Reiji Yoshida November 7, 2013
Despite recent a decline in domestic consumption of rice, Japan ranks eight among rice-consuming countries, but does not figure among the top 10 producing nations, according to the International Rice Research Institute. To increase competition and reduce prices, the Abe administration plans to end government regulations and subsidies by 2018 for farmers who limit paddy usage. “To placate...