In The News

Blue Skies for Globalization?

Richard Aboulafia September 4, 2007
At times, global trade seems to make more enemies than friends. Politicians tend to hear from constituents who fear outsourcing and job cuts rather than workers who benefit from foreign investment and trade. International teamwork is essential for complex fields like the aerospace industry, argues Richard Aboulafia in the Star-Telegram. US air carriers account for less than 10 percent of all...

Chinese Seek to Buy a US Maker of Disk Drives

John Markoff August 27, 2007
The US must confront and reconcile several realities: China has massive reserves of cash and actively pursues foreign investment; second, debt burdens the US government and its citizens, slowing their investment pace; and third, neither government trusts the other with sensitive industries. Reports that a Chinese firm has expressed interest in purchasing Seagate Technology, a US maker of disk...

US Action on Free Trade Is Left Hanging

Peter G. Gosselin August 27, 2007
The two major parties in the US are at odds on many issues, but actions and agendas of both in recent months reveal growing mistrust for a global economy and global competition. In recent years, the developed world has steadily lost manufacturing jobs to developing nations with few environmental protections. Wages remain stagnant, and many workers claim they have not experienced globalization’s...

China's New Revolutionaries: US Consumers

Nathan Gardels August 24, 2007
China’s communist form of government is secure as long as the economy grows, steadily supplying jobs and opportunity. Multinational firms set up shop in China, pressuring factories and workers to deliver products quickly at low costs. But a string of problems – including counterfeit medicines, poisonous pet food, dangerous tires, toothpaste laced with anti-freeze and children’s toys covered in...

“Made in China” Label Spurs Global Concern

Paul Mooney August 23, 2007
As lead exporter in many types of products, China takes pride in serving as factory to the world. But a spate of tainted products and recalls involving goods made in China gives many global consumers pause. China’s reaction includes denials, scapegoating and even the fast execution of one government official accused of taking bribes to allow production of shoddy goods. But the government has also...

A Fear of Foreign Investments

Steven R. Weisman August 23, 2007
The US debt has given many countries excess liquidity – and the ability to buy companies abroad. Although so far there has been no turmoil as a result of foreign buy-outs, Germany expresses concern about Russia purchasing strategic energy routes in Europe for political gain. Even in the US, there has been public outcry when China and Dubai tried to buy oil and port firms, respectively. To avoid...

Sovereign Wealth to the Rescue

Michael Pettis August 20, 2007
A US consumption spree has spawned a global savings glut, and nations such as China and Japan with large reserves of cash still hope for sizable returns. “Every period of globalization in the past has had its origins in one or more events that gave a big boost to global liquidity,” writes finance professor Michael Pettis for the Wall Street Journal. “As liquidity expanded and risk appetite rose,...