In The News

China's Unprecedented Investment Offensive in Latin America

Juan de Onis May 29, 2015
The United States is paralyzed by partisan divide, particularly over the Trans-Pacific Partnership that could boost trade with Asia. Meanwhile, China continues to build trade ties, including “an unprecedented investment offensive in South America,” as described by Juan de Onis for World Affairs Journal. Li Keqiang, China’s premier, signed 35 bilateral agreements with Brazil totaling $53 billion...

China Must Prove Silk Road Plan Is Serious

George Magnus May 6, 2015
China is trying to reinforce its ties with its neighbors with a modern-day Silk Road that links 65 nations: “the so-called One Belt, One Road plan – incorporating a Maritime Silk Road – has become the centerpiece of the president’s foreign policy and international economic strategy. Important commercial consequences for the region and global companies will go hand-in-hand with unpredictable...

Vietnam and US Find Strategic Common Ground

Murray Hiebert April 30, 2015
North Vietnamese troops met little resistance in taking control of Saigon on April 30, 1975, after the United States rejected extending further military aid to the South Vietnamese after years of intervention. By 1979, Chinese troops invaded Vietnam from the north. All sides suffered tens of thousands of casualties in the two wars, and still, Vietnam tries to maintain good ties with the United...

The Power of the New China-Led Investment Bank

Richard Javad Heydarian April 13, 2015
The US “pivot” to Asia hit turbulence with a decision by the UK to join the China-led Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank as a founding member. Previously, the US had led an effort to boycott the AIIB among European allies and key allies in Asia-Pacific including Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Though officially based on doubts regarding the AIIB’s investment standards for governance,...

Government Approval Not Enough, Businesses Need Social License

John Morrison October 21, 2014
Globalization drives business deals around the globe along with keen new awareness about social, environmental and other consequences of development. Best business practice now demands consent of the local people, suggests John Morrison, author of The Social License: How to Keep Your Organization Legitimate. The need for such pacts began with oil and mining projects to prevent costly delays and...

Trade With Caution

Nayan Chanda October 10, 2014
Foreign direct investment in target emerging economies is competitive. Japan and China have each announced new investments in India. The investors do not simply rely on geopolitical imperatives. “Sitting on a reserve of $4 trillion, China needs profitable avenues to use its savings and find employment for its citizens. Chinese companies need places to invest their cash reserves, export their...

Jokowi’s Sea of Troubles

September 5, 2014
As Indonesia prepares for incoming President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo taking office in October, the transition is rough. The government faces a range of challenges, including a need to reduce fuel subsidies. The outgoing president dashed hopes that he would launch the needed reductions. Fuel subsidies represent 14 percent of the budget, reducing government spending on infrastructure and social...