In The News

In Africa, Obama Hot on Xi’s Trail

Zachary Keck July 9, 2013
As US President Barack Obama embarked on his first trip to Africa as president, the specter of China loomed large. The trip, which took the president to Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania, was officially described as reinforcing “the importance that the United States places on our deep and growing ties with countries in sub-Saharan Africa.” However, the struggle for influence between the US and...

Nicaragua Canal Plan Not a Joke

June 25, 2013
After denying connection to Chinese authorities or the Communist Party, Wang Jing is promising transparency in a $40 billion dollar project to build the Nicaragua canal. The only public face of the project, Wang is offering few details about himself. At a news conference in Beijing, he mentioned not wanting the Nicaragua canal to become “an international joke” or an example of “Chinese investment...

Chinese Checkers

Nayan Chanda June 24, 2013
China, with double-digit growth in recent years, could be on track to becoming the world’s largest economy. But rising wages, possible real estate bubble and tight credit may hamper growth. The nation’s big customers, the US and the EU, have their own debt issues, and the domestic market cannot match their spending. Foreign and even Chinese investors worry about an authoritarian system that can...

Global Sell-off Shows Fed Reach Beyond the US

Nathaniel Popper June 21, 2013
The activities of world’s central banks are intertwined in complex ways that are more apparent. The Federal Reserve, the US central bank, reviews international variables before setting policy and recognizes that its actions affect growth and inflation in foreign economies. Overseeing the largest economy while actively intervening on economic matters, the Federal Reserve is in the position that...

Latin America Reacts to Changes in Fed Spending

Krista Hughes June 20, 2013
Latin America has outperformed other emerging markets in attracting foreign investment. However, the significant liquidity of Latin American currencies means that Latin America is the “high beta,” abruptly reacting to what is happening in the US economy, suggests Krista Hughes for Reuters. The mere hint of reduced spending from the US Federal Reserve, signaling a potential rise in interest rates...

Xi Strengthens Ties With Latin America

Yu Bing June 7, 2013
By 2012, China was a bigger trading partner than the US to 128 countries, while the US was ahead in 72 – a reversal from seven years ago when the US was ahead in 124 nations and China in 70. President Xi Jinping, unlike his predecessors, is broadening Chinese focus on a range of practical matters around the globe, reports Yu Bing for the Washington Post, and this includes strengthening ties with...

The Financial Crash Will Not Bring About “Globalization on Steroids”

Joshua Kurlantzick March 11, 2013
Despite the international outlook of the leaders of the world’s two biggest economies – the US and China – Joshua Kurlantzick argues that there is a new trend of deglobalization. The precarious state of the world economy is contributing to the prominence of national boundaries in shaping economic policies. Foreign investment has dried up as national legislatures reject takeovers or funding for...