In The News

Financial Times: World Fears “Trumpism” Is Here to Stay

Gideon Rachman November 6, 2018
Global observers view the outcome of US midterm elections as a test of the durability of Donald Trump’s policies. “If the Republicans do well, then many will conclude that ‘Trumpism’ is here to stay,” explains Gideon Rachman for the Financial Times. “The rest of the world would have to make a long-term adjustment to an America that is highly protectionist and suspicious of treaties on principle...

Economist: China’s Efforts to Win Over African Audiences

November 5, 2018
Growing ties between Chinese capital and African nations has attracted controversy in recent years. As an article for the Economist notes, “ever since the Kenyan government signed a deal in 2014 for a state-owned Chinese company to build a railway between Nairobi and Kenya’s main port in Mombasa, the project has attracted controversy.” Many Kenyans are suspicious over corruption due to the...

BBC: Trade Tensions Drive Japan, China Closer

October 27, 2018
The United States under Donald Trump has unleashed a protectionist agenda and that is pushing Asian economies closer together – including China and Japan, two bitter foes before and during World War II. “Tokyo and Beijing have long been at odds over past military confrontations and present territorial disputes,” reports BBC News, but now Asia’s two largest economies are aiming for more trade,...

Folha De S. Paulo: Investors Eye Brazil Election

Taís Hirata October 27, 2018
Brazil, like many other democracies, is polarized over politics and foreign investment. Voters head to the polls on 28 October to select between far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro and leftist Fernando Haddad. Bolsonaro has led in the polls, and China eyes the outcome, concerned about Bolsonaro’s nationalist views. “The candidate, already known for his criticism towards former state companies that...

Financial Times: Global Recycling Crisis

Leslie Hook and John Reed October 26, 2018
Increases in online shopping combined with China’s ban on many plastic and other waste imports as of this year disrupted the global recycling industry, increasing costs and leaving piles of trash in communities and ports. The $200 billion industry processes more than 270 million tons of waste each year into new products – clothing, construction materials and more as described in a 2016 YaleGlobal...

Project Syndicate: The Blockchain Lie

Nouriel Roubini October 25, 2018
The bubble has burst for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, and economist Nouriel Roubini argues that such techno-currencies and the related blockchain distributed ledger software are over-hyped and not useful. He insists that investors find more security holding real money widely recognized by governments. “In practice, blockchain is nothing more than a glorified spreadsheet,” Roubini writes...

Reuters: “Existential Crisis” at WTO

Tom Miles October 24, 2018
The World Trade Organization plans reforms after the United States has blocked appointments and threatened withdrawal. “At stake is the effectiveness - even the survival - of a key stabilizing force in the global economy,” reports Tom Miles for Reuters. “Since its founding in 1995, the WTO has stopped governments from arbitrarily raising trade barriers and disrupting the flow of goods.” The WTO...