In The News

Microsoft's Gates Sees Vietnam Outsourcing Potential

Jason Folkmanis April 25, 2006
Vietnam’s economic growth, combined with a young population and high literacy rate, lures potential investors including the richest man in the world, Bill Gates. However, intellectual-property piracy also tends to run rampant in Vietnam and other nations with young impoverished populations. During a visit to the Communist country that eagerly seeks WTO membership, Gates suggested that Vietnam...

Currency Manipulator?

Ronald I. McKinnon April 24, 2006
As China’s bilateral trade surplus with the US continues rising in record-breaking fashion, there has been growing speculation that Beijing manipulates currency-exchange rates in its favor. However, Stanford economist Ronald McKinnon argues that China’s motivation for pegging the renminbi is to secure monetary stability rather than achieve an undue mercantile advantage in world export markets....

Globalization Old and New

Ullrich Fichtner April 20, 2006
Globalization comes in many forms, some more pleasing than others. As Vietnam eagerly pushes for incorporation into the WTO, it could discover that globalization becomes colonization, “Part Two.” Hanoi emerged from European influence with its dignity intact, according to author Ullrich Fichtner, but new and rapid development could transform the city’s charm, with small shops featuring gourmet...

China’s Investors Are to Get Freer Hand Abroad

James T. Areddy April 20, 2006
On the eve of Chinese President Hu’s visit to the US, China made a gesture toward a more open, market-based currency that pleases the US, but falls short of revaluing of the yuan. China will allow companies and individuals to make financial investments overseas, which could influence the country’s currency exchange-rate system as well as the value of yuan. China has kept the yuan’s value...

Disappearing Delphi

Rick Popely April 18, 2006
Delphi Corp., the major supplier of auto parts in the US market, plans to close or sell more than two thirds of its 29 US plants. If the plan is approved by bankruptcy court, the company would focus on high-end electronic technology – with the eight remaining US plants making products that require immediate installation. The sell-off could allow the company to end its union contracts with 17,000...

The US and China: Friends or Foes? – Part I

David Shambaugh April 18, 2006
The US and China are parties to the world’s most important bilateral relationship, and this two-part series analyzes the challenges and opportunities confronting two world powers. In the first article, China scholar David Shambaugh presents a litany of issues that bedevil their relations. From President Bush’s perspective, three points of contention most likely to take center stage: First is...

Kazakhstan Entertains Grand Economic Development Plan

Melvut Katik April 17, 2006
Oil-rich Kazakhstan has a goal to become a major global economic force. Its strategy to drive growth depends on regional cooperation, particularly with Russia and to a certain degree China. Another major goal for Kazakhstan is accession to the WTO. Kazakhstan already possesses immense oil and gas resources, and global financial experts are bullish on the nation, with one analyst noting that the...