In The News

Is America Losing Its Edge?

Adam Segal November 17, 2004
The long-standing pre-eminence of US technology and innovation worldwide may now face a challenge, as the changing face of the global marketplace takes its toll. As US trade and development has expanded overseas, partner nations have taken advantage of this access. Particularly in Asia, nations are making large strides in research and development (R&D) and other scientific technology. Budget...

The Looming Revolution

November 16, 2004
As the expiration of international textile quotas draws near, China emerges as a force to be feared by both rich and poor countries. Many believe that China, if unchecked, will soon have a global monopoly in textiles, forcing countries currently depending on textile exports into economic disaster. Meanwhile, India and Pakistan - China's main competitors - are hedging their bets. Indian...

Warning Issued on GM Maize Imported to Mexico

Mike Shanahan November 16, 2004
A report released by an environment panel under the North American Free Trade Agreement announced that GM maize imported to Mexico should be handled with caution. New genes contained in American maize could "persist indefinitely if they are beneficial or neutral to the local varieties," according to the report. The quantity of this kind of genetic transfer, however, is relatively small...

From Boom to Bloom

November 10, 2004
The lifting of millions of Chinese out of poverty constitutes one of the world’s greatest success stories in economic development. Yet behind the bold headlines touting this miracle remain problems that could undermine China’s success. The central government recently raised interest rates in order to prevent economic growth from overextending the country’s resources. And it has also committed...

Globalization's Missing Middle

Geoffrey Garrett November 5, 2004
The World Bank classifies each country into one of three groupings: high income, middle income, and low income. The top 25 percent of all countries make up the first category, 30 percent fall into the bottom, and the remaining 45 percent – mostly comprised of Latin America, the former Soviet bloc, Asian tigers, and the Middle East – are "middle income" countries. Political science...

US Trade Policy: Legacy of the Sorcerer's Apprentice

Bernard K. Gordon November 5, 2004
As US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick prepares to depart the Bush administration, his record should prompt a re-evaluation of US trade policy. Under Zoellick, the US has negotiated Free-Trade Areas (FTAs) with 12 countries – and is in the process of negotiating 10 more. While FTAs can be an effective means of spurring progress when global trade is floundering, argues Professor Bernard K....

India's Pharma Ache

Yogi Aggarwal November 4, 2004
By mastering the process of reverse engineering, the Indian pharmaceutical industry has successfully produced generic drugs at low prices – crucial for providing affordable treatment to those in need. The government's impending adoption of Trips (Trade Related Intellectual Property in Services), a WTO measure, may significantly hamper the industry's success. If the Indian parliament...