In The News

Self-Inflicted China Syndrome

Ernesto Zedillo December 11, 2003
In the US, China-bashing seems to have become a popular pastime for some politicians of late. But claims of China 'stealing' American jobs are un-founded, says Ernesto Zedillo. "Chinese exports have not, in general, displaced American goods in global markets," Zedillo writes. "Rather, China's world market share has grown at the expense of other labor-abundant...

War Opponents Denounce U.S. Rules on Contracts in Iraq

Jackie Spinner December 10, 2003
Citing security concerns, US officials have announced that only those countries that supported the invasion of Iraq will be allowed to bid on $18.6 billion in reconstruction contracts. The decision enraged Russia, Germany, France, and Canada, who under the decision will be excluded from much of the biggest nation rebuilding effort since the Second World War. Igor Ivanov, the Russian foreign...

Lesson in Protectionism

December 9, 2003
US President Bush recently ended import tariffs on foreign steel in order to avoid retaliatory sanctions by the European Union. But during the period of tariff protection, the US steel industry restructured itself. Many firms closed down or were taken over, says this editorial in India's Business Standard, which increased productivity and resulted in the first large public offering by any US...

Jobs Here and in China a White House Topic

Jim Yardley December 9, 2003
As President Bush met with the Chinese premier Wen Jiabao this week, he pressed the issue of American jobs lost to China. But in spite of a recent economic boom, China has its own job-related woes. The country's economic restructuring has caused massive layoffs at older state-owned factories. And the Chinese countryside has too many farmers to fit on a diminishing amount of usable land....

Asean: Japan Refreshes Ties

December 8, 2003
Japan still plays a very important role in Southeast Asia, despite China's recent overtures to the region, says this editorial in Singapore's Straits Times. As the region's largest foreign aid donor, biggest investor, and largest trading partner, Japan's influence cannot be underestimated. Yet the upcoming ASEAN-Japan summit is important for Japan to ensure its continued...

Harvesting Poverty

December 7, 2003
America’s cotton, among other crops, is exported internationally in large amounts each year, despite the fact that it often sells for less than it costs to grow. This is because of the US government’s high agricultural subsidies. Countries such as the US, argues this editorial, unfairly render the crops of poorer countries like Brazil uncompetitive in the global market. Furthermore, wealthy...

An Ohio Town Is Hard Hit as Leading Industry Moves to China

Joseph Kahn December 7, 2003
Like many small industrial towns, Bryan Ohio has a few big employers. When one of them – the Ohio Art Company – decided three years ago to move its signature product line, the "Etch A Sketch" toy, to China, the community felt both the loss of 100 jobs and the loss of a community symbol. Etch A Sketch models used to decorate the town, but no longer. Due to "ineluctable laws of...