In The News

WWD: Global Retailers Call for Action on Labor Issues in Bangladesh

Mayu Saini February 14, 2017
Fashion loses its allure when associated with horrific factory conditions. “In a letter addressed to prime minister Sheikh Hasina by the steering committee of the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety global retailers called for the release of detained worker leaders after the December unrest in Ashulia, and a wage review mechanism to address the increased cost of living in Bangladesh,”...

The Diplomat: Australia Keeps TPP Alive

Anthony Fensom February 13, 2017
Leaders of Japan and the United States, the leading economies that had negotiated the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, announced plans to pursue stronger bilateral ties. “Importantly, the joint statement also allowed for Japan to continue pursuing the TPP, even after [Donald] Trump’s January 23 decision to withdraw,” reports Anthony Fensom for the Diplomat, adding that Japan has invested more...

Times of India: Soothing Balm

Nayan Chanda February 11, 2017
The Trump administration has shown a pattern on foreign policy – blunt statements that upend long-held policies followed by members of his cabinet and other representatives hurrying to backtrack and reassure global partners. Before entering office, Donald Trump mentioned that the One-China policy might be a bargaining chip, annoying China, before walking that back. Analysts expect China to test...

PBS Newshour: Backlash to Globalization Could Hurt the Middle Class

Vikram Mansharamani February 9, 2017
The demand for electric power and electric appliances continues to rise as global poverty declines. “To make alternative energies a truly viable source of power production, the world needs a robust, cost-effective means of storing energy…. and battery technology is among the more promising of the options,” explains Vikram Mansharamani for the PBS Newshour. He anticipates lithium to be in demand...

Forbes: China Treads Its Way to Global Governance

Shaheli Das February 9, 2017
China is ready to set the terms for global governance as US political leaders show less inclination to support global institutions. “Beijing advocates that the country follows international rules, but these rules were formulated about half a century ago with little participation of China and that global governance norms must be modified with changing times,” explains Shaheli Das for Forbes. “...

Project Syndicate: Brexit in a Brave New World

Daniel Gros February 7, 2017
Trade increases efficiency, reducing costs for all parties. Large economies have advantages with tariffs, and “The advantage of the larger economy is even greater when it comes to non-tariff barriers, which often result from differences in regulations and standards among trading countries,” explains Daniel Gros for Project Syndicate. “In most cases, the smaller country must simply accept the...

Mexico Can Thrive Without Trump

Ernesto Zedillo January 29, 2017
Donald Trump has put other nations on notice – the United States is reviewing relationships, expecting balanced trade and compliance on security matters. He promised that Mexico would pay for a border wall though such “demands have defied legal and economic rationality,” explains Ernesto Zedillo, Yale professor and former president of Mexico. Zedillo lists flawed assumptions including NAFTA was...