In The News

Tiny Sellers Can Now Reach Across the Globe

Marcus Wohlsen August 29, 2014
Online distributors like Amazon allow tiny businesses to market their products across the globe – and deliver within a few days. “In 2006, Amazon launched a service that allowed US sellers to use its network of warehouses to ship their goods,” reports Marcus Wohlsen for Wired. Now the company has started a program called Fulfillment. “Merchants in the US who want to expand globally can list their...

Globalization’s Worst Crisis

Nayan Chanda August 25, 2014
Sanctions and counter-sanctions in response to Russian intervention in Ukraine will disrupt global trade. Russia is the world’s eighth largest economy. Industries will find stunted growth and respond with new patterns as retail outlets in Russia cope with empty shelves, European airlines mull closure of air space over Russia, agriculture producers confront stockpiles, and energy buyers will...

Pointless Punishment

Ely Ratner and Elizabeth Rosenberg August 23, 2014
The United States and the European Union have stepped up sanctions on Russia for its intervention in Ukraine – and have urged Asian nations like China and Japan to do likewise. Yet the conflict continues. Asia and Europe have more to lose from sanctioning Russia than does the United States. “The majority of the Asia-Pacific governments – including U.S. allies Australia and South Korea – have...

China Must Lift Trade Restrictions on Rare Earth Elements

August 18, 2014
Environmental protections do not justify China’s export duties and quotas on rare earth element, the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization has ruled, reports Environment News Service. China is responsible for 90 percent of the worlds’ supply of rare earth minerals, and the ruling is a boost for global auto, computer, television, battery, and other high-tech manufacturers in developed...

All Eyes on Africa

J. Peter Pham August 14, 2014
Disturbing news out of Africa, whether about extremist Boko Haram or the outbreak of Ebola, are aberrations for a young continent eager to grow and innovate. Like China and Europe, the United States is ready to court Africa as signaled by the first US-Africa Leaders Summit, explains J. Peter Pham, director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council. “The summit itself underscores the broad...

An Opportunity That India Let Go

Nayan Chanda August 11, 2014
India may have missed a rare opportunity to reform an antiquated program of agriculture subsidies with the support of the World Trade Organization. The newly installed Modi administration also signaled to the global business community that the country may not be ready for serious reform. “By standing alone against all, including its partners in BRICS, the G-20 and G-33, and threatening to scuttle...

An Interview With the US President

August 8, 2014
Multiple powers, including China and the United States, will contribute to ongoing economic development in Africa, suggests US President Barack Obama. Editors with the Economist interviewed Obama just before the US summit with African heads of state and business leaders in Washington, and he offers insights on US relations with emerging economies: ASEAN nations do not want to choose between China...