In The News

Trade Ruling Is Expected to Favor Biotech Food

Andrew Pollack February 6, 2006
The US is seeking a ruling from the WTO that could be a turning point in the fight over the growth of agricultural biotechnology. After numerous delays, the WTO will decide whether Europe is restricting the importation of genetically modified crops without legal basis. Joined by Canada and Argentina, the US calls European delays a moratorium, while Europe counters that the delays are justified...

Free and Fair Trade

Noam Chomsky January 30, 2006
MIT professor Noam Chomsky envisions the potential of “just globalization,” in an interview with Global Agenda, and raises concerns about the lack of truly free trade and evenhanded governance within the changing global business climate. Contending that everyone favors globalization, or “international integration,” he cautions about divisive applications that are detrimental to the rights of...

A New Wrinkle for Globalization

Katrin Bennhold January 26, 2006
For its proponents and opponents alike, economic globalization’s greatest force is its disregard for the sanctity of national borders. Some analysts have forecasted that growing cross-border transaction will weaken the nation-state as we know it. Yet recent events suggest otherwise. While some nations empowered by natural resources like oil and gas have been flexing their muscles against...

Africa Hosts its First Major Anti-Globalization Forum

January 25, 2006
For the sixth time since 2000, NGO representatives, fair-trade advocates, anti-globalization protestors and activists of all kinds unite at the World Social Forum, this week in Mali. By tackling the problems of inequality, debt relief and trade realities that trouble the developing world, the forum serves as foil to the World Economic Forum, a meeting of the world’s economic elite, held...

Hong Kong As a Clue to the Future China

Michael E. DeGolyer January 23, 2006
Since China gained control of Hong Kong in the 1997 handover from Britain, international observers have wondered whether Beijing would allow the island to retain its separate identity. In many ways, Beijing has indeed followed its promise of "one country, two systems," recognizing that Hong Kong's property rights and entrepreneurial spirit do much to fuel the economic growth of...

Status of WTO Protestors is Thorny Issue in Hong Kong

Keith Bradsher January 9, 2006
More than 1000 people were arrested after violent protests erupted at the WTO conference last month in Hong Kong, and most were released soon afterward. Labor and social groups describe the few who remain in custody, most from South Korea, as “political prisoners” and lobby for their release. The South Korean government insists its citizens should not take the fall for worldwide outrage....

India to WTO: Help Us Protect Herbs, Tea, Yoga

Eric Bellman December 19, 2005
India is spearheading a drive among developing nations to ensure that the WTO address “biopiracy” at this year’s meetings in Hong Kong. Along with countries like Brazil and China, India is seeking to prevent the international pharmaceutical industry from exploiting its native plants, animals and traditional remedies. Countries like India perceive biopiracy as a threat, particularly if a...