In The News

The Recession Felt Around the World

Nouriel Roubini February 21, 2008
A recession looming for the US could affect countries all over the world that rely on exporting to the world’s biggest economy. Some analysts suggest that decoupling, or the process of decreasing dependence on American consumers, would prevent a recession’s effects from spreading. But the fact remains that the US is a top trading partner for many countries in the world, and even states that have...

Why Spanish Banks Seem Immune to the Subprime Virus

February 20, 2008
The subprime crisis that originated in the US – with lenders giving out mortgages to many people who could not afford future payments – has begun to weaken European banks as well. Credit-rating agencies assured investors that US mortgages were a safe investment, and banks purchased securities packages that included problem loans. As prices for homes in the US market fall and homeowners struggle...

Europe Looks East – Part II

Shada Islam February 1, 2008
The European Union is uneasy, grappling with the effects of globalization on its economy. Public opinion leans toward protectionism and, as Shada Islam suggests in the second of a two-part series, that pushes policymakers to take an aggressive stance against China, a country often associated with the benefits and downside of globalization: In its economic boom, China has benefited from the large...

Internet Outages Hit India, Middle East

Matthew Rosenberg January 31, 2008
High-speed communication, via the internet, is essential in modern business. But high-speed internet that supports business and many other connections is only as dependable as its supporting cables and power. Bandwidth was cut in half in India, and internet service was disrupted throughout Asia after two cables under the Mediterranean snapped, possibly by a ship anchor. Outsourcing companies that...

China Eyes Latin American Commodities

Georg Caspary January 18, 2008
Latin America is rich in natural resources, including oil, minerals and agricultural crops, all desired in the global markets. At the same time, China has become the world's largest importer of cotton, copper and soybeans as well as the second-largest oil importer. Latin America can secure lasting advantages from its commodities sales – including poverty reduction and sustainable development...

Closing a Legal Gap Between China and WTO 　

Xi Si January 18, 2008
Governments are big spenders, and the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Government Procurement opens government purchases to international competition. The voluntary agreement, in effect since 1996, currently has 28 members, all developed nations, who agree to regulations and schedules. China has also applied, but other members balk at that application: “Chinese state-owned enterprises…are...

Snap-On Parts Didn’t Click Together for Boeing Jet

Jeff Bailey January 17, 2008
Manufacturing electronic products by assembling specialized parts from multiple suppliers has increased productivity and reduced costs in recent years. But the assembly method that relies on outsourcing for parts can be complicated to reverse. Behind schedule and hoping to speed its process, Boeing asked suppliers to send unassembled sections. “Instead, Boeing has ended up with a pile of parts...