In The News

Bloomberg: Nafta’s China Clause

Josh Wingrove October 10, 2018
After much fanfare about scrapping the North America Free Trade Agreement, US President Donald Trump reached a new deal with neighbors called the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement. A new clause stipulates that if members of the North American pact reach a trade deal with a non-market economy then they would be ineligible for some USMCA benefits. Given Trump’s fiery rhetoric about launching a trade war...

Globe and Mail: Freeland, Warrior Princess

Margaret Wente October 2, 2018
Canada reflects on its relationship with the United States and the behavior of its own leaders after tough negotiations with the Trump administration. Chrystia Freeland is listed among the winners after the negotiations for managing to complete a deal and promote Canada’s world view – Freeland had initially proposed chapters on the environment, gender, indigenous communities and an end to US anti...

Sydney Morning Herald: China Seeks to Mend Australian Ties

Kirsty Needham September 27, 2018
The United States has issued tariffs targeting Chinese imports, and China has responded in kind. China, in search of substitute markets, is also moving to improve ties and trade with Australia, which has a new government since August 24 led by Scott Morrison, as well as Japan and South Korea. China is both lead exporter and importer for Australia by comfortable margins. Other export destinations...

BBC: Fentanyl Crisis and Source of Illegal Drugs

September 24, 2018
The escalating trade quarrel between China and the United States prompts other worries and accusations. “The US believes factory-produced opioids - powerful painkillers increasingly abused by US citizens - are being made in China and sold from there too,” reports BBC News. ”One of the main ones is fentanyl - 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine - which is only approved in the US for severe pain...

Project Syndicate: Global Trade System Could Break Down

Anne O. Krueger September 20, 2018
The global rules-based trading system promotes global security. After World War II, the United States led in creating the World Trade Organization, which has contributed to global economic growth, contends economist Anne O. Krueger. Yet the Trump administration is “trying to undermine the institution both in letter and in spirit.” She explains WTO rules: “international trading firms are subject...

The Diplomat: China’s Great Property Wall

Bonnie Girard September 19, 2018
China restricts foreign purchases of homes and other property. “The contrast between what Chinese real estate investors can access in the United States, and what American and other foreign buyers can access in China, is stark,” explains Bonnie Girard for the Diplomat. “Non-Chinese nationals cannot buy property in China unless they live in China under resident visas. Even then, a foreigner in most...

African Business: Integrating Smallholder Farmers Into Supply Chain

Tom Collins September 13, 2018
About 70 percent of Africans rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, and growth in the sector reduces poverty. Some small farmers struggle to find markets and hesitate to expand, and business leaders suggest connections with larger supply chains. “Yet this is easier said than done,” explains Tom Collins for African Business. “Although large producers build smallholder capacity to secure crop,...