In The News

“Brexit” Requires a Vote in Parliament, UK Court Rules

Stephen Castle November 3, 2016
British voters had their say on the nation leaving the European Union, and the High Court has ruled that Parliament’s approval is required, too. The decision may delay Brexit. “Although most lawmakers opposed the decision to leave the European Union, it would be politically toxic for them to overturn the referendum outcome,” reports Stephen Castle for the New York Times. “Still, the pound, which...

Belgium Walloons Block Key EU Ceta Trade Deal with Canada

October 24, 2016
Negotiating trade deals and satisfying special interests are never easy. A region in Belgium blocked agreement on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and Europe. Other EU members were ready sign the agreement that has been in the works since 2009. “Wallonia, a staunchly socialist region of 3.6 million people, has led objections to the deal, demanding stronger safeguards...

World Bank Admits Some Have Lost Out From Free Trade

Kamal Ahmed October 12, 2016
The benefits of globalization and trade are not spread evenly, suggests a World Bank internal document reported on by BBC News. “Jim Kim, the head of the World Bank, told the BBC that he understood why people were angry in advanced economies despite the fact that free trade was one of the ‘most powerful’ drivers of growth and prosperity,” reports Kamal Ahmed for BBC. “Kim said that 20% of jobs...

Chinese Billionaire Makes Aggressive Moves in Hollywood

Ryan Faughnder and David Pierson October 5, 2016
The Dalian Wanda Group could be intent on learning the arts of soft power. After the Chinese conglomerate purchased a Hollywood production company and a large movie theater chain for a combined $6 billion, 16 members of US Congress urged the comptroller general to consider if new standards should be applied to similar foreign acquisitions. The September 15 letter raises the possibility of Chinese...

Global Economic Growth “Sliding Back into the Morass”

Chris Giles October 4, 2016
A report from the Brookings Institution and the Financial Times indicates that global economic growth rates are slowing. The report was published before the meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, where global economic leaders plan to stress the value of inclusion and global cooperation and other main tenets of globalization. The Brookings-FT Tiger index compares numerous...

Asians Concerned by Extreme Comments of US Presidential Campaign

Satu Limaye and Robert Sutter October 4, 2016
US presidential candidates are promising new directions on trade relations with Asia. Varying levels of concern have emerged in China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, suggests “America’s 2016 Election Debate on Asia Policy and Asian Reactions,” a report prepared by Robert Sutter and Satu Limaye for the East-West Center. The center promotes good relations and understanding between the United States...

Tens of Thousands Protest in Europe Against Atlantic Free Trade Deals

Michael Nienaber September 28, 2016
Thousands of people across Europe have marched in protest of free-trade agreements promoted by the European Union with Canada and the United States. Activists caution that the proposed deals – the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the United States and the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement with Canada – could reduce environmental standards and protections for workers. But...