In The News

Globalization: Latin America Improves, Brazil Worsens

Joachim Bamrud December 28, 2006
Panama is the most globalized country of Latin America, and Brazil is the least, according to the 2006 Latin American Globalization Index from “Latin Business Chronicle.” Member nations of the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement lead the list of most globalized nations in Latin America, with all except the Dominican Republic improving scores. The index ranks countries on...

Europe Is Giving Global Economy a Surprise Boost Amid US Lull

Marcus Walker December 21, 2006
Typically, when the US economy slows, Europe follows. But because of rising exports, Europeans demonstrate a renewed economic confidence, as demonstrated by more jobs, investment and spending. Modest economic growth is spreading throughout the continent known for heavy regulation of labor, trade and investment as well as generous social benefits. With exports leading the growth, European...

India: Emerging as Eastern or Western Power?

Kishore Mahbubani December 19, 2006
Asian nations grow more confident, more optimistic, even as the US withdraws from global leadership, fearful after the 9/11 attacks and lashing out in anger like a wounded animal, without plans or purpose. By condoning torture and instigating war while overlooking pressing problems, the US has abandoned lofty principles it once embraced. With that context, former Singapore ambassador to the...

Taming the Dragon

Gordon G. Chang December 15, 2006
Americans misunderstand their relationship with the Chinese, and that’s why little progress is made during any negotiations between the two nations, argues author Gordon Chang. The US repeatedly and mistakenly assumes that China can’t be pressured and that China has the upper hand because it holds so much US debt. Even if China were to pursue euros and yen instead of dollars, Chang argues that...

Everybody Wants One Now

December 12, 2006
English-language television news channels have been cropping up all over the globe, in places as diverse as China, Russia, the Middle East and, surprisingly enough, in France. Many of these stations are at least partly government-owned, and some viewers question their ability to avoid becoming a mouthpiece for certain policies. Proponents counter that these broadcasts will cover areas neglected...

“Fair Trade” Lifts the Wrong Boats

Rick Newman December 12, 2006
Subsidies, tariffs and other forms of protectionism shield weak competitors – sometimes ending their ability to ever compete again in the global markets. The US auto and textile markets serve as examples. Three decades ago, US auto firms had protections in place, bashing competitors in Japan, but Japanese auto firms thrive and present efficient, desirable models. The textile industry, with its...

Slumping Dollar Has Nasty Surprise in Store for Lebanese Consumers

Michael Bluhm December 11, 2006
Even as Lebanon tries to avoid falling into civil war, the country’s fortunes are further imperiled by the falling US dollar. The dollar plays a prominent role in Lebanon’s economy: It is universally accepted alongside the Lebanese pound, and bank machines routinely dispense money in both pounds and dollars. Now, a weaker dollar means that Lebanese consumers can expect to pay more for goods...