In The News

US Adds China’s Internet Controls to List of Trade Barriers

Paul Mozur April 8, 2016
The internet represents 6 percent of the US GDP, contributing to economic growth and jobs, more so than the construction or food-service sectors, reports a 2015 study for the Internet Association. Previous studies by McKinsey Global Institute suggest that most economic benefit, 75 percent, goes to companies in traditional industries. Such is the rationale for the Obama administration to add China...

Globalization’s Toll: Tata Steel’s Expansion Dream

Dilip Hiro April 7, 2016
Executives in the mining and steel industries miscalculated by expecting rapid growth to continue in China. China's leaders instead shifted the direction of their economy to rely less on manufacturing and more on services. Slowed growth led to a downturn in demand for commodities like iron ore and coal along with overcapacity in the steel industry. That increased China's exports,...

Down, But Certainly Not Out

Nayan Chanda April 6, 2016
The United States is gradually lifting restrictions on trade with Cuba and abandoning the lingering hostility after the end of the Cold War. Cubans, after enduring decades of a controlled economy and hardship, have pent-up demand and look forward to diverse products and business opportunities associated with trade. Nayan Chanda, founding editor of YaleGlobal, reports his observations during a...

At the Nuclear Security Summit, Real Action on the Sidelines

April 1, 2016
Global leaders attending a Nuclear Security Summit are determined to stop nuclear capabilities of North Korea and terrorist groups like the Islamic State. Analysis by Stratfor suggests that meetings on the summit’s sidelines could produce the most security gains. The United States pressed for reinforcing UN sanctions against North Korea – though the defiant country is reported to have test-fired...

China’s Future Challenge for the World Economy

Martin Wolf March 30, 2016
Economic policies in the world’s most populous nations, soon to be the world’s largest economy, affect the rest of the world. China’s rising corporate indebtedness could slow investment and lead to rapid depreciation, suggests Martin Wolf for Financial Times. China has a range of responses: following the West’s lead with increased borrowing to stimulate the economy, weakening the currency or...

China’s NGOs Go Global

Reza Hasmath March 23, 2016
Economic growth has transformed China from aid recipient to donor nation, explains Reza Hasmath, a professor of political science: “[T]he majority of China’s overseas development assistance is directed at nations, notably in Africa and Southeast Asia, where it has a substantial stake in accessing natural resources and low cost human capital…. Suffice to say, China’s development assistance is...

Australia Climate R&D Spending Cut Bad News for Asia Pacific Region

A. Barrie Pittock March 16, 2016
Climate change caused by burning fossil fuels developed over many years, and finding alternatives to fossil fuels and ways to stem the warming will take time, too. Governments strapped for cash are cutting research and may have to muddle through in dealing with more intense storms, floods, droughts as well as rising seas. Australia’s CEO of the Australian Scientific and Industrial Research...