In The News

Going Dutch Has New Meaning in Corporate Takeover Battles

Adam Cohen May 30, 2006
The Netherlands, a country long known for its tolerance and openness to outsiders, has found itself in the center of an EU-wide debate between protectionism and consolidation of industry. Luxembourg steelmaker Arcelor SA recently formed a “stichting” in the Netherlands in an attempt to keep its Canadian unit, Dofasco, out of the hands of Mittal. Dutch law, endorsed by the EU, allows for the...

The Contest for Memory

Naima Bouteldja May 30, 2006
In taking responsibility for their most ignominious periods, including colonialism and slavery, nations must display honesty and commitment. Gestures from the government of France to recognize its history have been undercut by attempts to revise the story of a colonial past depending on geography, sometimes emphasizing glory and achievement rather than bloodshed and victimization. France has...

EU Shoe Duty Trips Up Retailers

Juliane Von Reppert-Bismarck May 22, 2006
European consumers like bargains from Asia, but continental manufacturers expect protection from competition, fully expecting the government to increase tariffs on overseas products. So the EU trade commissioner aims for some compromise, for example, imposing tariffs on shoes for adults, but not for children. Clever retailers find loopholes with every exemption, simply labeling more shoes for...

For Outsourcing, Bulgaria Is “In”

Juliette Terzieff May 19, 2006
Bulgaria – with an education system ranking fifth in the world and students ranking 11th in mathematics – has the highest number of IT professionals per capita in the world. As a result, multinational firms look to Eastern Europe for relocation and labor. Other advantages of Eastern Europe include a developed infrastructure, economic and political stability as well as a central location to Africa...

Islamist Threats to Dutch Politician Bring Chill at Home

Andrew Higgins May 18, 2006
Born in Somalia, Ayaan Hirsi Ali grew up in Muslim countries, escaped an arranged marriage and arrived in the Netherlands as a refugee disgruntled about women’s rights in Islamic culture. She soon emerged as a member of Dutch parliament and a formidable critic of Islamic extremism. After extremists targeted Hirsi Ali with death threats, her fearful neighbors demanded that she be ousted from her...

L’Europe face à la mondialisation – Part II

Bruce Stokes May 18, 2006
L’économie de marché peut amener des bénéfices macroéconomiques, mais il fait aussi des victimes humaines- des ouvriers qui sont heureux de trouver un nouveau travail et moins bien payé. Les nations développées d’Europe, avec leurs protections sociales généreuses, tentent une série de stratégies pour entrer dans la compétition mondiale avec des nations dont la population a de plus faibles...

Europe Faces Globalization – Part II

Bruce Stokes May 18, 2006
Free trade may offer macroeconomic benefits, but it also claims human victims – laid-off workers who are lucky to find new jobs for less pay. The developed nations of Europe, with established manufacturing centers and generous social benefits, employ a range of strategies to compete globally with nations that have lower wages and minimal social protections. The second in this two-part series...