In The News

China Plays a Big Role as US Treasury Yields Fall

Min Zeng July 18, 2014
China has stepped up its purchases in the U.S. treasury market – that despite tensions and expectations that the country would pull back. “The Chinese government has increased its buying of U.S. Treasury this year at the fastest pace since records began more than three decades ago, data released Wednesday show,” reports Min Zeng for the Wall Street Journal. “The buying has been fueled by China...

The New Casinos – Emerging Markets

Anthony Rowley July 1, 2014
Financial analysts tout the potential of emerging economies for growth and wealth creation. While progress cannot be denied, the physical, institutional and financial infrastructures of many nations remain relatively weak, explains author and editor Anthony Rowley. He describes how Wall Street relabeled about 70 developing nations, once known “third world” or “basket cases,” as “emerging markets...

US Companies Head to Mexico

Damien Cave June 24, 2014
Manufactured goods from Mexico have comprised a larger share of the US imports, reaching 14 percent, according to the International Monetary Fund, while China’s share in it has declined. With labor costs rapidly increasing in China, and wages doubling every few years, US investors have looked to Mexico as a more competitive place for manufacturing their products. Damien Cave, writing for the New...

China Trades Up in Latin America

Jill Richardson June 6, 2014
Since 2000, China has become a strategic economic actor in Latin America, the top trader for Brazil, Chile and Peru. Chinese exports to Latin America have grown in volume and valuation, especially in manufacturing and electronics, but China’s huge influence comes with a cost, including volatility in the commodities markets, reports Jill Richardson for Foreign Policy in Focus. China’s trading...

The Great Backlash

Nouriel Roubini June 4, 2014
Nationalism, populism, isolationism and xenophobia are emerging and gaining traction even in the world’s most advanced countries in response to the 2008 global recession. Economist Nouriel Roubini, writing for Project Syndicate, reviews global political trends and draws parallels with those in Europe just before the Second World War. He points to the rise of nationalist governments in Asia and...

The Legacy of Tiananmen Square

Johan Lagerkvist June 3, 2014
China’s communist leaders orchestrated a steady march towards great power status, accompanied by rewriting history and erasing tragic moments. Author Johan Lagerkvist reflects on the 25th anniversary of what has come to be known as Tiananmen Square massacre and points out how “the mindset behind the tragedy – unswerving support for China’s rise, with no toleration for criticism, questions or...

Walgreens Urged to Leave US to Gain Tax Benefit

Ed Hammond April 15, 2014
A small group that owns shares of the largest pharmacy chain retailer in the United States wants Walgreens to relocate to Europe: “investors owning close to 5 per cent of Walgreens’ shares lobbied the company’s management to use its $16bn takeover of Swiss-based Alliance Boots to re-domicile its tax base,” reports Ed Hammond for the Financial Times. “The move, known as an inversion, would...