In The News

Globalization’s Last Gasp

Barry Eichengreen November 23, 2016
World trade was slowing and protectionist tendencies were apparent years before the British vote to leave the European Union and Donald Trump’s winning the US presidential election. “It means that the benefits of openness and specialization are being squandered,” suggests Barry Eichengreen, a professor of economics, for Project Syndicate. “So far, slower trade growth has been the result of slower...

How Donald Trump Can Fight Globalization

Chris Matthews November 18, 2016
Globalization infiltrates every part of business and life, and most citizens may not even notice some of the trends in which they participate. US President Barack Obama noted while in Germany while adding that governments could do more to explain the complexities and ease hardships. “Make America Great Again” and “America First” of the Trump campaign were easy slogans that appealed to voters,...

China and the US: Two Visions, One Collaboration?

Marc Grossman November 15, 2016
Donald Trump promised during the US presidential campaign to be tough on trade with China, suggesting he would label the country a currency manipulator and impose tariffs unless trade agreements were renegotiated. Trade is likewise threatened with China’s expansive claims and military buildup in the South China Sea. But the world’s two largest economies have reason to cooperate in Asia, argues...

Trump Spells End of Normality for Europe

Melanie Amann, Horand Knaup, Martin Knobbe, Peter Müller, Ralf Neukirch, René Pfister, Michael Sauga and Christoph Schult November 14, 2016
Donald Trump vowed to upend the establishment. German leaders also expect the next US president to upend European politics, fueling populist parties and encouraging fragmentation of the European Union as right-wing politicians lure working-class voters with big promises of restoring jobs by ending immigration. German-US relations enter unknown territory. “Will the next US president become the...

Asia Needs to Spell Out Changes They Want in International Monetary System

Barry Eichengreen October 31, 2016
The International Monetary Fund contributes to stabilizing the monetary system, reducing imbalances and providing emergency assistance as needed. Yet many Asian nations resist borrowing from the IMF and a regional arrangement for Asia has yet to be activated, writes Barry Eichengreen for Caixin. He urges critics to be specific on needed reforms: “Do they require further changes in the composition...

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...

Green Sovereign Bonds: Tactical Moves on an Emerging Market

October 20, 2016
France issued the first green sovereign bond in September and China may soon follow, joining the ranks of institutions like the World Bank and large companies. Green bonds fund programs aimed at stemming climate change and promoting alternative energies, energy efficiency, water treatment and other forms of sustainable development. So far, yearly issuances represent about 1 percent of the global...