In The News

Harvests at Risk With Squeezed Labor: Bloomberg

Mike Dorning, Edward Ludlow and Ainslie Chandler March 27, 2020
Governments’ go-to method for stopping the spread of COVID-19 is imposing travel limits on infected countries. Such limits could threaten food production in the United States, Europe and elsewhere. “American produce growers preparing to harvest crops are warning of a devastating impact on fruit and vegetables after the U.S. Embassy in Mexico announced a halt to visa interviews for seasonal farm...

US-China Relations Worsen Amid Pandemic: Economist

The Economist March 26, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic could have been an opportunity for the U.S. and China to cooperate and disregard previous enmity. On the contrary, both countries approach the worst period since the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989 through mutual exchanges of blame and conspiracy theories. The first-stage deal to stop the trade war has been signed, but tensions continue in other areas. In January, China...

Who Is Caring for “Invisible” Carers? Rappler

Vin Aranas March 26, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic exposes devastating inequality. More than half of all workers hold jobs that cannot be done remote from home. Even in wealthy countries like the United States, half of the residents lack savings to manage an unexpected $500 expense. “While it is true that anyone can be exposed, not everyone has the means to protect themselves, the opportunity to practice social distancing...

US Coronavirus Conflict With China: The Hill

Stephen S. Roach and Daniel L. Arbess March 25, 2020
COVID-19, a threat to social and economic activity, requires a global solution, explain Stephen Roach and Daniel Arbess. Scapegoating is “stressing the U.S.-China relationship, inhibiting collaboration and enabling China to fill the global leadership void,” the two write. Collaborative research and ending the trade war, especially on medical supplies, could save US lives. China’s strict...

Limits on Medical Gear Exports: PIIE

Chad P. Brown March 25, 2020
Nations scramble for protective medical gear to prevent infections and a breakdown of health systems. Masks, gloves, gowns and ventilators are in short supply. The European Union announced export restrictions on some supplies, limiting EU sales to countries outside the bloc. “Europe’s actions could be self-defeating,” reports the Peterson Institute for International Economics. “They may disrupt...

“Now He’s Dead”: Spiegel

Benjamin Moscovici March 24, 2020
Families from Africa’s poorest nations send children and spouses to Europe with the hope of earning wages. An article from Spiegel reports on a family who received a phone call about a son's death a year after he had left home. “Lansana, like so many migrants who have embarked on similar journeys, carried the hopes of his entire family with him when he left,” reports Benjamin Moscovici for...

Coronavirus and the Ego Trap: DW

Frank Hofmann March 24, 2020
The coronavirus struck China in late 2019, paralyzing the economy by January. Few leaders in the West expected the virus to disrupt their operations, and many citizens followed that lead in resisting social distancing or empathy for the vulnerable. Arrogance, egotism and possibly greed are factors, suggests Frank Hofmann for Deutsche Welle. He refers to the US and Brazilian presidents who played...