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WTO cuts its forecast for 2023's global trade growth in half

Oct 6, 2023
The World Trade Organization predicted trade would grow by 1.7% in 2023. It's been revised to 0.8% due in part to stubborn inflation.
The war in Ukraine and the real estate crisis in China have both bogged down global trade.
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

Warmer U.S.-China trade relations could help U.S. exporters

Aug 29, 2023
The U.S. has been restricting certain American exports to China, citing national security concerns. But other U.S. exporters could benefit from improved trade relations.
Secretary Gina Raimondo meets with Lin Feng, Director General of China Ministry of Commerce and U.S. Ambassador to China Nick Burns upon her arrival in Beijing on Sunday.
Andy Wong-Pool/Getty Images

"Made in America" policy can actually hurt the U.S., economist says

Adam Posen agrees with the goals of boosting green energy and keeping China at bay. But he says protectionism won't achieve them.
One example of industrial policy is subsidies for companies doing work in clean energy, like the kind that the Inflation Reduction Act provides.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Germany warned about the danger of becoming economically dependent on China

Dec 1, 2022
After its over-reliance on the Kremlin for its energy, is Germany making the same mistake with Beijing?
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) welcomes German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 4, 2022.
Photo by Kay Nietfeld/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

It costs how much to ship that? How one commission is tackling inflation at the ports

Sep 20, 2022
A new law has given the Federal Maritime Commission the teeth it needs to tackle high shipping fees and congestion at the ports.
President Joe Biden believes taming shipping freight costs is an integral part of bringing inflation back down. He has empowered the Federal Maritime Commission to tackle it at the ports.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

A quarter-century after the handover, is Hong Kong still attractive as a business hub?

Jun 29, 2022
Crackdowns by Beijing and severe COVID restrictions have undermined its status. Friday marks the anniversary of the transfer of control.
The Hong Kong skyline at sunset. The territory has seen security crackdowns and severe COVID restrictions, and many residents have left in recent years. Friday marks 25 years since its return to Chinese rule.
Anthony Kwan/Getty Images

Cutting the Taliban off from global trade could be a tall order

Aug 17, 2021
The U.S. has already frozen Afghan assets in this country.
Pedestrians pass Afghanistan's Kabul Bank in 2010. The Taliban, which have retaken control of the country, remain under long-standing U.S. financial sanctions.
Shah Marai/AFP via Getty Images

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EU carbon tariff plan sparks controversy

Jul 19, 2021
The European Union proposes to impose tariffs on certain imports from countries deemed not to be seriously tackling climate change.
The EU is encountering pushback against a new plan to use trade policy to reduce carbon emissions in an effort to mitigate climate change.
Lukas Schulze via Getty Images

Britain looks to U.S., China to bolster financial services after Brexit

Jul 1, 2021
After a wait-and-see period caused by Brexit, London is ready to forge a new global path in attracting business partners.
"I think what's increasingly clear is that London's future is going to be global," says Jonathan Hill.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

EU seeks to raise the drawbridge on companies that get foreign subsidies

May 5, 2021
It's an attempt to gain leverage over China.
European leaders are increasingly worried that China’s state-dominated economic system is threatening companies in their own countries.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images