Posts tagged…Usa
Why we should pull out of Afghanistan now
Wed, Jun 23 2010There can be no stronger argument for our withdrawal from combat (along with Netherlands and Canada) than this arrogant martial nonsense from Malcolm Turnbull on the ABC "Q&A" program on 21 June
"We are in a war, a global war against terror, and the battle in Afghanistan is the front line, so we have a vital interest in winning that battle, and the mission that Australia has and our allies have…
Read more…The cost of Renminbi adjustment
Mon, Apr 12 2010Yang Yao, Editor of the China Economic Quarterly, points out that Obama's health budget calculations may depend on Chinese savings
"Stopping the sale of Treasury bonds to China would benefit the US. First, it would prevent Chinese savings depressing demand for American goods. Second, it would discourage the US government from deficit spending and prevent skyrocketing government debts. Third, it…
Apple’s patent protectionism
Thu, Mar 04 2010In an action before the U.S. Federal courts and the International Trade Commission, Apple Inc. is attacking a Taiwanese manufacturer of Google's Android Phone for alleged abuse of 20 software patents. It seems the suits are aimed at slowing the growth of competition for the iPhone and, possibly, aimed at Google's proposed web operating system.
The prosecution of software patents, especially…
Good idea or insidious threat?
Tue, Dec 08 2009When an economy has trade leverage, the threat of discriminatory duties need not be simple protectionism.
"The US can help China make the necessary adjustments toward a reduction in imbalances by adopting a uniform tariff of 10 per cent on all Chinese imports, based on their values when they enter the US. Six months after the establishment of this tariff, the rate would increase by one percentage…
Let’s hope this means more clarity
Fri, Jun 26 2009Trade ministers in Paris for the June OECD meetings are looking for Lamy's 'second track' to a Doha deal.
"U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk called for a new approach to the Doha talks, involving direct negotiations with key trading partners as the traditional multilateral format was not working…'We think getting more clarity around that ['exactly what the U.S. would gain'] may be the key to…
Shadow U.S. Trade Committee
Thu, May 14 2009This is pretty interesting. See the discussion forum for some good debate on U.S. trade policy by very smart people.
Dani Rodrik argues plausibly that agriculture and the movement of skilled labor should be two priorities for trade liberalization in the USA.
China worries about U.S. carbon tariffs
Wed, Apr 22 2009In a speech in the U.S. yesterday, Tung Chee-hwa, vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) hit out at plans for carbon tariffs in the Democrats' bill for emission controls
"A top adviser to the Chinese government on Tuesday warned that a proposed US border tax on carbon sensitive materials ‘smells of protectionism’ and could spark retaliation from developing…
An uptick in US demand
Thu, Mar 26 2009Hmm.. too early to be due to Obama's stimulus.
"The 3.4 percent increase [in demand for durable goods], the biggest gain in more than a year and the first in seven months, followed a 7.3 percent decrease in January that was larger than previously estimated, the Commerce Department said today in Washington. Excluding transportation equipment, orders gained 3.9 percent, the most since August 2005."…
Why the EUA speaks Spanish
Fri, Mar 13 2009
That's the Estados Unidos de América.
Another astonishing info-graphic from the New York Times; not the best designed on-line paper (the Guardian takes that prize, in my view, followed by Le Monde and the Wall St Journal), but easily the best at visual presentation of data.
These two graphs are extracts from the same graphic illustrating the origins of migrants and the size of their population…
Anti-NAFTA Congressman for U.S. Trade Rep?
Thu, Dec 04 2008An experienced Member of the Ways and Means trade subcommittee, another Californian lawyer (a profession that has not distinguished itself in the Trade Representative's office, except by a take-no-prisoners advocacy), Xavier Becerra sounds pretty much what Obama promised during his campaign:
"Becerra did originally support NAFTA, but he has apologized for this and worked to oppose CAFTA, giving…
Democrat Convention
Wed, Aug 27 2008
More entertaining than the Olympics. Notice the dark area where the press photographers are located? Great lighting. NY Times multimedia is outstanding.
Global emission targets: here we go
Tue, Jun 24 2008We are likely to discover where this will lead only after a long process.
"Major carbon dioxide emitters failed to agree on a numerical target for reducing the world's greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2050 even though the final session of a two-day meeting here was extended into Monday morning, conference sources said…The [Major Emitters Group] comprises 16 nations, including China,…