The weekly trade report with L.C. Taiwan’s diplomatic isolation in the face of Chinese threats seems to be coming to an end: Japan is promoting Taiwan’s entry to the CPTPP. Parliamentarians from the Japanese (LDP) and Taiwanese (DPP) ruling parties met virtually on August 27th, an unusual occurrence indicative of Tokyo’s efforts to warm its […]
Climate, absurdities, and the Democrats
Four historical episodes are summarized in which a majority of scientists in a particular specialty supported false and even absurd theories. The theories that received government backing persisted decades longer than they otherwise would have and in three out of the four cases cited led to atrocities. US eugenics especially comes to mind. It encouraged […]
Trade “must take a back seat,” Blinken says
The August 9th to August 15th, 2021 roundup of major trade developments, with L.C. The Biden administration is abandoning US post-World War II leadership in trade as resolutely as it has abandoned US national security interests in Afghanistan. The consequences of the former will be as disastrous economically as the latter is proving for US […]
Pacific allies urge US to re-engage through digital trade deal
Such a deal could begin returning the US to being an active trade player in the region and help lessen Chinese economic domination of the region. All seventeen House Ways and Means Committee Republicans are unanimous in calling for enacting Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for the Democratic president so that trade deals can be expedited […]
A beneficial US-Vietnam currency settlement
A potential tariff war with an important US trade and strategic partner has been avoided. The July 19th to July 25th, 2021 roundup of major trade developments, with L.C. The Section 301 case targeting Vietnam for currency manipulation has been concluded – amicably, without the imposition of new US tariffs. When the US Trade Representative […]
