Foreign Policy Blogs

Trade & Economics

Chorus of Emerging Markets Condemn Fed Policy

Chorus of Emerging Markets Condemn Fed Policy

A rising chorus of central bank policy-makers in emerging market nations criticized the Federal Reserve on Thursday for its decision to pump more money into the U.S. economy – a monetary policy known as Quantitative Easing – a measure that they fear could escalate the worrisome influx of cash into fast-growing economies around the world.

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Global Markets Look Past Elections to Fed QE

Global Markets Look Past Elections to Fed QE

Global Markets were shorting US futures after the results of US national elections, where the Republicans gained control of the House of Representatives, and made gains in the Senate – though Democrats are still in control. The Markets are looking ahead to Fed QE policy and the G-20 meeting in South Korea later this week.

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Restoring Sanity to Domestic Political Economy

Restoring Sanity to Domestic Political Economy

For anyone wondering what exactly Jon Stewart’s “Rally to Restore Sanity” is going to be about and why I’m going (and you should too), “The Daily Show” anchor cleared up at least what it is not going to be about, according to Bill Carter’s Media Decoder blog. “It is in fact not a political rally,” […]

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Geo-Strategist Warns 'End of the Free Market'

Geo-Strategist Warns 'End of the Free Market'

“I believe we are at the end of the Free Market.” That startling statement kicked off the FPA’s final keynote speaker on Monday afternoon. Author and geopolitical strategist Ian Bremmer, Ph.D.

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As Dollar Declines, Currency Conflicts Rise

As Dollar Declines, Currency Conflicts Rise

‘Is this a currency war or what? Fast-growing nations like Thailand are trying to devalue their exchange rates to bolster their export-driven economies. In Washington, where “strong dollar” has been the mantra for years, policy makers are taking steps that could make the already weak dollar weaker still. These uncoordinated moves among global central banks to weaken their respective currencies is precipitating a global currency war.

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US Income Inequality – Too Big To Ignore

US Income Inequality – Too Big To Ignore

Income inequality in the US is growing at an alarming rate as it did prior to the Great Depression precipitated by the Wall Street crash of 1929. Where will it all lead..??

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Global Currency War Reveals Shifting Power

Global Currency War Reveals Shifting Power

There are mounting anxieties in Global capital markets over the divergence between China’s economic policies – specifically, its currency exchange rate policies — and the relationship that currency valuation has to a sputtering economic recovery in the rich Western economies.

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TARP Bailout May Turn Profit for Taxpayers

TARP Bailout May Turn Profit for Taxpayers

Even as voters rage and candidates put up ads against government bailouts, the reviled mother of them all — the $700 billion lifeline to banks, insurance and auto companies — will expire after Sunday at a fraction of that cost, and could conceivably earn taxpayers a profit. (From the New York Times)

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Distrust of US Financial Media Hits New High

According to the most recent Gallup Poll of people’s ever increasing distrust in the mass media. From 46% in 1998, the percentage of people who indicate they have “not very much/none at all” trust in mass media has grown to a stunning 57% currently. This is an all time record, as the general public perception toward the MSM has flipped over the past decade.

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The Economic Party Rolls On in Rio

The Economic Party Rolls On in Rio

While many advanced economies, ours included, struggles to revive its flagging economy, one country is proving the exception to the global recession, and no, it’s not China: it’s Brazil. TThhe South American country appears unstoppable in boosting domestic, as well as foreign investments in fueling the nation’s stellar economic growth and emergence as a major global player.

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What goes around…

What goes around…

Boeing spent years pushing U.S. administrations to pursue (largely legitimate) trade sanctions against Airbus at the WTO. These cases largely went in favor of the U.S. with the WTO ruling that Airbus had received government subsidies, considered illegal under WTO rules. Before these cases could be settled, potentially causing major problems for U.S.-European relations, comes […]

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The Economic Transformation of Cuba Begins

The Economic Transformation of Cuba Begins

Report in NY Times about the impending lay-off of over 500,000 employees was jarring in the context of our own stagnant economy. The junior Castro brother, Raúl, is following through on his previous pledges to make Cuba’s centralized, Socialist economy more efficient and to open up opportunities to its enterprising citizens. This begs the question if Cuba will replicate China’s success with its State capitalism model.

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USW trade complaint with USTR against China

USW trade complaint with USTR against China

According to Washington Trade Daly The United Steelworks Union has recently filed a unfair trade practices petition with the office of the US Trade Representative. The letter maintains that several Chinese policies and practices are “illegal” and threatens the U.S. economy. In particular they maintain that the U.S. alternative and renewable energy sectors are being […]

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China Bumps Japan as Second-Largest World Economy

China Bumps Japan as Second-Largest World Economy

After Japan’s anemic 0.1% economic growth in the 2Q, China has now supplanted its ancient rival as the world’s second-largest economy marking another milestone in the country’s transformation from an impoverished ‘Third World’ communist state to global economic superpower, and carries with it broad geopolitical implications.

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Ron Kirk finally finds something to do

Recent news suggests that the Obama administration is once again buckling to the pressure of labor unions, this time by pursuing trade sanctions against Guatemala. Yes, Guatemala. Forget that this is the big guy beating up on the little guy, or the rich guy beating up on the poor guy, Guatemala has signed a free […]

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