Foreign Policy Blogs

International Trade

The trade deficit is widening. Is that really such a bad thing?

The trade deficit is widening. Is that really such a bad thing?

Recent US Commerce Department figures showing a widening of the country’s trade deficit serve to illustrate the inherent contradictions in President Trump’s vow to narrow the gap while urging faster economic growth.

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NAFTA Negotiations will Extend China’s Influence in North America

NAFTA Negotiations will Extend China’s Influence in North America

Trump’s blunt mercantilism risks pushing Mexico and Canada into China’s arms. Indeed, both countries have expressed interest in signing a deal with Beijing.

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India Continues Building Trade Ties With Africa

India Continues Building Trade Ties With Africa

India’s external trade has grown significantly with the continent across the Indian Ocean. There are many similarities the regions share in both challenges and opportunities, and plans are evolving to strengthen partnerships.

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Trade Policy and Other Goals

Trade Policy and Other Goals

Under the idea to “Make America Great Again” the plan is to extract concessions, country by country, wielding U.S. economic power to reduce trade deficits.

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The Fed, Trade, and Dollar Purchasing Power

The Fed, Trade, and Dollar Purchasing Power

From 2003 to 2017, the Effective Federal Funds Rate (EFFR) dropped by 36% while gold rose 169%, and dollar purchasing power reflects this low-rate environment.

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Parag Khanna’s ‘Blunt’ Defense of Globalization

Parag Khanna’s ‘Blunt’ Defense of Globalization

In a speech at the Foreign Policy Association Khanna argued that globalization is not at risk of reversing despite recent surges in popularity of nationalist ideas.

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Seoul Reports Beijing’s Mandarin Imperiousness to WTO

Seoul Reports Beijing’s Mandarin Imperiousness to WTO

In response to Beijing’s recent economic retaliations over the deployment of THAAD, Seoul raised the issue of trade agreements violations at a WTO meeting.

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Robert Lighthizer on Trade with China

Robert Lighthizer on Trade with China

The new pick for U.S. trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, recently signaled the new administration’s get-tough approach to China over trade issues.

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Beyond NAFTA: Issues in North American Free Trade

Beyond NAFTA: Issues in North American Free Trade

Beyond NAFTA, Mexico and Canada could benefit greatly from a boom in the U.S. economy if it is accompanied by wise domestic policy decisions.

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The Global Security Benefits of TPP’s Death

The Global Security Benefits of TPP’s Death

The TPP raised security issues, offering many loopholes in user safety, digital privacy, preservation of intellectual property, and government surveillance.

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Peter Navarro and the Coming China Trade Wars

Peter Navarro and the Coming China Trade Wars

Analysts are alarmed over the potential for a U.S-China trade war after the selection of Peter Navarro as the head of the White House National Trade Council.

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As Sanctions are Lifted, Russia Eyes Trade Opportunities with Iran

As Sanctions are Lifted, Russia Eyes Trade Opportunities with Iran

As Iran’s economy is likely to become a bonanza for foreign companies in the upcoming years, Russia is preparing to secure its share.

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Rift with Philippines Highlights Economics as Key to U.S.-China Rivalry

Rift with Philippines Highlights Economics as Key to U.S.-China Rivalry

The rise of multi-vector foreign policies and competing economic integration visions throughout Asia will force the U.S to up its own economic game.

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See No Evil? Distorted Finance and Economic Risk

See No Evil? Distorted Finance and Economic Risk

The global economy has been leaning on monetary policy—the printing of money by central banks —to avoid decline. But what are the spillover effects?

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Free Trade Taking a Beating in U.S. Election

Free Trade Taking a Beating in U.S. Election

In a sharply divided electorate, opposition to free trade is creating an unlikely point of unity between angry voters across the aisle.

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