The Consular Conversation with William De Baets of Belgium, center, was hosted by the law firm of Miller and Martin PLLC, represented here by Managing Member Shelby Grubbs, right, and longtime international attorney Tom Harrold, left. The big story out of the Masters at Augusta National this year was the major victory that cemented Tiger Woods’ comeback story. But William De Baets had his mind on more on the golf course grounds than on the tournament itself. Since his arrival in 2017, the Belgian consul general has undertaken an investigation of historical ties between his country and the 10-state region he covers. He’s supplemented his reading with a lot miles driven across the region — partly due to a limited travel budget, but also thanks to a genuine fascination with delving into the South’s unique culture. What he has uncovered is a catalogue of stories that use the prism of the South to show the interconnectedness of the global economy at … [Read more...] about Belgium and the South: Linked Through a History of Global Trade
Global trading environment
India: Lots of Reasons for Optimism Amid Tough Trade Environment
The members of the panel discuss U.S.-India interactions amid a tough trade environment. Photo: GIACCPair the harsh global rhetoric of the U.S. with the politically fueled news cycle churning in India these days, and it might be easy to grow jaded. But a group of panelists convened in Atlanta in December saw opportunity ahead in 2019, even as they took a hard look at the tough hurdles ahead for the country’s economy. For Atman Trivedi, an Asia specialist at Washington consultancy Hills & Co., the problem isn’t the direction India is going; it’s the speed. The country still remains stubbornly closed to foreign investment in some sectors, which has contributed to the relatively low bilateral trade between India and the U.S. While that number grew 15 percent to $126 billion in 2017, it’s still five times less than the volume of U.S.-China trade and remains even lower than trade with South Korea, which hassles than 1/20th the … [Read more...] about India: Lots of Reasons for Optimism Amid Tough Trade Environment
US, China spar again over respective trade policies
Monday December 17, 2018 11:04 AM China and the United States clashed again over their respective trade policies Monday at a time the two countries are trying to iron out their differences so further U.S. tariffs are not imposed on Chinese goods. Written by By JAMEY KEATEN, Associated Press GENEVA (AP) — China and the United States clashed again over their respective trade policies Monday at a time the two countries are trying to iron out their differences so further U.S. tariffs are not imposed on Chinese goods. Dennis Shea, the U.S. ambassador to the WTO, said criticism from China about the U.S.'s "unilateralist and protectionist" approach to trade was unwarranted. He also insisted the U.S. wants to reform the global trading system to make it fairer for U.S. citizens and defended America's long role in supporting that system for seven decades, at the World Trade Organization and its predecessors. "The United States is raising serious concerns with the functioning and … [Read more...] about US, China spar again over respective trade policies
‘Chinafornia’ and global trade in age of Trump
By Joel Kotkin | | PUBLISHED: August 11, 2018 at 6:30 pm | UPDATED: August 11, 2018 at 6:31 pm One of the last regions settled en masse by Europeans, California’s trajectory long has been linked to its partners across the Pacific. Yet these ties could be deeply impacted by President Trump’s immigration and trade policies, as well as resulting blowback by the authoritarian regime in Beijing. In recent decades, California has become something of a China junkie. With China on the route to what some predict will be hegemonic power, there’s a set who eagerly wish to promote the idea of “Chinafornia.” The pattern of dependency can be seen in how our industries depend on China for their production. For some companies, like Apple, China provided the capacity to produce products cheaply without suffering heavy GHG impacts in state. China’s coal-based pollution allowed these congenitally “virtue signaling” firms to retain their … [Read more...] about ‘Chinafornia’ and global trade in age of Trump
U.S. Grains Council learns about new global trade landscape
Navigating the new global trade landscape while maintaining and strengthening relationships with key partners was front and center as the U.S. Grains Council’s 58th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting began Monday in Denver. Ambassador Carla Hills, a former U.S. Trade Representative, shared her perspective on how agriculture fits in today’s global trade puzzle. “Global trade is the most effective development tool we have,” Hills said. “It enlarges economic opportunities for poor countries. It is not just a humanitarian effort; it creates tomorrow’s trade partners. One might call it an act of enlightened self-interest. “But these are turbulent times. The U.S. government has always used diplomacy to advance the well-being of our own nation, but it worries me...that we are turning inward.” Hills, now chair and chief executive officer of Hills and Company International Consultants, served as USTR as a member of President George H.W. … [Read more...] about U.S. Grains Council learns about new global trade landscape