China / Economy / Trade

BRICS and Currency Diversification Challenge the Dollar 

Executive Summary   The U.S. dollar’s position as the preeminent global reserve currency for international trade and transactions is under threat from countries across the world – particularly Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) – that seek greater economic autonomy.   BRICS nations plan to become less reliant on the U.S. dollar by circumventing it … Continue reading →

China / Europe / Trade

“Strategic Autonomy”: Macron Splinters on Western Relations with China 

Executive Summary  This month, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen met with Chinese President Xi Jingping in China to discuss political and economic ties between Europe and China.  During the summit, Macron denounced American and European efforts to economically “decouple” from China and reiterated the French desire for European … Continue reading →

China / Economy / Energy / Environment / Politics / Trade

China and Latin America: forging new economic ties in United States backyard.

China experienced explosive economic growth in the past few decades that helped it rise to the position of the second-largest economy in the world. It now aims to transform itself from a regional to a global hegemon, effectively challenging the US in its backyard, Latin America. The country’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) facilitated its … Continue reading →

Potential Benefits and Costs of US Backed Nuclear Power Plants Abroad
China / Energy / Environment / Foreign Policy / National Security

Potential Benefits and Costs of US Backed Nuclear Power Plants Abroad

Last month the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) announced its reversal of a legacy policy that banned the financing of nuclear power projects abroad[1]. The decision, currently in the public notice and comment period, was lauded as a victory by the energy, environmental, and national security spheres[2][3] but raises several concerns around carbon emissions, … Continue reading →

China / Events / Healthcare / Politics

Who is WHO?

Just about every newsletter in the past week or so, has had some mention of the mysterious coronavirus originating from Wuhan, China. Named the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), this upper-respiratory virus has caused more than 80 deaths and left more than a thousand ill according to the CDC and China’s National Health Commission– as of … Continue reading →

China / Economy / Politics / Tariffs / Trade

Trump States Will Be Hit by Chinese Pork Tariffs

Yesterday, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce imposed retaliatory tariffs on 128 U.S. products totaling $3 billion “in order to safeguard China’s interests and balance the losses caused by the U.S.” The tariffs, initially threatened in March, are the Chinese response to the Section 232 measures on steel and aluminum imposed by President Trump earlier that … Continue reading →

Hold My Beer: Aluminum and National Security
China / National Security / Politics / Trade

Hold My Beer: Aluminum and National Security

Background Beer is good , beer is american. To protect the interests of beer drinkers and beer producers everywhere, primary aluminum must be excluded from the Section 232 investigation, otherwise it risks endangering the business of local brewers, packagers, and raises prices for consumers. On April 26, 2017 Department of Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross, initiated … Continue reading →

How Does China Define Labor Relations in Rising Car-Hailing Services?
China / Labor Force / Politics

How Does China Define Labor Relations in Rising Car-Hailing Services?

On June 28, the Chinese Ministry of Transportation issued a new regulation declaring that online car-hailing services in China can operate lawfully, which took effect on Nov. 1. In China, strict governmental rules repeatedly trip up local and foreign internet companies. Before this new regulation, local governments in major cities restricted the registration and use … Continue reading →

Clinton’s Secretary of State Shortlist Reveals Her Foreign Policy
Central Asia / China / Dpt. of State / Europe / Europe / Foreign Policy / Iran / Middle East / National Security / Presidential Race 2016 / Russia / Sanctions

Clinton’s Secretary of State Shortlist Reveals Her Foreign Policy

  The Clinton transition team recently leaked its shortlist for Secretary of State. While media attention has solely focused on Vice President Joe Biden’s appearance on the list, the rest of the list reveals what a potential Clinton administration’s foreign policy might entail. Based on her shortlist, Clinton has Russian aggression and European stability on … Continue reading →