U.S.

The most important and contentious trade vote in Congress this year will probably be the free trade agreement the United States has signed with its South American neighbor and ally, Colombia. In his January 28, 2008, State of the Union speech, President Bush called on Congress to approve the agreement this year. Calling Colombia “a […]

As the pace of change accelerates in our age of information, few things remain the same. And like product cycles, skills cycles have been shortened. For example, “A skill cycle that once ran for three years now lasts just nine months,” says Manpower Inc., a leader in the employment services industry. Plus, finding the right...

American small and medium-size manufacturers (SMMs) are playing an increasingly important role in our nation’s economy. They also are encountering a whole new set of challenges presented by today’s new global realities. Nevertheless, those who have adapted have boosted their level of global competitiveness, created new, more sophisticated supply-chain opportunities, and have taken big steps...

The United States attracted $180 billion in foreign direct investment in 2006. This is extremely important since inbound investment creates millions of high-wage, high-skilled American jobs that support our growing standard of living. But protectionist trends could disrupt this. Global Funds Are Needed In 2006, 20 bills were introduced in Congress that, if implemented...

The increasing global nature of business and supply-chain relationships has had a tremendous impact on U.S. manufacturing over the last decade. And small and medium size manufacturers (SMMs) are adapting with favorable results. New Trends Cut Both Ways Two new trends are shaping the future of SMMs, says Jerry Jasinowski, president of the Manufacturing Institute...

A container isn’t just a container anymore. Today, “smart containers” curtail cargo theft and can deter terrorism. But problems remain.

There are nearly 400 regional trade agreements either in force around the world, signed but not yet in force, or being negotiated, according to the World Trade Organization. And the number is anticipated to grow at an accelerated rate. Not surprising, many of these agreements have evolved into trade blocs, such as the 27-member European...

Last year the United States attracted $180 billion in foreign direct investment. This is extremely important since inbound investment creates millions of high-wage, high-skilled American jobs that support our growing standard of living. But protectionist trends could disrupt this...

America is undergoing one of the greatest periods of transformation in history. Not unlike the powerful changes caused by the industrial revolution that shaped the 19th and 20th centuries, today, globalization is shaping the 21st century and the United States is leading the way...

In today’s rapidly changing global business environment, U.S. manufacturers must develop an efficient and cost effective strategy to satisfy regulatory compliance requirements. But in many cases, it’s not easy. With few exceptions, most companies operate as quickly as possible in order to beat competitors to market. This generally means squeezing every single unnecessary delay out […]

America is undergoing one of the greatest periods of transformation in history. Not unlike the powerful changes caused by the industrial revolution that shaped the 19th and 20th centuries, today, globalization is shaping the 21st century and the United States is leading the way. Since economic globalization — the integration of national markets through international...

Each year, more than 75 million Americans get sick from eating spoiled or contaminated food. The result: approximately 325,000 are hospitalized and 5,000 die, according to the Progressive Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C. think tank. The vast majority of contaminated food is produced in the United States. But since a growing share of food products...

The era of trade liberalization is dead. Yet it could get worse still. Not only have prospects for liberalization over the next few years been dashed, but Congress is considering legislation that could precipitate a retreat from the trade policies and institutions that have served U.S. interests for 60 years...

If a government policy creates many higher-paying jobs while putting fewer lower-paying ones at risk, would you favor it? Virtually everyone would say yes. So why are free trade agreements — mechanisms that generate far greater benefits than disadvantages — perceived so negatively?

Whether you are explaining your corporate response to globalization or defending it, your ability to effectively communicate your position is paramount. Why? Your ability to do so can help achieve greater understanding, acceptance and support. Your failure to do so, however, can result in bad press, policymakers running for cover, low employee morale and decreased...

As trade between nations rapidly increased in the early part of the 20th Century, a major barrier to expansion were conflicting laws governing letters of credit among countries. In 1933, members of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) created the first Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP), a set of rules that brought...

It’s often regarded as an invisible crime: Cargo theft costs the U.S. billions of dollars a year, yet no one knows the extent of the problem. Logistics providers are often reluctant to report thefts, and law enforcement agencies have few hard statistics. Tighter security since 9/11 is having a positive impact, however, and new laws...

Shifts in the value of the U.S. dollar can be felt in a variety of ways. Old assumptions regarding the impact of a rising or falling currency may not necessary hold true. In this era of globalization and infinite supply chain strategies, new realities are increasingly painting a different picture. Currency Assumptions Fade A weakening...

In May, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued its much anticipated, semiannual Report to the Congress on International Economic and Exchange Rate Policies. The report’s key conclusion, that China is not a currency manipulator, was met with incredulity on the part of a number of members of Congress, some who suggested that the Treasury’s...

Susan Schwab began work recently as U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) at a difficult time for free trade. Free traders have promised results for decades, and an honest assessment says they were right. Globalization is enhancing prosperity everywhere, and lowering trade barriers promotes broad prosperity for the poor and rich alike. But reality and perceptions are […]