World

<p>In August 2012, a new set of federal regulations was issued that could affect all companies involved in the manufacturing of everyday consumer products, including cell phones, computers, canned goods, electrical equipment, solder, and jewelry. The regulations address the use of “conflict minerals” in these products, and will have far reaching consequences on all companies—large [&hellip;]</p>

In our hyper-competitive global economy, intellectual property (IP), often referred to as creations of the mind that can be incorporated into tangible objects, has become the primary source of competitive advantage for both companies and countries. When employed to drive innovation, IP boosts corporate profits, job creation, national economic growth, wages, and standards of living...

A Persian Gulf may lie beneath North Dakota and Montana, says a Harvard study. And the Marcellus shale alone may hold 141 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, an amount equal to total world consumption in 10 years, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports. Advances in drilling and extraction, combined with these newly...

In July, Apple announced lower than anticipated sales numbers for the iPhone in China. Many in the U.S. media blamed high prices, wondering when Apple would make their signature device more affordable there. This assumption implies the average Chinese consumer cannot afford the iPhone and is purchasing a less expensive alternative. This is incorrect.

International trade has grown exponentially over the past half-century benefiting American companies, communities and workers. This primarily is the result of the spread of globalization, improvements in technology, finance and transportation, and importantly, reductions in country tariff levels. But, as tariff levels have declined, new forms of protectionism have emerged that could threaten global economic...

Over the past few decades, due diligence practices and international trade activities have undergone significant changes. For example, companies have implemented increasingly sophisticated tools to evaluate risks and opportunities associated with corporate acquisitions. At the same time, firms of all sizes have developed complex and very efficient global supply chains. But serious problems persist.

Canada is one of the most accessible markets in the world. Last year, U.S.-Canadian merchandise trade amounted to almost $600 billion—nearly 100 billion more than the United States’ next largest partner.  And bilateral trade in services also was tremendous, at more than $76 billion in 2010, according to the most recent data...

An emerging narrative in 2012 is that a proliferation of protectionist, treaty-violating, or otherwise illiberal Chinese policies is to blame for worsening U.S.-China relations. China trade experts from across the ideological and political spectra have lent credibility to that story. Business groups that once counseled against U.S. government actions that might be perceived by the...

To achieve needed growth, many U.S. firms are focused on global expansion and improving international sales. This is especially true for U.S. food, service, and consumer product companies. China, whose middle class is expected to rival the U.S. in purchasing power within the decade, is one of the most sought after locations for international sales [&hellip;]

As the U.S.-China relationship evolves, opportunities are increasing. At the same time, new risks, political tensions and misperceptions are emerging that can have a destabilizing impact. Being aware of these issues is important. Understanding how they may impact your business could be crucial.

To gain a competitive edge, companies in the United States and around the world are increasingly specializing in their core competencies and outsourcing non-core functions. To succeed, this requires more knowledgeable workers with deeper skill sets and the means to manipulate sophisticated new technologies.

India has experienced remarkable economic growth, averaging an annual rate of 8 percent from 2000 through 2010.(1) It declined slightly to 7.2 percent last year, and is anticipated to hover just under 7 percent this year, the International Monetary Fund reports. With rising investment, production and consumption, the Indian economy has become the world’s ninth...

<p>In this age of financial austerity, an increasing number of U.S. and European companies are seeking financial backing from and alliances with cash-rich Chinese companies. Those same Chinese investors however, are keen to snap up assets at what are sometimes bargain basement prices.</p>

When companies decide where to establish manufacturing facilities, a variety of factors typically are considered. These include the availability of skilled workers, productivity levels, the quality of local infrastructure, political stability, rule of law, market size, proximity to key markets, the ability to repatriate profits, and labor costs.

Every minute of every day, 255 babies are born. As a result, the world’s population is estimated to reach 7 billion early this year. What’s surprising to many is not the number of births, but that the vast majority occur in less developed countries. Consequently, by 2020, almost 90 percent of the world’s population will...

What is NAFTA really about? This might seem a silly question. NAFTA is about trade, right? It’s the North American Free Trade Agreement after all. But what if it’s not really mainly about trade at all? Thinking chiefly in terms of trade might actually obscure the real point.

The United States completed negotiations and signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with Colombia in November 2006, and with Panama and South Korea in June 2007.(1)  After much political wrangling, these agreements became stalled in Washington, D.C. However, after various changes were made to the deals, in mid-October, with large bipartisan support, the United States...

China’s current administration is in a relatively stable position having engineered an apparently successful soft landing of the economy following the global economic crisis. Its main political objectives have been maintained, while increasingly focusing on the economic transformation to ensure sustainable long-term development.

This month, the World Trade Center São Paulo hosted the 42nd World Trade Center Association General Assembly, and what a fitting location. Over the last decade, Brazil&#8217;s impressive resources, sophisticated corporations and sound macroeconomic policies have led to some remarkable achievements.

The integration of national markets through international trade and investment, known as economic globalization, has had an enormous beneficial impact on the world. Based on capitalism and powered by advances in telecommunications, transportation and finance, globalization has boosted competitiveness, productivity, innovation, and standards of living. Plus, it has enabled companies and individuals to establish relationships...