Global Markets & TPP

by Raymond J. Keating – The latest monthly trade data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis merely adds to the messy pile of worry building regarding the U.S. economy. In May, U.S. goods and services monthly exports and imports both grew – by 1.2 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively. So far, so good. However, […]

by Raymond J. Keating – According to the latest monthly trade report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. exports increased for the third straight month in April. Now, before we all get too excited, the data is in nominal terms, that is, there is no adjustment for inflation into real dollars. However, the […]

On June 2, SBE Council joined a coalition letter to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine C. Tai and U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to express opposition to the proposal before the World Trade Organization (WTO) that would waive IP protections for COVID-19 vaccines that exists under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property […]

On June 2, SBE Council joined a wide array of business organizations in issuing a Global Industry Statement urging WTO members to renew the Moratorium on Customs Duties and Electronic Transmissions. Several countries, including India and South Africa, are pushing to end the moratorium. As noted in the statement: ● Allowing the Moratorium to expire […]

by Raymond J. Keating  – International trade, unencumbered by assorted government-imposed costs like tariffs and quotas, is a positive for the economy, including for small businesses. World Trade Week (May 15-22, 2022), of course, is a period in which we should take note of such benefits. Indeed, any opportunity to remind or teach people about […]

by Raymond J. Keating – During National Small Business Week, it’s particularly worth noting that the U.S. economy is a small business economy – and that’s the case when it comes to international trade as well. In general, according to the latest Census Bureau data (pre-pandemic, by the way), there are roughly 32.6 million businesses […]

by Raymond J. Keating – The latest report on international trade in goods and services from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis indicated, at first glance, that trade was moving in the right direction in February. That is, both exports and imports grew. However, inflation alters that story. The BEA noted that exports in February […]

by Raymond J. Keating – Other than trying to find ways to justifiably punish Russia for the war it has launched against Ukraine, two attitudes seem to be prevailing these days among Members of Congress and President Biden toward trade: indifference or hostility. That’s unacceptable, of course, given how important trade is to our economy, […]

by Raymond J. Keating –  The latest report on international trade in goods and serves from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis showed that both U.S. exports and imports grew solidly in December, as well as in the full fourth quarter of 2021. That lines up with the latest report on GDP, which pointed to a […]

(Excerpt from the Alibaba Insights newsletter) At a recent event in Washington, DC, industry experts held a panel on the growing opportunities for U.S. businesses in China as they look to recover from the pandemic. ‍Steve Clemons, The Hill’s editor-at-large, moderated the panel, and was joined by Frank Lavin, former U.S. Undersecretary of Commerce for International […]