Global Markets & TPP

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 […]

by Raymond J. Keating – The story on U.S. trade was generally positive for the month of October, according to the latest “U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services” report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. U.S. exports jumped in October versus September, increasing by 8.1 percent. Unfortunately, this report does not offer a […]

by RAYMOND J. KEATING – The latest assessments of the services sector of the U.S. economy from purchasing managers point to strong growth, tempered by ongoing supply chain worries and challenges. The Institute for Supply Management Services PMI report highlighted strong and improving growth. Anthony Nieves, chair of the Institute for Supply Management Services Business […]

by Raymond J. Keating –  The latest monthly trade report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis points to both exports and imports continuing a struggle to recover. Like the rest of the economy, trade was pummeled when the pandemic hit. Monthly exports plunged from February to May 2020. And the subsequent recovery has been […]

by Raymond J. Keating – As a group looking to protect small business and spur entrepreneurship, why does SBE Council care about the latest trade data released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis? The simplest and most straightforward answer is: Exports represent opportunities for U.S. businesses, including small firms, while practically all imports are […]