Global Markets & TPP

by Raymond J. Keating – The latest U.S. trade data are deeply troubling. The first estimate of GDP (i.e., gross domestic product) for the second quarter saw real exports plunge by 10.8 percent (annualized, seasonally adjusted). For good measure, real imports declined by 7.8 percent. The trade report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, […]

SMALL BUSINESS INSIDER by Raymond J. Keating – The death of free trade is being proclaimed far and wide. But such declarations aren’t rooted in sound economics and market realities. Instead, the so-called death of free trade is rooted in nothing more than assertions and assumptions rooted in politics. And when politics overrules sound economics, […]

by Raymond J. Keating – The latest monthly “U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services” report pointed to a decline in both U.S. exports and imports in February 2023. Keep in mind that from a small business perspective, exports effectively measure sales and opportunities for U.S. businesses and workers in the global marketplace, while imports […]

  by Raymond J. Keating –  The latest trade data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis is quite distressing – adding to a mounting mess of economic worries. In November, both exports and imports took notable dives. U.S. exports of goods and services dropped by 2.0 percent. For good measure, exports now have declined […]

by Raymond J. Keating What do the latest trade numbers released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis tell us? This is important as we seek clues as to where the economy is headed in the third quarter and beyond. Unfortunately, the July trade data raise more questions about the health of the U.S. economy. […]

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 […]