Global Markets & TPP

(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 […]

  by Raymond J. Keating – Why does international trade matter to small business? In terms of quick answers, export markets present opportunities for U.S. entrepreneurs, businesses and workers, while practically all imports are inputs to U.S. domestic businesses, from retail to manufacturing. Most Firms Engaged in Global Trade are Small Businesses Most exporting firms […]

by RAYMOND J. KEATING – The second estimate of first quarter GDP from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis saw no change in the reported topline growth rate – real GDP grew at 6.4 percent (seasonally adjusted annualized). But the report did offer changes to internals that are worth noting. First, the good news. Two […]

by Raymond J. Keating- Even as the economy improved during the first quarter of this year, trade did continue to struggle in February, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. After suffering steep declines in both exports and imports during February to May of last year, a recovery subsequently began […]

by Raymond J. Keating- International trade matters. It matters to the overall U.S. economy. It matters to consumers. It matters to small businesses. And it matters to U.S. workers. From a business standpoint – ranging from small to large firms – quite simply, expanding exports are expanding opportunities, and since practically all imports are inputs […]

by Raymond J. Keating- Trade had been a drag on economic growth prior to the pandemic hitting, and then, of course, both exports and imports dropped precipitously. As noted in the latest trade report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the slow clawing back has been underway for the past five to six months. […]