Looking at tariff incentives, we see changes in clothing design and factory location that are based on minimizing the impact of the tax.…
The Problem With Emissions Outsourcing
Usually associated with jobs, now the outsourcing that relates to carbon emissions embedded in globally traded goods will be limited by California.…
Where Retaliatory Tariffs Create Unintended Consequences
It will be rather complicated when retaliatory agricultural tariffs, aluminum protection, and crop payment supports all hit New Madrid County, Missouri.…
China’s Recycling Reversal
When China told the WTO it would no longer recycle a lot of the world’s waste, it created a ripple of externalities from Hong Kong to Portland, Oregon.…
Why China Wants To Be Called a Market Economy
A year ago, China filed a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO). Targeting the European Union and the United States, China’s goal was to have its economy called a market. The …
The Shrinking Cities Problem
An idyllic mountain village wants you. The town has one shop, a church, houses that have been there forever, and a population that has shrunk to 240. It is located in the Swiss Alps. Albinen’s p…
The Countries With the Most and Least Cash
India appears to love its cash. Last year’s demonetization of large bills was supposed to diminish the use of cash, eliminate “black money,” and expand the digital economy. However, …
Two Amazon Stories (and More)
Sweden had unusually low Amazon numbers in the 2017 PwC global retail survey. In Sweden just 13% of all product searches start with Amazon. For the U.S. that number is 45%. Wondering about the differe…
Looking at a Global Supply Chain With a Smile (Curve)
A smile curve is a handy way to see that the global supply chain for technology is much more complicated than a Made-in-China label.…
How a Social Score Gets You China’s Goods and Services
As China’s social scoring system develops, undesirable behavior like jaywalking could limit someone’s access to goods and services.…