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.
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 plusses include clean air, magnificent views, and…
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 difference, I started to do a…
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.
Really Understanding the World
Seeing the world develop through bubble animation from Hans Rosling makes health and income statistics mesmerizingly enjoyable.