IBT News Blog

This article discusses new attempts by Australia to regulate sovereign wealth funds and the criticisms leveled against these measures, particularly from China. What do such criticisms say about the concept of sovereignty in an increasingly globalized marketplace? Are these criticisms valid? See http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/deedbe8a-ddfb-11dc-9de3-0000779fd2ac,noOfParas=2,emailFormat=plainText,storyType=ultralight,dwp_uuid=7f5f6b12-2f66-11da-8b51-00000e2511c8,print=no,_i_email=y.html

This article discusses the development of Tangiers as a major port and trading extension area for Europe. See http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/660d05ee-dc1f-11dc-bc82-0000779fd2ac,noOfParas=2,emailFormat=plainText,storyType=ultralight,dwp_uuid=fc3334c0-2f7a-11da-8b51-00000e2511c8,print=no,_i_email=y.html

This article discusses the negative attitude which exists toward the IMF in many corners of the Asian markets as a result of IMF measures during the Asian recession of the late 1990s and two current attempts by the IMF to regain its legitimacy in the eyes of the Asian markets. See http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/18/business/rtrinside19.php

In an interesting example of the globalization of commodities and its effects on large-scale producers and consumers, major firms in South Korea and Japan have agreed to a 65% price increase in the price they pay for Brazilian iron ore. See http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/business/7250118.stm

A new study indicates that US consumer confidence has fallen in recent months. See http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/business/7247300.stm

Despite Apple's phased marketing plan for the iPhone, there is a growing market for iPhones which are smuggled into China, which is the site of production for iPhones. See http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/18/technology/iphone.php

A militant group in Nigeria has requested that President Bush become involved in the dispute between the Nigerian government and militants in the oil producing area of Nigeria on the grounds that the US is the primary customer of Nigerian oil. What does this say about the way in which trade is currently viewed in the overall geo-political context? Is the US' status as the primary consumer of Nigerian oil a legitimate reason for involvement in the dispute? Would the answer to this question change if a commodity other than oil was involved? See http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/africa/7250539.stm

This article discusses a specific defense contracting deal between Lockheed and India but it also raises the interrelation of defense contracting on a global level. See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7250474.stm

As this article discusses, India and Pakistan are now working together to have basmati rice - grown exclusively in these countries - registered as an official growing area akin to champagne so that no other areas in the world can grow and sell "basmati" rice under that name and designation. What does this say about the ability of trade issues to unite countries which have otherwise shaky relationships? See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7246900.stm