Why are we so afraid of the Big Red Wolf?
October 13, 2021 8 min. read

Before getting into any of this, I feel that it is important to say that my intention here is to calm tensions between the United States and China, not to heighten them. I believe that the probability of direct military conflict between the United States and China over the next few decades is relatively slim […]

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Free Trade Taking a Beating in U.S. Election
August 24, 2016 4 min. read

In a sharply divided electorate, opposition to free trade is creating an unlikely point of unity between angry voters across the aisle.

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Sri Lanka : Nationalism & Indian Free Trade
February 8, 2016 4 min. read

Sri Lanka is expanding its free trade agreement with India. Nationalism is acting against, as usual. But the state regulatory structure is the real issue.

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What fate for the EU-U.S. trade deal?
June 1, 2015 5 min. read

With all the attention turned to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), currently negotiated by the U.S. with 12 Asian countries, few seem to notice anymore the equally important Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the European Union and the United States.

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The Trans-Pacific Partnership: How the 1% Continues to Steal Us Blind
December 18, 2013 6 min. read

As ordinary Americans are continuously distracted by Holiday shopping deals, Dancing With the Stars, and things in their own, personal lives, the wealthy one percent class of elites that we hear so much about has kept its eye on the prize. Ordinary Americans might be wondering if the Dow Jones Industrial Average is at record […]

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How Brazil Coaxed Foxconn to Set Up Shop Near Sao Paulo
August 11, 2012 2 min. read

In the 1980s, Japanese carmakers began to move production to the United States. Today, they — along with German and South Korean makers — account for more than 40% of the autos made in the United States. The move begs a question, taken up by a recent New York Times article: Could consumer electronics makers […]

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More Free Trade and the Filipino Gun Ban
January 16, 2010 2 min. read

ASEAN and U.S.:  As predicted by this blog, the Obama Administration is moving to create a comprehensive political-economic rapprochement with East and Southeast Asia.  The economic arm of this policy direction will branch off of the existing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).  So far, the TTP includes a free-trade agreements (FTA) with Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and […]

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Japan and U.S. Seek Stronger Ties With ASEAN
October 16, 2009 2 min. read

The United States:  Republican Senator Dick Lugar is calling for the U.S. to create a free trade agreement with ASEAN.    Lugar stated that sanctions on Myanmar should not negatively America’s economic relationship with the rest of the region.  Further: “China, India, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea have already finalized FTAs with Asean and are […]

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Australian PM's Flight of Fancy
August 7, 2009 5 min. read

Asia Times Online is running an article that touches on Australian PM Kevin Rudd’s desire for a Asia-Pacific Union similar to the European Union by 2020.   This union would include all of ASEAN, China, Japan, India, and the United States.   As fantastic as the proposal is, he is not the first Australian PM […]

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U.S. Expands Trade in Southeast Asia to Check China
July 19, 2009 7 min. read

The United States maybe  in the initial stages of a Southeast Asian foreign policy overhaul; the Obama Administration is not only reconsidering its sanctions against Myanmar, but also reevaluating America’s policy toward the entire Southeast Asian region.  Brian McCartan has an informative article on the recent removal of Cambodia and Laos from the United States’ […]

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Duty-Free Zones in Afghanistan
April 13, 2009 2 min. read

A colleague here at FPA brought to my attention last week proposed legislation in the US congress regarding Afghanistan-Pakistan duty-free areas that looks like it may have promise.  The legislation, spearheaded by Rep. Chris Van Hollen, would open up segments of Afghan-Pakistan territory to be free trade or duty-free zones.  In other words, certain products […]

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