Monthly Archives: December 2013

State Incentives and Jobs — Yes, Incentives are Important.

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Stuart Malawer

      The recent news that Boeing in the state of Washington and ESPN in Connecticut have received or about to receive millions more in state tax breaks have revived the national debate over the merit of state economic incentives to attract and … Continue reading →

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Heightened U.S. Trade Diplomacy — New Rules for Newer Issues in Global Commerce — Maybe.

Posted on December 25, 2013 by Stuart Malawer

              The last few days of 2013 have seen two important trade developments. One, Russia filed its first WTO case (against the EU). Two, there is heightened U.S. trade activity in working with Congress to implement President Obama’s trade agenda. … Continue reading →

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NSA Spying for Google — Disturbing News — We Need More Info.

Posted on December 21, 2013 by Stuart Malawer

Now it turns out, as reported by the New York Times that the NSA not only spies for economic  reasons relating to national security but  perhaps even for the benefit of specific U.S. multinationals. Thus, questioning the long-standing argument that the … Continue reading →

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Secrecy, Social Media and Trade Negotiations — The End of Secrecy and Greater Transparency?

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Stuart Malawer

     It is clear that trade politics will reemerge after January 1st as a central and divisive domestic issue within the United States, once again. The Congress is going to take up ‘Fast Track’ legislation.  The TPP and TTIP are on the … Continue reading →

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Currency Manipulation and Tobacco — Two Trade Issues in Search of a Solution.

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Stuart Malawer

    Two recent trade developments concerning currency manipulation and tobacco litigation are very interesting. These global financial and public health issues should be addressed further  in the forthcoming congressional debate next year over the renewal of ‘Fast Track’ authority (Trade Promotion Authority), which is … Continue reading →

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Tobacco and ‘Fast Track’ — Should They be Liked?

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Stuart Malawer

          Two recent trade developments are very interesting. One, congressional negotiators have agreed upon fast track legislation that will be voted upon in January. The adoption of new fast track legislation (Trade Promotion Authority) would enhance the probability of passage of … Continue reading →

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Newer Trade Issues — Internet Censorship & State Economic Incentives.

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Stuart Malawer

                Interesting developments in trade relations recently — success at Bali, more criticism of  U.S. trade negotiations as not being forward-looking enough, renewed debate over use of state trade incentives in the United States, and novel proposals by some to further U.S. trade … Continue reading →

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Bali and the WTO — Limited but Significant Success.

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Stuart Malawer

There was significant success at Bali yesterday. This has resulted in the ‘Bali Package’ of new global trade rules, relating to among other areas, trade facilitation. (But there was only limited success concerning agricultural subsidies because of India’s opposition.) This is … Continue reading →

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Two Trade Events to Watch — Bali and Russia ……… Portending the Future?

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Stuart Malawer

                The developments leading up to Bali are really interesting. So is the rise of more regional trade negotiations. This includes the Russian-backed Customs Union. Will Bali succeed? If so will it arrest the trend to mega-regional agreements? The … Continue reading →

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