It is official—China has emerged as the world’s reining export champion, dethroning Germany for the title in 2009. China’s exports of goods totaled $1.2 trillion last year, slightly ahead of German goods exports of $1.1 trillion. It was in 2003 when Germany knocked-off the United States for the top spot, … Continue Reading…
BRUSSELS — The mood on China in Western capitals is beginning to darken. From cyber-attacks to obstinacy in Copenhagen, Beijing’s assertiveness and the hardening tone of its diplomacy are prompting a rethink. If the competitive aspects of the relationship with China are going to dominate in the years ahead, have … Continue Reading…
WASHINGTON — One year after President Obama assumed office, 55 percent of Americans think their country is on the wrong track, according to National Journal. Sixty-one percent believe their country is in decline, according to NBC and The Wall Street Journal. Half the American public, according to Pew, embraces the … Continue Reading…
COPENHAGEN — It will be discussed for some time whether the “Copenhagen Accord” represents an unsatisfactory compromise or an unmitigated failure. Whatever the ultimate answer, there are some preliminary lessons that can be drawn from a memorably chaotic global gathering.
COPENHAGEN — The days in Copenhagen are short at this time of year, but the working days at the UN climate change conference seemed endless. Brinksmanship and late-night drafting sessions are nothing new to climate-change negotiations: in Indonesia, in 2007, ministers stayed up until the late morning to wrap up … Continue Reading…
COPENHAGEN – The daily presentation of the ‘Fossil of the Day’ awards has become as integral a part of the UN climate talks as the all-night negotiating sessions, colorful protests, and eleventh hour deliberation among parties to try and reach an agreement. This ten year old tradition organized by the Climate … Continue Reading…
COPENHAGEN — As hope dims for a major global climate deal in Copenhagen, participants still could make enough progress to lay a real foundation for a future treaty. But even that will take significant cooperation, particularly between the transatlantic partners. With only two days left in the negotiations and tensions … Continue Reading…
According to popular lore, China is on the cusp of assuming the mantle of global economic leadership from the United States. In the minds of many folks, the U.S.-led global financial crisis-cum-global recession is hard and indisputable evidence of this seminal shift. As the dust settles from the crisis, China’s … Continue Reading…
BRUSSELS — To many people outside of Brussels, the process that resulted in the selection of Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy as President of the European Council and Catherine Ashton to the dual-hatted position as High Representative for External Affairs and Vice President of the European Commission was a … Continue Reading…
BERLIN — Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrives at the White House this week with the political momentum to push India deeper into the American camp. Despite being President Barack Obama’s first official state dinner guest, he comes at a time when many Indians fear that Obama will focus more … Continue Reading…