After USMCA, Taking Aim at China?

11 October 2018 After years of describing NAFTA as "the worst trade deal in history", the Trump Administration along with Canada and Mexico signed the US Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA). The White House, naturally, hails the accord as a historic triumph for American workers and farmers. Critics view the deal as a simple rebranding of [...]

Can Trump Pry Open Asian Markets?

President Trump will use his Asia trip to discuss America's swollen trade deficits with the region. Trade imbalances are caused by macro factors: America saves too little, Asia saves too much.  This Chart, however, does indicate that America's penetration of some key Asian markets is far lower than their access to the US market. China [...]

Asia: Coping With Trump, China, and the Fed

2 November 2017 Despite the flare up of dangerous geopolitical risks, Asian assets have performed exceptionally well in 2017.  Indeed, after years of underperformance, the 28% gain in Asian equity markets is twice that of the S&P500.  Likewise, shrugging off initial concerns after last year’s US election, most of the region’s currencies have appreciated handsomely [...]