America's New Energy Dependency: China's Metals
by Kent Garber

America's Clean-energy economy needs rare-earth metals to succeed and China has a near monopoly. In 2007, a standoff unfolded between China and several American companies. China was threatening to withhold supplies that keep refiners in business. A worried State Department intervened. Because the metals come almost exclusively from China, if the government had not acted, sources say, oil refineries could have been forced to shut down, possibly triggering shortages across the country.

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U.S. Q3 seen revised down on widening trade deficit
Reuters Nov 20 2009 8:06PM GMT

WTO begins probe into EU/US poultry row
Agra Net Nov 20 2009 7:49PM GMT

Russian, Ukrainian premiers begin talks on gas, free trade, nuclear power
Individual.com Nov 20 2009 7:42PM GMT

County bosses oppose Cap-and-Trade bill
Individual.com Nov 20 2009 7:40PM GMT

UPDATE1-Argentine trade surplus widens in October
Forbes.com Nov 20 2009 7:40PM GMT

Argentine trade surplus widens in October
Forbes.com Nov 20 2009 7:39PM GMT

Argentine trade surplus widens in October
FinanzNachrichten.de Nov 20 2009 7:26PM GMT

EFTA closes Norwegian bus investigation
Global Competition Review Nov 20 2009 6:52PM GMT

JOHN MAYER SAYS BACK OFF OF KANYE: 'It's the MTV Video Music Awards. It's not the G8 summit.'
EURweb Nov 20 2009 6:32PM GMT

China tries to stop WTO action on export tussle
Shanghai Daily Nov 20 2009 6:19PM GMT

WTO farm talks edge forward on safeguard, tropicals
Forbes.com Nov 20 2009 6:15PM GMT

Lamy Calls For Exit Strategies On Temporary Trade Restrictions And Subsidies
Egov Monitor Nov 20 2009 6:10PM GMT

East Africa trade bloc inks common market treaty
Yahoo! UK and Ireland Nov 20 2009 6:09PM GMT

East Africa trade bloc inks common market treaty
Yahoo! Malaysia Nov 20 2009 6:08PM GMT

Australian Heatwave in Carbon Trade Battle
Copenhagen Climate Council Nov 20 2009 6:05PM GMT

Debt stops job rally, says OECD
New Zealand Herald Nov 20 2009 5:29PM GMT

Russia wants quick WTO entry as separate entity
Truth About Trade Nov 20 2009 5:27PM GMT

Malaysia to decide on free trade formats
Truth About Trade Nov 20 2009 5:27PM GMT

News Analysis: Should South American Countries Sign OECD Model Treaties? Part 2
Worldwide Tax Daily Nov 20 2009 5:08PM GMT

OECD Warns of 'Jobless Recovery'
BusinessWeek Nov 20 2009 5:05PM GMT

WTO awards Brazil retaliation authority
Delta Farm Press Nov 20 2009 4:55PM GMT

East Africa trade bloc inks common market treaty
AFP via Yahoo! Nov 20 2009 4:48PM GMT

East Africa in historic trade pact
BBC Nov 20 2009 4:35PM GMT

World economies bounce back: OECD
Borneo Post Online Nov 20 2009 4:32PM GMT

NCC statement on action by WTO Dispute Settlement Body
Fibre 2 Fashion Nov 20 2009 4:10PM GMT

China Official: Recent US Trade Friction Rise "Regrettable"
Global Finance Magazine Nov 20 2009 3:53PM GMT

WTO gives Brazil formal authorisation for US sanctions
WGSN Nov 20 2009 3:50PM GMT

?Round-Table? on free trade to be held in Tbilisi
Trend News Agency Nov 20 2009 3:41PM GMT

Summit focuses on North and free trade agreement
Joon Ang Ilbo Nov 20 2009 3:39PM GMT

OECD: Brazil's fiscal deficit to reach worrying levels in 2010
Balita.org Nov 20 2009 3:35PM GMT

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Ranks of Millionaire Households at Record 9.3 Million 
The ranks of households with a net worth of at least $1 million grew 5% to an all-time high of 9.3 million, according to a report released Monday by TNS. he report covers the year through mid-2006; the value of primary residences was not included.

Consumer Spending Weakest in 8 Months Despite Solid Income Growth
Consumer spending grew at the weakest pace in 6 months in March, despite solid income growth and good news on a key inflation reading in the government's latest measure of the U.S. economy. The weak spending came even as the report showed individual incomes jumped 0.7% in March. 

Overheating Worries: China Economy Sizzles with 11.1% Growth in Q1 07
China's economy surged 11.1% in the first quarter, causing the country's Cabinet to declare Thursday it will take steps to keep the economy from overheating, reports AP. It was the highest growth rate since Q2 2006's 11.5% growth, the fastest in a decade.

China Trade Surplus Falls Sharply to $6.9 billion in March 
China's trade surplus in March fell to $6.9 billion, well below forecasts and down sharply from February's $23.7 billion surplus, reports AP. It was not clear whether the drop in March was the result of government efforts or would have a lasting impact.

U.S. Service Sector Expands at a Slower Rate in March: ISM Report
Business activity in the service sector increased at a slower rate in March 2007, according to the latest ISM report by the nation's purchasing and supply executives. The index of business activity in the non-manufacturing sector registered 52.4 in March, down from 54.3 in February. Wall Street was expecting a reading of 54.7. The index is at its lowest level since April 2003.

Consumer Spending, Personal Incomes Rise; Inflation Rises Fastest in 6 Months
Personal income increased $65.4 billion, or 0.6% in February while , consumer spending also rose by 0.6% or $55.5 billion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Private wage and salary increased $19.3 billion in February, compared with an increase of $64.9 billion in January because of bonus payments in January.

Q4 GDP Growth Better Revised Upwards to 2.5%
US GDP, a measure of total goods and services output within U.S. borders, grew at a 2.5% annual rate during Q4 2006, higher than the 2.2% reported a month ago, and up from 2% in the third quarter, according to the Commerce Department, reports Reuters. 

Metrics 2.0- Economic Indicators
Economic Calendar and Leading Indicators

 

Aid for Trade: Investing in People

The Second Global Aid for Trade Review hosted by the WTO in early July revealed areas of consensus on the way forward. One after the other, heads of international organizations called for moving on to the implementation phase, resisting protectionism, more trade finance, a stronger role for the private sector and completing the Doha round. Strengthening the regional dimension of Aid for Trade, encouraging country ownership and better impact evaluation were also high on the agenda. “If Aid for Trade was urgent in 2007, it is essential today – it is the investment that will allow many developing countries prepare to exit the crisis by enhancing their trade capacity,” stated WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy at the event.

We believe in the importance of Aid for Trade in creating positive change within countries. It is our responsibility to translate the broader trade imperatives into reality for the private sector on the ground and to ensure that this brings benefits to those who need them most.

The Way Forward

Aid for Trade has long been recognized as a sure path to employment, investment and sustainable development. Now more than ever, says UNCTAD, developing countries depend on its guidance.

100% Aid for Trade

Patricia Francis, executive director of ITC, speaks candidly about aid for trade, opportunities in this financial crisis and the role of ITC.

Priorities & Possibilities

As the economic crisis evolves, at least one emerging trend tells a positive tale: there is a growing awareness of Aid for Trade and its role in promoting economic growth worldwide.

In the light of rapidly evolving economic recession, low-income countries are facing new challenges. But the crisis is also presenting these countries with opportunities to refocus their development strategies in this changing world economy.

Aid for Trade – from “Urgent” to “Essential”

“The crisis has a human face,” Pascal Lamy, Director General of WTO told participants attending the Second Global Review of Aid for Trade. “Poverty alleviation targets, whether as part of the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) or otherwise, have become more challenging to achieve due to, among other things, the decline in export demand for goods.

Implementing Aid for Trade in Latin America and the Caribbean: Making Progress

The Second Global Review on Aid for Trade held in Geneva on July 6-7, 2009 represented an important milestone to take stock of the gains made since the First Aid for Trade Global Review in 2007. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is very proud to be a partner of this initiative in the Latin American and Caribbean region.

Aid for Trade in Asia and the Pacific

Export-led growth has seen the Asia and Pacific region prosper immensely over the past four decades, yet many countries still continue to experience lagging growth and severe poverty. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) estimates that as many as 900 million people in developing Asia live on less than $1.25 a day. Even within the more prosperous countries, rich and poor regions exist side by side, portraying the two faces of Asia as a striking reality.

Delivering Effective Regional Strategies

Aid for Trade has met with controversy since its beginnings. Now further challenged by the economic crisis, it is essential that it develops new, forward-thinking mechanisms.

Since its inception, Aid for Trade has spurred debate among stakeholders in a way few other developments could. Now, four years since it came to light in the 2005 Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration, Aid for Trade is still polarizing the opinions of political leaders and development economists worldwide.

Analysing the Global Crisis

ITC’s chief economist assesses the impact of the global financial crisis on developing countries, and recommends responses for international and domestic policy.

Aid for Trade: Publications and Online Resources

The publications and online resources in the column on the right present the outcomes of the Second Global Aid for Trade Review and showcase examples of Aid for Trade activities implemented at regional and country levels.

International Trade Forum - The quarterly magazine of the International Trade Centre
International Trade Forum - The quarterly magazine of the International Trade Centre