China

Greenland has been subjected to an intrusion.  About a billion years ago a tectonic plate was ripped away from a second which allowed magma to flow toward the surface but be sealed by what is now the south-west portion of the autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.  As the magma cooled, a giant rock developed containing 30 of the modern economy’s most desired raw materia

America has long been the linchpin of the global economy.  It has often been suggested that when America sneezes, the world catches a cold.  So far, the world’s largest economy has not reached for a tissue or even sniffled, but large trading partners are exhibiting signs of weakness.

America’s Electro-Harmonix and its sister company in Russia, Sovtek, have manufactured one of the most popular guitar pedals ever: the Big Muff Pi. This equipment offered three coveted characteristics to artists: reliability, a distinct sound, and relatively low cost. In the 1970s, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd used it on two albums: Animals and The Wall.

China has made it to several headlines lately.  For instance, President Biden had a highly anticipated call with China’s President Xi Jinping.  And then there was this week’s visit from the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, to Taiwan.  Worries about geopolitical instability were top of mind for many pundits covering this story.  Unfortunately, it might be China

Here we are just on the other side of the holiday season.  It’s that cold part of the year without the festive decorations.  A new calendar offers an excuse to consider just what lies ahead, but we’re too far from Valentine’s Day to run out and buy cards and candy.  That doesn’t mean we can write about the heart. 

Remember when contagion was just the ominous title of a 2011 movie dealing with a deadly disease spreading quickly around the globe while healthcare professionals scrambled to find a cure?  The premise was that a previously unseen threat reached a critical level which set off a cascade effect, reaching many facets of life.  Could such an event happen outside of Hollywood?  In sho

America’s trade deficit shrank in October 2019 according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.  The shortfall improved to $47.2 billion from the revised $51.1 billion (originally $52.5 billion) chasm in September.  While on the surface this indicator looked better, the cause of the improvement is not constructive as both sides of the trade ledger declined in the period. 

November 2018 International Trade