ZIS Economics

Foreign investment is good for the expansion of a country's economy. However, could foreign ownership of domestic firms affect their reliability? In this case the (IMO already unreliable) news channel giant Fox News is put under pressure by its second largest shareholder: Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, Saudi billionaire. Whether it is to correct awry facts or not, he could be meddling in the freedom of the press. Protectionism required?

This article talks about the rise in the Australian Dollar and how it affects the citizens and how it might affect the trade.

Australia's currency is rising as the economy is growing
Possible commentary!

The article talks about the importance of reducing protectionist measures in times of a recession. China and the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations ) are fully supportive of free trade as it stimulates economic activity. The CAFTA will be implemented so that there is a zero tariff policy on 90% of the products traded between these countries. This means lower prices, and more consumption. In an interdependent economy, opening up ties to other nations will quarantee growth within each country, and putting up barriers could only have a negative impact. However, what about protectionism and the rights of the domestic workers?

Rocio. Where are you highlight? I would like to leave comments on the article for you, but I need to see your highlights first! (See Gabriel's above). Are the words above YOURS or is this basically what the article is saying? If this is your paraphrasing of the article, then I suspect it might not be too appropriate as this is the kind of analysis you should be doing, rather than the article itself.

I highlighted already but it only shows up in my own profile page. :(

Maybe this will work: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-10/23/content_12305940.htm

This article is about America placing a tarrif on Chinese exported tieres and oil well pipes.

could you discuss the Chinese exchange rate intervention that has kept the RMB weak?

The dollar is depreciating and fast. As a result Central banks are toying with the idea of offloading their reserves of dollars, but fear that they will contribute to the depreciation of the dollar, causing their remaining reserves to collapse in value. Foreign nations attempting to export to the US are also preparing to struggle to do so, as their own currencies gain in value in relation to the dollar.

This article talks about trade barriers imposed by China which cost its European trade partners over 20 bn Euros worth of trade.
Lord Mandelson who is responsible for UK-Chinese trade advocates a more open Chinese trade system and seeks a meeting with China's Premier.

The US dollar will continue to weaken in the medium term as the risk appetite of investors increase with global economies on the mend, said OCBC Bank (M) Bhd head of global treasury Gan Kok Kim.

- Taken

The EU is practicing a protectionist policy, of taxing imports of Aluminium from China, Brazil and Armenia in order to help Greece and Bulgaria's Aluminium foil producers. These tarrifts will last 5 years, and is very damaging because of China's large market share.

Okay, I'm not terribly inspired by this article... but it could be a decent one if you just want to focus on the effects of protectionism, tariffs, etc...

This article is about the fixed exchange rate of the Chinese Yuan.

Due to a recession in South Africa, prices have fallen and exports increased. On the other hand imports decreased. South Africa had a current account deficit, but is now driven towards a trade balance. Even though their currency should have appreciated, it actually depreciated compared to the dollar.

Germany's rising exports has provided a boost in the German economy. However the appreciation of the euro against the dollar might counteract this effect and slow down the economic growth.

This article talks about Australias trade defecit, it's strong currency and it's trade dependency on asia.

Africa's resource-rich continent has attracted China into expanding their trading and investment opportunities. The trade China has had between the East African countries has grown by over 200% from 2007. China is hoping to improve the lives of millions through this trade which they already maintain with all 53 African countries.

I just don't see what you can do with this article. There are really very few connections to topics from the Unit four syllabus! Tariffs? Subsidies? Quotas? Balance of payments? Exchange rates? None of these topics are present here. FINE A BETTER ARTICLE PLEASE!

I know, I wasn't going to use that one ... Just had it for the time being.

China's current account surplus with the US is predicted to fal by next year mainly because of international pressure and because of the appreaciation of the renminbi