IB Economics B

Poverty has risen in Nigeria, with almost 100 million people living on less than a $1 (£0.63) a day, despite economic growth, statistics have shown.

This article discusses how terms of trade for Australia is going to be higher in the next few years.

This article details the reduced appreciation of the chinese yuan possible due to accelerated outflow of international capital. This doesn't pose any serious threat to chinese industry or trade but does show a pessimistic outlook on the Chinese economy. HOwever this reduced appreciation of the chinese yuan could force the government re-evaluate its exchange rate mechanism.

The article discusses whether Denmark made the right choice in having a fixed exchange rate between the Danish Kroner and the Euro. On one hand it has brought stability/predictability to Denmark as an exporting nation, on the other hand Denmark is unable to use a change in exchange rate to boost the economy.

Over the weekend there were proposals that Germany and the other 5 AAA-rated nations of Europe might start jointly issuing 'Elite' bonds. Pound rates are today being driven by attitude to risk - and what a morning it has been. Equity markets have surged, and risk associated currencies such as the Australian dollar have moved higher.

The article that I bookmarked for this week is about how exchange rates and bad climate are affecting Brazil's melon shipments. Brazil is a large exporter of melons and Europe is their biggest importer of melons. Because of the recent financial problems in Europe the exchange rates are not in Brazil's favor for exports. Due to these bad exchange rates for an exporting industry and the bad weather also hurting the melons, Brazil's melon farmers are facing some problems.

This article highlights the potential for a new free trade zone containing mostly south and east african countries. Many problems may arise from this new institution, however, these legal and regulatory roadblocks are seen to slow down any chance of a new trade bloc in southern Africa.

This article discusses an initiative by the head of states of several African countries to form a FTA between 26 African countries. The article discusses the advantages of this FTA such as very small countries working together to improve global trading but also the problems with creating it such as the political and social issues in Africa right now.

This article discusses a new trading bloc being formed called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). This trading bloc would include countries such as Taiwan, New Zealand and Singapore. It shows the struggle it can be to form trading blocs, as this one has been proposed since 2006.

This article talks about the british perspective of the EU common market that had remained for many years and how its detereoration is affecting Britain. Also, the article criticizes the posible adoption of measures helping the EU.

The article deals with Putin's plan to establish a trading bloc consisting of former Soviet states (Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan)

In the face of the Euro crisis, the Economist compares and evaluates the merits/demerits of the two major trade blocs that the United Kingdom is engaged in - The European Union and The Commonwealth.

This article discusses upcoming changes in Africa that will allow for free trade while meanwhile instituting trade blocs.

This article highlights a free trade deal between many south American countries and the united states which apparently will increase labor standards there.

This article discusses a recent free trade agreement between the US and Colombia. It displays the various effects one trade agreement can have on the economies of other countries around the world. An example from the article is how this new agreement between the US and Colombia has strengthened Colombia's relationship with China.

Because of the protectionism surrounding the US, Columbia has taken to trading largely with China, which has boosted the Colombian economy. Now the US has decided on free trade with Colombia, even though Colombia no longer needs this as it has become independent of the US.

This article explains how, without tariffs on imports, many Japanese farmers would be swept away by the cold winds of global competition.

Due to the tariff stablished on the electricity, most manufacturing companies will have to increase the prices of it´s products as a result of having to pay more for the electricity needed, leading to inflation.

This article talks about a recently passed FTA between the US and Colombia and the economic benefits that they both were expecting to get, although with the recent intervention of China, the US is not getting benefit of that FTA that they took long to pass.

This article discusses the difficulties with achieving free trade between two countries. Despite the free trade agreement almost two years ago, the US and Mexico are still facing political issues which means that a mexican truck was allowed on U.S. soil for the first time recently.