Trade in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
We are on the cusp of a far more complex era for outer space treaties. Failure to resolve disagreements over the ownership of resources in space like asteroid mining could result in international trade conflicts.
Wooden Skyscrapers Push Trade in Cross-Laminated Timber to New Heights
Cross Laminated Timber is the basis of the “tall wood” buildings movement. CLT construction is a growing global market. Cross-laminated timber provides many possible benefits, including reduced costs, rural employment, strength, fire-resistance, beauty and a sense of being closer to nature.
Toilet Paper: A Uniquely American Obsession
Covid-19 panic shopping and the 2020 toilet paper shortage has made it clear: Americans love their toilet paper. The U.S. is a top producer and consumer of TP. Learn about trade in bathroom tissue – and why toilet paper shortages are truly a first-world worry.
Born to Trade
Learn about global trade in baby products like diapers, toys, and car seats – and the impact of the U.S.-China trade war on the baby care industry.
America’s Favorite Hog is Driving U.S.-India Trade Relations
Harley-Davidson wants to grow international sales of its iconic motorcycles. But tariffs have thrown a monkey-wrench into those plans. Tariffs on Harley-Davidson bikes are a sticking point in U.S.-India trade relations.
Trade in Good Conscience
As more people grow concerned about where their products come from, how they are sourced, and the processes used to make them, demand for sustainable products could begin to reshape global trade.
Pencils: Still Teaching Us Lessons About Trade
The question of where and how pencils are made has resurfaced in the current debate over American trade policy. Policymakers often try to revive trade-impacted low-tech sectors through trade protection. The pencil industry’s experience highlights the difficulties of this approach.
Automation Won’t Destroy Trade — It Might Even Boost It
Many industry observers are sounding alarms about the looming impact of automation, robots and 3D printing, which they fear will destroy jobs, disrupt value chains and maybe even reduce the need for international trade. But data and evidence don’t support the hype.
This Tiny Chip is Playing a Big Role in the Trade War
The next generation of smarter and more powerful machines will rely on even more sophisticated semiconductors to achieve new capabilities. Pressure is on to “win” in the global chip race, which is why efforts to protect innovations in chipmaking are front and center in the current trade war – for better and for worse.
Who’s Footing the Tariff Bill?
U.S. footwear production dates as far back as 1750, but today 98 percent of shoes are manufactured abroad. Historically, footwear tariffs have been out of step with the United States’ general approach to free trade. High tariffs on products like shoes hit low-income families the hardest – particularly those with children – as these families spend the highest share of their incomes on home goods that tend to be imported.