China Soft Power Fail, Paul Ryan, Mexico, Putin, Amazon, H&M

Caracal Business Insider | Daily
December 15, 2017
Curation and commentary from Marc A. Ross

Caracal Business Insider = Global Business News at the Intersection of Politics + Policy + Profits.

Reporting from Alexandria, Virginia

What Caracal Global is watching today:

✔️ South Korea outraged by journalist beating in China

✔️ Two Canadian Senators’ business venture linked to China

✔️ EU launches next phase of Brexi

✔️ Paul D. Ryan exiting as speaker?

✔️ H&M says to close more stores as customers go online

GEOECONOMICS

World trade order in a wobble as Washington snubs WTO status quo: Reuters reports, the frustration of Roberto Azevedo was evident when, as director general of the World Trade Organization, he summed up the results of a three-day ministerial conference in Buenos Aires in the past week. There were simply none.

China set for slower growth target in 2018: Caixin reports, key policymaking meeting likely to focus on curbing financial risks, reining in debt.

Chinese authorities collecting DNA from all residents of Xinjiang: Guardian reports, officials build a database of iris scans and blood types of everyone aged 12 to 65 in the region home to 11 million Muslim Uighurs.

This is troubling.

How's the soft power campaign working?

South Korea outraged by journalist beating in China: AFP reports, South Korean news media on Friday expressed anger and outrage after Chinese security guards beat and severely injured a South Korean photojournalist covering President Moon Jae-In's visit to Beijing. Opposition parties and internet users joined in, saying the incident epitomised the Asian giant's attitude towards its smaller neighbor.

This is also troubling.

How's the soft power campaign working?

Can China contain bitcoin? It is trying. But the cryptocurrency is bigger than any country, even the one where it has been most popular. https://goo.gl/PQsngB

Caixin: Asian Development Bank to invest in cleaning up Beijing’s air

Two Conservative senators’ business venture linked to China: Two Conservative senators – one with close ties to Beijing – set up a private consulting business this year with partners who are involved in attracting investment from China to Newfoundland and Labrador, corporate records show.

Senator Victor Oh, who recently said he has not conducted any "personal business" in Canada or China since his appointment to the Red Chamber in 2013, formed a St. John's-based company in April with Senator David Wells. Mr. Wells would not say whether Signal Hill Management is pursuing business deals with China-based entities.

J-Alert: One of Japan's Japan’s most popular phrases is the system used to warn citizens of an imminent missile attack.

US offers 'proof' missile fired at Saudi Arabia was Iranian: AFP reports, the United States on Thursday presented pieces of what it said is the missile fired at Saudi Arabia by Houthi militia in Yemen, describing it as conclusive evidence of Iran involvement and its violation of UN resolutions.

Red Dawn in Lapland: Outside reports, Finland shares an 833-mile border with an aggressive and unpredictable neighbor. That proximity led to a major conflict during World War II—the horrific Winter War—and even now it keeps Finns nervous about Russia’s intentions. David Wolman suited up to train with the elite soldiers who will be on the front lines if this cold feud ever gets hot. https://goo.gl/y1iMiE

EU gives UK go-ahead for next phase of Brexit talks: FT reports, negotiations to start on trade after leaders endorse progress on the divorce settlement.

'Congratulations': EU launches next phase of Brexit: Reuters reports, the European Union agreed on Friday to move talks forward with London on Britain's exit from the bloc as leaders warmed to the British premier, but there was little clarity on trade, as well as on some issues already discussed

Theresa May, navigating Brexit, reaches a first finish line: NYT reports, Ms. May lacks many of the qualities that draw a person into politics. She does not enjoy the public spotlight, or have a vision she yearns to share with the country. In a political environment that demands social ease and boundless intellectual confidence — the “tranquil consciousness of effortless superiority” once attributed to Oxford’s Balliol College by one of its famous alumni — she is formal, controlled and extremely private.

“In some ways, she’s old-fashioned English in an era where being old-fashioned and English is no longer acceptable,” said Philip Cowley, a political scientist at Queen Mary University of London.

Some Canada firms could move to US amid NAFTA worries: Reuters reports, more a quarter of Canadian firms could move part of their operations to the United States amid uncertainty over the future of the NAFTA trade pact, the nation's export credit agency said on Friday.

Mexico plots open trade course to escape Trump's NAFTA threats: Reuters reports, Trump’s ‘America First’ brand of economic nationalism is pushing Mexico to seek sanctuary in more open commercial ties elsewhere to soften the blow of a possible breakdown of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

"Mexico has lobbied hard to defend NAFTA. The country is heavily dependent on U.S. demand, which soaks up around 80 percent of its goods exports."

Mexico scores big tourism gains after hurricanes devastate Caribbean islands: LAT reports, from October 2017 through March 2018, airlines cut more than 1.2 million seats to Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Cuba and St. Martin. In that same period, they've added more than 600,000 seats on flights to popular Mexican destinations.

The Russia facts are hiding in plain sight
WP - David Ignatius

AFP: Putin says Arctic exploration a priority for Russia

Russia election date = March 18, 2018

I wonder if the Trumpster will join Putin on the hustings?

AMERICAN POLITICS

Tax reform: Republicans expect to unveil the final version of their $1.5 trillion tax measure today.

The Republicans’ problem is bigger than Alabama: A string of defeats points to weaknesses beyond one tainted candidate and to trouble in 2018 and beyond. https://goo.gl/iQegmn

"Voters who disapprove of Trump have reliably cast ballots against Republican candidates in each of the three major elections this year: In Alabama, 93 percent of those who disapproved of Trump voted for Jones; in Virginia, 87 percent voted for Gillespie’s Democratic opponent, Ralph Northam."

8 numbers out of Alabama that should terrify Republicanshttps://goo.gl/tY8UG5

"Among those 65 years old (and older), Moore won by 19 points. Among all other voters -- aged 18-64 -- he lost by eight."

Paul Ryan sees his wild Washington journey coming to an end: Politico reports, he felt he was ‘made for this moment.’ But now, on the verge of achieving his long-sought legislative dream, he’s got his eyes on the exits.

Paul D. Ryan exiting as speaker? It only makes sense.
WP - Aaron Blake

"Trump has already turned Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) into a pariah with a newly imperiled majority, and it seems only a matter of time before the House's failure to meet Trump's expectations causes him to truly turn his fire on Ryan too."

@politico: #BREAKING: House Speaker Paul Ryan considering retirement after 2018 midterms http://politi.co/2o58WcR 

@POLITICOMag: Paul Ryan has made it known to some of his closest confidants that this will be his final term as speaker

@CNNPolitics: 5 reasons why Paul Ryan should definitely quit in 2018 | Analysis by CNN's Chris Cillizza http://cnn.it/2AqHh7X

@FoxBusiness: @SpeakerRyan aides dismiss reports of possible 2018 resignation

Net Neutrality: The FCC voted to dismantle rules governing how internet-service providers treat traffic, a move that is likely to empower cable and wireless providers.

"We are helping consumers and promoting competition.” --F.C.C. Chairman Ajit Pai

Recommendations signal major changes coming to Iowa’s Caucuses https://goo.gl/7vXbsN

ENTERPRISE

NYT: Uber under criminal investigation, Justice Dept. confirms in letter to court

"It is the first public confirmation by the Department of Justice of a federal inquiry into the San Francisco-based ride-hailing company."

Nordic Choice Hotels tests blockchain distribution for Stockholm property: Skift reports, hotels, like airlines, currently rely on the global distribution systems and other intermediaries for distribution. Bypassing them could be an attractive proposition if it would lower costs.

Google’s return to China foretells a global race to deliver AI: MIT Tech Review reports, with a new research center in Beijing, Google hopes to strengthen its global position in offering AI services through the cloud.

Transneft says its computers were used for mining cryptocurrency: Reuters reports, computers at Transneft have been used for the unauthorized manufacture, or "mining", of the cryptocurrency Monero, a vice-president of the Russian pipeline operator said.

Disney-21st Century Fox deal ensures that the future of television and movie viewing is online.

H&M shares slide after unexpected sales fall: FT reports, Swedish fashion retailer has been struggling with a shift to online shopping.

AFP: H&M says to close more stores as customers go online

Reuters: Siemens partners with Amazon as it ramps up industrial software platform

Amazon wants it all.

TRENDS

Facebook invites HR pros to steal its sexual harassment policy.

AOL Instant Messenger made social media what it is today: The once popular messaging platform goes dark this week, but its legacy of instant communication is here to stay. https://goo.gl/3UrMwc

How a Welsh jeans firm became a cult global brandhttps://goo.gl/Pk19KB

CULTURE

Breaking: Harry and Meghan to marry on May 19, 2018.

SOTD

Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons, Spring 1 https://goo.gl/wtL6XN

SPORT

What did the Reds show Shohei Ohtani? http://cin.ci/2AgOrvc

Creator versus disruptor: Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho battle for the fate of the universe (and the Premier League). https://goo.gl/GNkUMQ