Macron, Merkel, May, Trump, Davos, Alibaba + Kroger, Churchill, Beckham
Caracal Insider Daily
January 25, 2018
Curation and commentary from Marc A. Ross
Reporting from Alexandria, Virginia
Caracal Insider = Global Business News at the Intersection of Politics + Policy + Profits
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TOP FIVE
✔️ Macron leads France back into diplomatic limelight
✔️ Europe is back. And rejecting Trumpism
✔️ Trump out to show Davos elite he knows best
✔️ Alibaba and Kroger discuss partnership
✔️ The wardrobe of Winston Churchill
GEOECONOMICS
Macron leads France back into the diplomatic limelight: Spiegel reports, his seemingly never-ending handshake with Trump may have attracted the most attention. But beyond the headlines, French President Emmanuel Macron is changing his country's role in the world.
"France is back." -- French President Emmanuel Macron @ Davos
CNBC: France's Macron says globalization is going through a major crisis
Germany: Angela Merkel would lead a six-month minority government before calling new elections under contingency plans being drawn up by senior conservatives on the eve of coalition talks.
Europe is back. And rejecting Trumpism: NYT reports, Macron’s hourlong speech before the annual gathering of the world’s wealthy and powerful in the Swiss Alps came on the same day that German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni issued their own forceful speeches toward advancing European integration while defending the notion of international cooperation.
Switzerland embraces cryptocurrency culture: FT reports, the alpine country emerges as global hub for initial coin offerings.
90% of growth will be outside the EU, and Brexit means Britain can benefit
The Times - Liam Fox
Ross says US won’t be a ‘sucker’ on trade: FT reports, US commerce secretary pushes panelists to ‘name a less protectionist country.’
US warns it will step up trade measures in 2018: FT reports, Mnuchin and Ross defend Trump administration against charges of protectionism.
WP: Trump will tell globalists at Davos that his nationalist agenda is working
Bloomberg: Trump out to show Davos elite he knows best
The buffoon presidency? Davos elites learn to live with Trump: Politico reports, the president will arrive in Switzerland to find global business leaders ready to welcome him — or at least to say he hasn’t been as bad as they thought he'd be.
Look for DJT to boast about US economic performance during his first year in office — unemployment down, the stock market up, robust growth, and tax reform.
Tomorrow: Trump will speak with CNBC live at 6:00 am ET and will give his formal speech to Davos starting at 8:00 am ET time.
US destroyer tracking Russian spy ship off US coast: Navy Times reports, the US Navy is currently tracking a Russian spy ship spotted off the coast of North Carolina.
WSJ: US Commerce Secretary slams Beijing for protectionist actions under free-trade rhetoric
Sino FDI: China hauled in $144 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) last year — it’s most ever.
“I think globalization cannot be stopped. Nobody can stop globalization. Nobody can stop trade. And I believe, if trade stops, war starts.” -- Jack Ma of Alibaba @ Davos
Today: US-China Economy and Security Review Commission hearing on China Belt and Road Initiative at 9:45 am ET.
Reuters: Mexico’s drug cartels, now hooked on fuel, cripple the country’s refineries
Outspoken World Bank chief economist Paul Romer exits: FT reports, emails reveal clashes over issues ranging from grammar to methodology.
AMERICAN POLITICS
NYT: Trump says he is willing to speak under oath to Mueller
Mueller moving quickly: Bloomberg reports, US Special Counsel Robert Mueller is moving faster than expected and appears to be wrapping up at least one key part of his investigation — whether Trump obstructed justice.
Sessions interviewed in Russia probe: The Hill reports, Attorney General Jeff Sessions was interviewed last week by special counsel Robert Mueller’s team as part of the Justice Department's investigation into Russian election meddling.
Trump administration backs bills to toughen foreign investment rules: Reuters reports, the Trump administration supports bipartisan bills in Congress to toughen U.S. foreign investment rules amid growing concern about Chinese efforts to buy U.S. high-tech companies, the White House said in a statement on Wednesday. The legislation would broaden the government's power to stop foreign purchases of US firms by strengthening the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
AP:Kushners drop much-criticized effort to raise Chinese cash
Duckworth to be first sitting US senator to give birth: AP reports, Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth is pregnant with her second child. She will be the first U.S. senator to give birth while in office.
California dreaming: For Democrats to flip the House this year, they’ll have to take some key seats in California.
ENTERPRISE
Walmart applies for 3D image patent for online grocery: BI reports, Walmart recently applied for a patent for a system that allows customers to preview food items selected for their online orders through pictures, according to CB Insights. The system, which is referred to as a “Fresh Online Experience” in the patent, would use 3D scanning to show online shoppers in-store items.
Alibaba and Kroger have had preliminary discussions about a partnership, apparently in a response to Amazon’s grocery moves.
WP: Will millennials kill Costco? https://goo.gl/pSq16v
CNBC: Nine West could be the next retailer to file for bankruptcy
Reuters: Qualcomm signs $2 billion sales MOUs with Lenovo, Xiaomi, vivo, and OPPO
The EU fines Qualcomm $1.2 billion for anti-competitive practices.
GoDaddy has acquired Main Street Hub, a provider of social media marketing tools, for $125 million.
TechCrunch: Uber CEO hopes to have self-driving cars in service in 18 months
The next version of Apple's iPhone software will let people view their health records.
NBC: Tourism to US under Trump is down, costing $4.6 billion and 40,000 jobs
TRENDS
‘Never get high on your own supply’ – why social media bosses don’t use social media: Guardian reports, Developers of platforms such as Facebook have admitted that they were designed to be addictive. Should we be following the executives’ example and going cold turkey – and is it even possible for mere mortals? https://goo.gl/eTwggX
CULTURE
The wardrobe of Winston Churchill: The Rake reports, with the recent release of Darkest Hour, we examine Winston Churchill’s style and how it was recreated through the film’s authentic touches. https://goo.gl/xGPtxh
Elton John has announced his retirement from touring with a tour that will last for three years.
SPORT
Beckham plans to unveil Miami MLS team on Monday: AP reports, Beckham and his partners are planning a Monday event to formally announce Miami’s new MLS team, as well as its name and logo, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. A spokesman for Beckham did not immediately respond to a request for comment. His group has said it wants the new team to begin play in the 2020 season.
