On Friday evening, Caracal Global Founder Marc A. Ross spoke with CGTN's Susan Roberts on about the interactions and implications of the G7 Summit. He covered Trump, Putin, Singapore, Canada, and Cirque du Soleil.
Caracal Business Insider | December 15, 2017
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
Caracal Business Insider | December 7, 2017
Jerusalem, Naples, China, Putin, Volkswagen, Ford, Champions League
Caracal Business Insider | Daily
December 7, 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
GEOECONOMICS
WSJ: Trump’s Israel move launches uncertain chapter for Mideast
FT - Editorial: Trump’s dangerous decision on Jerusalem: Recognising the holy city as Israel’s capital is a senseless provocation.
Nikkei: Asia's Muslim leaders slam Trump's decision on Jerusalem
Indonesian foreign minister vows to stand 'with the Palestinian people'
NAFTA: CBS News reports, Mexican Ambassador to the US Geronimo Gutierrez says odds are "now about 50-50" that NAFTA will be terminated.
Trump worries Germans more than Kim Jong-un: The Times reports, Germans believe that Trump is a bigger challenge than Russia, Turkey or North Korea, a survey has revealed as the country's foreign minister urged a more assertive stance towards the US president.
"Only 43 percent of Germans viewed Washington as one of Berlin’s two most important foreign partners, down from 60 percent a year ago."
Naples' pizza twirling wins UNESCO ‘intangible’ status: Guardian reports, the traditional art of pizzaiuolo, handed down for generations in southern Italian city, secures coveted world heritage honor.
British PM voices confidence on Brexit trade deal: AFP reports, British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday voiced confidence in striking a deal that would allow Britain to open negotiations on post-Brexit trade ties with the EU despite this week's setback.
@Ed_Miliband: What an absolutely ludicrous, incompetent, absurd, make it up as you go along, couldn’t run a piss up in a brewery bunch of jokers there are running the government at the most critical time in a generation for the country.
IndyRef2: The Scottish National Party would trigger a second independence referendum if Scotland were pulled out of the EU customs union and single market against its will.
US firms losing confidence in China business climate: AP reports, US companies in China are seeing their sales improve but are frustrated by policies and regulatory barriers that block better access to the country's lucrative market, according to a survey released Wednesday. The US-China Business Council's survey showed most companies are enjoying better profitability and expecting higher revenues for their China operations as the economy revives. But restricted market access and uncertainty over Beijing's policies toward foreign companies have left them less optimistic about the business climate than in recent years.
What American corporations really think about China: Ken Kapoza in Forbes reports, the number one concern among American multinationals doing business in China is increased competition from the Chinese. Ninety-five percent of companies that participated in a recent survey of U.S. multinationals in China said most of their competitors are local, of which 68% are state-owned. According to the annual member survey by the US-China Business Council.
IMF warns on brewing risks in China's financial system: AFP reports, the International Monetary Fund on Thursday warned of brewing risks in China's banking system as it found dozens of crucial lenders needed to beef up their protection against possible financial crises.
QOTD: “Truth is China stopped being the low labor cost country years ago. That is not the reason to come to China ... the reason is because of the skill.” — Apple CEO Tim Cook
Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption drive mimics a Ming obsession: FT reports, the absence of reform in China would scupper the success of the president’s campaign.
Australia warned over ‘siding against’ China in security group: SCMP reports, a former Australian foreign minister has warned over his country siding against China in a security grouping with the United States, India and Japan.
US should disinvite China to RIMPAC naval exercises: The invitation is perplexing, given China's stated objective of displacing the United States in Asia and its demonstrated willingness to bring this about.
Asia Times - Grant Newsham
Three less understood aspects of Chinese investment in America
Macro Polo - Joy Dantong Ma
Japan eyes air-to-surface missiles that would put North Korea in range: Nikkei reports, Japan looks to deploy its first air-to-surface missiles in the coming years as a means of deterring North Korea from further weapons testing, bringing Pyongyang's missile bases within Tokyo's military reach.
North Korea threat makes US Olympic participation an ‘open question,’ Nikki Haley says: WP reports, the UN ambassador did not confirm that it was a “done deal” the US government would recommend that its athletes compete in PyeongChang amid rising tensions in the region.
What does she know that we don't know?!?
Russia's Putin to seek re-election in 2018: AFP reports, President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday he would seek re-election in March 2018, a contest opinion polls show he will win comfortably, setting the stage for him to extend his dominance of Russia’s political landscape into the third decade.
@AP: BREAKING: Vladimir Putin declares his intention to seek re-election as Russian president.
Putin is amazing. On the same day, he announced his re-election campaign he also announced his election victory.
FP: In return to Cold War posture, US sending sub hunting planes to Iceland
AMERICAN POLITICS
Franken: More than 30 of Al Franken’s Democratic colleagues urged him to quit the Senate. Minnesota Public Radio reports Franken will resign in a Senate floor speech.
US Navy unveils a new slogan = “Forged by the Sea”
How the Kremlin tried to pose as American news sites on Twitter: AdAge reports, Kremlin-backed Russian Internet Research Agency operated dozens of Twitter accounts masquerading as local American news sources that collectively garnered more than half-a-million followers. More than 100 news outlets also published stories containing those handles in the run-up to the election, and some of them were even tweeted by a top presidential aide.
https://goo.gl/vNuF1c
As wildfires scorch Southern California, officials warn that more blazes could erupt in coming days: WP reports, Gov. Jerry Brown declared states of emergency in Los Angeles and Ventura counties after fires forced tens of thousands to escape, destroying hundreds of structures and emptying homes, hospitals, schools and multimillion-dollar mansions alike.
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ENTERPRISE
Cheap tech boom: A new wave of decent, but dirt-cheap, gadgets is about to flood the market—and you can thank Amazon for their creation. https://goo.gl/TzTFFR
Wall Street banks push back on bitcoin futures plan: FT reports, draft letter to US regulators says financial system ill-prepared for cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin topped $15,000 for the first time Thursday rising more than 40% in the past week alone.
General Electric’s power division said it was cutting 12,000 jobs as part of its efforts to reduce structural costs by $1 billion next year.
Volkswagen official gets a 7-year term in diesel-emissions cheating: NYT reports, the sentencing of Oliver Schmidt, a former Volkswagen manager in Michigan, was the latest turn in a vast scandal that has tarnished the company’s reputation and has cost the carmaker more than $20 billion in fines and settlements. The sentence, including a fine of $400,000, was imposed by Judge Sean F. Cox in Federal District Court in Detroit four months after Mr. Schmidt, 48, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the federal government and to violating the Clean Air Act. The sentence was in line with the prosecution’s recommendation.
CNBC: Ford betting 'very heavily' China will dominate the electric vehicle market
NYT: China will lead an electric car future, Ford’s chairman says
Bozoma Saint John: can marketing guru restore Uber’s image? https://goo.gl/ZxoRx1
FT: Chinese bike-sharing start-up Ofo raises $1 billion
TRENDS
Tencent says there are only 300,000 AI engineers worldwide, but millions are needed: The Verge reports, a new report from the Chinese tech giant attempts to put a number on the AI talent shortfall. https://goo.gl/dnmuy9
How Google's crowdsourced GPS app is succeeding as 'the only screen in the car': If you don't drive to work, you probably haven't heard of it - but GPS app Waze is proving indispensable for users and a lucrative new channel for brands.
Campaign - Simon Gwynn
World’s first modular stadium to host 2022 World Cup: Matches in the 2022 FIFA World Cup will take place in a stadium designed to be taken apart and reconstructed elsewhere in a new configuration. https://goo.gl/vuMxaa
POTD
POTD: Shake Shack, disruption, and leadership: Brian Koppelman, on The Moment podcast, interviews Danny Meyer, a New York City restaurateur and the Chief Executive Officer of the Union Square Hospitality Group https://goo.gl/sM2RVN
SPORT
UEFA Champions League draw - round of 16:
Barcelona*
Basel
Bayern München
Beşiktaş*
Chelsea
Juventus
Liverpool*
Manchester City*
Manchester United*
Paris Saint-Germain*
Porto
Real Madrid
Roma*
Sevilla
Shakhtar Donetsk
Tottenham Hotspur*
(*group winners)
The UEFA Champions League round of 16 draw will take place at 6:00 am ET on Monday, December 11.