WTO, NAFTA, EU, #ALSEN, N.W.A
Caracal Business Insider | Daily
December 11, 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
What does your country think about globalization? https://goo.gl/GhBP5q
Risks from the WTO’s new power vacuum: WSJ reports, with the US flipping from a champion of free trade to lead skeptic, the global trade body’s relevance is at stake.
Trump attack on WTO sparks a backlash from members: FT reports, Argentina, and other countries issue clarion call to strengthen the trading system.
Argentina has banned more than 60 activists from environmental and anti-globalization groups from a World Trade Organization ministerial meeting in Buenos Aires amid fears of protests.
Trump trade tsar wields power over WTO destiny: FT reports, Robert Lighthizer stands to be a potentially disruptive figure in the global economy.
2018 will be the year of Lighthizer.
Goldman warns of US NAFTA exit as negotiators seek small wins https://goo.gl/RP8C8i
As Brexit looms, Paris tries a business makeover: NYT reports, hoping to woo companies that will move employees from London, leaders in Paris are trying to replace red tape with a red carpet.
Home values in London are likely to fall another 2 percent in 2018 after a 1.8 percent decline this year.
Britain's May hails new optimism in Brexit talks after deal: Reuters reports, Prime Minister Theresa May will hail "a new sense of optimism" in Brexit talks on Monday, telling parliament Britain and the European Union should sign off on a deal at a summit this week "to move forwards together" to discuss future trade ties.
Qatar and Britain jet deal: The government of Qatar and British weapons maker BAE Systems have finalized a multi-billion deal for 24 combat jets.
Saudi Arabia to reopen cinemas after a 35-year ban: FT reports, the move credited to social reforms undertaken by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Saudi Aramco execs are worried about Uber: Senior officials at the oil giant Saudi Aramco told the Financial Times they were more concerned about the growth of ride-sharing apps such as Uber than about the rise of electric vehicles.
Syria: Putin announced a partial pullout of his forces from the country.
Reuters: EU tells Netanyahu no support for Trump's Jerusalem move
China to clarify market access with a no-go list for foreign, domestic capital: Caixin reports, a comprehensive ‘negative list’ first to include both local and overseas investment restrictions.
South Korea has reportedly banned bitcoin futures.
AMERICAN POLITICS
@AP: BREAKING: New York Police Department says it is responding to report of explosion near Times Square.
@TODAYshow: BREAKING: Police in New York City are responding to an explosion near Port Authority
Bloomberg: Trump plans to make closing argument for tax overhaul Wednesday
The Treasury Department will serve as the venue and the audience will be made up largely of young people and middle-class families whose personal stories will be laced into his remarks.
Was Trump SoHo used to hide part of a Kazakh bank’s missing billions? Bloomberg reports, court cases playing out on two continents may reveal whether the bank’s former chairman funneled money into three condos in the Manhattan luxury tower. https://goo.gl/RzhX5s
B&T: The White House will roll out an infrastructure effort in January with a $1 trillion road and bridge building plan.
Today: At 9:00 am NBC, Megyn Kelly will conduct a live, sit-down interview with three women who have accused President Trump of sexual misconduct: Jessica Leeds, Samantha Holvey, and Rachel Crooks.
#ALSEN: Voters in Alabama select their next US Senator tomorrow. either Roy Moore (R) and Doug Jones (D). Polls are open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm ET.
#ARSEN: Should Tom Cotton (R-AR) be picked to lead the CIA, I predict the current AG LG Tim Griffin (R-AR0 will be selected to complete Cotton's US Senate term.
SoCal fires: Southern California fire officials anticipate more growth and danger due to continued strong wind gusts, no rain, and decades-old dry vegetation.
At 230,000 acres, the Thomas fire is now the fifth-largest wildfire in modern California history.
US Santa Barbara cancels finals week and allows students to head home early due to fire threat.
NEED A SPEAKER?
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ENTERPRISE
Hospital merger: Ascension and Providence St. Joseph Health are in talks about a possible merger that would put 191 hospitals in 27 states under a single owner.
FT: Uber London license appeal set for April at earliest
TRENDS
How to give the gift of bitcoin this holiday seasonhttps://goo.gl/zjbjxe
@techreview: China is embarking on an unprecedented effort to master artificial intelligence.
CULTURE
Today: Gloden Globe nominations will be announced Monday at 8:15 am ET.
The moment N.W.A changed the music worldhttps://goo.gl/DW7B6p
SPORT
Champions League last-16 draw:
Juventus v Tottenham (13 February and 7 March)
Basel v Manchester City (13 February and 7 March)
Porto v Liverpool (14 February and 6 March)
Sevilla v Manchester United (21 February and 13 March)
Real Madrid v PSG (14 February and 6 March)
Shakhtar Donetsk v Roma (21 February and 13 March)
Chelsea v Barcelona (20 February and 14 March)
Bayern Munich v Besiktas (20 February and 14 March)
Final: The Champions League final will take place in Kiev on May 26.