Caracal Business Insider | November 10, 2017

Axis of Disorder, New World-Trade Order, Burn After Reading, Uber, Detroit Pistons

Caracal Business Insider | Daily
November 10, 2017
Curation and commentary from Marc A. Ross

Caracal Business Insider: Politics + Policy + Profits

"You've got to win the politics to set the policy to ensure the profits." - Marc A. Ross, founder of Caracal Global.

Reporting from Alexandria, Virginia

GEOECONOMICS

Trump, Xi, Putin, and the axis of disorder
Brookings - Thomas Wright

In Donald Trump, America has a rogue president who has a 30-year track record of opposing key elements of the global order, writes Thomas Wright. Vladimir Putin wants to overthrow the order because he believes it poses a direct threat to his regime. Xi Jinping’s China benefits from the open global economy but he would dearly like to replace the United States as the preeminent power in East Asia.

Trump declares new world-trade order: WSJ reports, Trump delivered a full-throated assertion of economic nationalism, telling a Pacific Rim summit that the U.S. wouldn’t enter into multilateral trade agreements that “tie our hands.” 

Trump demands end to Asia’s ‘chronic trade abuses’: FT reports, US president calls for reciprocity and fairness from leaders of ‘Indo-Pacific’ region.

“We are not going to let the United States be taken advantage of anymore.” 

Canada's PM Justin Trudeau sabotages Trans-Pacific Partnership, shocking leaders: SMH reports, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has sabotaged a pact to salvage a multibillion-dollar, 11-nation Pacific Rim trade deal at the last minute, surprising leaders of the other nations, including Australia's Malcolm Turnbull. Trudeau failed to show up at a meeting late on Friday that was set to officially revive the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement that had been negotiated on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the Vietnamese coastal city of Danang.

Countering Trump, China's Xi touts cooperation in Asia-Pacific: Reuters reports, Asia-Pacific nations must "uphold multilateralism", Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday, countering U.S. President Donald Trump's message at a summit that the United States would stay out of trade deals that surrender its sovereignty.

China to relax curbs on foreign stakes in finance: FT reports, official says foreign and domestic investors to be treated ‘equally’ when buying stakes.

China to give foreigners greater access to the financial sector: WSJ reports, China took a major step in opening up its financial sector, announcing a relaxation of restrictions on foreign ownership in the securities and banking sectors just hours after Trump concluded his visit to Beijing.

Wow. This is a big deal. Obviously more details will be helpful to grasp impact and meaning, but you cannot deny this as a positive development.

Also, massive indication Beijing needs money and has to take cash from outsiders to support its debt fulled rise.

@matt_datha: Downing Street confirms that Theresa May has invited European business leaders to No10 on Monday for a special Brexit summit.

@anthonyjwells: New post: YouGov/Times – CON 40, LAB 43, LDEM 6 http://bit.ly/2Ayv4yb 

'Davos of Africa' aims to spur growth by empowering women: AFP reports, the MEDays Forum – held annually in Tangier – is a meeting of political, economic and social leaders from mainly Mediterranean, African and Arab regions that bills itself as the "Davos of Africa".

The Times: ‘Kremlin dirty tricks’ turn Kenya against UK

"Russia is suspected of spreading disinformation in Kenya by suggesting that the UK has been interfering in the African country’s elections."

AFP: Kremlin-backed RT will register as 'foreign agent' inUS, go to court

Moscow plans ‘restrictions’ on US media working in Russia: WP reports, the move comes after U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that English-language RT satellite news channel is an instrument of the Russian government that pushes anti-American propaganda. RT denies the claim.

AMERICAN POLITICS

Poll: Best movie to represent staff working for Trump administration?

- Burn After Reading
- Goodfellas
- Smokey and the Bandit
- Shawshank Redemption

Flynn probed over alleged plan to send back Turkish cleric: WSJ reports, Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating an alleged plan involving former White House National Security Adviser Mike Flynn to forcibly remove a controversial cleric living in the U.S. and deliver him to Turkey in return for millions of dollars.

GOP faces wrenching call: Running with or away from Trump: Politico reports, the election outcome Tuesday exacerbated tensions within the party over how candidates should position themselves vis-à-vis the president.

WSJ: Senate GOP tax bill delays Trump’s prized corporate cut

Futures down on worries about tax-cut bill delays: Reuters reports, US stock index futures were trading lower on Friday on concerns that a delay in corporate tax cut till 2019 may stall the stock market rally that was powered in part by Donald Trump's election win.

LAT: Honolulu tourists looking at cellphones while crossing the street risk getting a ticket

SEND YOUR WORST EMPLOYEE TO UTAH

Well, maybe not your worst employee.

But how about your most promising? Or your most visionary? Or your most driven?

A few days in Utah mountains with creative, compelling, and curious entrepreneurs and thought-leaders will do them some good.

Secure their spot @ www.thebrigadoon.com
 

ENTERPRISE

Foxy WI: Wisconsin's economic development agency has approved a $3 billion incentives package for Foxconn if it invests $10 billion to build a massive liquid-crystal display plant in the state.

Not today UAW: Workers at an Ohio factory rejected unionization in a litmus test for labor relations at Chinese-owned companies.

Uber suffered a setback in a British court when an appeals tribunal reaffirmed a decision that the company must give its drivers employee rights like paid vacations.

NYT: Uber drivers aren’t independent contractors, UK tribunal rules

Bloomberg: Las Vegas massacre may add more than $1 billion to insurer costs

LinkedIn faces setback in China as it runs afoul of new rules: NYT reports, this week the jobs-and-professional-networking service blocked individuals from advertising jobs on its site in China, after it ran afoul of new government regulations requiring it to verify their real identities, according to a person familiar with the situation. LinkedIn said in a statement that companies can still post job listings, but it did not know when it would again allow individuals to do the same.

Reuters: Bitcoin slides by over $1000 in less than 48 hours

TRENDS

The founder is dead: The cultish obsession with having the original founders of a startup run the company in perpetuity may finally have had its day. 
Wired

Think-and-click: Typing, swiping, and clicking are the norm in 2017. A startup called Neurable wants to replace all of that with simply ... thinking. 
MIT TR

SOTD

The National - 'Day I Die' https://goo.gl/gkYT5y

How am I just discovering The National?!? I wish I had some friends in Cincinnati that could keep me in the loop?!? 

SPORT

World Cup Qualifying:

Saturday

Côte d'Ivoire vs Morocco
Zambia vs Cameroon
Denmark vs Ireland Republic

Sunday

Ghana vs Egypt
Switzerland vs Northern Ireland
Greece vs Croatia

NBA Power Rankings:

1. Golden State Warriors
2. Boston Celtics
3. Houston Rockets
4. Memphis Grizzlies
5. Detroit Pistons

NHL Power Rankings:

1. St. Louis Blues
2. Tampa Bay Lightning
3. Los Angeles Kings
4. Pittsburgh Penguins
5. San Jose Sharks
25. Detroit Red Wings

Caracal Business Insider November 9, 2017

"I Don't Blame China" | "Take Advantage" | Brexit | Donna Brazile | Hallmark Channel | NASA

Caracal Business Insider | Daily
November 9, 2017
Curation and commentary from Marc A. Ross

Caracal Business Insider: Politics + Policy + Profits

"You've got to win the politics to set the policy to ensure the profits." - Marc A. Ross, founder of Caracal Global.

Reporting from Alexandria, Virginia

GEOECONOMICS

Xi and I can solve all the world’s problems, says Trump: The Times reports, Trump said this morning that he and President Xi of China could solve all the world’s problems. “I look forward to many years success and friendship, working together to solve not only our problems but world problems,” he said after a lavish reception in Beijing. “I believe we can solve almost all of them, probably all of them.” 

AFP: Trump says he and Xi can solve 'probably all' world's problems

In China, Trump cajoles Xi with tough talk, flattery: WSJ reports, Trump blended chumminess with his host, Xi Jinping, with tough talk on North Korea and trade, saying he blamed his predecessors rather than Beijing for a “very unfair and one-sided” economic relationship.

FT: Trump blames US predecessors for China trade deficit

In Beijing remarks US president says Washington allowed China to ‘take advantage’

In China, Trump blames US for trade deficits: NYT reports, speaking in Beijing, President Trump framed chronic trade imbalances as a failure of American policy, saying he could not blame the Chinese for taking advantage of Americans.

Nikkei: Trump credits China 'for being able to take advantage' of US in trade

'We're engaged': Alaska gets China backing for natural gas project: Reuters reports, China's biggest state oil company Sinopec, one of the country's top banks and its sovereign wealth fund agreed on Thursday to develop a $43 billion natural gas project in Alaska, as the cash-poor U.S. state seeks to revive its dwindling energy industry.

US-China MOUs: The Beijing visit caused an announcement of $250 billion in business deals, but many of the agreements lack substance and are mostly non-binding memorandums of understanding that could take years to materialize. Also, consider Boeing's announced deal to sell 300 planes to China - this alone would represent 15% of the $250 billion and there is no indication these are new sales or are just long-planned sales.

For all of Donald Trump’s tough China campaign talk, the US president is leaving his first visit to Beijing with little to show for it but handshakes and warm words with Xi Jinping. - Bloomberg Balance of Power note

US lawmakers introduce bipartisan bills on foreign investment amid China worries: Reuters reports, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), a member of the Republican leadership who is on the Senate Intelligence Committee, introduced a Senate bill to broaden the government’s power to stop foreign purchases of U.S. firms by strengthening the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Representative Robert Pittenger, a North Carolina Republican, introduced an identical bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Nikkei: 42 South Korean companies to invest $17 billion in USby 2021

"Lotte Chemical, Hankook Tire to build production lines in southern states"

Reuters: Lithuania expects NATO to reach deal on Baltic air shield

NYT: ‘From one crisis to the next’: Brexit-torn Britain stumbles

The international development secretary, Priti Patel became the second cabinet minister to quit in a week.

Times: Brussels braced for collapse of May government

"EU leaders fear chaos over Brexit talks as Patel quits"

50 London banks in talks for post-Brexit move: DW reports, dozens of banks are in advanced talks with the European Central Bank about moving operations to the European mainland. As Brexit nears, many London-based financial institutions are considering Frankfurt, Paris or Dublin.

EU gives UK up to 3 weeks to make Brexit bill offer: FT reports, December summit could fall short on transition guidelines without a settlement.

Brexit has broken British politics: To old friends, the UK appears to be in the grip of an inexplicable fever.
FT - Philip Stephens 

BBC: Silvio Berlusconi's surprise political comeback

NYT: Catalonia’s Independence Bid Shows Signs of Strain as Coalition Splits

AFP: Mexico says there's 'life after NAFTA' if pact fails

AMERICAN POLITICS

NYT: Suburbs revolt against Trump, threatening GOP

The Times: One year on, suburbs give the Republicans a beating

If you are a Republican Member of Congress with a Whole Foods in your district you probably barely slept last night. 

Tax: Senate Republicans are expected to unveil their tax legislation today. 

Tee times, smoothie diets, and fat paychecks: A look inside post-Trump life: Politico reports, away from the chaos of Trump’s West Wing, former aides take stock of their new worlds. http://politi.co/2yfR3II

WSJ: Prosecutors seek plea deal with Manafort’s former son-in-law

Bloomberg: Senator Menendez juror asks trial judge, ‘What is a Senator?’https://bloom.bg/2jdgIzq

LAT: Former party chief Donna Brazile stokes divisions among Democrats

How Trump brought the political media class to its knees: Vanity Fair reports, Trump and his team understand that for the political press, the only thing that matters is what’s happening right now, not yesterday. And whether through his tweets or his surrogates in the briefing room, the president has been largely able to bait reporters into playing his game, because he knows what makes them tick. https://goo.gl/MPYnJ6

LAT: Obama documentary 'The Final Year' gains emotional heft in the wake of the 2016 election https://goo.gl/6a4DQS

NEED A SPEAKER?

Marc A. Ross works with clients to develop executive education lectures, speeches, presentations, workshops, and conferences to help demystify Globalization, Disruption, and American politics. Learn more here.

ENTERPRISE

UPS joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance.

Target is closing a dozen stores across a handful of states, including Michigan, Florida, Illinois, and Texas, but not until after the holidays.

Lowe's has unveiled plans to launch so-called stores within its stores, in a partnership with software-powered retailer b8ta, to sell and educate shoppers on smart home products.

CNBC: NASA is working with Uber on its flying taxi project

Uber also said that it is aiming to trial the flying taxis in Los Angeles, as well as Dubai and Dallas-Fort Worth in 2020.

Reuters: Boeing signs deal to sell 300 planes worth $37 billion to China

Reuters: Qualcomm signs $12 billion in China deals amid Trump visit

Burberry plans to go more upmarket to be ‘firmly in luxury’: FT reports, shares in brand fall 10% after first-half profits come in below market expectations.

Reuters: SpaceX to launch Turkish satellites, minister says

TRENDS

Snapchat also wants to be a fitness app: Quartz reports, we learned last year that Snap is "a camera company"- but perhaps soon, it's also going to be a fitness company.

What’s selling in Trumpland, USA: BOF reports, consumers of luxury goods in the wealthiest areas of the country that voted for Donald Trump favor traditional labels including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and David Yurman.

CULTURE

How the Hallmark Channel became a Christmas-movie machine: WSJ reports, the sure-fire ingredients for a successful holiday show: quaint small town, flirtatious tree decorating and, most importantly, snow.

LAT: Garth Brooks is named entertainer of the year at the CMA Awards

SPORT

Beijing’s endgame: football with Chinese characteristics: A spending spree on European clubs carries risks as well as rewards for China’s image.
FT
 

Caracal Business Insider | November 8, 2017

North Korea | Northam | Trump in China | Cheddar | Louvre Abu Dhabi

Caracal Business Insider | Daily
November 8, 2017
Curation and commentary from Marc A. Ross

Caracal Business Insider: Politics + Policy + Profits

"You've got to win the politics to set the policy to ensure the profits." - Marc A. Ross, founder of Caracal Global.

Reporting from Alexandria, Virginia

ROSS RANT

Protest votes come in all shape, sizes, and educational levels: We have seen it all. In recent elections, voters across the world have been telling the do-gooder, globalist, elite no - it's their time now.

The protest vote of middle England telling the cosmopolitan elites of London they have had enough, and they want out of the European Union.

The protest vote from the Catalonians that want more say and leave the support of Madrid to go their own independent way.

The protest vote from salt of the earth Americans living in the Great Lakes region who believe wearing a football jersey is a proper air travel outfit telling those who crafted multilateral trade deals and forged a more multicultural nation they do not get to pick the winner of the White House this time.

But last night was different.

Finally the do-gooder, globalist, elite had a chance to cast a protest vote.

The suburban citizens of NoVa who have more in common with those living in New Jersey and commuting into Manhattan than their fellow Old Dominion citizens voted in a protest wave to send a message to the bloviator in chief and the do nothing congressional members - you ain't getting it done.

The protest vote that sent a Democrat to the governor's house in Richmond will be embraced and applauded by Team Obama and those who wished HRC be their president - and they should feel good and elated. It has been a horrible 365 days for them. Last night was their first real feel-good moment to halt the Trumpster since their disastrous performance the previous election day.

But, as is frequently done, believing they have found the secret sauce of winning in the age of Trump will be a loser. They haven't found anything. Ralph Northam is no way the future of the DNC. His only unique skill-set was that he was on the ballot last night.

Just like the Brexit referendum, the Catalonia vote for independence, and Trump's candidacy, all were only vehicles to send a protest, a message, a reminder, to those in power that the ways things are operating aren't working.

When voter data goes into a deep drive, analysists will find scores of suburban NoVa Republicans with dual incomes, hefty tax bills, jumbo mortgages, outstanding student loan debt, passports, multiple college degrees, Economist subscriptions, Class Pass memberships, Whole Foods shopping trips powered by InstaCart, and Patagonia jackets in their closets voted Dem for the first time in their lives. Finally, they had a vehicle to send a protest vote to Trump's Republican-controlled Federal government.

The protest was against the shameful and petulant behavior emanating from the Oval Office. The protest was against a Ryan and McConnell led Congress whose only success is sending Neil Gorsuch to SCOTUS. The protest was against the complete failure to pass infrastructure spending, to reform healthcare, to legislate a tax system that is entrepreneurial, global, and fair.

Waking up this morning, you have to believe the Democrats will take control of the House of Representatives next fall. Not only will we see more GOP members say adios to walking the hall of RHOB, but funding will become a challenge, and there will be more talk of Trump getting legitimate primary challengers.

If you are a Republican Member of Congress with a Whole Foods in your district you probably barely slept last night. As you wake-up to Playbook and Morning Joe, you know you have a decision to make this morning - be silent on Trump's behavior and leadership or do what is right and vote for legislation that is best for the long-term success of the nation.

Either way - it might not be enough.

A protest vote is coming.

GEOECONOMICS

WSJ: Trump warns North Korea: Do not underestimate US

NYT: Trump seeks help in China over a nuclear North Korea

While you were sleeping:  1:40 AM ET THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Beijing Airport - Beijing, People’s Republic of China

Trump is first US president to get seat at Beijing’s banquet
new: The Times reports, Trump, known as a lover of hamburgers and diet coke, will be treated to a banquet at the former imperial palace of the Forbidden City this evening, an honour never before bestowed on a visiting US leader to post-revolution China.

AP: Tweeter-in-chief ready to confront China’s ‘great firewall’

Xi Jinping just fired 75% of party veterans: Nikkei reports, Chinese president personally interviewed candidates, eliminating dissenters.

CNBC: Here are the corporate dealmakers joining Trump in China https://goo.gl/6jGMJF 

More business deals than trade pacts as Trump visits China: NYT reports, Trump will take a team of business leaders who may sign sales agreements, but chances of a big breakthrough on trade frictions seem slim.

China’s technology ambitions could upset the global trade order: NYT reports, when Trump arrives in Beijing on Wednesday, he will most likely complain about traditional areas of dispute like steel and cars. But Washington officials and major global companies increasingly worry about a new generation of deals that could give China a firmer grip on the technology of tomorrow. Under an ambitious plan unveiled two years ago called Made in China 2025, Beijing has designs to dominate cutting-edge technologies like advanced microchips, artificial intelligence, and electric cars, among many others, in a decade. And China is enlisting some of the world’s biggest technology players in its push.

Three UCLA basketball players detained in China: WSJ reports, three UCLA basketball players, including high-profile freshman LiAngelo Ball, were detained in China for alleged shoplifting, according to a person familiar with the matter. The Bruins, ranked No. 21, are in China to begin their college basketball season Saturday in Shanghai against Georgia Tech.

“We are aware of a situation involving UCLA student-athletes in Hangzhou, China,” UCLA said in a statement. “The university is cooperating fully with local authorities on this matter, and we have no further comment at this time.”

AFP: Chinese icebreaker steams for Antarctica in polar power play

Trump visit puts Tokyo at the center of geopolitics
Nikkei - Ian Bremmer

WSJ: Philippines’ Duterte Says He Will Raise South China Sea Dispute With Beijing

Globe and Mail: Canada won't be rushed into signing TPP, Trudeau insists in Vietnam

EU unveils proposal to cut vehicles’ CO2 emissions: WSJ reports, the European Union proposed a 30% cut in carbon-dioxide emissions from cars and vans in the decade through 2030, seeking to prod automakers toward cleaner technologies led by electric vehicles and curb climate change.

LAT: Gov. Jerry Brown and European Union leaders agree to work to combat climate change

The Paris climate agreement now has the support of Syria, leaving the US as the only country opposed.

Saudi crackdown targets up to $800 billion in assets: WSJ reports, the Saudi government is aiming to confiscate cash and other assets worth as much as $800 billion in its crackdown on alleged corruption among the kingdom’s elite.

US urged to impose full embargo on Venezuelan oil: FT reports, the Argentine president is the first Latin American leader to openly advocate such tough action.

AMERICAN POLITICS

Democrats win big races in Virginia, New Jersey: WSJ reports, Democrat Ralph Northam captured the Virginia governorship on Tuesday, beating Republican Ed Gillespie in the first major test of how the Donald Trump presidency has affected swing-state politics

NYT: Voters give Democrats first big victories of the Trump era

Northam’s dominating performance offered a momentary catharsis for Democrats who have been hungry to find political success this year.

“We now know what a lot of us in the party already knew: The Trump message is a big loser in swing states,” one Republican strategist said.

LAT: Democrats seize Virginia and New Jersey governorships in elections seen as precursors of 2018 fights

WP: Northam victory in VA gives Democrats first key win in Trump era

WP: Gillespie loss is a grim omen for GOP as voters reject ‘Trumpism without Trump’ strategy

GOP tax plan would slam California housing market: WSJ reports, California’s biggest housing markets figure to be among the losers if a Republican-sponsored tax overhaul becomes law, according to two analyses of local market data.

LAT: East Coast Republicans pushed back against Trump's tax plan. Why didn't California's GOP?

Reuters: Dollar slips on fears over US tax reform troubles

NEED A SPEAKER?

Marc A. Ross works with clients to develop executive education lectures, speeches, presentations, workshops, and conferences to help demystify Globalization, Disruption, and American politics. Learn more here.

ENTERPRISE

Cheddar, the live-streaming financial news network aimed at millennials, will begin to build remote studios in WeWork offices across the country in a partnership designed to improve the production value of the network's weekday live programming. 

Amazon has quietly launched its own line of activewear clothing: L2 reports, three new activewear brands — Goodsport, Rebel Canyon, and Peak Performance — are being promoted in Amazon’s holiday gift guide this week.

FT: China’s Tencent builds $2 billion stake in Snapchat owner

Twitter goes 280 - @marcaross will keep it 140.

WP: Starbucks’ next move: Italian restaurants

Chinese auto-glass magnate faces union challenge in Ohio: NYT reports, workers at the plant — owned by Mr. Cao’s company, Fuyao Glass — will vote on Wednesday and Thursday on whether to unionize. Officials at the United Automobile Workers union say that frustration with highhanded and arbitrary treatment by supervisors has generated support for a union.

Reuters: Germany's FlixBus to take on Greyhound in the United States

Google owner tests first driverless car on city streets: FT reports, Waymo’s self-driving project lets vehicles roam roads with no human in front seat.

Reuters: Ford, China's Zotye Auto invest $756 million in electric vehicle JV

Caixin: Xiaomi calls on Western Europe with launch in Spain

Reuters: Qualcomm buy may pit Broadcom against Intel in 'connected car' fight

ConocoPhillips aims capex at $5.5 billion/year for rest of decade: Reuters reports, ConocoPhillips, the largest U.S. independent oil and natural gas producer, said on Wednesday it will spend an average of $5.5 billion annually for the rest of the decade on capital projects as long as oil prices stay above $50 per barrel.

Hermes reports that it booked further sales growth in the third quarter, driven by higher demand in all divisions and across all regions.

CULTURE

AFP: 10 years in the making, the Louvre Abu Dhabi set to open

LAT: LA considers making Playboy Mansion a historic monument

AFP: 'Put down those smartphones!' pope tells bishops

SOTD

Portugal. The Man - Feel It Still (ZHU Remix) https://goo.gl/aJvk1T

SPORT

Nikkei: Spain's soccer league on track to double Asian audience by 2020

College Football Playoff Rankings:

1. Georgia (9-0)
2. Alabama (9-0)
3. Notre Dame (8-1)
4. Clemson (8-1)
5. Oklahoma (8-1)
6. TCU (8-1)
7. Miami (8-0)
8. Wisconsin (9-0)
9. Washington (8-1)
10. Auburn (7-2)