Caracal Insider Daily | January 24, 2017

Caracal Insider Daily Jan2018 (1).png

Davos, TPP, USD, Border Wall, Macron, May, Musk, Toys ‘R’ Us

Caracal Insider Daily
January 24, 2018
Curation and commentary from Marc A. Ross

Reporting from Alexandria, Virginia

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

Subscribe here
https://goo.gl/bSQKwA

TOP FIVE

✔️ Trump administration prepares for raft of trade decisions

✔️ The USD has slipped to the lowest level in three years

✔️ Trans-Pacific trade deal to go ahead without US

✔️ Border wall ‘off the table’ 

✔️ Macron invited to White House for Trump's first state visit

ROSS RANT

CGTN interview and a preview of Trump’s visit to World Economic Forum: Yesterday was the first day of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. This year’s slogan is “Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World.” I discuss the US’ changing trade policy, and Trump's highly anticipated speech. 
CGTN
 

GEOECONOMICS

Ross says US is in a trade war, in a rhetorical split with Trump: Bloomberg reports, rade wars "are fought every single day," and the U.S. has been engaged in one "for quite a little while," Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in comments that diverge from President Donald Trump. "The difference is the U.S. troops are now coming to the rampart," Ross told reporters at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

I guess he woke-up from his nap.

Trump tariffs spark criticism, raise tensions over trade: WSJ reports, eleven Pacific Rim nations forge a new trade bloc without the US and Europe moves to shore up other ties as Washington takes a tougher approach.

Trump administration prepares for raft of trade decisions: Reuters reports, the Trump administration is set to announce a raft of trade decisions over the next months, ranging from curbs on foreign imports of steel and aluminum to steps to clamp down on China's alleged theft of intellectual property. Trump has stressed his "America First" agenda in his first year in office and called for fairer, more reciprocal trade. He has blamed globalization for ravaging American manufacturing jobs as companies sought to reduce labor costs by relocating to Mexico and elsewhere.

The USD has slipped to the lowest level in three years.

Trans-Pacific trade deal to go ahead without US: FT reports, Pacific Rim nations including Japan and Canada aim to sign a comprehensive pact in March.

Meet the new leaders on global trade: Abandoned by the US, the 11 countries in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact are going ahead anyway. Bloomberg - Editorial

Bloomberg: China will surprise world with reforms in 2018, Xi adviser says

He is correct. It will be a surprise. 

China orders state-run companies to make profits: Bloomberg reports, China has taken the unusual step of ordering its biggest state-owned enterprises to earn profits this year as the government increases its scrutiny of bloated businesses, according to people familiar with the matter. The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission told senior executives on Jan. 15 about the edict, which will apply to all of the nation’s 98 central SOEs.

The market usually makes this decision.

The Harvard-educated ‘brain’ behind China’s economic transformation: Bloomberg reports, when  Liu He takes to the lectern in Davos on Wednesday, the Harvard-educated technocrat will move further into the spotlight that’s been aimed at him since his elevation to China’s top political body last year.  A key adviser to President Xi Jinping, Liu is China’s representative to the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting this week. The visit -- which culminates in a speech to the gathering today -- is likely to be the first of many high-profile appearances by the 65-year-old Cultural Revolution survivor, who’s on track to become Xi’s key lieutenant on China’s economy and financial system.

Venezuela will hold presidential elections before the end of April as President Nicolas Maduro looks to consolidate power amid a major economic crisis.

Brazil court holds key to Lula comeback: FT reports, former president’s election hopes could be dashed if corruption conviction is upheld.

Inside the dysfunctional relationship of Donald Trump and Theresa May: Bloomberg reports, forget closer transatlantic ties and a state visit to London, it’s been a year of public clashes. https://goo.gl/Q994hZ

AMERICAN POLITICS

Questions for the president: Bloomberg reports, Special Counsel Robert Mueller wants to grill Trump about his decision to fire former FBI Director James Comey and remove Michael Flynn as national security adviser. 

The Fed: The Senate confirmed Jerome Powell to be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve by an 84-13 vote. 

NYT: Border wall ‘off the table,’ Schumer says, as immigration progress unravels

CBS: Emmanuel Macron invited to White House for first state visit of Trump administration

In Davos, a club Trump has revered and resented finally opens its doors: NYT reports, by any measure, he made a lot of money, the kid from Queens, maybe not as much as he boasted, but a fortune. And yet the chip on his shoulder was at least as big as his bank account. Never accepted, never respected, he remained on the outside pressing his nose against the window of the club of elites he both revered and resented. So when Trump arrives in this snowy, mountaintop resort where financial titans mingle with heads of state in an annual saturnalia of capitalism, it may feel like a moment of vindication. Never invited when he was merely a businessman, Trump will arrive on Thursday as leader of the world’s last superpower, commanding attention if not admiration. Whatever else, he cannot be ignored now.

WEF road trip: Trump is set to leave tonight at 8:30 pm ET for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. 

Trump and May are due to meet in Davos tomorrow.

WP: Google for the first time outspent every other company to influence Washington in 2017

ENTERPRISE

WSJ: Toys ‘R’ Us plans to close about 180 US stores this year

Price war pressures consumer-goods giants: WSJ reports, Procter & Gamble said average prices fell for the first time since 2011; rival Kimberly-Clark to slash jobs.

Elon Musk has agreed to work free for 10 years in exchange for a bonus of £40bn if he can turn Tesla into a $650bn company.

TRENDS

Blockchain can no longer be ignored: Technology that powers cryptocurrencies have weathered a storm of opposition. https://goo.gl/yMt4Vt

Why quitting smartphones is the new quitting smoking: We need real rules to nudge people away from addiction to their devices. https://goo.gl/2Ethct

CULTURE

Oscars 2018: The complete list of nominees https://goo.gl/Vyhrjx

Oscars 2018: Here are 538's early predictions https://goo.gl/nMwtwZ

Fashion topics get a spot on the Davos agenda: NYT reports,  amid discussions on climate change and populism, the rise of robots and the booming global economy, will be a number of talks, papers, and presentations from power players in — fashion. “We recognized the economic, social and environmental role of an industry that can sometimes appear trivial,” said Cristiana Falcone-Sorrell, senior adviser to Klaus Schwab, the forum’s chairman. Celebrities have often added some sparkle to the mix (Cate Blanchett and Elton John will be in town this year to accept awards for their service to philanthropy), and luxury brand chief executives have been in the audience, but the fashion industry has never before had such a strong foothold in the agenda.

Virtual pistes: The US ski team has trained inside VR for the Winter Olympics.

Gen Z punts on the NFL: AdAge reports, more teens, and youth are turning to streaming and e-gaming over watching football on TV -- or playing it.

Caracal Insider Daily | January 23, 2018

Caracal Insider Daily Jan2018 (1).png

Davos, IMF, Post-engagement, Vermont, Netflix

Caracal Insider Daily
January 23, 2018
Curation and commentary from Marc A. Ross

Reporting from Alexandria, Virginia

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

Subscribe here
https://goo.gl/bSQKwA

TOP FIVE

✔️ The Davos elite is worried

✔️ IMF hails ‘broadest’ upsurge in global growth since 2010

✔️ A post-engagement US-China relationship?

✔️ Vermont becomes ninth US state to legalize marijuana

✔️ Netflix is now worth more than $100 billion

GEOECONOMICS

Bloomberg: The global economy is doing just fine, but the Davos elite is worried https://goo.gl/KBfdxD

"China, debt, protectionism, Trump all seen as threats to growth"

IMF hails ‘broadest’ upsurge in global growth since 2010: FT reports, forecasts upgraded for 2017, 2018 and 2019, adding to positive mood ahead of Davos gathering.

FT: Trump and trade: White House briefing notes https://goo.gl/mzLVKB

"2018 is going to be largely about China"

Trump’s speech to set the tone at Davos party: US president’s planned address may prove a turning point for the global elite.
FT - Gideon Rachman

Nationalism vs. globalism: A question of balance: WSJ reports, Klaus Schwab, executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, on how to deal with a fractured world. https://goo.gl/ZPqucU

China's top paper says US forcing China to accelerate South China Sea deployments: Reuters reports, China’s top newspaper, decrying Washington as a trouble-maker, said on Monday U.S. moves in the South China Sea like last week’s freedom of navigation operation will only cause China to strengthen its deployments in the disputed waterway. 

Third carrier may use electromagnetic launch catapults: Asia Times reports, China will use one or more electromagnetic catapults for fighter jets on its third aircraft carrier, the Beijing-based Global Times has revealed, citing an anonymous expert within the military. 

A post-engagement US-China relationship?
Rhodium Group

"Engagement, embracing China’s WTO accession and optimism were absolutely the right US strategy for the post-1978 China that risked everything to shift away from Communism; but unless Beijing demonstrates recommitment to that course now Washington and others will go a different way."

The Philippines says it won't be embroiled in US-China sea spat: Stars & Stripes reports, The Philippines said Sunday that it won't get embroiled in a fresh spat between the U.S. and China involving Beijing's protest of an American warship passing near a Chinese-controlled shoal also claimed by the Philippines. 

US sets new trade tariffs, signaling new phase in ‘America First’ policy: WSJ report, the Trump administration announced Monday new trade barriers aimed at protecting domestic makers of solar panels and washing machines from a recent surge of cheap imports.

NAFTA's fate uncertain ahead of Montreal round of talks: Reuters reports, the NAFTA trade agreement's future hangs in the balance this week as negotiators from the United States, Canada, and Mexico try to settle major differences over revamping a pact that President Donald Trump has threatened to abandon.

The UK’s choice on Brexit: Should it be Norway or Canada?WSJ reports, the two models presented by the EU imply sticking to EU laws and rules or facing more-restricted trade. The British are seeking some middle ground.

AMERICAN POLITICS

WSJ: Congress passes three-week spending bill to end government shutdown

NYT: Bill to end shutdown is sent to Trump

WP: Congress passes spending bill, clearing way to end shutdown

LAT: Congress agrees to reopen government with push from unusual bipartisan caucus


"The deal was hammered out by a gang of 30 or so senators calling themselves the Common Sense Caucus."

Pennsylvania court orders new election map for its 18 House seats in a boost for Democrats: LAT reports, the court strikes down the state's congressional map, which was drawn to give Republicans a 13-5 majority.

Election 2018: Generic ballot: Democrat: 45% ... Republican: 41% ... Undecided: 14%.

Bloomberg: Trump's first year in 14 metrics https://goo.gl/1dBSsJ

Reuters: Vermont becomes ninth US state to legalize marijuana

ENTERPRISE

US and Chinese companies race to dominate AI: WSJ reports, Chinese rivals are gaining fast because of rising investment, as well as freer access to enormous amounts of data about people.

Bacardi is acquiring the maker of Patrón tequila in a deal that values the premium brand at $5.1 billion.

Recode: Netflix added another 8.3 million subscribers in a ‘beautiful’ Q4

Netflix is now worth more than $100 billion.

WP: Maryland governor proposes $5 billion in tax breaks, transportation upgrades to lure Amazon

TRENDS

The best Twitter brand campaigns of 2017 and why they worked: Campaign reports, Twitter reveals insights from the best social campaigns in 2017 and finds they included three key components: video, live and simple creativity.

Caracal Insider Daily | January 22, 2018

Caracal Insider Daily Jan2018 (1).png

Public Trust, Shutdown, Modi, Davos, Brooklynite, Amazon, Expert-generalist

Caracal Insider Daily
January 22, 2018
Curation and commentary from Marc A. Ross

Reporting from Alexandria, Virginia

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

Subscribe here
https://goo.gl/bSQKwA

TOP FIVE

✔️ The public’s trust in all institutions has taken a nosedive in the US

✔️ World Economic Forum kicks off today

✔️ Modi to Davos - No Indian PM has attended the WEF since 1997

✔️ Workweek begins as shutdown rolls into the third day

✔️ Amazon's cashierless 'Go' convenience store set to open
 

GEOECONOMICS

Edelman TRUST BAROMETER: The public’s trust in all institutions—government, business, media and non-government organizations—has taken a nosedive in the US in the last year, according to the annual Edelman Trust survey, released this morning in advance of the World Economic Forum in Davos. The decline in trust in government was greatest, falling 14 percentage points, while trust in business fell 10 points, NGOs 9 points, and media 5 points. Worth noting is the survey was done before the government shutdown, which likely will deepen the public’s mistrust. The root cause of the fall, says Edelman: lack of objective facts and rational discourse in the U.S. You can read the full report here: https://goo.gl/bQGwSA

The annual World Economic Forum globalization party in Davos, Switzerland kicks off today.

No Indian PM has attended the WEF since 1997. What does Modi hope to achieve there? https://goo.gl/DHqrYZ

India's PM Narendra Modi to hardsell country at World Economic Forum: ST reports, "In recent years, India's engagement with the outside world has become truly and effectively multi-dimensional covering the political, economic, people to people, security and other spheres," Modi said in a statement on Sundayahead of his visit.

WSJ: Canada and Mexico seek to head off US exit from NAFTA at Montreal talks

Ahead of new NAFTA talks, US is angry and frustrated with Canada for being obstructionist: NP reports, the Trump administration is making known its displeasure about Canada's contributions to date and demanding progress over the marathon 10-day session.

The sixth round of NAFTA negotiations kicked off yesterday in Montreal.

Globe and Mail: Trudeau to play down NAFTA worries, push for Canadian investment on Davos trip

En route to Davos, Macron makes Versailles the place to be: Reuters reports, French President Emmanuel Macron will host dozens of the world’s most powerful business executives at the gilded Palace of Versailles to pitch France Inc before the global elite’s annual gathering at Davos.

“Monday, in the global business world, France will be the place to be.”

China’s Pacific push: Bloomberg reports, with the Trump administration warning of a possible war with North Korea, U.S. allies in Asia are sounding the alarm on another risk: a clash with China in the western Pacific. China’s increased air and naval patrols in disputed areas are prompting Taiwan and Japan to strengthen their defenses, boosting the odds of a confrontation.

Security fears spark crackdown on Chinese tech: The Hill reports, the federal government is taking steps to reduce the presence of some Chinese technology firms in American markets. Earlier this month, AT&T scrapped a deal with Chinese phone maker Huawei, reportedly as a result of pressure from anonymous US lawmakers who cited national security concerns.

Bloomberg: Trump-China trade clash fears flare anew one year later https://goo.gl/fMDkF1

China is already gene-editing lots of humans: A new report says that at least 86 people have had their genes edited in China. The Wall Street Journal reports CRISPR gene-editing has been used in Chinese hospitals to treat human diseases like cancer since 2015.

India will showcase 'Act East' policy on Republic Day: Defence Minister: NDTV reports, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said, "The prime minister's intention that the 'Look East' policy should now be the 'Act East' policy is really taking shape."

Germany: Social Democrats voted to enter formal coalition talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives, ending four months of political uncertainty.

It’s impossible for the UK to win Brexit negotiations: BI reports, this is what Theresa May should do, according to Yanis Varoufakis. 
https://goo.gl/jGvoix

Rex in London Town: US Secretary of State Tillerson has made a discreet visit to the new US embassy in London after Trump ditched plans to open it himself.

6 minutes: Aggregate amount of sunshine Moscow recorded in the entire month of December, the lowest ever.

A Bitcoin is ditry: The computation to “produce” a new Bitcoin uses as much energy as an American household consumes in two years.

Why Canada is poised to become a prime destination for Bitcoin mining https://goo.gl/EkVqPM

AMERICAN POLITICS

WSJ: Agencies implement shutdown plans

NYT: Shutdown goes into Monday as Senate inches toward deal

WP: Workweek begins as shutdown rolls into the third day


Stephen Miller, a hard-liner on immigration, is at the center of the fight over ‘dreamers’: WP reports, an adviser to Trump, Miller holds an influential yet delicate role — a true believer in restrictionist immigration policies attempting to broker a deal on behalf of a president with hawkish, but flexible, positions.

Lawmakers face a new vote as US shutdown drags on: FT reports, Trump marks year in office with federal agencies closed over spending battle. 

A national security group, the Alliance for Securing Democracy, found that #SchumerShutdown has become the top trending hashtag promoted by Russian bots on Twitter.

Trump to Davos? With the government shutdown, it is unlikely DJT will make the trip. Trump was scheduled to leave for Davos on Wednesday, speak on Thursday and return on Friday. 

“Trump is as loathed by the elites of Western Europe as he is by the elites of Manhattan.” --Niall Ferguson, a senior fellow of the Hoover Institution

The decline and fall of Wilbur Ross https://goo.gl/Qum8cw

Jared Kushner is China’s Trump card: How the President’s son-in-law, despite his inexperience in diplomacy, became Beijing’s primary point of interest.
New Yorker

ENTERPRISE

ADM has made a takeover approach to the agriculture trader Bunge.

Twitter said it is notifying 677,775 US users who followed, retweeted or liked tweets from accounts of the Internet Research Agency, a Russian government-linked troll farm.

Facebook announced that it plans to allow users to rank the media outlets that they believe are the most trustworthy in an effort to prioritize high-quality news on the social media platform. 

NYT: Facebook to let users rank credibility of news

This is dumb.

WSJ: Amazon's cashierless 'Go' convenience store set to open

This is smart.

"no lines, no checkouts, no registers"


Amazon is to launch Amazon Prime Music in India in the coming weeks.

Fortune: World's most admired companies:

1. Apple
2. Amazon
3. Alphabet
4. Berkshire Hathaway insurance
5. Starbucks
6. Walt Disney
7. Microsoft
8. Southwest Airlines
9. FedEx
10. JPMorgan Chase


Full report here: https://goo.gl/HJzwZY

How to win founder and influence everybody: Wired reports, an operating partner at Andreessen Horowitz, Margit Wennmachers is among the most skilled spin masters in Silicon Valley. https://goo.gl/yebiLa

The good, the bad and the ugly of NRF's Big Show 2018: While the conference showcased plenty of "cool tech," overall "felt stuck in a time warp" and needs to innovate faster.
RetailDrive - Christopher Walton

TRENDS

How Warren Buffett’s billionaire deputy became an “expert-generalist” https://goo.gl/NryiBb

“It’s more profound than, I don’t know, electricity or fire.” – Google CEO Sundar Pichai explains how important he thinks AI is. 

Beyond the Bitcoin bubble: Yes, it’s driven by greed — but the mania for cryptocurrency could wind up building something much more important than wealth. https://goo.gl/ir1EgV

CULTURE

A day in the life of a 12- (almost 13!) year-old Brooklynitehttps://goo.gl/iEoiXY