International Trade

Less volatility in natural gas fuel prices through the year contributed to stable wholesale electricity prices in most areas of the United States, although late summer heat waves resulted in short-term price spikes in some western electricity markets.

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Big Tech Dealmaking Accelerates in Signal Smart Cities Are Near

Bloomberg | January 17, 2018 | International Trade

Robot driven taxis and computers eliminating traffic jams may appear sooner than you think after some of the biggest technology companies picked up the pace of dealmaking to bring about “smart cities” of the future.

Automakers Put on a Show in Detroit as Policy Storms Loom in DC

International Trade

Bloomberg | Top Story | January 17, 2018

Automakers Put on a Show in Detroit as Policy Storms Loom in DC

New models soaked up the spotlight at the Detroit auto show this week but policy decisions coming from Washington in 2018 may do more to determine the health of the industry than anything since the industry’s U.S. bailout 10 years ago.

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Davos Elite Fear Cyberattacks and War as Trump Stokes Tension

Bloomberg | January 17, 2018 | International Trade

The threat of large-scale cyberattacks and a “deteriorating geopolitical landscape” since the election of U.S. President Donald Trump have jumped to the top of the global elite’s list of concerns, the World Economic Forum said ahead of its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

Brexit Bulletin: In-Between Days

Bloomberg | January 17, 2018 | International Trade

China’s Way or the Highway: Big Business Bows to Xi’s World View

Bloomberg | January 16, 2018 | International Trade

UPS Capital announces UPS Capital Cargo Finance service enhancements

AJOT | January 16, 2018 | International Trade

International Trade

George Lauriat | Top Story | January 16, 2018

Handicapping Asia’s risks in 2018

In January, Hong Kong-based SVA (Steve Vickers and Associates) issues its annual Asia Risk Assessment which handicaps the comparative political and economic risks for each nation or territory in the region.

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Natural gas prices, production, and exports increased from 2016 to 2017

AJOT | January 16, 2018 | Energy | International Trade

In 2017, natural gas spot prices at the national benchmark Henry Hub in Louisiana averaged $3.01 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), about 50 cents per MMBtu higher than in 2016. The higher prices in 2017 contributed to less natural gas consumption for power generation. Increased domestic production was offset by increased exports of natural gas by pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes.

Auto association commends USTR’s decision to relist Alibaba as counterfeit market for auto parts

AJOT | January 16, 2018 | International Trade

IBM, Maersk Form New Blockchain Company for International Cargo

International Trade

Bloomberg | Top Story | January 16, 2018

IBM, Maersk Form New Blockchain Company for International Cargo

IBM and A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S have started a company that will use new technologies such as blockchain, a digital ledger best known for underpinning bitcoin, to track cargo movements and automate paperwork for shipping across international borders.

China’s Xi Urges Trump to Seek Settlement of Trade Disputes

International Trade

Bloomberg | Top Story | January 16, 2018

China’s Xi Urges Trump to Seek Settlement of Trade Disputes

Chinese leader Xi Jinping told U.S. President Donald Trump that the two sides must work together to find solutions to trade and economic disputes, state media reported.