Open to insiders and restrictive to outsiders, as they lower trade barriers among member economies, regional FTAs tend to build higher trade barriers against non-member economies. Often tools for working around loopholes in the WTO, such regional agreements buck the trend toward globalization.

The US should show flexibility to help to conclude the negotiation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in October this year, otherwise, the TPP talk will risk a prolonged stalemate.

China’s ability to weather the global economic crisis can be understood by taking into account Nassim N. Taleb’s concept of “antifragile” systems. Now as China’s new leadership approaches an ambitious reform agenda, it must be sure to nurture antifragility, which is crucial in large, centralized economies.

Many have argued that the recent WTO case brought by the US against China over automobiles and auto-parts subsides was simply meant to pander to US voters in the key swing state of Ohio. While certainly a consideration, the WTO case hints at a more complex trade relationship that has seen both countries use the WTO as a responsible means of settling disputes.

As the US Presidential election heats up, both candidates are focusing their criticism on job losses to China. Recent accusations by the Obama administration, bringing an auto and auto parts subsidy case before the WTO, will only heighten trade tensions. But are these disputes helping or hurting global markets?

As the US Presidential election races towards a conclusion, both candidates have intensified their “China-bashing” in recent weeks. Doug Bandow warns that regardless of whoever wins, the incoming President will need to drastically scale back the inflammatory rhetoric upon assuming office or risk long-term damage to the China-US relationship.

Philip Levy explains how elections and political transitions in the United States and China this year ratchet up the pressure on leaders and aspirants and make conciliation more difficult.

Don't blame emerging economies for the impasse. The US hasn't got what it wants from the Doha Round simply because they haven't contributed enough, says Sun Zhenyu, China's Ambassador to the WTO.

Growing up, I could never get enough of the mathematician /humorist /lyricist Tom Lehrer. Even today, his songs sometimes pop into my head. And so it was that w