In China, Western Firms Keep Secrets Close

Cree, a North Carolina-based manufacturer of LED diodes and lights (above), continues to manufacture wafers in the United States even though it owns a factory in China.  Why?  Because of fears that the valuable intellectual property may fall into the hands of competitors or rivals willing to steal the technology.  More and more Western firms are following Cree's example as intellectual property theft and violations continue to be a serious problems for companies doing business in China.

In China, Western Firms Keep Secrets Close - WSJ.com

U.S. Likely to Find China Subsidized Aluminum

The U.S. Commerce Department is expected to announce tomorrow that China illegally subsidized about $550 million worth of extruded aluminum (aluminum squeezed into shapes like the window frames above), opening the door for higher duties as early as next week.


U.S. Likely to Find China Subsidized Aluminum - WSJ.com

In Toledo, the 'Glass City,' New Label: Made in China

In 1900, there were over 100 glassmakers in Toledo.  The Toledo Museum of Art is building a $30 million Glass Pavilion to reflect the legacy of America's "Glass City."  Unfortunately, none of the glass in the Museum of Art is made in Toledo -- it is all made in China.

In Toledo, the 'Glass City,' New Label: Made in China - WSJ.com

Protests Fan Hong Kong Anger Over Manila Killings

A tragedy unfolded last week when a fired police officer in Manila took a tourist bus full of visitors from Hong Kong hostage.  The crisis ended more than 12 hours later when the gunman started shooting at tourists and Filipino commandos began storming the bus in heavy rain.  Eight tourists died, as did the gunman.  Now, new details are emerging that are angering Hong Kong citizens, causing tens of thousands to march today in memory of those killed and to express anger at the Philippine government.  This is a real test for newly elected President of the Philippines, as his handling of this matter may determine the future success of one of his key economic strategies for future growth - promoting tourism especially among rich Asians such as those from Hong Kong.

Protests Fan Hong Kong Anger Over Manila Killings - NYTimes.com

New Dissent in Japan Is Loudly Anti-Foreign

 In famously polite Japan, a new wave of ultra-right citizens are protesting the presence of all things foreign, from Korean workers to Halloween.  The result is embarrassing for the majority of Japanese, and hopefully not a sign of things to come for visitors to Japan.

New Dissent in Japan Is Loudly Anti-Foreign - NYTimes.com

Outsourced Call Centers Return Home to the U.S.

The world is changing rapidly -- just a couple years ago, call center jobs were routinely outsourced to India and the Philippines. Now, falling wages in the U.S., rising wages in Asia, and customer satisfaction means that some call centers are returning home to the U.S.

After Upheaval, Not All Is Well With Thai Youth

As Thailand struggles to rebuild its economy and society after the deadly anti-government protests earlier this year, a new threat is emerging -- bored, listless, drug-addicted youth. Thailand's schools, permissive social attitudes, general disrespect for rule of law, and widespread availability of addictive drugs are all to blame, as this report points out.


After Upheaval, Not All Is Well With Thai Youth - NYTimes.com

How Big Really?

What would the Great Wall of China look like if it was built in the U.S.? How much area would the flooding in Pakistan cover if it is was in Ohio? These questions, and more, are depicted visually and with great effect by the BBC's new website, Dimensions. Some pretty cool stuff.

Flash Mob Hits Target

Cool Nissan Commercial from the EU

Southeast Asia Links Up to Compete

The average factory worker in Vietnam makes $136 a month, in Indonesia it's $129 a month. In China? $413 a month. As wages continue an upward spiral in China and the country moves further up the value chain, companies are scrambling to line up lower cost factories in Southeast Asia. Corruption and infrastructure problems continue to impede growth in the region, however.

Southeast Asia Links Up to Compete - WSJ.com

EU Ordered to Remove High-Tech Tariffs

The 1996 Information Technology Agreement required 70+ countries to reduce tariffs on high tech goods to 0%. The European Union refused to drop tariffs on three HTS categories: cable television boxes that also deliver Internet content, flat panel computer screens, and printers that can also scan, fax or copy. These products were subject to a tariff of 6-14%, leading to higher prices in the E.U. for imported products in these categories. In 2008, the U.S., Japan and Taiwan filed suit against the E.U. in the WTO arguing these tariffs were illegal, and this week the WTO handed the three countries a victory, ordering the EU to bring their tariffs into line with the agreement. The EU now has 60 days to appeal.


EU Ordered to Remove High-Tech Tariffs - WSJ.com

Mexico-U.S. Trucking Dispute Heats Up

Under NAFTA, the U.S. is required to permit semi trucks from Mexico on to U.S. highways, just like Canadian trucks are permitted. Under pressure from trade unions in the U.S., the Bush administration and now the Obama administration has resisted allowing Mexican trucks in, claiming they fail to meet U.S. safety standards. Mexico has now retaliated with tariffs on various U.S. products, including new tariffs announce this week on pork, certain cheeses, ketchup, chewing gum, dried and fresh apples, oranges, and pistachios. Mexico hopes targeting these industries, with powerful lobbying groups, will pressure these industries to press Washington to allow the trucks into the U.S.


Mexico-U.S. Trucking Dispute Heats Up - WSJ.com

Watch a 747 Get a New Paint Job

How do you make an aging 747 look brand new again? Get a new paint job of course! It's not quite as easy as going to Maaco, though, as this video aptly demonstrates.

Virgin Atlantic plane livery time-lapse movie from johnson banks on Vimeo.

The Rise of Text Messaging

Text messaging is quickly replacing email as a preferred form of communication, especially among teen girls, who send an average 100 text messages a day (compared to their male counterparts, who text 30 times a day or adults over 18, who text 10 times a day). Companies who understand this can reach a key demographic. In spite of that, the U.S. still lags the rest of the world. Check out the graphic and the link below for more information.


The Rise of Text Messaging

Japanese Retailer's New Policy: 'English Spoken Here'

What is the universal language of business? English of course! In Japan, Rakuten is joining a growing list of companies that moving to an English-only policy even for Japanese employees. The movement is driven by the desire to expand overseas and attract/retain top talent.

Japanese Retailer's New Policy: 'English Spoken Here' - WSJ.com: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Foreign Schools Court U.S. Professors

This is Dr. Xu Bin, a former tenured professor at the University of Florida's Warrington School of Business. He left his position there to become a faculty member at China Europe International Business School in 2003 in Shanghai. He becomes part of a growing number of foreign-born U.S. business school professors being lured overseas by more competitive salaries, lighter course loads, more research time, and access to emerging economies.


Foreign Schools Court U.S. Professors - WSJ.com