Perhaps the most readily measurable aspect of globalization is the increasing exchange of products and services across national boundaries. Our interdependence is visible when we consider how manufactured goods like cars or computers are assembled using components produced around the world. Controversial trade issues include: agricultural subsidies and government-imposed tariffs that reduce the amount of exchange between developing and developed countries; the rules governing proportions of imported films to locally-produced films that can be shown at movie theaters; and the influence wielded by different countries at multilateral forums like the World Trade Organization. The following articles have been assembled to shed light on these and other related issues.

Asia Will Struggle to Escape Its Export Trap David Pilling The Financial Times, 29 June 2009 Should Asian economies promote domestic consumption?

Tainted Chinese Drywall Contaminating U.S. Homes Charlotte Cuthbertson The Epoch Times, 20 April 2009 “Made in China” product suffers another setback

Pipe Made in India Incenses Illinois Town Louis Uchitelle The New York Times, 16 April 2009 Buying local doesn’t always work when products are more expensive and scarce

Losing $63 Billion in Diverted U.S. Goods Is Sleuth Obsession Carol Wolf Bloomberg, 9 April 2009 Sleuths of multinational corporations try to crack down on trade arbitrage

A Global Retreat as Economies Dry Up Anthony Faiola The Washington Post, 18 March 2009 A slowdown in spending, combined with protectionist maneuvers, could disrupt trade for years

Globalization Disrupted Nayan Chanda Businessworld, 17 March 2009 Despite a few kinks, the global supply chain still propels efficiency and trade

Thieves Embrace Globalization Lee Shi-Ian New Straits Times Online, 17 March 2009 Speedy transfer of stolen goods to foreign buyers hamper investigations

Murky Protectionism Threatens Global Economic Recovery Richard Baldwin and Simon Evenett YaleGlobal, 13 March 2009 The G20 must act in concert to endorse free trade and stabilize the global financial system

A Textile Capital of China Is Hobbled by a Downturn Gone Global David Barboza The New York Times, 10 March 2009 Factories and workers must adjust to new global thriftiness

The Multilateral Trading System: A Response to Its Challengers Ernesto Zedillo VoxEU.org, 9 March 2009 As one of humanity’s greatest assets, free trade could help end the global recession

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