World Trade articles from January 2004

World Trade archives from January 2004

When politics cease to be local.(Inside World Trade)
January 1, 2004... Maybe elections are 'about the economy, stupid' and maybe all politics were once local (to paraphrase the legendary Tip O'Neill, longtime Speaker of the House), but in the post-WTO world of global trade, the impact of the economy on politics...

The "China factor" driving worldwide costs.(Policy Perspectives)
January 1, 2004... The growth of the Chinese economy, which is heavily based on international trade, has recently become so rapid that it has driven up shipping costs and raw materials prices. A recent Wall Street Journal article noted that bulk carriers that...

European office market remains soft.(Europe)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... A leading indicator of recovery in Europe shrinking available office space, but as yet the real estate market continues to soften. Vacancy rates throughout Europe rose on average more than 1 percent in the last half of 2003, to an average rate...

Translation service companies growing in U.S., Canada.(The Americas)(MultiCorpora,Rubric)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Industry Canada says that the translation industry should continue to experience growth in the year ahead, with support coming from globalization, the Internet, and localization (the adaptation of software to the context of a specific region)....

NAFTA nations driving auto industry expansion.(Trade winds: the latest trends in the world of trade)(freetrade supports new Toyota plant in San Antonio, Texas)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Toyota Motors says it will expand its NAFTA manufacturing presence with a new plant set to open in San Antonio, Texas. The $800 million facility will employ at least 2,000 workers. Company officials are hopeful the new facility will offset...

European Parliament votes down port deregulation.(Europe)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... In November, the European Parliament voted down a proposal that would have deregulated various port services, such as cargo handling, which is now controlled by union dockworkers. The issue was a controversial one, having been the topic of...

U.S. paper maker to stop buying wood from endangered forests.(The Americas)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Boise Cascade will end the purchase of wood from endangered forests in Chile and Canada (and also Indonesia) in a move heralded by environ mentalists as the first to be endorsed in such a large-scale way by a major timber manufacturer. Various...

China scuttles U.S. buying trip.(Asia)(retaliation for trade sanctions)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Bush administration's decision to impose trade sanctions on certain Chinese textile imports prompted China's government to cut a planned buying trip to the U.S. Chinese buyers were intending to maker purchases of agricultural goods, such as...

Vietnam paving way for WTO membership.(Asia)(World Trade Organization)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... A string of bilateral trade deals is helping Vietnam position itself for entry into the World Trade Organization. In November, the country's minister for Planning and Investment signed all agreement with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko...

Sony announces plans to slash product parts by 90 percent.(Asia)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... By the end of 2005, Sony Corporation plans to radically reduce the parts roster for its electronic operations down from its current 840,000 to 100,000 pieces. The move reflects a strategic initiative to increase profitability by eliminating the...

Starbucks honing its skill at global marketing.(Asia)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... A standard complaint leveled against U.S. multinationals is that they fail to integrate local customs and preferences into their marketing campaigns in different countries. One company, which has taken the urgings to localize promotions in...

Missile hits cargo plane over Iraq.(Middle East And Africa)
January 1, 2004... A cargo plane operated by DHL was hit by a shoulder-fired missile as it flew over Iraq in late November, prompting the company to temporarily suspend flights in that country. The attack caused one of the aircraft's engines to catch fire and...

Cairo to host transportation security forum.(Middle East And Africa)(U.S. Trade and Development Agency)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The U.S. Trade and Development Agency will hold a transportation security forum in Cairo, Egypt on February 9-11 to examine U.S. cargo security policies and their impact on trade with Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Officials from the...

Growth prospects for containerized trade between U.S.-Middle East remains uncertain.(Middle East And Africa)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Although containerized shipments between the U.S. and Middle East have seen a moderate increase in recent years, the future is unknown, say industry analysts. Military supply shipments have kept at volumes up, but trade in commercial products...

Letters to the editor.(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... In reading the column by Mr. Ghosh ["Fighting Global Terrorism With Global Trade," November 2003], I must disagree with several of his comments ant conclusions. A "sense of injustice" may indeed feed some terrorism, but far more "feeding"...

Managing global relationships in the extended supply chain: the 'soft side' of the cost equation are the human factors you can't account for in advance.
January 1, 2004... "I could be sending the same instructions, but if it's going to our French facility, I'll word it one way; if it's going to our Mexican manufacturer, I have to word it differently," says Pascal Bevillard, owner of Pascal's, a French furniture...

Port security is a 'sink or swim' proposition: Operation Safe Commerce details remain top secret while 'beta programs' are being tested.
January 1, 2004... No one relishes the thought of terrorists using a commercial cargo carrier as a means to deliver WMDs to the U.S., but that possibility seems to be on the minds of more and more people lately, whether they represent the federal government or...

A stitch in time: the window of opportunity slams shut fast in the world of retail fashion.
January 1, 2004... Few sectors of the American economy rely more on modern logistics than the apparel industry. Fashion cycles have compressed from the year and season to the month and day even as supply chains stretch ever further across the globe. Major changes...

More than just 'big guys with big buildings': warehousers are shifting from stand-alone storage to value-added services.(Transportation & Logistics)
January 1, 2004... Bigger is sometimes better in the warehousing world, particularly if your customers' demands are strictly concerned with accommodating large items. However, the big guys also have to have brains and a diverse menu of services. According to...

Establishing a supply chain beachhead in China: the biggest cost savings are in-land. So are the biggest logistics headaches.(Geographical Focus)
January 1, 2004... China is one of the fastest growing industrial markets on the globe, gaining a reputation as "the world's factory." The benefits of lower labor and capital costs are catching the eye of many companies, but the cost savings can only be realized...

Asset recovery & management: the time is now.(Advertorial)
January 1, 2004... Every year millions of new electronic products--including computers, servers, network equipment, cell phones and PDAs--are produced for the U.S. corporate workplace. In turn, this "out with the old, in with the new" syndrome is rapidly creating...

Cashing in on financing tools: machinery exporters have more choices these days.(Finance)
January 1, 2004... Machinery exporters these days enjoy a choice of financing tools and a variety of institutions with which to arrange trade credit packages for their overseas customers. But, unless they have done their homework, they may he missing some of the...

The art of translation: science is only part of the overall success.(Business Services)
January 1, 2004... Increasingly, companies are finding it necessary to translate materials into other languages, either for their international efforts, or for a changing domestic population. Because this is relatively new for U.S. companies, the value of a good...

How to integrate international acquisitions to realize lasting synergies: a disciplined approach is key.(Management Issues)
January 1, 2004... Buoyed by increasing demand and an encouraging economic outlook, companies are once again looking to M&A as a means to drive their international strategy. Even with a weaker U.S. dollar, some foreign assets represent a unique opportunity to...

Port of Seattle--www.portseattle.org.(Corporate Profiles)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Turn to the Port of Seattle for a competitive edge in the global shipping business. The Port of Seattle features expansive container terminals, superb transportation infrastructure for faster freight movement, and an experienced workforce...

A.N. Deringer Inc.--www.anderinger.com.(Corporate Profiles)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Founded in 1919, Deringer has grown to become one of the leading providers of international logistics services. With over 30 offices coast to coast in the U.S. and a global agency network we provide supply chain solutions for companies moving...

Export-Import Bank of the United States--www.exim.gov.(Corporate Profiles)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) assists U.S. companies compete in today's challenging global marketplace. This government agency assumes the credit and country risks that the private sector is unable or unwilling to...

Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) www.hmm21.com.(Corporate Profiles)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... HMM has made its "Cyber Customer Service Center'" faster and easier to use, keeping inline with the complicated needs of the cargo transportation business. With Cyber CSC, customers will be able to book on-line and access freight rates. Our...

COSCO--www.cosco-usa.com.(Corporate Profiles)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... COSCO capacity on owned and leased containers totals nearly 425,000 TEUS. Cargo handling capabilities include 20-ft. and 40-ft. dry containers, refrigerated containers, flat racks, open tops, high cubes and other specialized equipment, COSCO...

Yellow Global www.yellowglobal.com.(Corporate Profiles)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... When you need a seamless solution for international shipping needs, Yellow Global can deliver. Integrated air, ocean and land shipping services around the world. Priority services, consolidation and even full container load. Plus complete...

Penske Logistics www.penskelogistics.com.(Corporate Profiles)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Penske Logistics not only designs supply-chain solutions to meet each customer's unique needs, we execute them. With highly skilled engineers, we create and manage innovative solutions that optimize performance while integrating information...

San Antonio International Airport--www.sanantonio-airport.com.(Corporate Profiles)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... SAT, a U. S. Point of Entry, accommodates commercial, cargo and general aviation. Nearly one million square feet available with designated Foreign Trade Zone #80. Over 200 acres of facilities include FBOs, corporate hangars, aircraft...

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council--www.hktrader.net.(Corporate Profiles)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Register to receive updated information on Hong Kong The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the statutory organization promoting Hung Kong's external trade. It operates in world markets through a global network of offices and a...

DHL--www.dhl.com.(Corporate Profiles)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... DHL is the world's leading express and logistics company offering customers innovative and customized solutions from a single source. With global expertise in solutions, express, air and ocean freight and overland transport, DHL combines...

Genco Distribution System--www.genco.com.(Corporate Profiles)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Founded over 100 years ago, GENCO Distribution System, is a recognized leader in full product lifecycle logistics management and reverse logistics management. As a third party logistics provider (3-PL), GENCO serves some of the world's top...

Yang Ming Line (YML)--www.yml.com.tw.(Corporate Profiles)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Yang Ming Line (YML) is an independent all water and intermodal worldwide carrier, with a customer-driven staff supporting YML's state-of-the-art, fully integrated global network. Whether cargo is containerized, oversized or...

Lufthansa Cargo--www.Lufthansa-Cargo.com.(Corporate Profiles)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Need worldwide express service and a capacity guarantee for large freight? The answer is td.X service from Lufthansa Cargo. Capacity for td.X is guaranteed for shipments up to 2 tons when booking 24 hours ahead of the Latest Acceptance Time....

Durable goods manufacturers' shipments and new orders.(World Trade index)(Illustration)
January 1, 2004... (Millions of Dollars) Shipments New Orders July 2003 181,761 175,064 August 2003 (r) 177,095 174,875 Sept. 2003 (2) 181,560 176,255 (1) Revised (2) Base on...

Real gross domestic product: percent change from quarter one year ago.(World Trade index)(Illustration)
January 1, 2004... 2002:Q1 2002:Q2 GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) 1.4 2.2 PERSONAL CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURES 3.0 3.1 Durable goods 8.4 7.5 Nondurable goods ...

US trade balance.(World Trade index)(Illustration)
January 1, 2004... Trade with China: 2003 All figures are in millions of U.S. dollars MONTH EXPORTS IMPORTS BALANCE January 1,988.30 11,409.60 -9,421.30 February 2,053.60 9,633.00 -7,579.40 March ...

Trade with Singapore : 2003: all figures are in millions of U.S. dollars.(World Trade index)(Illustration)
January 1, 2004... Trade with Singapore : 2003 All figures are in millions of U.S. dollars MONTH EXPORTS IMPORTS BALANCE January 1,063.80 1,448.50 -384.7 February 1,436.30 1,104.50 331.8...