The US-China Trade Spat: How the Public, Media, and Politicians Can Be Deceived by Data

Posted on by Farok J. Contractor

© 2018, Farok J. Contractor, Rutgers Business School   Trade Statistics Can Be Less Than Half the China Story Looking at trade statistics alone is misleading because they lack overall context. The $337 billion US deficit with China in 2017 sounds scary. But a review of other economic factors provides insight into the larger picture. 1. … Continue reading The US-China Trade Spat: How the Public, Media, and Politicians Can Be Deceived by Data

WWMS? (What Would Milton Say?)

Posted on by Farok J. Contractor

© 2018, Farok J. Contractor, Rutgers Business School The current debate about trade with China sparked by the Trump administration is uncannily reminiscent of the 1970s, when Japanese companies were deemed a threat to the United States. Phrases such as “Japanese invasion” were used by frightened journalists and fear-mongering politicians. The threat from Japanese imports … Continue reading WWMS? (What Would Milton Say?)

TEN QUICK FACTS ABOUT US TRADE: Deficits, Dumping, and Discords

Posted on by Farok J. Contractor

© 2018, Farok J. Contractor, Rutgers Business School Acting on his campaign rhetoric that China is “raping our country,”[1] Don Trump recently announced a 25 percent tariff on steel, 10 percent on aluminum, 30 percent on solar panels, and 20–50 percent on washing machines—products he alleged are being “dumped” by the Chinese[2]—and threatened a “trade … Continue reading TEN QUICK FACTS ABOUT US TRADE: Deficits, Dumping, and Discords