Category Archives: Global Contexts

The potential impact of copper concentrate stockpiles in China on copper prices

Posted on December 7, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal titled “China’s Stock and Ore for Copper Prices” (November 22,2013) describes the over two months of copper concentrate (crushed copper ore) in inventory at China’s new smelters as against the usual two to … Continue reading →

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Making apparel in the USA and retail prices

Posted on December 7, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times titled “That ‘Made in the USA’ Premium (December 1,2013) describes the growth in US manufacturing of higher end apparel but the continued difficulty in domestic production of lower cost items. It cites production … Continue reading →

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France’s inconsistent rules regarding retail store operating hours

Posted on November 5, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the Financial Times titled “France retailers battle restrictive opening hours (November 4,2013) describes rules that permit garden centers, furniture and food stores to be open until 1 pm on Sundays but does not permit do-it-yourself and department … Continue reading →

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The EU regulation harmonization and the story of lawnmower decibel limits

Posted on October 16, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the Financial Times titled “Why Europe needs cross-border lawnmower regulations” (October 16, 2013) describes a law setting the maximum noise level generated by lawn mowers. The limits were in response to German laws demanding lower decibel levels … Continue reading →

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The US govenment shutdown, US imports delays, and local production impact

Posted on October 15, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times titled “Shutdown’s quiet toll, from idled research to closed wallets” (October 11, 2013) describes how lack of EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) inspectors at ports has delayed goods at US ports. Chemicals held at … Continue reading →

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The Nike vs New Balance disagreement regarding import tariffs for Shoes made in Vietnam

Posted on October 15, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal titled “Nike, new balance highlight thorny issues in trade talks” (October 7, 2013), describes the disagreement between Nike and New balance regarding the 10% US tariff on shoes made in Vietnam. The tariff … Continue reading →

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Understanding and fixing the 244% inflation for onion prices in India

Posted on October 15, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the Financial Express titled “Dousing the vegetable fire” (October 11, 2013) describes the 244% price rise between between August 2012 and 2013. The authors highlight that 50% of the onion production in India is in two states … Continue reading →

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Should Lumber Liquidators be responsible for its Chinese supplier’s wood sources

Posted on September 28, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal titled “Lumber Liquidators’ Offices Raided) (Sept 28, 2013 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303342104579101042712448428.html) describes a Federal government raid on Lumber Liquidators’ offices to find evidence of use of Mongolian oak and Korean pine logged illegally in Russia. … Continue reading →

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The improving competitiveness of US toilet manufacturing

Posted on September 25, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal titled “America’s Toilet Turnaround”(September 25, 2013) (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303983904579093463623447196.html) describes plans to add capacity to the Mansfield Plumbing Products plant in Perrysvlle, Ohio and Toto Ltd’s plans to increase its capacity in the Morrow, Georgia … Continue reading →

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High Speed trains and productivity impact in China

Posted on September 24, 2013 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times, on September 23,2013, titled “Speedy Trains Transform China”, (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/24/business/global/high-speed-train-system-is-huge-success-for-china.html?_r=0) describes the impact of the trains that travel 186 miles/hour and connect 100 cities. For individual textile manufacturers, the fast access to customers enables … Continue reading →

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