Free trade? Yes, but not on lithium-ion batteries, says China

Author: Adam Rosenberg
Published: 2017-10-11

The World Trade Organization’s Information Trade Agreement (ITA) has done a lot to boost trade and eliminate tariffs on a broad range of ICT products, from semiconductors to telecommunications equipment. Yet, lithium-ion batteries that power smartphones and electric vehicles are noticeably absent from the agreement. Why? Industrial policy and China’s efforts to curb pollution. Outlined in its 13th 5-year plan, …

Is data communications equipment the new oil?

Author: Ricardo Tavares
Published: 2017-06-19

The Economist magazine recently claimed data is now more valuable than oil. While data monetization is driving a new “gold rush,” there’s something else happening reminiscent of the financial impact of the oil industry, the rising importance of data communications equipment in the trade deficits of a large number of countries. Imports of electronics equipment—communications infrastructure, devices, data-center equipment and …