The country has invested billions in Ecuador and elsewhere, using its economic clout to win diplomatic allies and secure natural resources around the world. [ by Clifford Krauss and Keith Bradsher | July 24, 2015 | NY Times ] EL CHACO, Ecuador — Where the Andean foothills dip into the Amazon jungle, nearly 1,000…

The two top U.S. lawmakers for trade policy are fighting for better treatment for financial services firms in a landmark Asia-Pacific free-trade agreement that would clear barriers to digital trade. [Reposted from Bloomberg Business  |  Carter Dougherty  |  July 23, 2015] Representative Pat Tiberi, an Ohio Republican and Charles Rangel, a New York Democrat, raised…