It is rare to encounter a technology that is so disruptive that it has the potential to generate a paradigm shift, and I had that opportunity last month when I interviewed Suzanne DeVall, founder and president of PBO, Inc. Her patented technology for utilizing the bi-product from tobacco plants to create a new textile fiber…

“What is good for growth in China is unfortunately bad for everybody else.”   – Bill McQuaker, co-head of the multi-asset team at Henderson Global Investors, quoted in Reuters [Reposted from the Campaign for America’s Future blog  |  Dave Johnson  |  August 12, 2015] China on Monday announced it is lowering the value of its…

Akira Amari, Japan’s minister in charge of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, said Tuesday (Aug. 11) that the United States failed to show persistence to conclude the deal at the last ministerial meeting in Hawaii and expressed fear that the talks could drift without any clear timeframe for wrapping up. [Reposted from Inside US Trade …

A CPA member wrote to Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to ask her why she voted for Fast Track, or “Trade Promotion Authority” (TPA).  Sen. Feinstein’s answer reflects the fact that she doesn’t seem to understand that NET exports are desirable.  It’s fine to say that exports have increased, but it’s important to look at the…

The ire of McConnell and other tobacco-state lawmakers throws a wrench into the negotiations. [Reposted from Politico  |  Adam Behsudi  |  August 12, 2015] Big Tobacco is pushing back against a strict anti-smoking provision in the massive Trans-Pacific trade deal — and it has enlisted the support of the most powerful Republican in the Senate.…

It’s disconcerting to Congress when our foreign trading partners put the lie to President Obama’s victory claims.  No, not the mullahs chanting “Death to America” right after the Iran agreement was concluded.  This week it was China’s turn to undercut the president. [Reposted from The Hill  |  Kevin Kearns  |  August 12, 2015] While speaking…