It’s Productivism, Not Protectionism

Global Rebalancing Will Lead to Global Prosperity European leaders and the media are up in arms over recent U.S. policy decisions to support the reshoring of American industry. The export ban on advanced U.S. semiconductor equipment, the tax credits for renewable energy equipment made in the U.S., and especially the support for American-made electric vehicles…

World Cup Soccer as a Model for a Deglobalized World

There is a growing consensus in the U.S. and many other advanced economies that we must move away from globalization, and towards more localized economies, less reliant on global supply chains or untrustworthy countries for vital goods. Many can see the necessity for greater localization, but can’t imagine what it will look like. Will it…

Raimondo Speech Marks Biden Administration Endorsement of Industrial Strategy

A little-noticed speech by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo last week was a rousing endorsement of industrial strategy by a senior Biden administration official as the way forward for the U.S. economy. Raimondo minced no words as she called for the private sector and America’s educational institutions to join the fight to position the U.S. as…

Looming Copper Shortage Threatens U.S. Resiliency and Geopolitical Order

The “Green Revolution” promises to produce electric power in a climate-friendly, low-emissions  manner for homes, businesses, cars, trucks and other vehicles. There’s just one giant stumbling block. All these clean-energy sources use large amounts of copper. Global copper demand is forecast to double between now and 2035. But copper supply may not keep up. If…

Production Tax Credits Unleash Tidal Wave of Investment in Manufacturing

$22 Billion of Investment to Create 15,000 Jobs The manufacturing incentives tucked into the Inflation Reduction Act have unleashed a tidal wave of investment in U.S. manufacturing unlike any we have seen in decades.  According to CPA calculations, and our calculations are a work in progress, so far $22 billion of investment dollars have been…

US Rare Earths Industry Making Inroads Into China’s Global Dominance

America’s dependence on China for rare earth supplies is one of the most serious issues for the U.S. supply chain. Rare earths are critical minerals with uses in military equipment such as fighter jets. On the civilian side, rare earths are required for the motors in electric vehicles, a market that is destined to be…

China Trade Surplus and US Deficit Hit New Records, Driving Global Instability

ecKey Points China’s global trade surplus is heading for a new all-time high this year. Based on the first seven months of data, we estimate the full-year surplus will reach a record $886 billion. The U.S trade deficit will also set records this year, at an estimated $1.13 trillion trade deficit and a $1.34 trillion…