President Donald Trump likes to brag that he’s bringing manufacturing back to the US. And indeed, with global trade slowing, the planet-spanning supply chains that have symbolised modern economic globalisation do appear to be contracting. But don’t be too quick to dismiss the idea of “borderless” production as a 1990s fluke. Even if their reach is more limited than before, ...

If you’re looking for a metaphor for how politics has swamped decision-making at Nissan Motor Co., look no further than reported plans to restructure its cratering global business. Nissan doubled its planned job losses to 12,500 and unveiled new production cuts after reporting a 99 percent plunge in fiscal first-quarter operating profit. The Japanese carmaker is considering reducing production in ...

Tesla Inc.’s earnings calls have lately taken on the trappings of office going-away parties. Just before the Q&A portion of the second-quarter call, CEO Elon Musk announced that JB Straubel, the company’s veteran chief technology officer, would step down to become a senior advisor. This was at least said up front, as opposed to the by-the-way announcement of the CFO’s ...