Trump boasts ‘other countries pay for his priorities’

Bloomberg Whether it’s an immigration deal with Mexico, a new base for US soldiers in Poland or tariffs on Chinese imports, what’s important to Donald Trump is that some other country will pay the bill. The US president has repeatedly boasted this month that the costs of various agreements he’s struck will either be born by foreigners or will be ...

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The fate of Japan — and everyone else

If you want a peek at the future, try looking at Japan. It’s a sobering exercise. Here’s how economist Timothy Taylor, managing editor of Journal of Economic Perspectives, describes country’s outlook: “[Japan] is facing a situation of a declining population and workforce, and the share of the population that is elderly is on the rise. [This is] driving up government ...

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China’s hidden debt gets riskier

In China, debt takes many shapes – on the books, off the books, or buried deep within the financial system. Now, debt can even be considered equity. In a bid to boost the economy, China announced it would allow local governments to borrow more to fund infrastructure investment. As part of this push, it will let municipalities use the proceeds ...

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In M&A, no one can hear the bankers scream

At first glance, it looks like dealmaking is booming in the US and dead in Europe. Contrast United Technologies Corp.’s blockbuster tie-up with fellow defense contractor Raytheon Co. and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV’s decision to pull out of talks with Renault SA. The reality is more that transactions are getting harder everywhere as protectionism mixes with trustbusters and awkward shareholders. ...

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Maybe Carlos Ghosn wasn’t so bad after all

Is the Renault-Nissan Alliance stronger than the man who led it for two decades? The omens don’t look good. The downfall of Carlos Ghosn over allegations of financial misconduct has opened up a Pandora’s Box of Franco-Japanese political hostility, grudges and pressure tactics – supposedly all in the name of “strengthening” the 20-year alliance. For all Ghosn’s flaws and delusions ...

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India’s economy is in crisis after reduced GDP estimate

India’s government has long claimed that the country is one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world. That boast was a crucial part of the ruling party’s message in India’s recent election campaign — that, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the economy was in safe hands. Competence and sincerity as an economic manager is central to the image Modi ...

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Turmoil in Italy means nothing to financial traders

It was surprising timing for Italy to announce a 20-year syndicated bond just as Spain was bringing a 6 billion euro ($6.8 billion) 10-year issue on the same day. This is doubly true when you consider that both Germany and Portugal have regular 10-year auctions as well on June 12– more so when Italy itself has a scheduled sale of ...

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Trump’s actions disdain postwar architecture

President Trump spoke the right words in commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day, but did he mean them? So far, his presidency has been about defying the postwar order that was based on shared values and global partnership, rather than cementing its legacy. Trump spoke at what he rightly described as “freedom’s altar,” the burial site for nearly 10,000 Americans ...

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Huawei and its weapons of economic warfare

Bloomberg As Huawei Technologies Co. comes under unrelenting pressure from the Trump administration, the Chinese telecom giant has one advantage that the US can’t undermine: a vast, global portfolio of patents on critical technology. Huawei holds 56,492 active patents on telecommunications, networking and other high-tech inventions worldwide, according to Anaqua’s AcclaimIP. And it’s stepping up pursuit of royalties and licensing ...

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Bitcoin futures important than many appreciate: JP Morgan

Bloomberg Bitcoin futures may be more important than many in the market appreciate, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. Recent reports from cryptocurrency asset manager Bitwise and the Blockchain Transparency Institute indicate that only a small percentage of reported trading may be authentic. If only around 5% of reported May trading of $725 billion is genuine, it would imply that ...

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