Germany’s Merkel in China

German chancellor Angela Merkel is in Beijing for a two-day visit expected to focus on the eurzone crisis, Iran and Syria. Accompanied by a 20 strong trade delegation, she is scheduled to meet President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.

State of the Union: Spotlight on Trade with China

Among the many issues President Obama highlighted in last night’s State of the Union address was trade with China. He announced the creation of a Trade Enforcement Unit that will look into unfair trade practices in places like China.

North Korea affects US-South Korea relations

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North Korea’s attack on a South Korean island two weeks ago may have had an unexpected effect. Some observers say it helped paved the way for the US and South Korea to finally agree on a trade pact. Correspondent Jason Strother reports from Seoul. Download MP3

Obama wraps up India visit

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President Obama spent the last day of his visit to India in the capital Delhi. It was a very busy schedule of bilateral talks and the highlight of the visit was a strong speech to a joint session of the Indian parliament. It’s been a fruitful visit for the President with trade deals worth billions of dollars tied up which would create thousands of jobs in the US. The BBC’s Tinku Ray has been following events in Delhi. Download MP3
Video: The significance of President Obama’s trip

Can the US double exports within five years?

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President Obama made a bold declaration during his State of the Union address: He said the US will double exports over the next five years. That’s a lofty goal, but can it be done? The World’s Jason Margolis visited Western Michigan to explore just how realistic the president’s goal may be. Download MP3 (photo: Jason Margolis)

• Global Economy podcast
• State of the Union address (full text)

One state’s trade boom…

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During the first three months of the year, trade fell across the board in 49 U.S. states. Which state managed to buck the trend? Tune into the podcast to find out.

Also on this edition of the podcast: A socialist toy fair in Venezuela, Britain begins labeling food from the West Bank as either Israeli or Palestinian, and young voices in Spain talking about their country’s soaring unemployment rate.

Over the Andes: A new trade route for South America?

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In South America, politicians and corporate leaders have devised a grand plan for an overland trade route to compete with the Panama Canal. The idea is to move goods from the Pacific to the Atlantic along a chain of ports, highways, and riverways. Reporter Melaina Spitzer followed the route from the Ecuadorian port city of Manta.

Creeping Protectionism and Failing Economies in Eastern Europe

“The biggest threat to the system (today): suppose everybody now tries to turn inward… then I think the degree of integration of the global economy, this time, is so large, that it would be extremely difficult, it would just collapse in on itself.” These were the words of economist Barry Bosworth at the Brookings Institution, spoken in January. Are we starting to see protectionism today? Will countries repeat the mistakes of the 1930’s? Listen to the Global Economy Podcast