Articles on Globalization

Includes exports, global engagement, immigration, offshoring, regionalism, and trade.

Iowa Readies Welcome for China Heir Apparent
AFP, January 25, 2012

Iowa's interest in China is largely commercial. Its exports to China have soared in recent years as the Asian power's rising middle class buys more pork, corn, soybeans and other agricultural products from the US Midwest.

Australian Company to Harvest Carp From Minn. Waters
Minnesota Public Radio, January 20, 2012
An Australian company that harvests and processes carp for Asian and European food markets will open its first U.S. facility in Wabasha Friday.

Aon Will Lower Tax Burden in Moving Headquarters to London
Chicago Tribune, January 14, 2012
Chicago will lose the headquarters of one of its biggest and most high-profile companies later this year when Aon Corp moves its home office from its namesake skyscraper to London, partly to lower its tax burden.

5 Q's for Aaron Renn
Indianapolis Star, January 6, 2012
Now Chicago will always be the capital of the Midwest, but it is very different from any other Midwestern city and is doing its best to pretend it is no longer part of the region. This opens the door for Indianapolis to do what Atlanta did for the South -- to provide a new regional model of success in which the worst practices of the past are left behind while the best of the past and the best of local values are retained and positioned for 21st century success.

December 2011

In China, OnStar System Drives GM Sales
Detroit News, December 21, 2011
In addition to successfully resolving their first kidnapping, OnStar's Chinese operators are now handling more than 1 million calls a month. That is a third of what their counterparts in the United States handle each month, but there are about 6 million subscribers in North America compared with just more than 400,000 in China.

Oldenburg Group to Build Chinese Equipment in Midwest
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 19, 2011

It's not often that a Chinese company outsources work to the United States, but a Glendale firm has signed a five-year deal to build Chinese equipment here - a move that could create several hundred jobs.

'Little Tokyo' Thrives in Novi as Japanese Population Expands
Detroit News, December 19, 2011
Michigan now has more than 10,000 Japanese residents, up 38 percent from 10 years ago, and has more than 475 businesses that are wholly or partially Japanese owned, and the facilities provide nearly 32,000 jobs, according to the consulate general.

Chicago Rolling the Dice with Summits
Chicago Tribune, December 18, 2011
Some, including Emanuel, maintain an event of this scale has to help the local economy. "If there's an active inconvenience, I'll say I'm sorry, I apologize," the mayor said last week. "It's a one-time opportunity for the city, and I think everybody understands the big upside there is to our city's economic activity, job creation."

Study Finds Latino Workers Trapped Under 'Blue-Collar Ceiling'
Chicago Tribune, December 15, 2011
A new study of the Chicago area's Latino workers shows that they are trapped in low-paying, low-skill industries and could pass this "blue-collar ceiling" to future generations unless educational gaps are addressed.

Mexican-Americans Aren't Moving Up, Study Finds
Chicago Business, December 15, 2011
Roughly half of the Mexican immigrants working in the six-county region have jobs in the food service, construction and manufacturing industries.

China Imposes New Tariffs on U.S. Vehicles
New York Times, December 14, 2011
Still, firing a trade volley at American exports of automobiles, one of the most politically sensitive industries in international trade, can only escalate trade hostilities between China and the United States.

Wisconsin Exports Rose 13% Through September
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 14, 2011
Wisconsin's nine-month export sales outpaced year-ago levels in a number of destinations, including Chile (up 60%), Germany (32%), Australia (24%), Canada (17%) and China (11%).

Lowe's Decision to Pull Ads From 'All-American Muslim' Sets Off Firestorm of Criticism
Detroit Free Press, December 13, 2011
A decision by the home-improvement chain Lowe's to pull its ads from a TV show based on Dearborn's Muslim community has sparked an outcry from Muslim Americans and their supporters.

Obama Establishes Office of Manufacturing Policy
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 12, 2011
As China, Korea and India undercut the United States on production costs and labor rates, Germany and Japan have taken a strong lead in next-generation automation, leaving the U.S. squeezed by competition on both ends of the global spectrum, according to a consensus of manufacturing analysts.

GM Partners with Japanese Firm in Developing Steel Alternative
Detroit News, December 11, 2011
General Motors Co. last week announced an alliance with Japan's Teijin Limited to co-develop advanced carbon fiber composite technology that the Detroit automaker hopes will make its cars and trucks lighter and more fuel-efficient.

As NATO/G8 Nears, Adolfo Hernandez Hopes to Put Chicago in Good Light
Chicago Business, Decmeber 8, 2011
His new job isn't just about helping immigrant entrepreneurs fill out forms or connect with government agencies — although that's part of the job. Mr. Hernandez also will be working with World Business Chicago, the organization that's putting on the international summits.

Nissan Emerges as Likely UAW Organizing Focus
Detroit News, December 8, 2011
Nissan is the sixth-largest automaker, with just over 8 percent of the U.S. market. It employs approximately 7,500 workers at its assembly plants in Smyrna and in Canton, Miss., and at an engine and transmission factory in Decherd, Tenn.

U.S. Manufacturing Policy in 'Disarray'
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 7, 2011
Unlike export powerhouse nations such as Germany and China, the United States' policy for manufacturing is in disarray, according to the latest blue ribbon report on American manufacturing and how to make it competitive.

Toyota to Export U.S.-Built Auto to S. Korea
Detroit News, December 6, 2011
Toyota Motor Corp. said it plans to export its U.S.-built Camry sedan to South Korea, following the ratification of a free trade deal.

In the Spotlight: Globalization Gets Bad Rap in Midwest
Peoria Journal Star, December 5, 2011
With Gov. Quinn's recent trip to China and passage of trade agreements with Colombia, South Korea and Panama, leaders of our state and federal governments have put globalization back on track after a period of uncertainty. Many Midwesterners, however, still have a skeptical view of globalization and view our region as a loser in the global economy.

Big 3 Face Challenges as European Crisis Unfolds
Detroit News, December 1, 2011
The Big 3 American automakers hope the crisis in the eurozone will allow them to do the same thing in a region that has resisted restructuring for years. Other carmakers are also putting together restructuring plans, but Detroit may have an advantage: General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC all have played this game before.

November 2011

Chiquita Departs; Hispanic Leaders Urge City to Welcome Diversity
Fox 19 Cincinnati, November 30, 2011
As Cincinnati digests the news that global company Chiquita is leaving the Queen City for Charlotte, North Carolina, local leaders are taking a moment to look at what compelled the move.

Mideast and Midwest
Vindy.com, November 28, 2011
The mixed-media installation “Mideast. Midwest. Middle Class,” by Pittsburgh artist Jake Marsico, is on display at Youngstown, Ohio's The Butler through Jan. 22. Marsico’s mixed-media installation relies on large format photography, audio, video and interactive lighting to make a statement about Midwestern households affected by the regional economic downturn — specifically schoolteachers and the shrinking middle class.

O'Hare Begins Weekly Nonstop Flight to Cuba
Crain's Chicago Business, November 25, 2011
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says in a statement that flights to Havana further the city's mission to become more competitive globally.

Wisconsin Farm Exports Increase 24%
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 20, 2011
The value of farm products shipped from Wisconsin to Canada, Mexico and overseas increased 24% through September compared with the same period in 2010, state officials said Friday.

Kellogg, Mayan Group settle Toucan Symbol Fight
Detroit News, November 16, 2011
Michigan-based Kellogg Co. has settled its spat with the Maya Archaeology Initiative over the use of a toucan symbol that Kellogg feared was too similar to the Toucan Sam character on its Froot Loops cereal.

Where City Factories, and Now Babies, Die
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 12, 2011
Infant survival and economic competitiveness tend to move on the same sliding scale. Study after study reveals survival chances increase in communities and nations with rising wealth and stability - just as young life is threatened by economic crisis and upheaval. In onetime industrial stronghold Milwaukee, one baby under the age of 12 months dies for every 95 who live, making it one of America's most fatal cities for infants.

Manufacturers Look Overseas For Growth
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 8, 2011
With lukewarm business prospects in the United States, large Wisconsin-based manufacturers are turning to overseas markets for growth in 2012.

Forest Service Unprepared for Mexican Drug Gangs in Upper Midwest
GSN Magazine, November 1, 2011
U.S. Forest Service police are unprepared for what a public employee watchdog group said is an influx of Mexican drug gang growing operations in the upper Midwest.

October 2011

Canadian Government, Snyder to Discuss 'Next Steps' For Public Bridge
Detroit News, October 22, 2011
The Canadian government is "extremely disappointed" by the Michigan Senate's defeat of a public bridge bill, but is ready to work on "other options" to get a Detroit-Windsor span approved, an official said Friday.

Snyder Vows to Push Bridge Plan Ahead Despite Rejection
Detroit News, October 21, 2011
A Senate panel Thursday rejected Gov. Rick Snyder's plan for a public bridge to Canada, but the governor said he remains determined to push the project through the Legislature after a "cooling-off period."

China Hub Incentives Grounded For Now, but May Fly Later
St. Louis Beacon, October 19, 2011
Mike Jones, chairman of the region's China Hub Commission, says the effort to persuade China to locate a cargo hub at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport remains alive despite the General Assembly's failure to pass related tax incentives.

Free-Trade Deal Could Boost Big 3 in South Korea
Detroit News, October 14, 2011
President Barack Obama will visit General Motors' Orion Assembly Plant today to tout a free-trade deal with South Korea, but the jury is out on whether that pact will significantly boost U.S. auto exports.

Harley Opens Latin America HQ in Miami
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 13, 2011
Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson Inc. has opened a new, permanent Latin America headquarters in Miami to better and more quickly respond to its customers "from Tierra del Fuego to the Rio Grande," Mark Van Genderen, vice president and managing director for Latin America, said Thursday.

Obama, South Korean Leader to Visit GM Plant, Tout Trade Pact Friday
Detroit News, October 11, 2011
President Barack Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak will visit General Motors Co.'s Orion Assembly Plant on Friday to tout the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Norway's King and Queen Travel Upper Midwest Following Footsteps of Ancestors
Grand Forks Herald, October 8, 2011
The country that Norway’s King Harald V and Queen Sonja will represent this week as they visit the Upper Midwest has changed substantially since Norwegian emigrants left for America in great numbers in the late 1800s.

Consul General of Japan in Detroit: 'Mid-Michigan is on the radar of Japanese investors'
MLive.com, October 6, 2011
Matsuda touched base on the five areas in which economic relations can expand between the U.S. and Japan: academics, the automobile industry, energy, agriculture and tourism. He especially stressed the importance of the auto industry.

Opinion: Ford Deal Safeguards U.S. Jobs
Detroit News, October 5, 2011
Enter the tentative agreement reached Tuesday after eight straight days of bargaining. Under the four-year deal, subject to ratification, Ford would create 12,000 jobs and invest $6.3 billion in most of its U.S. plants in exchange for union commitments to keep the Dearborn automaker on competitive pace with its rivals.

Emanuel Taps Troika to Raise $50 Million in Corporate Cash to Host NATO/G8
Crain's Chicago Business, October 3, 2011
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has enlisted a troika of A-list fundraisers for an extrordinarily difficult mission: coming up with $50 million or more in corporate cash to help the city stage next year's NATO/G8 meetings.

U.S.-Canadian Plan for Great Lakes Continues to Draw Fire
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 3, 2011
U.S. and Canadian negotiators are putting the finishing touches on the bi-national Great Lakes water quality agreement even as conservation groups continue to grumble that they are being kept in the dark about the details of a document designed to help both countries manage the world's largest freshwater system.

Mansfield Officials Try to Sell City to Japanese Companies
Mansfield News Journal, October 3, 2011
City officials made contact with more companies than he could keep track of, touting the City of Mansfield's advantages, the economic development director said.

Detroit Trade Show Spotlights Manufacturers
Detroit News, October 2, 2011
Manufacturers from China, Taiwan and other countries are coming to Detroit this week to meet their American counterparts at a trade fair of auto, auto parts and machine tooling firms.

Editorial: GMI's Richard C. Longworth Strikes a Cord with His Book on the Midwest
Sauk Valley Editorial Board, October 1, 2011
Richard C. Longworth's book "Caught in the Middle: America's Heartland in the Age of Globalism" offers a compelling picture of the harsh realities facing the Midwest's economy and society.