Weekly Commentary by Peter G. Hall - Provided by EDC

Wood Exports: Not Lumbering On For Long - February 16, 2012

Talk casually to anyone about the US housing market, and you're likely to get a good volley of the latest reasons why it is never coming back. Data have been so weak for so long that it's not hard to become convinced that this is just part of a 'new normal' of lower activity. But something is stirring in the market: housing starts jumped 11 per cent in the latter half of 2011 from the average level in the preceding 30 months. Is the market telling us something?

TPP: Not Just Another Acronym - February 9, 2012

Get used to it, because it’s fast becoming a part of international trade language. Yes, there’s another acronym to learn, but it’s no fly-by night buzzword. The Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, is here to stay, and it’s gaining momentum. What is it, and why does it matter for Canada?

Mexico: High Stakes Situation - February 2, 2012

Much has been said in recent years about the promising Mexican economy. It is often mentioned in the same breath as the mighty BRICS, given Mexico’s increased international focus in the past quarter-century. This has paid great dividends, but has exposed Mexico to today’s wobbly world economy. Does global uncertainty threaten to render the promise hollow?

Trade Stats Speak Volumes - January 26, 2012

Data is normally the analyst’s best friend. Add a dollop of volatility, and it can fast become a foe. Data’s wacky wanderings of late have foiled many a forecast and contributed to an exaggerated, widespread sense of unease. International trade data were no exception, volatile right through the end of 2011. Do they give any hints of where global trade activity is headed this year?

The End of Globalisation? - January 19, 2012

We’ve had a fair amount of time to think about a topic that surfaced before recession hit us just over three years ago. The end of globalisation is still being discussed, and the longer the world battles meagre growth, the more intense the conversation is likely to become. But does that suggest any particular outcome – is the fabric of international commerce really coming apart at the seams?