"I Don't Blame China" | "Take Advantage" | Brexit | Donna Brazile | Hallmark Channel | NASA
Caracal Business Insider | Daily
November 9, 2017
Curation and commentary from Marc A. Ross
Caracal Business Insider: Politics + Policy + Profits
"You've got to win the politics to set the policy to ensure the profits." - Marc A. Ross, founder of Caracal Global.
Reporting from Alexandria, Virginia
GEOECONOMICS
Xi and I can solve all the world’s problems, says Trump: The Times reports, Trump said this morning that he and President Xi of China could solve all the world’s problems. “I look forward to many years success and friendship, working together to solve not only our problems but world problems,” he said after a lavish reception in Beijing. “I believe we can solve almost all of them, probably all of them.”
AFP: Trump says he and Xi can solve 'probably all' world's problems
In China, Trump cajoles Xi with tough talk, flattery: WSJ reports, Trump blended chumminess with his host, Xi Jinping, with tough talk on North Korea and trade, saying he blamed his predecessors rather than Beijing for a “very unfair and one-sided” economic relationship.
FT: Trump blames US predecessors for China trade deficit
In Beijing remarks US president says Washington allowed China to ‘take advantage’
In China, Trump blames US for trade deficits: NYT reports, speaking in Beijing, President Trump framed chronic trade imbalances as a failure of American policy, saying he could not blame the Chinese for taking advantage of Americans.
Nikkei: Trump credits China 'for being able to take advantage' of US in trade
'We're engaged': Alaska gets China backing for natural gas project: Reuters reports, China's biggest state oil company Sinopec, one of the country's top banks and its sovereign wealth fund agreed on Thursday to develop a $43 billion natural gas project in Alaska, as the cash-poor U.S. state seeks to revive its dwindling energy industry.
US-China MOUs: The Beijing visit caused an announcement of $250 billion in business deals, but many of the agreements lack substance and are mostly non-binding memorandums of understanding that could take years to materialize. Also, consider Boeing's announced deal to sell 300 planes to China - this alone would represent 15% of the $250 billion and there is no indication these are new sales or are just long-planned sales.
For all of Donald Trump’s tough China campaign talk, the US president is leaving his first visit to Beijing with little to show for it but handshakes and warm words with Xi Jinping. - Bloomberg Balance of Power note
US lawmakers introduce bipartisan bills on foreign investment amid China worries: Reuters reports, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), a member of the Republican leadership who is on the Senate Intelligence Committee, introduced a Senate bill to broaden the government’s power to stop foreign purchases of U.S. firms by strengthening the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Representative Robert Pittenger, a North Carolina Republican, introduced an identical bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Nikkei: 42 South Korean companies to invest $17 billion in USby 2021
"Lotte Chemical, Hankook Tire to build production lines in southern states"
Reuters: Lithuania expects NATO to reach deal on Baltic air shield
NYT: ‘From one crisis to the next’: Brexit-torn Britain stumbles
The international development secretary, Priti Patel became the second cabinet minister to quit in a week.
Times: Brussels braced for collapse of May government
"EU leaders fear chaos over Brexit talks as Patel quits"
50 London banks in talks for post-Brexit move: DW reports, dozens of banks are in advanced talks with the European Central Bank about moving operations to the European mainland. As Brexit nears, many London-based financial institutions are considering Frankfurt, Paris or Dublin.
EU gives UK up to 3 weeks to make Brexit bill offer: FT reports, December summit could fall short on transition guidelines without a settlement.
Brexit has broken British politics: To old friends, the UK appears to be in the grip of an inexplicable fever.
FT - Philip Stephens
BBC: Silvio Berlusconi's surprise political comeback
NYT: Catalonia’s Independence Bid Shows Signs of Strain as Coalition Splits
AFP: Mexico says there's 'life after NAFTA' if pact fails
AMERICAN POLITICS
NYT: Suburbs revolt against Trump, threatening GOP
The Times: One year on, suburbs give the Republicans a beating
If you are a Republican Member of Congress with a Whole Foods in your district you probably barely slept last night.
Tax: Senate Republicans are expected to unveil their tax legislation today.
Tee times, smoothie diets, and fat paychecks: A look inside post-Trump life: Politico reports, away from the chaos of Trump’s West Wing, former aides take stock of their new worlds. http://politi.co/2yfR3II
WSJ: Prosecutors seek plea deal with Manafort’s former son-in-law
Bloomberg: Senator Menendez juror asks trial judge, ‘What is a Senator?’https://bloom.bg/2jdgIzq
LAT: Former party chief Donna Brazile stokes divisions among Democrats
How Trump brought the political media class to its knees: Vanity Fair reports, Trump and his team understand that for the political press, the only thing that matters is what’s happening right now, not yesterday. And whether through his tweets or his surrogates in the briefing room, the president has been largely able to bait reporters into playing his game, because he knows what makes them tick. https://goo.gl/MPYnJ6
LAT: Obama documentary 'The Final Year' gains emotional heft in the wake of the 2016 election https://goo.gl/6a4DQS
NEED A SPEAKER?
Marc A. Ross works with clients to develop executive education lectures, speeches, presentations, workshops, and conferences to help demystify Globalization, Disruption, and American politics. Learn more here.
ENTERPRISE
UPS joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance.
Target is closing a dozen stores across a handful of states, including Michigan, Florida, Illinois, and Texas, but not until after the holidays.
Lowe's has unveiled plans to launch so-called stores within its stores, in a partnership with software-powered retailer b8ta, to sell and educate shoppers on smart home products.
CNBC: NASA is working with Uber on its flying taxi project
Uber also said that it is aiming to trial the flying taxis in Los Angeles, as well as Dubai and Dallas-Fort Worth in 2020.
Reuters: Boeing signs deal to sell 300 planes worth $37 billion to China
Reuters: Qualcomm signs $12 billion in China deals amid Trump visit
Burberry plans to go more upmarket to be ‘firmly in luxury’: FT reports, shares in brand fall 10% after first-half profits come in below market expectations.
Reuters: SpaceX to launch Turkish satellites, minister says
TRENDS
Snapchat also wants to be a fitness app: Quartz reports, we learned last year that Snap is "a camera company"- but perhaps soon, it's also going to be a fitness company.
What’s selling in Trumpland, USA: BOF reports, consumers of luxury goods in the wealthiest areas of the country that voted for Donald Trump favor traditional labels including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and David Yurman.
CULTURE
How the Hallmark Channel became a Christmas-movie machine: WSJ reports, the sure-fire ingredients for a successful holiday show: quaint small town, flirtatious tree decorating and, most importantly, snow.
LAT: Garth Brooks is named entertainer of the year at the CMA Awards
SPORT
Beijing’s endgame: football with Chinese characteristics: A spending spree on European clubs carries risks as well as rewards for China’s image.
FT
Caracal Business Insider | November 8, 2017
North Korea | Northam | Trump in China | Cheddar | Louvre Abu Dhabi
Caracal Business Insider | Daily
November 8, 2017
Curation and commentary from Marc A. Ross
Caracal Business Insider: Politics + Policy + Profits
"You've got to win the politics to set the policy to ensure the profits." - Marc A. Ross, founder of Caracal Global.
Reporting from Alexandria, Virginia
ROSS RANT
Protest votes come in all shape, sizes, and educational levels: We have seen it all. In recent elections, voters across the world have been telling the do-gooder, globalist, elite no - it's their time now.
The protest vote of middle England telling the cosmopolitan elites of London they have had enough, and they want out of the European Union.
The protest vote from the Catalonians that want more say and leave the support of Madrid to go their own independent way.
The protest vote from salt of the earth Americans living in the Great Lakes region who believe wearing a football jersey is a proper air travel outfit telling those who crafted multilateral trade deals and forged a more multicultural nation they do not get to pick the winner of the White House this time.
But last night was different.
Finally the do-gooder, globalist, elite had a chance to cast a protest vote.
The suburban citizens of NoVa who have more in common with those living in New Jersey and commuting into Manhattan than their fellow Old Dominion citizens voted in a protest wave to send a message to the bloviator in chief and the do nothing congressional members - you ain't getting it done.
The protest vote that sent a Democrat to the governor's house in Richmond will be embraced and applauded by Team Obama and those who wished HRC be their president - and they should feel good and elated. It has been a horrible 365 days for them. Last night was their first real feel-good moment to halt the Trumpster since their disastrous performance the previous election day.
But, as is frequently done, believing they have found the secret sauce of winning in the age of Trump will be a loser. They haven't found anything. Ralph Northam is no way the future of the DNC. His only unique skill-set was that he was on the ballot last night.
Just like the Brexit referendum, the Catalonia vote for independence, and Trump's candidacy, all were only vehicles to send a protest, a message, a reminder, to those in power that the ways things are operating aren't working.
When voter data goes into a deep drive, analysists will find scores of suburban NoVa Republicans with dual incomes, hefty tax bills, jumbo mortgages, outstanding student loan debt, passports, multiple college degrees, Economist subscriptions, Class Pass memberships, Whole Foods shopping trips powered by InstaCart, and Patagonia jackets in their closets voted Dem for the first time in their lives. Finally, they had a vehicle to send a protest vote to Trump's Republican-controlled Federal government.
The protest was against the shameful and petulant behavior emanating from the Oval Office. The protest was against a Ryan and McConnell led Congress whose only success is sending Neil Gorsuch to SCOTUS. The protest was against the complete failure to pass infrastructure spending, to reform healthcare, to legislate a tax system that is entrepreneurial, global, and fair.
Waking up this morning, you have to believe the Democrats will take control of the House of Representatives next fall. Not only will we see more GOP members say adios to walking the hall of RHOB, but funding will become a challenge, and there will be more talk of Trump getting legitimate primary challengers.
If you are a Republican Member of Congress with a Whole Foods in your district you probably barely slept last night. As you wake-up to Playbook and Morning Joe, you know you have a decision to make this morning - be silent on Trump's behavior and leadership or do what is right and vote for legislation that is best for the long-term success of the nation.
Either way - it might not be enough.
A protest vote is coming.
GEOECONOMICS
WSJ: Trump warns North Korea: Do not underestimate US
NYT: Trump seeks help in China over a nuclear North Korea
While you were sleeping: 1:40 AM ET THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY arrive at Beijing Airport - Beijing, People’s Republic of China
Trump is first US president to get seat at Beijing’s banquet
new: The Times reports, Trump, known as a lover of hamburgers and diet coke, will be treated to a banquet at the former imperial palace of the Forbidden City this evening, an honour never before bestowed on a visiting US leader to post-revolution China.
AP: Tweeter-in-chief ready to confront China’s ‘great firewall’
Xi Jinping just fired 75% of party veterans: Nikkei reports, Chinese president personally interviewed candidates, eliminating dissenters.
CNBC: Here are the corporate dealmakers joining Trump in China https://goo.gl/6jGMJF
More business deals than trade pacts as Trump visits China: NYT reports, Trump will take a team of business leaders who may sign sales agreements, but chances of a big breakthrough on trade frictions seem slim.
China’s technology ambitions could upset the global trade order: NYT reports, when Trump arrives in Beijing on Wednesday, he will most likely complain about traditional areas of dispute like steel and cars. But Washington officials and major global companies increasingly worry about a new generation of deals that could give China a firmer grip on the technology of tomorrow. Under an ambitious plan unveiled two years ago called Made in China 2025, Beijing has designs to dominate cutting-edge technologies like advanced microchips, artificial intelligence, and electric cars, among many others, in a decade. And China is enlisting some of the world’s biggest technology players in its push.
Three UCLA basketball players detained in China: WSJ reports, three UCLA basketball players, including high-profile freshman LiAngelo Ball, were detained in China for alleged shoplifting, according to a person familiar with the matter. The Bruins, ranked No. 21, are in China to begin their college basketball season Saturday in Shanghai against Georgia Tech.
“We are aware of a situation involving UCLA student-athletes in Hangzhou, China,” UCLA said in a statement. “The university is cooperating fully with local authorities on this matter, and we have no further comment at this time.”
AFP: Chinese icebreaker steams for Antarctica in polar power play
Trump visit puts Tokyo at the center of geopolitics
Nikkei - Ian Bremmer
WSJ: Philippines’ Duterte Says He Will Raise South China Sea Dispute With Beijing
Globe and Mail: Canada won't be rushed into signing TPP, Trudeau insists in Vietnam
EU unveils proposal to cut vehicles’ CO2 emissions: WSJ reports, the European Union proposed a 30% cut in carbon-dioxide emissions from cars and vans in the decade through 2030, seeking to prod automakers toward cleaner technologies led by electric vehicles and curb climate change.
LAT: Gov. Jerry Brown and European Union leaders agree to work to combat climate change
The Paris climate agreement now has the support of Syria, leaving the US as the only country opposed.
Saudi crackdown targets up to $800 billion in assets: WSJ reports, the Saudi government is aiming to confiscate cash and other assets worth as much as $800 billion in its crackdown on alleged corruption among the kingdom’s elite.
US urged to impose full embargo on Venezuelan oil: FT reports, the Argentine president is the first Latin American leader to openly advocate such tough action.
AMERICAN POLITICS
Democrats win big races in Virginia, New Jersey: WSJ reports, Democrat Ralph Northam captured the Virginia governorship on Tuesday, beating Republican Ed Gillespie in the first major test of how the Donald Trump presidency has affected swing-state politics
NYT: Voters give Democrats first big victories of the Trump era
Northam’s dominating performance offered a momentary catharsis for Democrats who have been hungry to find political success this year.
“We now know what a lot of us in the party already knew: The Trump message is a big loser in swing states,” one Republican strategist said.
LAT: Democrats seize Virginia and New Jersey governorships in elections seen as precursors of 2018 fights
WP: Northam victory in VA gives Democrats first key win in Trump era
WP: Gillespie loss is a grim omen for GOP as voters reject ‘Trumpism without Trump’ strategy
GOP tax plan would slam California housing market: WSJ reports, California’s biggest housing markets figure to be among the losers if a Republican-sponsored tax overhaul becomes law, according to two analyses of local market data.
LAT: East Coast Republicans pushed back against Trump's tax plan. Why didn't California's GOP?
Reuters: Dollar slips on fears over US tax reform troubles
NEED A SPEAKER?
Marc A. Ross works with clients to develop executive education lectures, speeches, presentations, workshops, and conferences to help demystify Globalization, Disruption, and American politics. Learn more here.
ENTERPRISE
Cheddar, the live-streaming financial news network aimed at millennials, will begin to build remote studios in WeWork offices across the country in a partnership designed to improve the production value of the network's weekday live programming.
Amazon has quietly launched its own line of activewear clothing: L2 reports, three new activewear brands — Goodsport, Rebel Canyon, and Peak Performance — are being promoted in Amazon’s holiday gift guide this week.
FT: China’s Tencent builds $2 billion stake in Snapchat owner
Twitter goes 280 - @marcaross will keep it 140.
WP: Starbucks’ next move: Italian restaurants
Chinese auto-glass magnate faces union challenge in Ohio: NYT reports, workers at the plant — owned by Mr. Cao’s company, Fuyao Glass — will vote on Wednesday and Thursday on whether to unionize. Officials at the United Automobile Workers union say that frustration with highhanded and arbitrary treatment by supervisors has generated support for a union.
Reuters: Germany's FlixBus to take on Greyhound in the United States
Google owner tests first driverless car on city streets: FT reports, Waymo’s self-driving project lets vehicles roam roads with no human in front seat.
Reuters: Ford, China's Zotye Auto invest $756 million in electric vehicle JV
Caixin: Xiaomi calls on Western Europe with launch in Spain
Reuters: Qualcomm buy may pit Broadcom against Intel in 'connected car' fight
ConocoPhillips aims capex at $5.5 billion/year for rest of decade: Reuters reports, ConocoPhillips, the largest U.S. independent oil and natural gas producer, said on Wednesday it will spend an average of $5.5 billion annually for the rest of the decade on capital projects as long as oil prices stay above $50 per barrel.
Hermes reports that it booked further sales growth in the third quarter, driven by higher demand in all divisions and across all regions.
CULTURE
AFP: 10 years in the making, the Louvre Abu Dhabi set to open
LAT: LA considers making Playboy Mansion a historic monument
AFP: 'Put down those smartphones!' pope tells bishops
SOTD
Portugal. The Man - Feel It Still (ZHU Remix) https://goo.gl/aJvk1T
SPORT
Nikkei: Spain's soccer league on track to double Asian audience by 2020
College Football Playoff Rankings:
1. Georgia (9-0)
2. Alabama (9-0)
3. Notre Dame (8-1)
4. Clemson (8-1)
5. Oklahoma (8-1)
6. TCU (8-1)
7. Miami (8-0)
8. Wisconsin (9-0)
9. Washington (8-1)
10. Auburn (7-2)
Protest votes come in all shape, sizes, and educational levels
We have seen it all. In recent elections, voters across the world have been telling the do-gooder, globalist, elite no - it's their time now.
The protest vote of middle England telling the cosmopolitan elites of London they have had enough, and they want out of the European Union.
The protest vote from the Catalonians that want more say and leave the support of Madrid to go their own independent way.
The protest vote from salt of the earth Americans living in the Great Lakes region who believe wearing a football jersey is a proper air travel outfit telling those who crafted multilateral trade deals and forged a more multicultural nation they do not get to pick the winner of the White House this time.
But last night was different.
Finally the do-gooder, globalist, elite had a chance to cast a protest vote.
The suburban citizens of NoVa who have more in common with those living in New Jersey and commuting into Manhattan than their fellow Old Dominion citizens voted in a protest wave to send a message to the bloviator in chief and the do nothing congressional members - you ain't getting it done.
The protest vote that sent a Democrat to the governor's house in Richmond will be embraced and applauded by Team Obama and those who wished HRC be their president - and they should feel good and elated. It has been a horrible 365 days for them. Last night was their first real feel-good moment to halt the Trumpster since their disastrous performance the previous election day.
But, as is frequently done, believing they have found the secret sauce of winning in the age of Trump will be a loser. They haven't found anything. Ralph Northam is no way the future of the DNC. His only unique skill-set was that he was on the ballot last night.
Just like the Brexit referendum, the Catalonia vote for independence, and Trump's candidacy, all were only vehicles to send a protest, a message, a reminder, to those in power that the ways things are operating aren't working.
When voter data goes into a deep drive, analysists will find scores of suburban NoVa Republicans with dual incomes, hefty tax bills, jumbo mortgages, outstanding student loan debt, passports, multiple college degrees, Economist subscriptions, Class Pass memberships, Whole Foods shopping trips powered by InstaCart, and Patagonia jackets in their closets voted Dem for the first time in their lives. Finally, they had a vehicle to send a protest vote to Trump's Republican-controlled Federal government.
The protest was against the shameful and petulant behavior emanating from the Oval Office. The protest was against a Ryan and McConnell led Congress whose only success is sending Neil Gorsuch to SCOTUS. The protest was against the complete failure to pass infrastructure spending, to reform healthcare, to legislate a tax system that is entrepreneurial, global, and fair.
Waking up this morning, you have to believe the Democrats will take control of the House of Representatives next fall. Not only will we see more GOP members say adios to walking the hall of RHOB, but funding will become a challenge, and there will be more talk of Trump getting legitimate primary challengers.
If you are a Republican Member of Congress with a Whole Foods in your district you probably barely slept last night. As you wake-up to Playbook and Morning Joe, you know you have a decision to make this morning - be silent on Trump's behavior and leadership or do what is right and vote for legislation that is best for the long-term success of the nation.
Either way - it might not be enough.
A protest vote is coming.
About the author: Marc A. Ross is the founder of Caracal Global, a strategy firm specializing in global business communications working with boardrooms and the C-Suite at the intersection of politics, policy, and profits. Ross holds an MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.