China overtakes US to becomes top trade partner of EU

Uploaded by cctvnewschannel on 21 Oct 2011 - BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Trade between China and the European Union (EU) totaled 35.6 billion euros (49.4 billion U.S. dollars) in July, allowing China to overtake the United States as the EU's largest trade partner, the Ministry of Commerce said, citing the latest statistics from Eurostat. The overall value of China-EU trade in July exceeded that of the EU and the United States by 800 million euros, accounting for 13.4 percent of the region's total imports and exports, according to data released by the EU's statistics office.

Brazil, Fearing Currency War, Takes Harder Edge Vs. China

Will Brazilian equities get their mojo back under new President Dilma Rousseff, who's battling a strengthening currency?

Brazil's Bovespa exchange rose just 1% in 2010 while many New York-listed stocks like energy giant Petro bras (PBR) dived, even as Brazil's hot economy jumped an estimated 7.4%. The Bovespa surged 83% in 2009, leading the way out of the global financial crisis.

With China a big buyer of Brazilian iron ore, meat, soy beans and sugar, some pundits say the Bovespa may not come roaring back until China's stocks rebound.

China's exchange shed 14% last year. Beijing is tightening monetary policy, which will cool its economy.

Rousseff, meanwhile, is aiming to take a tougher line in trade talks with China amid global currency tensions. Brazil's currency, the real, is up more than 100% against the U.S. dollar since 2003. Brazil's trade, however, has been shifting from the U.S. to China.

Investors.com  |  11 January 2011

World Business: Ireland's Struggling Economy

worldbusiness | November 25, 2010 - World Business: Ireland, once one of Europe's hottest economies is in a sorry state. Laden with debt, but desperate to avoid asking for help from the IMF and EU, the country has to take drastic action. With four companies going bust every day, and unemployment soaring, it will take all the luck of the Irish to get out of this economic mess.