International Business- US trade information data

 1. For this section (21 total points), we’re going to focus on US trade. Begin by going to the following webpage: http://usitc.gov/. This is a great source of U.S. trade information and the data contained here will relate to information we will cover throughout this semester. After you have explored this page, click on the link under Research Tools titled “Dataweb.”

I.  For the following questions, refer to the document attached to the assignment instruction titled AVE Duties 1891-2015. This document was published on “Dataweb” previously.
a. How many laws have impacted tariffs according to this document through 1935? (2)
b. Identify the country and the year we had our first individual free trade agreement with? (2) 
c. Historically, we have seen four periods (at least two consecutive years) where there have been more than 66% goods entering our country classifying as duty free. Identify those periods and explain what the reason likely is for the high percentage of duty free imports. (4)
d. Over the last few years, we have generally seen the percentage of duty free goods stay relatively constant. Why are we seeing an increase in overall tariff revenue? (2)

II. For the following questions, use the linked attached on the “Year in Trade 2016”
a. In terms of Global Economic Trends, what was Global GDP in 2016, how did it move from 2015 and why? (3)
b. What percentage of our total merchandise trade is with China? What is our trade balance with them in that area? What about services? (3)
c. What category of merchandise did we export the most of and which did we import the most of in 2016? (2)
d. Of the selected countries discussed, which country do we actually have a positive balance of trade in merchandise and also which one do we have a negative balance in services? (2)
e. Of single countries, who is our sixth largest trading partner in merchandise and 7th in services? (1)

2. On page 26, answer #5 – 4 pts.

3. Read the New Balance Article linked to the instructions. Explain the concept of a third shift product and react briefly to New Balance’s situation in light of Chapter 2 principles. Does this surprise you? (5)

4. Answer #2 under the managerial implications section on page 54. (5)

5. Attached to the Instructions for this assignment you will find a case study titled Aguinda v. Texaco that I will be submitting to a journal shortly. Following your reading of the case, answer the following questions (20 total points):
a. Two major political risks are exposure to foreign laws and foreign courts. How did these risks impact Texaco/Chevron? (5)
b. As documented in the book, Law of the Jungle, the relationship between TexPet and the Ecuadorian government evolved significantly over time, almost always to TexPet’s detriment. Towards the end, TexPet was being taxed at an 87% rate by the end of the venture and had already lost 25% of its ownership stake. What international investment problem(s) does this sound like? Why didn’t TexPet push back harder or sue in U.S. courts over the problems that were occurring? (5)
c. The initial case in New York was based on the Alien Tort Statute. Based on what we now know, would they have been successful in NY had that been decided? Explain. (You might want to read/scan the 2013 Kiobel case attached). (7)
d. In Part (E)(3), it states that Ecuador should have to indemnify Chevron if enforcement of the verdict is successful globally. Why is the word “should” utilized and not “must,” since the arbitration ruling held Ecuador liable? (3)