World Trade magazine: The trusted source of information and analysis for executives at the highest level of midsized to large U.S. manufacturers engaged in domestic and international trade.

FEATURES:

COVER STORY
18 World Trade’s Fabulous 50 + 1
Our annual survey of the people, places and things that are pushing the global trading community forward.
By World Trade Staff

38 A Tough Road for Truckers
Rising fuel costs top the list of concerns, but infrastructure remains a long-term worry.
By Lara L. Sowinski

42 Intermodal Kicks Into High Gear
3PL capacity and expertise enable shippers to bypass the old speed vs. cost dilemma.
By Gail Dutton

48 Ocean Transport Adjusts to New Realities
Port congestion, environmental requirements, container shortages and asset re-deployment all impact U.S. shipping channels.
By Neil Shister

52 Latin America’s Free Trade Market Struggles
The grand ambitions behind Mercosur are at risk as politics intervene.
By Clay Risen

55 Ten Reasons to Use Global Sourcing
Global sourcing used to be about costs. Now it’s about everything else, too.
By Gail Dutton

62 Performance-Based Logistics Redefines DoD Procurement
‘Paying for results’ rather than product specifications to expand into the civilian supply chain.
By Kate Vitasek and Steve Geary

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Publisher: BNP Media

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WARREN BUFFETT

Recognized as this era’s greatest investor (and ranked by Forbes this year as the world’s richest individual), the ‘Oracle of Omaha’ has reaped the benefi ts of taking the long view in deciding where to put his money. He’s less a financial magician (read: hedge fund) than a gifted student of value; this long-term approach has led him to back trade in general and reap the benefi ts of the businesses that facilitate it.

Of late, for example, while lesser visionaries lament the state of U.S. railroads, Buffett is taking the plunge big-time (encouraged, no doubt, by their crucial role in moving products to and from ports). Berkshire Hathaway has assumed big positions in BNSF, Union Pacifi c and the Norfolk Southern railroads. All are major players in the movement of coal, biofuel and other energy products, which are expected to drive capacity and pricing for years to come. Then, to show its seriousness, Berkshire secured 60% ownership of Union Tank Car Company, one of the primary constructors and repair facilities of tank rail cars.

He’s also a concerned public citizen and, as such, Buffett worries about the corrosive danger posed by the U.S. balance of trade shortfalls. “In effect, our country has been behaving like an extraordinarily rich family that possesses an immense farm,” he explains in the homey terms of his native Nebraska. “In order to consume 4 percent more than we produce— that’s the trade deficit—we have, day by day, been both selling pieces of the farm and increasing the mortgage on what we still own.”

His answer? “Issue what I will call Import Certifi cates (ICs) to all U.S. exporters in an amount equal to the dollar value of their exports. Each exporter would, in turn, sell the ICs to parties—either exporters abroad or importers here—wanting to get goods into the U.S. To import $1 million of goods, for example, an importer would need ICs that were the byproduct of $1 million of exports. The inevitable result: trade balance.”

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COLUMNS

INSIDE WORLD TRADE
7 The Energetic Fabulous 50 + 1
The emerging theme of this year’s list can best be described as ‘transition management.’
By Neil Shister

POLICY PERSPECTIVES
8 Worried About a Recession? Don’t Blame Free Trade
Reverting to protectionism would hurt our long-term pattern of growth.
By Daniel Griswold

GREAT MOMENTS IN WORLD TRADE
66 Bringing the Backyard to Distant Markets
A tomato remains one of the most difficult items to ship—if you’re looking for taste on the other end.
By Jeremy N. Smith

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World Trade Magazine is today’s most relevant U.S. logistics journal delivering news and information to 100% U.S. subscribers* active in domestic and international trade. Today businesses are sourcing abroad so they need information on how to operate overseas. 82% of our subscribers plan to enter foreign markets within the next year.

World Trade reflects the priorities and diverse interests of its senior level and management subscribers to help them navigate today’s rapidly changing and highly competitive global marketplace.

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