Monthly Archives: January 2021

Megan Davis, Ph.D., shows queen conch at various developmental stages in The Bahamas (Photo credit: H. Forrest Thomas ).

With an estimated lifespan between 25 to 40 years, the queen conch (Strombus gigas) is a prized delicacy long harvested for food and is revered for its beautiful shell. Second only to the spiny lobster, it is one of the most important benthic fisheries in the Caribbean region. Unfortunately, the species faces a challenge of survival: how to endure and thrive, as populations are in a steady state of decline from overfishing, habitat degradation and hurricane damage. In some places, the conch populations have dwindled so low that the remaining conch cannot find breeding partners. This dire situation isurgentin ecological and economic terms.

To preserve this most significant molluscan fishery in the Caribbean, a scientist from Florida Atlantic Universitys Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute has dedicated more than four decades of research into the science and art of growing queen conch. Her latest contribution an 80-page, step-by-step user manual that provides complete illustrations and photos of how to culture queen conch. The Queen Conch Aquaculture: Hatchery and Nursery Phases User Manual, was recently published in the National Shellfisheries Associations Journal of Shellfish Research.

The manual is a deliverable of the Puerto Rico Saltonstall-Kennedy National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries grant, which is a two-year collaboration and project with Conservacin Conciencia, the Naguabo Commercial Fishing Association and fishers in Puerto Rico.

I wrote this edition for the Puerto Rican fishers of the Naguabo Fishing Association who are learning to operate the Naguabo Queen Conch Hatchery and Nursery, said Megan Davis, Ph.D., author and a research professor of aquaculture and stock enhancement, FAUs Harbor Branch, who collaborated with Victoria Cassar, a science communicator who designed the manual. However, the majority of the information presented in this new manual can be applied to other queen conch hatchery and nursery projects to produce conch for sustainable seafood, conservation and restoration.

Video shows the various developmental stages of the queen conch from eggs to larvae to tiny juveniles in a controlled environment and later in the wild in the Caribbean. Second only to the spiny lobster, the queen conch (Strombus gigas) is a prized delicacy long harvested for food and is revered for its beautiful shell. (Video credit: FAUs Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute; Michiel van Nierop; and Bo Boudart Production).

Last year, Davis teamed up with Conservacin ConCiencia in Puerto Rico to assist with stock enhancement fisheries of the queen conch. The goal: to produce up to 2,000 queen conch juveniles in a fishers-operated aquaculture facility for release into conch juvenile habitats. The Saltonstall-Kennedy NOAA-funded project includes aiding sustainable fisheries practices through aquaculture. The team is working with the fishery communities, utilizing the commercial Fishing Associations working waterfront for conch aquaculture infrastructure, helping provide diversified incomes for the fishery communities, promoting aquaculture practices, and ensuring the conch population is available for future fishing and food security through aquaculture and restoration.

Aquaculture, along with conservation of breeding populations and fishery management, are ways to help ensure longevity of the species, said Davis. Our queen conch aquaculture project in Puerto Rico will serve as a model to ensure that conch populations are available for future fishing and to aid food security for Puerto Rico and elsewhere in the Caribbean region.

With requests for queen conch mariculture know-how coming from many communities throughout the Caribbean including The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Curacao, Antigua, and Turks and Caicos Islands, and with the recent release of this manual, Davis and partners are expanding their Caribbean-wide queen conch conservation, education and restorative mariculture program.

Desired outcomes include establishing protected areas where conch breeding populations can spawn egg masses for future populations; raising queen conch for education, conservation, restoration and sustainable seafood through the establishment of in-classroom, research, pilot-scale or commercial size hatcheries; and locating protected habitats to release hatchery-reared juvenile conch to help repopulate seagrass beds to rebuild conch stocks.

Forty years of queen conch mariculture research and pilot-scale to commercial application conducted by Dr. Davis holds promise as a way of addressing this critical situation with the queen conch through community-based solutions, said James Sullivan, Ph.D., executive director of FAUs Harbor Branch. There are no other mariculture labs with the knowledge and capacity that she brings to the table to tackle the plight of the queen conch.

This new, in-depth manual will be used to support the eLearning platform that includes place-based experiential activities and workshops that can be accessed by anyone, which is featured in FAU Harbor Branchs crowd funding initiative, Save the Queen of the Sea.

-FAU-

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'Hail to the Queen' - Saving the Caribbean Queen Conch - Florida Atlantic University

Expands availability of Ribbon's UC&C-enabling Edge solutions in CALA market

WESTFORD, Mass., Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Ribbon Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: RBBN), a global provider of real time communications software and network solutions to service providers, enterprises, and critical infrastructure sectors, today announced that it is expanding its relationship with Synnex(NYSE: SNX), a Fortune 200 corporation and a leading provider of a comprehensive range of distribution, logistics and integration services for the technology industry to a wide range of enterprises, into the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA).

"We're proud to work with Ribbon and leverage their market leadership with our resellers," said Otavio Lazarini, SVP, Latin America from Synnex. "Ribbon's Unified Communications and Collaboration-enabling Edge solutions and relationship with Microsoft will help us deliver additional value to our CALA partner base and grow market share."

Synnex is reselling Ribbon's Cloud and Edge portfolio of products, designed to meet the demanding needs of service providers and enterprises looking to deploy Unified Communications and Collaboration with a high degree of security and quality. In addition to its Microsoft-certified SBCs, the product portfolio includes analytics, media gateways, policy and routing capabilities and an advanced application server platform.

"Working with Synnex in the CALA region will enable us to reach more customers with our unique value proposition," said Julio Villafae, Ribbon's Vice President of Sales for the Caribbean and Latin America. "We know from our experience together in North America that Synnex brings tremendous technical expertise and deep relationships to the table. We're delighted to work with them and augment the availability of our market-leading solutions into this important region."

About SYNNEX SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE: SNX) is a Fortune 200 corporation and a leading provider of a comprehensive range of distribution, logistics and integration services for the technology industry to a wide range of enterprises. SYNNEX distributes a broad range of information technology solutions, and also provides systems design and integration services. Founded in 1980, SYNNEX Corporation operates in numerous countries throughout North and South America, Asia-Pacific and Europe. Additional information about SYNNEX may be found online at synnex.com.

About Ribbon Ribbon Communications (Nasdaq: RBBN) delivers global communications software and packet and optical network solutions to service providers, enterprises and critical infrastructure sectors. We engage deeply with our customers, helping them modernize their networks for improved competitive positioning and business outcomes in today's smart, always-on and data-hungry world. Our innovative, end-to-end solutions portfolio delivers unparalleled scale, performance, and agility, including core to edge IP solutions, cloud-native offers, leading-edge software security and analytics tools, as well as 5G-ready packet and optical networking solutions acquired via our recent merger with ECI Telecom. To learn more about Ribbon visit rbbn.com.

Important Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The information in this release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this release, including those regarding market expansion, are forward-looking statements. The actual results of Ribbon Communications may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Ribbon Communications' business, please refer to the "Risk Factors" section of Ribbon Communications' most recent annual or quarterly report filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements represent Ribbon Communications' views only as of the date on which such statement is made and should not be relied upon as representing Ribbon Communications' views as of any subsequent date. While Ribbon Communications may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point, Ribbon Communications specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.

SOURCE Ribbon Communications Inc.

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Ribbon and Synnex Expand Reseller Partnership Into the Caribbean and Latin America - PRNewswire

Virgin Islands. File Image / Pixabay

The Limetree Bay refinery in St Croix, US Virgin Islands has been given more time "to fully restart and retain its crude oil supply agreement" by its owner oil major BP, according to news agency Reuters.

The plant,which has supplied bunkers to the international market in the past, had been slated to return to operational life by mid-January under an agreement signed with BP in 2018.

Under the plan, the refinery was looking to meet the new global demand for low sulfur marine fuel. However, setbacks such as the decimation of demand for IMO2020 fuel by the COVID-19 pandemic and other operational issues have seen the 210,000 b/d plant stuck in the doldrums.

Citing people familiar with the matter, the report said that the plant could restart completely later this month which would allow the production of gasoline and diesel.

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Caribbean Refinery Given More Time to Restart - Ship & Bunker

Back in November, we noticed that the sail outside of Magic Kingdoms Pirates of the Caribbean had been replaced. The sail acted as a sign for the attraction, with Pirates of the Caribbean printed on it, plus a few cannonball holes. The sail was replaced with a solid black one, and we expected a quick update to add the lettering. But almost two months later, the new sail hasnt been touched.

The sails mast sits just outside the Pirates of the Caribbean entrance, with a skeletal pirate standing in the crows nest above it.

While such a prominent advertisement for Pirates of the Caribbean might not be necessary, the plain black sail does stand out as odd in the highly-themed area.

Keep checking WDWNT for updates about refurbishments at Walt Disney World.

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PHOTOS: Pirates of the Caribbean Entrance Sail Blank for Almost Two Months at Magic Kingdom - wdwnt.com

It's a new year, and a new webcam construction photo update of Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship.

The Meyer Werft webcam has finally been updated with a new photo, after about a month of no photo updates.

Odyssey of the Seas is under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany and will be the cruise line's second Quantum Ultra Class ship.

Odyssey of the Seas floated out of her covered dock on November 28, 2020, and has since been moored outside for additional features to be installed onboard.

Photos byBjrn Ha

The 169,000 GT cruise liner has an overall length of 347.1 meters, is 41.4 meters wide and can accommodate more than 5000 passengers.

Odyssey will feature a number of firsts onboard, including thefirst Quantum Class ship with Giovannis Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, a Playmakers Bar location in the SeaPlex, a revamped Adventure Ocean and two-level pool deck.

Read more:5 ways Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas will be different from other Quantum Class ships

Odyssey of the Seas is now the fifth Quantum/Quantum Ultra Class ship to be constructed at Meyer Werft, following Quantum, Anthem, Ovation and Spectrum of the Seas.

Odyssey of the Seas was originally scheduled to be delivered in autumn 2020, but Royal Caribbean delayed that until spring 2021.

With her float out complete and work being done to install outdoor features, you might be wondering what the next steps are for this ship.

Neither the shipyard nor Royal Caribbean has announced any kind of timeline, but you should expect some key milestones coming up soon.

The ship will need to conduct her conveyance down the River Ems. This is how the ship gets from the inland shipyard to the open ocean.

Once she reaches the ocean, her next step will be to conduct sea trials.During these sea trials, tests are conducted to finalize the performance of the ship. There are sometimes multiple sea trials.

Finally, the ship will be prepared for delivery to Royal Caribbean at which point the ship officially joins the fleet.

Royal Caribbean has scheduled the first sailings of Odyssey of the Seas in April 2021, which means all of this needs to occur before that date.

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Odyssey of the Seas construction photo update - January 11, 2021 - Royal Caribbean Blog

Holland America Line will offer cruises to the Caribbean on six cruise ships for the 2021-2022 season that includes their newest vessel Rotterdam.

Holland America Lines cruises between October 2021 and April 2022 feature three to 14day itineraries to the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean. A few select sailings will spend a day discovering the Panama Canal.

In addition to Rotterdam, guests can choose a Caribbean cruise on Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Volendam and one holiday sailing on Zaandam.

All of the itineraries include a call at Half Moon Cay, affording guests more opportunities to experience Holland America Lines award-winning private Bahamian island. Both Porthole Cruise Magazine and Travel Weekly readers have named Half Moon Cay the industrys Best Private Island, and it is Holland America Lines highest-rated Caribbean port call by its guests.

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Book by February 28, 2021, and take advantage of the View & Verandah offer that includes stateroom upgrades, free beverages, one-night specialty dining, 10% off shore excursions and more.

View Prices on Cruises on Holland America Line

Savings with the View and Verandah Big Event is valued at up to $3,800 per stateroom, depending on length of cruise and category booked. Caribbean cruise pricing starts at $699 per person, double occupancy, for a seven-day sailing.

Holland America Lines newest cruise ship kicks off the Caribbean season with three and four day sample cruises. The four-day departs November 3 and calls at Half Moon Cay and Key West Florida, and the three-day departs November 7 and calls at Half Moon Cay.

With the most varied options of the season, Rotterdam will then sail a series of cruises that include tropical, western, eastern and southern itineraries ranging from six to 11 days.

Many of the cruises can be extended into Collectors Voyages to create the ultimate Caribbean exploration with more economical fares than if booking the cruises individually. Ranging from 13 to 21 days, these longer journeys combine nonrepeating, back-to-back itineraries, allowing guests to span more than one Caribbean region and enjoy the ultimate island-hopping journey.

Throughout each cruise, EXC programming brings the Caribbeans local traditions, culinary tastes and cultural experiences to life. Guests who want to learn more about the region can attend an EXC Talk on topics ranging from The Caribbean Spirit: The Story of Rum to The Deep Blue: Life Below the Waters Edge.

Foodies can head to a Port to Table cooking demonstration, cooking class or themed mixology class featuring local fare, or participate in an exclusive culinary-themed shore excursion in partnership with FOOD & WINE magazine showcasing the regions food scene from a local perspective.

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Holland America Line Offering Cruises to Caribbean on 6 Ships in 2021-2022 - Cruise Fever

After finding himself in a spot courtesy his divorce battle and now abuse claims by his ex-wife, support for Hollywood actor Johnny Depp is gaining momentum. In online voting to reinstate Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean fans have come together and voted for the star on change.org.

In massive support for the actor, 400k votes have been counted and continues to grow to get Johnny Depp back in the franchise.

Johnny Depp has been losing big films owing to his cases against Amber Heard. In the most recent, Depp lost a libel suit against a UK paper after they called him a wife-beater basis the claims of Amber Heard. Johnny Depp lost the libel case. Post that, he has had to walk out of the Fantastic Beasts film and not cast for Pirates of the Caribbean.

From Vanessa Paradis to Amber Heard: A look at Johnny Depp's dating history

As of now, there are two Pirates of the Caribbean movies in development, and the makers have decided to not cast Johnny Depp. At least one of the films follows the original plotline while another is a spin-off that stars Margot Robbie.

For a while now, Johnny Depps fans have been asking movie studios to recast the actor. Whether the studios decide to bring back Depp on the insistence of his fans is still to be seen.Johnny Depp, Kevin Spacey & other actors who've been replaced from a project after serious allegations

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Fans want Johnny Depp back in `Pirates of the Caribbean` as they gather 400k votes and plus in petition - WION

Published 5 hours ago

Submitted by Arcos Dorados Holdings

Despite the global context and with the adjustments needed to comply with the new normality, the solidarity campaign that donates proceeds from Big Mac sales to support dozens of institutions and projects exceeded by far the established goals.

In the new edition of the Gran Dia, the company reinforced its commitment to keep families together and to promote first formal job opportunities in the region.

January 13, 2021 /CSRwire/- Arcos Dorados, the worlds largest independent McDonalds franchisee, operating the largest quick-service restaurant chain in Latin America and the Caribbean, announces the results of the Gran Da* (Big Day) 2020 edition, the campaign where all the proceeds from the days Big Mac sales in its 20 markets are donated to collaborate with children and young people from local communities in all of those countries. This initiative enables the company to strengthen its ESG framework, known as Recipe for the Future, and the 2020 edition exceededits goals by raising a total of more than 5 million dollars to be distributed among dozens of social organizations.

As a result of this edition, Arcos Dorados was able to collaborate to keep together those families of children undergoing medical treatments housed in the Ronald McDonald Houses of the region, as well as the beneficiaries of the programs promoted by organizations such as the Ayrton Senna Institute (Brazil), Fundacin S (Argentina), Fundacin Coanil (Chile), Aldeas Infantiles SOS (Peru, Mxico, Panam, Costa Rica & Colombia), Fundacin El Tringulo (Ecuador), Liceo Impulso (Uruguay), Centro Man Na Obra (Aruba), Fonditut (Curacao), The Heroes Foundation (Trinidad) and P.E.C.E.S (Puerto Rico), amongst others.

For more than 10 years, at Arcos Dorados we have turned into action our commitment to the families and young people of the communities in which we operate. Today, we are proud to confirm that, despite the global context and the changes that we were forced to make as a society, peoples solidarity has been reinforced and that once again we managed to exceed our expectations. In a challenging year for everyone such as 2020, we were able to adapt and keep our main solidarity campaign of the year in full effect, which allows us to continue contributing to the health and well-being of children and opening doors so that more and more young people in America Latin America and the Caribbean have the chance to access a first formal job," stated Woods Staton, Executive Chairman of Arcos Dorados.

A different edition

In such a challenging year, Arcos Dorados adapted the celebration of its Gran Da to the new regulations, in order to maintain its commitment to the communities in which it operates.

That is why, for the 2020 edition, the company offered those interested the possibility of buying the coupons in advance through its digital channels, in addition to extending the period in which they could be redeemed and strengthen sales through AutoMac or McDelivery. With the aim of maintaining the festive spirit of the day, virtual events were held giving renowned artists the possibility of taking part, without breaking the social distancing.

Social commitment and sustainable development

ESG is part of Arcos Dorados DNA. In order to have a meaningful effect on the communities in which it operates and on the planet, the company has developed its social and environmental framework called Recipe for the Future (www.recetadelfuturo.com), focusing on five key pillars: Sustainable Sourcing, Climate Change, Packaging and Recycling, Youth Employment and Family Welfare. Guided by them, the company keeps its commitment to positively impact the wellbeing of employees and customers, offering personal development opportunities as well as contributing to local economies through a sustainable supply chain that strives to minimize the environmental impact of its proceeding.

* In Brazil, the initiative bears the name of "McDa Feliz" (Happy McDa)

About Arcos Dorados

Arcos Dorados is the worlds largest independent McDonalds franchisee, operating the largest quick-service restaurant chain in Latin America and the Caribbean. It has the exclusive right to own, operate and grant franchises of McDonalds restaurants in 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries and territories with more than 2,200 restaurants, operated by the Company or by its sub-franchisees, that together employ over 100 thousand people (as of 09/30/2020). The Company is also solidly committed to the development of the communities in which it operates, to providing young people their first formal job opportunities and to utilize its Scale for Good to achieve a positive environmental impact. Arcos Dorados is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ARCO). To learn more about the Company, please visit our website:www.arcosdorados.com

Arcos Dorados is the world's largest independent McDonald's franchisee in terms of system-wide sales and number of locations. The company is the largest fast-service restaurant chain in Latin America and the Caribbean. You have the exclusive right to own, operate, and franchise McDonald's locations in 20 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Argentina, Aruba, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curaao, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique , Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. Thomas, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela. The company operates or franchises more than 2,200 McDonald's restaurants with more than 90,000 employees and is known as one of the best companies to work for in Latin America. Arcos Dorados is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ARCO).

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Arcos Dorados' Gran Da Donated More Than USD 5 Million in 2020 to Support Several Social Organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean -...

Luis Carlos Marcano, managing partner of Kevane Grant Thornton, and new audit and business advisory partners Roberto Luciano, Carlos Dolagaray and Eduardo Herencia (Courtesy)

SAN JUAN Kevane Grant Thornton (KGT), a leading accounting and advisory firm in Puerto Rico, announced three new partners Wednesday to strengthen the range of audit and business consulting services offered by the company.

The new partnersRoberto Luciano, Eduardo Herencia and Carlos Dolagaray from LLM & D, PSC, more recently known as LHD Amrica LLCjoined KGT along with 30 other professionals on Jan. 1.

The experience and technical capabilities of our new partners and the team of professionals joining KGT will strengthen the range of auditing and business advisory services, adding innovative, specialized offerings for industries and complementing the services we currently provide at our firm. This represents an important step, consistent with our strategic plans for expansion and growth. Similarly, it raises the reputation of our firm, as one that is dynamic, that continues to evolve thanks to the quality of our services and the marked difference in our offer to clients, said Luis Carlos Marcano, managing partner at KGT.

The firm said the new team of professionals brings additional technical capabilities, which include: life, accident, property and health insurance; services for the public sector and the banking sector. Other services added include financial consulting, evaluation in Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) training, SOX outsourcing, auditing of controls for service organizations under the Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) No. 18, consulting on regulatory issues and specialized accounting for industries, as well as consulting services for the acquisition of businesses, and business process design and improvement.

The firm said its range of services reflect its mission to cater to any needs that clients may require.

Kevane Grant Thornton is a great example of what member firms are accomplishing to accelerate growth, innovate and evolve to anticipate and meet market demands. KGT is a firm with proven leadership in the Caribbean and Latin America region for its exceptional and consistent quality of service. I want to congratulate the partners and the firms team for this achievement, and I wish them the best of success in this new stage, said Peter Bodin, CEO of Grant Thornton International

KGTs workforce now comprises 180 professionals, including CPAs, lawyers and personnel certified in the areas of fraud evaluation, internal audits, valuation analysis, valuation of accredited companies and information systems auditing, as well as accountants for insolvency and restructuring matters, hospitality account executives, money laundering specialists and SOX-certified professionals.

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Kevane Grant Thornton Strengthens Operations for 2021 - Caribbean Business

Photo credit: cornstalker on Visualhunt.com / CC BY

By Michael Plouffe, Lecturer in International Political Economy, UCL and Thomas Gift, Associate Professor and Director of the Centre on US Politics, UCL

Joe Biden will inherit among the most challenging political and economic environments of any US president. With America reeling from the storming of the Capitol by pro-Trump insurrectionists, not to mention a raging pandemic, President Biden must heal partisan wounds and put the worlds largest economy back on track.

For the first time in a decade, a Democrat president has both congressional houses on his side albeit with slim majorities. So what will Bidens economic agenda entail at home and abroad? Below are five key themes.

1. Additional stimulus and pandemic response

More stimulus is almost certain. Congressional Democrats, urged on by President Trump, pushed for US$2,000 cheques for each American in Decembers stimulus bill, only to be blocked by Republicans.

The size of the next stimulus cheques remains unclear figures between US$1,400 and US$2,000 are being floated. Expect extended protections for renters and support for small-business owners and self-employed workers. Greater aid to state and local governments might also be on the table.

Promises by Biden to follow the science and calls for all US citizens to wear masks during his first 100 days in office should help slow the spread of new, highly contagious variants of the virus. Trump labelled Operation Warp Speed a monumental achievement, but vaccine distribution has been clumsy. Biden has pledged to accelerate vaccine distribution, but this will probably hit roadblocks, both around transportation and end-user delivery. Unlike Trump, Biden wants to distribute all vaccine doses immediately, rather than keep second doses in reserve. https://www.youtube.com/embed/RIkZl5yx1QE?wmode=transparent&start=0

Additional stimulus should mitigate some of the effects the pandemic has had on inequality, while an effective approach to public health and extensive vaccine roll-out should encourage an eventual return to economic growth.

2. Infrastructure and climate change

The American Society of Civil Engineers recently graded US infrastructure a D minus. Biden has pledged to invest US$2 trillion in roads, bridges, transit, housing, broadband, clean energy and other initiatives. He is pitching infrastructure as vital to boost US global competitiveness, increase national employment and curb climate change.

Infrastructure is often heralded as a rare policy issue where bipartisan compromise is feasible. Yet Trumps 2017 proposal to generate roughly US$1 trillion in investments faltered amid opposition.

Sweeping climate provisions pushed by progressives may now limit support for Bidens infrastructure agenda, since most opposition to infrastructure spending and climate-related measures comes from Republicans. A Democrat-controlled Congress may renew hopes for action, however, including rolling a pared-down set of infrastructure measures into a new stimulus.

Although infrastructure spending would fuel future economic growth and provide jobs in the short term, it would also increase government debt, which has risen during the pandemic from 106% to 136% of GDP.

3. Big tech

In 2019, the Department of Justice launched an antitrust investigation into some of Silicon Valleys most successful corporations. The first fruits recently emerged as cases were filed against Facebook and Google.

Regulation of big tech has been notably lax for several decades, even as questions arose about whether the firms spread into seemingly disparate operating arenas was in consumers interests. Theres now bipartisan appetite in Congress for tougher antitrust legislation and enforcement, and in some cases, break-ups.

Biden views break-ups as something we should take a really hard look at, but has also sounded notes of caution. His incoming administration has numerous ties to Silicon Valley. Even if break-ups dont occur, expect more active regulatory oversight from takeover activities to data privacy as well as greater transparency over the algorithms employed to both collect and disseminate information.

Regulatory reform in the tech sector will create some uncertainty among tech firms, especially if common monetisation practices for personal data become unworkable. However, reducing big techs grip on innovation and market share would likely increase consumer choice in the longer term.

4. Relations with China

In 2011, Biden said that a rising China is a positive, positive development for America and the world. Today, his rhetoric has done a 180-degree turn to become much more wary. But compared to Trumps gloves-off approach, Bidens task will be to evolve the current stalemate so that its not lose-lose.

Observers of all political stripes view Trumps trade war with China as an unmitigated economic disaster. Not only did he fail to achieve major concessions, the trade war slowed US economic growth.

Biden has said he will not immediately remove tariffs, but some forecasters expect them to be dialled back eventually. The new president will surely take a more diplomatic approach that engages more US allies in the region and expands the dialogue with China beyond trade to rules on investment and intellectual property and human rights.

The short-term use of existing tariffs as a bargaining chip will extend the trade wars negative impact on the US economy, but a mutually beneficial outcome to negotiations would be a welcome, if admittedly unlikely, development.

5. Relations with the UK and Europe

Many Democrats would like to see the US both harmonise trade relations with the EU and reinforce the special relationship with the UK, but dont expect Biden to broker a bevy of new economic alliances abroad.

Unfortunately for the UK, which has increasingly looked across the Atlantic in the wake of Brexit, Biden has pledged that he wont enter into any new trade agreements until [the US has] made major investments here at home. Biden is hardly an economic isolationist, but he does tout a more moderate stance toward free trade than Democratic predecessors Obama and Clinton, apparently hoping it might mute anti-globalist opposition.

Biden has also promised to re-engage with European allies and to take a more collaborative tone than Trump. Gaining allies in American efforts to reform the World Trade Organization will be one of Bidens first crucial tests on this front, with considerable bipartisan agreement in Washington over issues like the lengthy dispute settlement process and judicial overreach.

Whether Biden can get the EU to cooperate should offer an indication of how successful his international coalition-building might be.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Five economic effects from the Democratic sweep in Washington - Caribbean Business