In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, one of the victims of increasing security concerns in the United States was Canada-U.S. trade. "Security trumps trade" became the new U.S. policy principle as myriad additional verifications of freight and individuals crossing the Canada-U.S. border were put in place to protect against potential terrorist threats. 

In a recent survey of 60 executives from several MAPI councils, 40% of respondents said that counterfeit versions of their products are a significant problem. But as one R&D executive told us, "It's hard to put a value on the true cost of counterfeiting, since the degree is only what you are aware of and what you find." 

The facts are in. The statistics are clear. Old manufacturing processes and procedures are out. New less-water-wasting, lower-energy-using, conflict-and-child-labor-free manufacturing is in. What better time than now to proclaim 2012 as the year of the sustainable manufacturer?

Intense discussion of the eurozone financial crisis has centered on fiscal accounts and the banking sector. Little attention has been paid to the impact on trade beyond the obvious fact that if there is slower eurozone growth, import growth will also be down. The adverse trade impact of the eurozone on third countries, however, and on U.S. exports of manufactures in particular, is significant and growing, and faces uncertain prospects ahead.