Supply Chain Research

Global export order expectations are out of sync, raising the prospect that the prolonged expansion in world trade may be at risk. The latest ISM survey of American business had an export component of 59.8% (over 50% represents expansion), above December’s 57.6% and the highest since April 2011. That matches the increasingly upbeat outlook in France (which is at December 2007 highs) and the U.K. However, managers in Germany have become less positive and those in China expect a contraction. For now it appears U.S. business does not expect radical protectionism. Import order expectations o...