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The article focuses on financial problems the economies and stock indexes of developing countries, including China and India, are seeing in 2008 as a result of a slowing economy in the U.S. and fears of a global recession. A discussion of a reliance the economies have on the strength of the U.S. economy and on exports to rich countries, including the U.S., is presented.

The article focuses on the changes in world politics created by the surge in petroleum prices in 2007. Oil producing nations such as Russia enjoy increased influence due to sudden wealth, while manufacturing countries such as India and China are struggling to maintain growth despite the higher costs of fuel and energy. The negative effects are greatest in developing countries which are also oil importers.

The article reports that the cost of shipping raw materials by ocean transport has reached a record high, pushing up prices of almost all basic commodities. The price of renting a ship to transport materials to and from Brazil and Asia has tripled from 2006-2007. A shortage of bulk ships is the problem, as construction of freighters has not kept pace with demand from materials-hungry developing countries such as China. New freighters will not ease the problem until 2009 at the earliest.

Reports that global trade negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) conference in Cancun, Mexico, have collapsed in a dispute between rich and developing nations who failed to bridge differences over farm subsidies. Amount of farm subsidies paid yearly that developing nations claim has depressed worldwide crop prices, making it difficult for their own farmers to compete; Why developing nations had no interest in negotiating trade-enhancing measures such as investment rules and anti-trust policies; Comments from Richard Bernal, a top negotiator for the Caribbean countries, on what is the next step for global trade talks; Impact of a complete breakdown in trade talks for U.S. companies and the WTO.

Focuses on the Surat Thani Province in Thailand as the center of a rural economic boom created by China's demand for cars. Importance of Thailand as the largest producer and exporter of natural rubber; Increase in demand, thanks largely to China, and a consequent increase in prices; Part of a broader surge in global commodity prices; Controversy over whether Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's popularity is merely a benefit of a cyclical economic upturn.