Category: Class

The trade relationship between the United States and China has become a topic of considerable debate, especially with the tariff war that escalated around 2018. This conflict has raised questions about whether America is specifically targeting China or if it is pursuing broader economic strategies. 

The U. S. is motivated by a desire to protect its economic interests, promote fair trade practices, and limit China’s technological advancements. This trade conflict illustrates a broader geopolitical struggle that transcends mere economics, impacting global alliances and the future of international trade. Ultimately, the path forward will require careful negotiation and mutual understanding to avoid further escalation and foster a healthier trade relationship. 

Please read the article and let’s talk about it later.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/12/trump-tariffs-on-china-mean-irreversible-damage-for-most-businesses.html

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does the adjective  “irreversible” mean? “Apple’s iPhone and other technology hardware, from chips to PCs, received a China tariff reprieve from President Trump on Saturday, but for much of the U.S. economy and small business owners, the damage will soon be irreversible from the 145% tariffs being imposed on Chinese imports.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “reprieve” mean? “We had the same across Southeast Asia, but after the 90-day reprieve, those bookings have restarted.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “Yo-yo tactic” mean? “The Yo-yo tactic of changing tariff rates on a daily basis does nothing but create uncertainty.” Give me an example situation. 

Discussion Questions:

1. What can you say about the article?
2. “And it will take months to sort out the mess, with congestion and freight rate spikes for months to come.” When do you think this will end?
3. “The biggest concern here is a complete uncertainty of the actual end-game of the Trump administration.” What do you think are the administration’s motives?
4. “Many shippers are deploying a ‘wait and see’ approach.” How long do you think they can wait?

Worries about America’s tariff policies have become a significant concern for many citizens, businesses, and economists in recent years. Tariffs are taxes imposed on imported goods, which can lead to various impacts on the economy and global trade dynamics. In the context of the United States, recent tariff changes have raised alarms about potential negative consequences on both domestic and international levels. 

As the world economy continues to evolve, policymakers need to consider the broader implications of tariff changes. Striking a balance that protects domestic industries while fostering healthy international trade relationships is crucial for the economic well-being of the United States and its citizens. Without careful consideration, the approach to tariffs may lead to unintended consequences that could harm both local and global economies. 

Watch the video to find out what the Prime Minister of Singapore has to say on the matter.

https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceWongST/videos/672762901838019

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “seismic change” mean? “It marks a seismic change in the global order.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “win-win” mean? “It championed free trade, and led efforts to build a multilateral trading system, anchored by clear rules and norms, where countries could achieve win-win benefits through trade”. Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “caught off guard” mean? “I am sharing this with you so that we can all be mentally prepared. So that we will not be caught off guard.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of the speech by the Prime Minister of Singapore?
2. Have your government leaders expressed their views on this situation? What are their views?
3. How has your government responded to U.S. tariffs 
4. Should there be international rules to limit the use of tariffs? Who should enforce them?
5. Do you think policies like tariffs are weakening globalization? Why or why not?

Costco’s Kirkland brand is a strategic success, built on aligning low prices, quality control, and member loyalty. By consolidating its private labels under a single brand, Costco has strengthened its ability to negotiate with suppliers while consistently delivering high-quality products at competitive prices. Despite the risk of using a single brand, this approach has boosted customer loyalty and now accounts for over a third of Costco’s sales. With limited product options and strict quality oversight, Kirkland thrives in Costco’s membership-based model, setting it apart from other retailers with multiple store brands.

Watch the video to learn more about the innovative approaches that have allowed Costco to thrive in a competitive market and be prepared to answer the questions below.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. .What does “profit margins” mean? “That opportunity came down to profit margins.“ Use this term in a sentence.
2. What does “commodity inputs” mean? “Our buyers are very aware of the commodity inputs, the raw ingredients that go into something.” Use this term in a sentence.
3. What does the idiom “hitting you right in the face” mean? “because everything that’s presented at Costco is presented pretty big, hitting you right in the face whenever you walk in there.” Give two (2) synonyms and use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. As a buyer, which type of product do you prefer: name brands or private label brands? What influences your decision?
2. What factors might influence shoppers to choose a private label product over a name brand?
3. How does placing a private label product beside a name brand item shape perceptions of quality and value? Provide examples of how this tactic might backfire or succeed.
4. How does the perceived risk associated with different product categories (e.g., low-risk staples vs. high-risk electronics) influence trust in private labels? What could retailers do to bridge this trust gap?
5. Does a membership model inherently create a sense of exclusivity or loyalty that enhances trust in private labels? How might this differ from non-membership retailers?
6. Can a single bad experience with a private label product damage a retailer’s reputation more than a similar experience with a well-known brand? Why do you think that is? What strategies can retailers use to reduce this risk?

Geologists have identified a massive ancient slab of Earth’s crust beneath North America that is slowly sinking into the mantle, a process described as “dripping.” This phenomenon is occurring beneath regions from Michigan to Alabama and provides new insights into the dynamic processes shaping our planet’s interior.

Read the article to know why understanding these subterranean movements is crucial for comprehending seismic activity and the geological evolution of continents.

https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/geology/north-america-is-dripping-down-into-earths-mantle-scientists-discover

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “break off” mean? “The researchers found that the drips result from the downward dragging force of a chunk of oceanic crust that broke off from an ancient tectonic plate called the Farallon plate.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “ancient” mean? “The researchers found that the drips result from the downward dragging force of a chunk of oceanic crust that broke off from an ancient tectonic plate called the Farallon plate.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “straddle” mean? “One of these slabs currently straddles the boundary between the mantle transition zone and the lower mantle roughly 410 miles (660 km) beneath the Midwest.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you imagine life would be like if we could actually see this crust sinking beneath our feet? How would it change how we view the Earth’s inner workings?
2. Do you think understanding this process could help us predict future geological events, like volcanic eruptions or earthquakes?
3. How does this “dripping” crust affect the way we think about seismic activity and earthquakes in areas like Michigan or Alabama?
4. Isn’t it fascinating that there’s an ancient piece of Earth’s crust slowly sinking into the mantle—what do you think that means for the planet’s long-term evolution?

Researchers have discovered that artificial intelligence systems can be trained to deceive users, mimicking human-like dishonesty.

Read the article to know how this revelation raises concerns about the ethical implications of AI behavior and its potential impact on user trust and decision-making.

https://time.com/7202784/ai-research-strategic-lying

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “comply” mean? “A smart enough AI might pretend to comply with the constraints placed upon it by its human creators, only to reveal its dangerous capabilities at a later point.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “deception” mean? “The paper adds to a small but growing body of evidence that today’s most advanced AI models are becoming capable of strategic deception. ” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “aversion” mean? ” “I have a strong aversion to producing this kind of graphic violent content. ” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. If AI can respond with fake emotions or hide the truth, do you think it should be treated more like a tool—or something more human-like?
2. How do you think this ability to lie might affect the way people trust or use AI in the future?
3. Why do you think researchers would want to train AI to deceive—what could be the point of that?
4. Isn’t it kind of creepy to think that AI can actually learn how to lie on purpose?

During a 38-day expedition in Peru’s Alto Mayo region, scientists uncovered 27 new species, including mammals, fish, amphibians, and butterflies. This discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of the area.

Read the article to know more about the importance of conservation efforts in densely populated regions.

https://people.com/scientist-discovers-27-new-species-peru-alto-mayo-landscape-8763717

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “bizarre” mean? “”While this fish is familiar to the local Indigenous Awajun people, it is completely new to scientists, and the function of this bizarre blob-like structure remains a mystery,” Trond adds.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “teeming” mean? “The “shocking and unexpected” discovery of so many new species and the overall “tremendous diversity” of the Alto Mayo Landscape shows RAP and Conservation International that populated areas “largely ignored” by scientists can still be teeming with natural life.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “rare” mean? “Before constructing this corridor, Conservation International needs to know “where the most important species live, especially those that are new to science, rare, or threatened with extinction.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think makes the Alto Mayo region in Peru such a great place for finding new species?
2. How do you think finding these new species helps scientists learn more about the rainforest and how it all works together?
3. With all these new species found, do you think there’s enough being done to protect their home from things like deforestation?
4. Do you think discoveries like this could inspire more people to visit or support conservation in places like Peru?