As the world's factory, it should not be surprising that China has had to expand its search for raw resources well beyond its borders. Over the past few years China has become a major global investor into resource extraction industries—oil, gas, minerals, timber, and agricultural products.

U.S.-China cooperation in the power sector could be an important driver of economic growth in both countries, according to a new report discussed at the Woodrow Wilson Center on October 6th.

Richard Wike, Associate Director, Pew Global Attitudes Project; Juliana Menasce Horowitz, Senior Researcher, Pew Global Attitudes ProjectCommentators: Paulo Sotero, Director, Brazil Institute, Woodrow Wilson Center; Ricardo Mendes, Managing Partner, Prospectiva Consulting

Governments use a number of measures to support the production and use of biofuels; in the United States biofuels subsidies totaled nearly $6 billion in 2009. Corn use for ethanol in the United States has expanded corn demand by nearly 30%, driving corn prices, along with prices of other commodities, higher. Panelists discussed whether such support should be considered as agricultural subsidies and about whether and how such support is being notified to the WTO.