Experts in the News

China's slowing economic growth and unease about its ability to contain the coronavirus outbreak are casting doubt on the country's near term future. “We export a lot of agriculture and some energy, which we’re hoping to increase,” said Steven Lewis, China Studies fellow. “These are things the Chinese need. But there’s a lot of businesspeople in China who say the outlook is bad."

Are the delayed Iowa caucus results a harbinger of things to come for Democrats? What are the implications for Texas? Experts Mark Jones and Dan Wallach discussed the meltdown.

If the new trade deal works over time, "it will raise the wages of a lot of Mexican workers. That's one area where he and Mr. Trump pretty much think alike, because Mr. Trump thinks if you raise Mexican wages, fewer people will move the factories or expand their factories in Mexico," said fellow David Gantz.

More than 18% of Texans are uninsured, the highest rate in the country. “Even if patients are getting free or reduced care, someone has to pay for it,” said Marah Short, associate director of the Center for Health and Biosciences. “That is raising the cost for everyone.”

The peace plan revealed on Tuesday cannot succeed without the involvement of the Palestinians, said Ambassador Edward Djerejian. "In the past we had the Israelis and the Palestinians either indirectly or in direct negotiations ... It seems to me [the plan] is more about politics — domestic politics in Israel and maybe even domestic politics in our country where the president is under impeachment, and he's coming up to an election and wants to table this and move on."