The Rise of the “Unfree” World
Signs of a growing backlash against the liberal world order are becoming hard to ignore, says John Hancock.
John Hancock
Senior Counsellor at the World Trade Organization
John Hancock works at the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, where he has served as senior policy advisor to the Director-General, representative to the IMF and World Bank, and head of investment issues. He also coordinated the WTO's Aid-for-Trade initiative, and was secretary of the 2006 Task Force on the subject. Prior to the WTO, Mr. Hancock was senior advisor to Canada's trade minister. He has also been a guest lecturer at Cambridge University, IMD, and the University of St Gallen. He holds a PhD in economic history from Cambridge, and has written and spoken frequently on international issues.
Most Recent Posts
The G20 Can’t Govern Itself, Let Alone the World Economy
The G20 talks a lot about “growth targets”. The problem is it never gets past talking, says John Hancock.
A Lever to Move the World
John Hancock on how the closing of the Canada-EU free trade agreement could move the global free trade agenda ahead.
Nelson Mandela: A Hero For Our Time
John Hancock on how Nelson Mandela sits above the petty political squabbles and scandals that so many of our leaders today are afflicted by.
Canada’s Wasted Years
John Hancock on the Harper government’s empty legacy at home and abroad.
Taking Global Trade for Granted
The WTO’s successes are making us dangerously complacent about the future of global trade argues John Hancock
Thick as BRICS
John Hancock on why the BRICS Summit is a meeting of rivals more than allies.
The Mother of All Trade Blocs
John Hancock on why the proposed U.S.-EU trade deal could revitalize global trade co-operation, or end it.
1930s Redux?
John Hancock on why the parallels between the economy of the 1930s and the economy today are becoming hard to ignore.
America’s Farcical Decline
John Hancock on the tawdry soap opera enveloping America’s top military men.
With Allies Like These, Who Needs Enemies?
France is supposed to be Canada’s ally, but they don’t always act like it.
Living in Glass Houses
Don’t fault the UN for international dysfunction – we’re all partially to blame says John Hancock.
The End of Progress?
Have we reached the end of technological progress? John Hancock isn’t betting on it.
The Wrong Trade Agreement
Canada has finally been allowed to join the TPP. Now why do we want in again?
Rage Against the Machine
The French election results prove once again that voters are fed up with mainstream political parties.
After the Commodity Boom
John Hancock speculates on the fate of the Canadian economy if commodity prices fall.
The Secret of China’s Success
Culture and work ethic are fueling China’s rise, not low wages or currency manipulation, says John Hancock.
Quitting Kyoto: Un-Canadian
Caring and compassionate Canada has morphed overnight into Canada the selfish, says Hancock.
Top Four Reasons We Should Ignore Rankings (But Won’t)
Hancock is skeptical of end-of-year rankings as Warren Buffett plummets from the top of Foreign Policy‘s list.
War or Peace
China’s economy will overtake that of the U.S. in 5 years. “Do dollars equal tanks?” Hancock wonders.
Power to the People
Does globalization hijack democratic choice or thrive on it? Hancock asks, as Grecians protest.
The Club That Matters
The solutions to global threats rest with Chinamerica, not the G20, argues Hancock.
The Great Confusion
John Hancock advises that the one certainty about today’s economy is its subjection to technological change.
Globalization’s Achilles Heel
John Hancock writes on Europe’s crisis and identifies the ‘Achilles heel of globalization.’
An Orderly Anarchy
If the United States no longer runs the world—as most […]
Irrational Pessimism
Chaotic stock markets, spiralling debt crises, weakening growth, rioting in […]
JB Rules. For Now.
Mao Tse-tung famously observed that “power grows out of the […]
It’s getting harder to run the world – so spare some sympathy for the French.
Christine Lagarde, recently French Finance Minister, has finally been confirmed […]
Peace Can Be Dangerous
I feel privileged to be in such creative company—and really […]