Since the end of World War II and the birth of the modern global economy, business leaders have come to accept an iron law: International trade always expands faster than economic growth. Between the late 1940s and 2013, that assumption held true. Trade grew roughly twice as fast as the world economy annually, as fresh markets opened up, governments signed free-trade pacts, new industries and consumers emerged, and technological advances made international trade cheaper and faster. Now this iron law may be crumbling.

A four-million-square-foot logistics development in the Northwest of England has taken a further step forward. Leading UK regeneration specialist Harworth Estate has confirmed the outline planning approval already granted by the local authority (Bolton Council) for Logistics North, which will be the largest distribution, logistics and employment site in Greater Manchester.

It's supposed to be a trade dispute between the U.S. and China over solar cells. But that's not the real story.

Kewill, a vendor of supply-chain execution software, has made enhancements to its multi-country customs-compliance application, Kewill CustomsXchange.