Global trade activity expanded for a 69th straight month in October after rising by 4%. The 12 month average, if sustained for the full year, would make 2017 the fastest growing year for trade since 2011. Japan did best among the developed economies with a 6% expansion in exports, while the U.S. accelerated to 3%. The latter may slow based on recent port data. An emerging Asia slowdown to 3% from 11% will prove temporary based on data from China and India, and business sentiment remains positive. 2018 will prove more challenging though as the clouds of protectionism gather. The U.S. Nati...