Supply Chain Research

Relations between South Korea and China are showing signs of normalizing after a deal was reached to progress talks on a services and investment free trade agreement. South Korea’s prior decision to install the American THAAD missile system had led to a breakdown in relations. The major corporate casualty was the retailer Lotte, which saw boycotts and regulatory pressure against its Chinese supermarkets. Most of its supply chain was China-based, with just $35 million of imports in the past year vs. $495 million of revenues. Its imports had fallen 44% on a year earlier and 52% vs. 2013. L...