By Wayne Arnold

The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.

There’s pain lurking behind China’s latest feel-good economic headlines. Although the monthly consumer inflation rate was surprisingly high, producer prices are falling. A monthly $5.35 billion trade surplus hides a decline in export growth rates. If the authorities in China considered rapid GDP growth the highest economic good, such signs of relative economic weakness might encourage them to introduce monetary and fiscal stimuli. But the reformers taking the reins in Beijing may be content to let the economy suffer short-term pain for the sake of longer-term gains.

By Wayne Arnold

The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.

Apple scores points for pushing to improve conditions for workers in China churning out its iPhones and iPads. But change was inevitable. Yes, Apple commissioned the probe of Foxconn. But the problems uncovered at the Taiwanese company’s factories in mainland China were already well-publicised. Apple may have also jumped before it was pushed. It should now sidestep any crackdown on abuse by Beijing by prompting Foxconn – at long last – to comply with China’s labour laws.

By Wayne Arnold

The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.

Taiwanese money can’t save Sharp from Korea’s Samsung. Foxconn’s $1.6 billion investment buys Japan’s electronics company time. The deal gives Sharp cash and the promise of wider sales too, but does nothing to reduce a global glut in flat-panel screens. Like Sony, Panasonic and Toshiba, Sharp has for too long insisted on fighting for cutthroat markets where it’s no longer competitive. As Hitachi has shown, withdrawal may be the best option.

By Wayne Arnold

The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.

Indonesia is overplaying its hand with foreign investors. A decree forcing foreign miners to cut their stakes in projects below 50 percent demonstrates a worrying disregard for overseas capital. Indonesia’s finances are robust, but ongoing fuel supply issues, caused by a lack of energy investment, show it can’t afford to play too rough.

By Wayne Arnold

The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.

Japan’s remarkable recovery from last year’s tragic earthquake leaves big lessons unlearned. The economy bounced back more quickly than expected after March’s earthquake, tsunami and resulting nuclear leak. But the government flunked a bigger test by failing to push through painful reforms. Now Japan is a year older, deeper in debt and facing the same economic downward spiral it was in before the catastrophe.

By Wayne Arnold

The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.

China watchers are in denial over the likelihood of a property crash. While politicians openly worry about China’s too-expensive houses, economists polled by Reuters in January still think 2012’s GDP will grow by 8.3 percent. That’s too optimistic. Here are the frequently heard examples of wishful thinking.

By Wayne Arnold

The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.

Beijing will almost certainly say it wants to see the euro zone survive at their joint summit on Feb. 14. If so, it should pony up – not by lending directly, but via the International Monetary Fund’s $1 trillion rescue package. That way China not only has a better chance of getting paid back, but may also win a bigger role at the world’s currency watchdog.

By Wayne Arnold

The author is a Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are his own. 

Asia may no longer offer multinationals a refuge from economic storms. Export-dependent Asia is succumbing to lackluster growth in developed markets, sapping a key source of growth for the likes of Caterpillar, DuPont and UPS.