From galleons to globalization

We often think of globalization as a modern phenomenon, but nearly five centuries ago, Asia and Latin America were vibrant trading partners.

Spanish trading galleons regularly sailed across the Pacific Ocean between Manila and Acapulco, trading spices and silk from India and China for silver from the vast mines in Mexico and Peru. The ties between what was known as the East Indies and the West Indies were deep, and profitable.

Today, we are witnessing an intensification of those historic East-West ties and Asia and Latin America are two vital engines of growth on which the rest of the world's economies increasingly depend.