Identifying Opportunities in Economic & Regulatory Trends

1. Germany in recession as economy shrinks 2.2% in 1st quarter.

• 1A: https://www.clickorlando.com/business/2020/05/15/german-economy-shrinks-22-in-1st-quarter-as-virus-hits/
• 1B: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries around the world (besides the United States) are encountering economic issues such as drops in "factory orders...industrial production...and exports". 
• 1C: A prototypical customer for this opportunity could be the German government and the European Union as they faced a decline in "Europe's biggest economy."
• 1D: The opportunity is both relatively easy and difficult to exploit because Germany has one of Europe's biggest economies, but also it is a part of the European Union, which could have some difficulties passing legislation within a quickly and efficiently fashion. 
• 1E: I formed this belief that an opportunity exists because the article compares Germany's status to other countries in the European Union, and Germany has not faced a recession of that amount since 1990. As a person who promotes international understanding and continuously strives for change, I want to see Germany place high as one of the fastest countries to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic because of its position before and during, but there are no promises. 

2. China economy better but vital consumer demand still feeble.

• 2A: https://www.clickorlando.com/business/2020/05/15/china-economy-better-but-vital-consumer-demand-still-feeble/
• 2B: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is tough to get Chinese citizens to spend money on consumer goods. The country is relying on the fact that "economic growth now relies largely on domestic demand" (Wu). 
• 2C: A prototypical customer for this opportunity could be the Chinese government as they rule China's Communist Party and "push to revive normal activity."
• 2D: The opportunity is relatively difficult to exploit because China has released a report that "shows only small and gradual improvements in economic activity." To encourage consumer spending, the country has distributed "shopping vouchers, cut taxes, and promised entrepreneurs low-interest loans." 
• 2E: I formed this belief that an opportunity exists because the article mentions that China has a controlled government because of Chinese Communism. Chinese Communism has allowed them to prosper as a country because there are over 1 billion people who live there. It is essential to understand Chinese Communism can't be compared to Russian, Cuban, or Vietnam Communism because they are all very different. As a person who has had the opportunity to go see China and understand the perspective of a Chinese resident, I have strong feelings that what she mentioned that the Communist Revolution of China being one of the most important in Chinese history is accurate because it unified all the Chinese people for years to come. 

3. Businesses face new challenges as restrictions are put into place amid coronavirus pandemic.

• 3A: https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2020/05/28/businesses-face-new-challenges-as-restrictions-are-put-into-place-amid-coronavirus-pandemic/
• 3B: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the safety of citizens has been of utmost concern. An opportunity exists in this situation because it is hinting on a new regulation to "encourage downtown area businesses to share their reopening and safety plans."
• 3C: A prototypical customer for this opportunity could be local business owners who are being directly affected by the change COVID-19 has brought on and have been working to satisfy their customers' needs. 
• 3D: The opportunity is both relatively easy and trying to exploit because, in the case, it can be easily achieved if it is done correctly and efficiently. But it can be difficult if the legislation is slow and lingering to fully make progress and growth. 
• 3E: I formed this belief that an opportunity exists because the market has faced severe challenges in the past with that of the Great Depression. As an American, I hope to see and believe in the face of conflict and that if we (as a country) could get out of a contraction in the American economy just like in the 1929 recession and rise as a global superpower again in the following years after, with a series of progressive reforms, anything is possible. 

4. COVID-19 data sharing with law enforcement sparks concern.

• 4A: https://www.clickorlando.com/news/politics/2020/05/19/covid-19-data-sharing-with-law-enforcement-sparks-concern/
• 4B: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the privacy of citizens who have contracted the COVID-19 virus has been a concern among several states. 
• 4C: A prototypical customer for this opportunity could be local governments who have been attempting to report on those infected with the COVID-19 as there is a justification to support the trust with the law enforcement as they have access to more confidential information. 
• 4D: The opportunity is relatively easy to exploit because the article mentions that police officers have kept confidential information such as social security of prisoners or/and those arrested hidden from the public for a long time. Personally, I believe that the police officers shouldn't have access to that information as it would probably be of no use to them because they don't have any medical expertise. 
• 4E: I formed this belief that an opportunity exists because it is an issue that our government is addressing at the given time. I really have strong feelings that can see how knowing the names of those with the virus could create more discrimination and divide America further when we should be unified at the current circumstances. The statistics (number of cases) in the area should be the only things that should be provided to law enforcement.