China’s President Hu Jintao just concluded on a victorious trip Havana on Tuesday - expanding a trade pact that could divert commodities from open spot markets.

Japan’s stock market has been in a long, secular bear market for two decades. But that has been punctuated by fierce rallies. Martin Hutchinson says another spike could be on the cards next year as the Nikkei tests its 2003 low. He picks three Japanese stocks with a strong bounce potential in a market recovery.

Whether you agree with them or not, the bailout programs will keep on coming. Keith Fitz-Gerald looks at the key impact these will have on the dollar, commodities and global stocks. He says we could be in line for a market rebound by mid-2009, and suggests six ways to prepare your portfolio now.

While the Bush administration clings to trickle-down economics, the Chinese government has embarked on an aggressive ground-up program - creating tens of thousands of jobs, to stimulate its economy.

Global markets are soaring today on renewed bailout efforts. But Irwin Greenstein says its probably not a good idea to jump back in to these emerging markets just yet. As always, China will be the bellwether for a sustainable recovery. And commodity prices will remain crucial for resource-rich nations.

Almost everything has been taken down by this crisis. But Martin Hutchinson says some markets will “bounce big” after the storm passes. Countries that didn’t have a housing boom and follow sound economic policies. That’s why Canada, Brazil, South Korea and Germany are great places to invest right now.

The recent devastation in global stock markets makes US bears look relatively cuddly. Japan’s Nikkei index is hitting 26-year lows. And the resurgent Yen is creating even more problems for Japanese exporters. Andrew Snyder says companies like Sony (NYSE:SNE) and Toyota (NYSE:TM) face a very difficult period ahead.

You can stick a fork in the U.S. economy. It’s done. Hope for an abbreviated European slowdown has also evaporated. So now the world turns its desperate eyes towards the developing world. And it ain’t looking good there either.

Another mouth-watering currency play from Jack Crooks. Of the Asian states, Thailand’s export-based economy is most exposed to a US recession. And political instability could accelerate capital flight. Jack says this means the Thai baht will likely drop like a stone.

Irwin Greenstein says credit crisis fallout will send many former execs (and their money) overseas.