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Scott Tong

Correspondent

Scott Tong is a former correspondent for Marketplace. He reported on sustainability issues (energy, climate, environment, resources) for Marketplace, as well as the U.S.-China technology relationship, frequently described as “fraught.” He is Marketplace’s former China bureau chief. What was your first job? English-language audiotape (yes, tape) voice-over work. Sixth grade.Taiwan. What advice do you wish someone had given you before you started this career? Show up an hour before the interview. Fill in the blank: Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you ______. Gas for kid carpools; Washington Capitals hockey tickets. What is something that everyone should own, no matter how much it costs? Smoker (plus wooden slotted spoon). What’s your most memorable Marketplace moment? Sneaking into Burma for twenty bucks.

Latest from Scott Tong

  • Aug 10, 2018

    Consumer price index released as inflationary pressures increase

    New inflation numbers were released Friday morning, and it’s a curious thing: the economy is going strong and consumers are spending, which tends to push prices up. And yet, we haven’t seen all that show up in the inflation numbers yet. Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

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  • Aug 8, 2018

    Can the U.S. stop all oil exports from Iran?

    An oil facility on Khark Island, on the shore of the Persian Gulf, in 2017.
    ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Image

    The Trump administration looks to cut the Iranian economy from a key source of revenue. Analysts say past sanctions weren't totally able to do that.

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  • Aug 2, 2018

    Why Trump’s looser emission standards are mixed blessing for automakers

    Why Trump’s looser emission standards are mixed blessing for automakers

    13 states are challenging the proposal.

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  • Jul 30, 2018

    Here’s how the EPA might be different under Andrew Wheeler

    Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler waits to testify before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee August 1, 2018 in Washington, DC. Wheeler testified during the committee's hearing titled 'Examining EPA's Agenda: Protecting the Environment and Allowing America's Economy to Grow.'
    Win McNamee/Getty Images

    The acting head of the Environmental Protection Agency appears to be approaching his job differently than his predecessor, Scott Pruitt, at least in the early going. Andrew Wheeler is likely to still advance President Donald Trump’s push to dispense of industry regulations, but observers say he’s doing it in a more careful way compared to […]

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  • Jul 27, 2018

    The EPA says TCE causes cancer, so why hasn’t it been banned?

    A view of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headquarters on March 16, 2017 in Washington, DC. 
    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

    With the chemical industry challenging the cancer link, the agency has held off on action.

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  • Jul 26, 2018

    In a trade war, China has weapons in its arsenal beyond tariffs

    Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf speaks during a press event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the 2014 International CES on January 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from January 7-10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees.
    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

    The American semiconductor titan Qualcomm found itself in the crosshairs of the US-China trade spat when its mega deal — as in $44 billion dollars — to buy a Dutch chip-maker has cleared every global regulatory approval required — except in China. With no approval from China in sight and a deadline looming at midnight tonight, Qualcomm […]

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  • Jul 21, 2018

    And now, a currency war?

    A man looks at information posted on a bank door showing how to distinguish real banknotes in Beijing on July 20, 2018. - China's yuan continued its steady decline on July 20, defying US President Donald Trump's warning over the dollar's rise and providing Beijing with a buffer against punitive trade tariffs imposed by Washington. 
    WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images

    President Donald Trump today accused Beijing of manipulating its currency. This is not a new charge. But what has occurred is an 8 percent fall in the Chinese currency against the dollar since the trade spat began in the spring. That helps Chinese exporters, because it effectively makes their products cheaper.   Click the audio […]

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  • Jul 9, 2018

    Tariffs just one headwind for China’s economy

    Today is day four of the tariff battle — some call it war — between the U.S. and China. Whether it’ll cause major economic damage depends who you ask. We step back to assess the Chinese economy in this fragile moment and how its transition from a middle-income country to a rich one is going. Click the audio […]

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  • Jul 6, 2018

    Pruitt out, but not many changes expected at EPA

    Environmental activists protest outside of the Harvard Club where Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt was scheduled to speak, June 20, 2017 in New York City.
    Drew Angerer/Getty Images

    Supporters, foes and independent observers of the Trump administration agree that deregulation will remain a top priority.

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  • Jun 14, 2018

    U.S. tariffs boost trade tensions and protectionist theory

    A worker trims a newly cast steel slab at the NLMK Indiana steel mill in March in Portage, Indiana.
    Scott Olson/Getty Images

    Beijing has special rules for the industries of tomorrow while Washington is protecting aging sectors.

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