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Relief and some concern at Xi Jinping’s trade speech

Apr 10, 2018
In the frequent exchanges on trade between the U.S. and China, it was Chinese President Xi Jinping’s turn to offer his country’s take. Speaking to the Boao Forum for Asia today, Xi struck a  conciliatory tone. He said China is committed to opening up its economy more to foreign businesses and products. So what do […]

Where do NAFTA renegotiations stand?

Apr 10, 2018
After seven rounds of brokering a revamped deal, there are still major sticking points to discuss between the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images

In a U.S.-China trade dispute, Iowa farmers may be the bargaining chips

Apr 5, 2018
With the announced Chinese tariffs on U.S. exports, things are looking pretty tough if you’re a farmer, and more so if you’re a farmer in Iowa. Five of the state’s central agriculture products — soybeans, corn, ethanol, beef and pork — would be hit if the tariffs go into effect. And that’s a big deal […]

Why the U.S. needs foreign steel imports

Mar 28, 2018
After Trump’s tariff announcement, manufacturers saw raw materials prices rise.
Hannibal Industries is the largest manufacturer of steel pallet racks in the United States.
Ben Hethcoat/Marketplace

Here’s how the U.S. would decide which Chinese products to hit with tariffs

Mar 27, 2018
This week or next the Trump administration is expected to announce a list of Chinese exports it could slap with tariffs to punish China for what it sees as unfair trade practices. Trade talks between the U.S. and China are ongoing, and markets are certainly hoping that two biggest economies in the world might keep […]

U.S. strikes more assertive note in trade relations

Mar 26, 2018
South Korea has become the first nation to be permanently exempted from President Donald Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs as part of a newly renegotiated free trade agreement between the two countries announced today. The Trump administration has used the possibility of tariffs as leverage in other trade issues as well, such as renegotiating the […]

China's carrot and stick approach to U.S. tariffs

Mar 26, 2018
The U.S. has accused the country of forcing American firms to transfer technology to gain access to its markets.
President Donald Trump has announced tariffs on as much as $60 billion worth of Chinese products. Above, a worker stands on a dock in Shanghai.
JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images

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American farmers are wary over possible trade war with China

Mar 23, 2018
Trade warriors are on the lookout for China to retaliate against the administration’s barrage of tariffs. A likely first target is agriculture — the U.S. exports massive amounts of sorghum and soybeans to China. In fact, China imports so much U.S. soy that some have said it can’t afford to restrict it with its own tariffs. […]

U.S. limits on Chinese investment could have big effect

Mar 22, 2018
The White House announced today a series of actions aimed at countering what it calls unfair Chinese trade practices. We got tariffs on $60 billion worth of Chinese goods each year, and we got litigation, with the U.S planning to sue China more at the WTO. And finally, the president says he’s going to limit […]

The Trump Administration’s options around tariffs and quotas

Feb 26, 2018
The Trump Administration is trying to figure out how to act on a campaign promise to make trade with China more fair. One thing the administration is considering is imposing tariffs or quotas on imports of steel and aluminum. The justification? National security. Here’s a look at the theory behind that connection, and the administration’s […]