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Solar panel import tax could net $1 billion this year

Jan 23, 2018
A 30 percent tariff on solar panels imported from China will help U.S. manufacturers, but even with ramped-up production those companies won’t be able to meet domestic demand. Solar power companies will still use lots of imported panels, and pay up to a billion dollars in tariffs this year, by one estimate.

With tax out of the way, trade will be on Trump’s January agenda

Jan 4, 2018
With a sweeping tax overhaul out of the way, trade could be the next big item on President Donald Trump’s agenda. In the next few weeks, he’ll be making decisions about protecting U.S. industries from global competition. But he’s facing pressure from those who say tariffs will only hurt the U.S. economy.  Click the audio […]

Final rules over washing machine import tax sits with President Trump

Nov 22, 2017
President Donald Trump has a new trade decision on his plate: whether to impose tariffs on imported washing machines. The International Trade Commission has recommended a 50 percent tax on some foreign manufacturers. This is the type of case with huge political leeway for the president, and other industries seeking protection are watching closely.  Click […]

A trio of proposed tariffs echo America's protectionist past

Nov 13, 2017
Proposed tariffs in three different industries — solar power, appliances and jets — echo the protectionist tariffs that helped deepen the Great Depression.
CESAR MANSO / Getty Images

The American protectionism bill that made the Great Depression worse

Aug 24, 2017
The Smoot-Hawley story you never learned in high school history class.
The Smoot-Hawley Tariff was a protectionist piece of legislation that raised tariffs on over 20,000 imported goods.
Ken Garduno, Illustrator

Solar tariffs request is dividing the industry

Jun 23, 2017
Cheap imported panels hurt manufacturers but are key to other solar businesses.
China went from producing very little of the world's solar equipment 20 years ago to becoming the leading producer.
John Moore/Getty Images

Trump administration hits Canada with new tariffs

Apr 25, 2017
The Commerce Department announced new tariffs of 3 percent to 24 percent on Canadian lumber companies, saying the Canadian government unfairly subsidizes the industry. Some American companies will have to pay the fee retroactively for orders delivered in the last 90 days. This debate has been ongoing for decades, and Canada denies it unfairly supports […]

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Why a steel tariff could hurt instead of help

Apr 20, 2017
President Trump could sign an executive order tomorrow triggering an investigation into competition in the steel industry. That in turn could lead to new tariffs on foreign steel. The idea would be to protect the U.S. steel industry, but often the imposition of tariffs can lead to unintended consequences. Click the audio player above to […]

Businesses are bracing for a Trump tsunami

Mar 3, 2017
With taxes, health care and trade deals up in the air, companies are worried.
With major trade policy change possible, companies are trying to understand border taxes and imports and exports.
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Retailers launch TV campaign to battle proposed tax on imported goods

Mar 2, 2017
Best Buy released earnings this week, at a time when retailers are concerned about the imposition of a border adjustment tax. The National Retail Federation has launched a media campaign hoping to win consumers over by pointing out how costs of everyday purchases will go up. The TV ad is airing on “Fox and Friends” […]