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For a profitable barge line on the Mississippi, it is "still too expensive to grow"

Jul 25, 2023
"Even though our business is good, we're not seeing any growth," said Austin Golding, CEO of Golding Barge Lines in Mississippi.
Golding has also been working to improve work-life balance for his employees, saying, "When I ask you to come live at work, and work floats around the country, that's a big ask."
Mario Tama/Getty Images

When Yellen gets to China, just sitting down and talking will indicate progress

Jul 3, 2023
But there's no shortage of issues to discuss between the world's two largest economies.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will meet with Chinese officials this week.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Boosting chip production is “an investment in America’s national security,” Commerce secretary says

Apr 25, 2023
“The stakes are so high” when it comes to making the U.S. a leader in this key technology, says Gina Raimondo.
“The stakes are so high” when it comes to making the U.S. a leader in semiconductors, says Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Will Britain’s new trade deal with the Pacific Rim make a success out of Brexit?

Apr 20, 2023
Some say U.K. membership of the Trans-Pacific Partnership will make up for any trade lost with the European Union after Brexit. But others have their doubts.
Above, signatories of CPTPP in 2018. Combined, the countries included are slated to account for 54% of global economic growth in the decades ahead.
Claudio Reyes/AFP via Getty Images

In China's most locked-down city, business can resume but recovery is a long way off

Feb 21, 2023
The Chinese city of Ruili, on the border with Myanmar, has had more lockdowns than almost any other place in China.
A jade seller and two women stare at their cellphones in Ruili. Vendors are trickling back to the Jiegao jade market, but customers are few and far between.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

New trade data shows weakening demand

Jan 5, 2023
Imports fell more than exports.
"One of the things I think is a commonality across both imports and exports is a weakening of new orders,” said Eric Freedman at U.S. Bank. 
Gregor Fischer/Getty Images

Despite challenging economic year, U.S. Trade Ambassador sees "a lot of accomplishments"

Dec 21, 2022
From the launch of the IPEF, to defusing trade tension with the E.U., U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai has had a busy year.
"This is not a partisan position. This is about the totality of the United States economy,"  said U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai. Above, Tai in November.
Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP via Getty Images

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Global trade could slow down in the coming year, WTO says

Oct 5, 2022
The World Trade Organization predicts economic shocks like higher interest rates and energy prices will slow the growth of global trade in 2023.
The WTO now estimates global trade will grow by just 1% in the coming year.
Gregor Fischer/Getty Images

Climate change is impacting the Panama Canal — and the trade that moves through it

Sep 5, 2022
Officials are searching for a way to increase the flow of water without disrupting the environment and Panamanian society.
Freighters enter the Panama Canal on the Atlantic side. As droughts and storms become more common, the canal needs to find fresh sources of water and new ways to store it. 
Searagen/Getty Images

Should the U.S. try to restrict high-tech American companies from investing in China?

Aug 2, 2022
The proposal is part of a larger competition package being considered in Congress.
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai explains why addressing economic coercion from China is a challenge.
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