Tariffs

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 […]

President Trump's shifting stance on tariffs and trade pacts creates costly uncertainty for business.

The president built our trade wall a little bit higher this week. He signed off on new import taxes, or tariffs, on foreign-made washing machines and solar panels. China dominates the solar market but at the White House, Trump declared, “there won’t be a trade war.” Is he so sure the Chinese won’t retaliate?

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 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 […]

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 […]