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

We dodged another government shutdown

Mar 23, 2018
It was a busy week in Washington.
President Donald Trump gestures to the $1.3 trillion spending bill passed by Congress early Friday, with Vice President Mike Pence, center, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, left, at the White House.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images

EU escapes U.S. steel tariffs; frets over what comes next

Mar 23, 2018
In Brussels, there’s been little sign of rejoicing that the European Union, along with some other major U.S. trading partners, has dodged, for now, the steep steel and aluminum tariffs that went into effect today. The exemption is temporary, short and conditional. French President Emmanuel Macron said the exemption was “not considered satisfactory.” German Chancellor […]

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 […]

Why U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum are a big moment for the WTO

Mar 20, 2018
President Donald Trump’s import duties on steel and aluminum take effect Friday. The Europeans have already drawn up their list of retaliatory items. There’s serious talk at the White House of extra tariffs on Chinese products and counterthreats to take the United States to the World Trade Organization. It handles commercial disputes among its 164-member […]

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Companies and countries seek tariff exemptions

Mar 19, 2018
A beer trade group with members that sell the beverage in aluminum cans. Companies that want to show their products have a role in national security. And foreign trading blocs like the European Union. All these entities are trying to figure out the new rules when it comes to applying for exemptions from tariffs on […]

"We were using duct tape and string to try to hold the thing together"

Mar 16, 2018
We get a preview of Kai's interview with Tim Geithner, Henry Paulson and Ben Bernanke.
Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images

Europe mulls retaliation for possible U.S. tariffs

Mar 16, 2018
Fearing for its steel producers, the EU warns of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports.
European Union trade commissioner Cecilia Malmström gives a press conference at the European Commission Headquarters in Brussels on March 7, 2018.
ARIS OIKONOMOU/AFP/Getty Images