WEATHER ALERT
Top US trade official sees progress in helping workers. Voters will decide if her approach continues
Read full article: Top US trade official sees progress in helping workers. Voters will decide if her approach continuesAs the U.S. trade representative, Katherine Tai is legally required to avoid discussing this yearโs presidential election.
Trump or Biden? Either way, US seems poised to preserve heavy tariffs on imports
Read full article: Trump or Biden? Either way, US seems poised to preserve heavy tariffs on importsPresident Joe Biden and Donald Trump agree on essentially nothing, from taxes and climate change to immigration and regulation.
US suggests possibility of penalties if production of Chinese electric vehicles moves to Mexico
Read full article: US suggests possibility of penalties if production of Chinese electric vehicles moves to MexicoThe Biden administration is suggesting the possibility that new penalties could be put in place if the Chinese makers of electric vehicles try to move their production to Mexico to avoid newly announced import taxes.
Japan to reinstate South Korea as preferred trade nation from July 21 as two sides improve ties
Read full article: Japan to reinstate South Korea as preferred trade nation from July 21 as two sides improve tiesJapan announced Tuesday a decision to reinstate South Korea as a preferred nation with fast-track trade status from July 21, virtually ending a four-year economic row that was strained during their bitter historic disputes.
Yellen calls for better US-China relations as tensions rise
Read full article: Yellen calls for better US-China relations as tensions riseTreasury Secretary Janet Yellen has struck a conciliatory tone while talking about strained U_S_-China relations, saying the nations โneed to find a way to live together.โ.
Trade envoy Tai says US not seeking to 'decouple' from China
Read full article: Trade envoy Tai says US not seeking to 'decouple' from ChinaU_S_ Trade Representative Katherine Tai says Washington is not seeking to decouple the American economy from China's and that U_S_ trade sanctions against Beijing are โnarrowly targeted.โ.
US, EU agree to intensify talks on 'green subsidies' dispute
Read full article: US, EU agree to intensify talks on 'green subsidies' disputeThe United States and European Union have agreed to intensify talks to resolve EU concerns over major subsidies for American companies contained in a U.S. clean energy law.
EU: US electric vehicle tax credit reduces buyers' choices
Read full article: EU: US electric vehicle tax credit reduces buyers' choicesThe European Union trade chief says a new U.S. tax credit aimed at encouraging Americans to buy electric vehicles could eventually backfire and limit choices for American consumers.
US demands talks on Mexican energy policies it calls unfair
Read full article: US demands talks on Mexican energy policies it calls unfairThe United States is putting pressure on Mexico over energy policies that Washington says unfairly favor Mexico's state-owned electricity and oil companies over American competitors and clean-energy suppliers.
Chinese envoy expresses concern over US tariffs with Yellen
Read full article: Chinese envoy expresses concern over US tariffs with YellenThe Chinese government says its envoy to trade war talks with Washington has expressed concern about U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports during a phone call with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
China demands US stop trade talks with Taiwan
Read full article: China demands US stop trade talks with TaiwanChinaโs government has accused Washington of jeopardizing peace after U.S. envoys began trade talks with Taiwan aimed at deepening relations with the self-ruled island democracy claimed by Beijing.
US, others say APEC walkout aimed at Russia over invasion
Read full article: US, others say APEC walkout aimed at Russia over invasionThe United States and four other nations emphasized their support for host nation Thailand after they walked out of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group meeting in Bangkok.
The AP Interview: US trade rep. sees opportunity in recovery
Read full article: The AP Interview: US trade rep. sees opportunity in recoveryThe top U.S. trade negotiator says with world economies all suffering from more than two years of the coronavirus pandemic and global supply problems exacerbated by Russiaโs invasion of Ukraine, the United States has an โincredible opportunityโ to engage with other nations and forge new partnerships and agreements.
China rejects US trade complaint, criticizes Washington
Read full article: China rejects US trade complaint, criticizes WashingtonChina has rejected a U.S. accusation that Beijing is failing to live up to its market-opening commitments in a new round of complaints as companies wait for the two governments to restart talks on ending a tariff war.
US files 1st USMCA environment case on Mexico over porpoise
Read full article: US files 1st USMCA environment case on Mexico over porpoiseThe U.S. Trade Representative's Office has filed the first environmental complaint against Mexico for failing to protect the critically endangered vaquita marina, the world's smallest porpoise.
US and Japan reach deal to make most steel imports tax-free
Read full article: US and Japan reach deal to make most steel imports tax-freeU.S. government officials say they have reached an agreement to essentially lift the 25% tariff that former President Donald Trump imposed on imported Japanese steel.
Asian shares slip in cautious trading, shrug off US rally
Read full article: Asian shares slip in cautious trading, shrug off US rallyAsian shares have slipped in cautious trading despite a rally on Wall Street led by technology companies and banks that erased most of the losses from a sell-off the day before.
China trade envoy, US Treasury secretary meet by video
Read full article: China trade envoy, US Treasury secretary meet by videoChinaโs chief economic envoy and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen have held their first meeting by video but the two sides gave no indication when negotiations on ending their tariff war might resume.
US, Chinese trade war envoys talk; no sign of negotiations
Read full article: US, Chinese trade war envoys talk; no sign of negotiationsU.S. and Chinese trade envoys have talked by phone for the first time since President Joe Biden took office, but the two sides gave no sign when negotiations on ending their tariff war might restart.
EU ministers seek to cement trade ties with Biden team
Read full article: EU ministers seek to cement trade ties with Biden teamEuropean Union and U.S. top trade officials used a virtual meeting to cement recent advances in settling some key differences that have soured trans-Atlantic relations over the past years.
US files first trade complaint with Mexico under USMCA
Read full article: US files first trade complaint with Mexico under USMCAThe United States has filed its first labor complaint involving Mexico under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, after an old-guard union was caught destroying ballots at a General Motors plant in northern Mexico.
US to launch trade talks on COVID-19 vaccine distribution
Read full article: US to launch trade talks on COVID-19 vaccine distributionTwo White House officials say the U.S. trade representative will begin talks in the World Trade Organization on ways to overcome intellectual property issues that are keeping poorer countries from making their own generic version of critically needed COVID-19 vaccines.
Biden to name Asian American-Pacific Islander liaison
Read full article: Biden to name Asian American-Pacific Islander liaisonPresident Joe Biden has named Erika Moritsugu, a Capitol Hill veteran and vice president of a womenโs rights advocacy group, as his liaison to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
Biden to hold first Cabinet meeting amid infrastructure push
Read full article: Biden to hold first Cabinet meeting amid infrastructure push(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON โ Joe Biden will convene his first Cabinet meeting on Thursday, a presidential rite of passage that will be used to promote his new infrastructure plan. AdโThe meetings can help align priorities, build morale, and allow Cabinet members to develop relationships with colleagues who they donโt normally see,โ Lu said. The White House has highlighted that this Cabinet is the most diverse in history. In normal times, scheduling an in-person Cabinet meeting would require weeks, if not months, of planning to block off time in the travel schedules of the various principals. The Cabinet members will soon begin to fan out across the country to pitch both the COVID-19 relief and infrastructure plans, officials said.
Stepping up Myanmar coup penalties, US suspends trade deal
Read full article: Stepping up Myanmar coup penalties, US suspends trade dealSecurity forces stand by on Hledan road in Kamayut township of Yangon in Myanmar, Monday, March 29, 2021. Over 100 people across the country were killed by security forces on Saturday alone, including several children. โThe United States strongly condemns the Burmese security forcesโ brutal violence against civilians. AdTai's office said the United States was immediately suspending โall U.S. engagement with Burma under the 2013 Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.'' AdTwo-way trade between the two countries doesn't amount to much: Myanmar last year was the United States' 84th biggest partner in the trade of goods such as automobiles and machinery.
Senators back off vow to withhold support of Biden nominees
Read full article: Senators back off vow to withhold support of Biden nomineesThe only senators of Asian American heritage, they said they would withhold their support for his nominees until the diversity issue was addressed. AdDuckworth had said earlier that she raised the issue with top Biden advisers on Tuesday and afterward called the situation โnot acceptable." โIโve been talking to them for months and theyโre still not aggressive, so Iโm not going to be voting for any nominee from the White House other than diversity nominees,โ Duckworth told reporters. But Hirono later said in a statement of her own that she too welcomed the appointment of an AAPI White House liaison and was dropping her objections. Tai, who was confirmed last week, is the first Asian American and first woman of color to serve as U.S. trade representative.
Asian Americans seek greater political power after shootings
Read full article: Asian Americans seek greater political power after shootingsIt's also spurring her and other Asian Americans to push for greater political influence in Washington and other power centers. President Joe Biden and his aides have been repeatedly pressed to include Asian Americans in his Cabinet. AdโI think symbolism and representation matters, but only up to a point,โ said Aarti Kohli, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice. โThose things all contribute to lower rates of political participation among Asian Americans, but people โ mistakenly, I think โ assume that Asian Americans are somehow less interested in U.S. civic life.โAdThat's evolving. โAsian Americans didn't necessarily grow up with that vocabulary of advocacy and how to fight for ourselves," Meng said.
Whiskey makers face worsening hangover from trade dispute
Read full article: Whiskey makers face worsening hangover from trade disputeA leading spirits advocate is imploring top U.S. trade envoy Katherine Tai to not leave whiskey producers behind. Amir Peay, owner of the Lexington, Kentucky-based James E. Pepper Distillery, said American whiskey has become โcollateral damageโ in the trade disputes. But the breakthroughs left plenty unresolved, including disputes that led to the retaliatory tariffs still hitting American whiskey. AdThe suspended tariffs mean some European spirits producers can ship their products into the U.S. duty free, while American whiskey makers are still subject to tariffs, Whiting said. โWe just want a level playing field for American whiskey,โ he said.
Senate confirms Katherine Tai as Biden's top trade envoy
Read full article: Senate confirms Katherine Tai as Biden's top trade envoyKatherine Tai, nominee for U.S. trade representative, speaks during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)WASHINGTON โ The Senate confirmed Katherine Tai as the top U.S. trade envoy in an overwhelming bipartisan vote on Wednesday . AdFluent in Mandarin, Tai served several years as head of China enforcement at the trade representativeโs office. Biden and his team appear to be in no hurry to reverse Trumpโs China tariffs. Far from coordinating with U.S. allies on trade, Trump sparred with them instead, putting tariffs on imported steel and aluminum and threatening to target European cars, too.
Biden's trade pick vows to work more closely with allies
Read full article: Biden's trade pick vows to work more closely with alliesKatherine Tai, nominee for U.S. trade representative, testifies before a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. (Tasos Katopodis/Pool via AP)WASHINGTON โ President Joe Bidenโs pick to be the top U.S. trade envoy promised to work with Americaโs allies to combat Chinaโs aggressive trade policies, indicating a break from the Trump administrationโs go-it-alone approach. Biden and his team have not indicated โ and Tai didn't say Thursday โ whether they will keep Trumpโs tariffs. Far from coordinating with U.S. allies on trade, Trump sparred with them instead, putting tariffs on imported steel and aluminum and threatening to target European cars, too. She handled negotiations with the Trump administration over a revamped North American trade deal.
Biden's trade pick vows to work more closely with allies
Read full article: Biden's trade pick vows to work more closely with alliesFILE - In this Dec. 11, 2020, file photo Katherine Tai, the Biden administration's choice totake overas the U.S. trade representative, speaks during an event at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Del. President Joe Bidens pick to be the top U.S. trade envoy is promising to work with Americas allies to combat Chinas aggressive trade policies. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)WASHINGTON โ President Joe Biden's pick to be the top U.S. trade envoy is promising to work with America's allies to combat China's aggressive trade policies, indicating a break from the Trump administration's go-it-alone approach. Fluent in Mandarin, Tai served several years as head of China enforcement at the trade representative's office. Far from working with allies on trade, Trump sparred with them instead, putting tariffs on imported steel and aluminum and threatening to target European cars, too.
Biden: Cabinet picks from Obama era mean 'bold new thinking'
Read full article: Biden: Cabinet picks from Obama era mean 'bold new thinking'Susan Rice, the Biden administration's choice to lead the White House Domestic Policy Council, speaks during an event at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Del., Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. His choice for agriculture secretary, Tom Vilsack, served in the same post for Obama for eight years. Above all, they know how government should and can work for all Americans.โRelying too heavily on Obama administration veterans has already begun to draw some grumbling from members of Biden's own party, however. Mark Riddle, a Democratic strategist who founded a pro-Biden Super PAC during the 2020 presidential campaign, said there is no danger in relying too heavily on โall starโ former Obama administration leaders. โIf we come out of the box on jobs, jobs, jobs, I feel great.
AP sources: Biden to pick Katherine Tai as top trade envoy
Read full article: AP sources: Biden to pick Katherine Tai as top trade envoy(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)WASHINGTON โ President-elect Joe Biden is set to nominate Katherine Tai to be the top U.S. trade envoy, according to two people familiar with his plans. Biden's selection of Tai, who is Asian American, reflects his promise to choose a diverse Cabinet that reflects the makeup of the country. Fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Tai earlier oversaw China trade enforcement for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, setting U.S. strategy in trade disputes with China. Bidenโs trade representative will inherit a trade war with China, put on pause by an interim trade pact in January that left many of the hardest issues unresolved and U.S. taxes remaining on $360 billion in Chinese imports. As the top trade staffer at Ways and Means, Tai handled negotiations last year with the Trump administration over a revamped North American trade deal.