Bipartisan softballs are lodged at President Biden’s protectionist USTR-designate Katherine Tai during her confirmation hearings. A Biden executive order will launch a 100-day US supply chain review. The administration’s refusal to follow up on a US-UK free trade agreement begun by the Trump administration smells of petty partisanship and contradicts the present administration’s claim that […]
Trade in split Congress likely to be bipartisan but protectionist
Trade correspondent L.C. reports: In the wake of the highly partisan US midterm elections, trade is one of the few areas where bipartisanship is possible. Most observers believe that Congress will pass the US-Canada-Mexico (USMCA, a.k.a. NAFTA 2.0) implementing bill during 2019. It is also likely that Congress will approve the start of trade talks […]
Despite export boom, US tax cuts and deficit will increase imports over exports, threatening ill-considered administrative protectionism
Trade correspondent LC’s weekly report The probability that the trade deficit will continue to grow presents a danger for US trading partners. The recent US tax cuts and government spending hike will likely increase US demand, keeping US savings lagging consumption and attracting even more imports, pushing the trade deficit up. Strong demand abroad should […]
Mon.-Tues. (Feb. 5-6, 2018) Weak dollar, trade protectionism the two big things that threaten the improving US economy
Steve Forbes, editor of Forbes magazine and a Republican candidate for President in 1996, writes that “Two big things threaten the improving US economy: a weak dollar and trade protectionism.” Regarding the latter, he continues, It’s one thing to update trade agreements such as Nafta, quite another to blow them up or try to dictate […]
Transpacific Partnership now live — minus US. Trump on protectionist drive?
Weekly trade report by L.C. Late breaking item! As we went to press, Canada’s Prime Minister Trudean announced that Canada had accepted joining the Transpacific Partnership (TPP-11). It’s now live — without the U.S. This is a major world trade development that will put much pressure on the US, especially its crucial agriculture sector. Yesterday […]
