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China’s efforts to address domestic problems can lead to global challenges

Restrictions on exports like fertilizer and steel have major economic ramifications for trading partners.
When the prices of fertilizer began to increase last year, China moved to restrict fertilizer exports. Above, workers move bags of fertilizer in China's northwest Qinghai province in 2005.
Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images

The trade deficit was partly to blame for the hit to GDP. But there's a silver lining.

Apr 28, 2022
Global turmoil put a cap on U.S. exports, while the easing of supply chain snags allowed Americans to import more.
More imports and fewer exports caused a slight dip in GDP, but that's giving the supply chain a chance to recover.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Trade deals improve relations with U.S. allies — gradually

Mar 23, 2022
A new trade deal with the U.K. will erase Trump-era tariffs on steel and aluminum imported into the U.S., and motorcycles and whiskey exported to the U.K.
Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images

Outsider trading: A year after Brexit, how 5 small UK companies have fared

Jan 5, 2022
Small British exporters reflect on their first full year of doing business as non-EU members. How do they feel about Brexit now?
Scarves depict the British and European Union flags. Exporters in different industries have had varied experiences with the new conditions of cross-border trade.
John Thys/AFP via Getty Images

Potato wart outbreak leads to Canada stopping its spuds from heading to U.S.

Dec 24, 2021
Every year, Canada ships enough potatoes to starch up about 9 million Americans.
A potato wart outbreak has lead to an potato export ban from the Canada to the U.S.
branex via Getty Images

What's behind the jump in U.S. exports?

Dec 7, 2021
Hurricane Ida held back oil and gas exports in September, so there was a big backlog that rushed out in October, shrinking the trade deficit.
U.S. manufacturers are stepping in to meet global demand as other countries may just be starting to reactivate their industries. Above, a truck passes shipping containers at the Port of Los Angeles.
Mario Tama via Getty Images

Why everything is “out of stock” right now

Oct 11, 2021
Four charts and a new series to help you understand ongoing product shortages.
Patrick Baranic, general manager of the Marine Exchange of Southern California, discusses the delays at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach with “Marketplace’s” Kai Ryssdal.
Maria Hollenhorst/Marketplace

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Brexit trade frictions with the EU rile UK exporters

Mar 18, 2021
Fishermen, farmers and musicians in Britain complain about the new post-Brexit barriers to doing business with the EU.
U.K. fishermen, among others, have suffered large losses because of barriers to trade with the EU.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

A Biden presidency won't change what many Chinese exporters are doing

Nov 18, 2020
Chinese exporters have found ways to deal with the extra U.S. tariffs and those plans are not set to change under President-elect Joe Biden.
Changjian Shoe factory has moved much of its shoe production for the U.S. market from China to other countries in Southeast Asia in order to avoid U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

Chinese exporter's take: Biden or Trump?

Oct 27, 2020
Some Chinese manufacturers do not expect the trade tensions with the U.S. to change much even with a Biden presidency.
Midnight Charm lingerie factory has been attempting to expand markets in Europe, Africa and the Middle East because of the U.S. tariffs imposed on its products.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace