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Some U.S. manufacturers are still benefiting from Trump-era tariffs

Jun 16, 2023
The Biden administration hasn’t removed Trump’s tariffs on steel or aluminum — to the benefit of some U.S. manufacturers.
"Everyone kind of expected when President Biden came into office that that the China tariffs would go away," said customs broker Gretchen Blough. "But everything's still in place."
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

After 9 years, LA cheese shop moves to a space of its own

May 23, 2023
Lydia Clarke's business struggled in the early days of the pandemic. Now, she says, "I know we can do it."
Lydia Clarke in front of her "happy place," the cheese case.
Andie Corban/Marketplace

"Made in America" policy can actually hurt the U.S., economist says

Adam Posen agrees with the goals of boosting green energy and keeping China at bay. But he says protectionism won't achieve them.
One example of industrial policy is subsidies for companies doing work in clean energy, like the kind that the Inflation Reduction Act provides.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

A different kind of trade agreement

Sep 13, 2022
The Indo Pacific Economic Framework deals with labor standards, supply chains, climate change and transparency. But not tariffs.
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, center, spoke Thursday in Los Angeles during discussions on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

In the customs business, delays are becoming less common

Sep 12, 2022
As congestion eases at some ports, "we know the fixed date of when freight is arriving now," said customs broker Gretchen Blough.
 "Customs kind of takes a special kind of person.," says customs broker Gretchen Blough. “We’re kind of the Ally Sheedy of 'The Breakfast Club.'”
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai: Globalization 1.0 was “fragile.” Will 2.0 be more resilient?

May 2, 2022
Tai outlined what globalization 2.0 will look like and what those changes mean for the American people at the Milken Institute Global Conference.
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai in conversation with Kai Ryssdal at the Milken Institute Global Conference on May 2.
Milken Institute

Remember the trade war with China? U.S. businesses are still feeling it.

Apr 19, 2022
Kevin Feig's Florida auto parts company is paying the U.S. government up to $600,000 a month in import duties.
"You have to deal with what you're given. And right now, we've accepted the fact that the tariffs aren't going away," says Kevin Feig, president of Foreign Parts Distributors in Miami. Above, a worker assembles car door unit in Chicago.
Tim Boyle/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

The customs business has become all about handling the unexpected

Apr 13, 2022
"Everything is just a constant pivot," says Gretchen Blough, a customs broker in Erie, Pennsylvania.
"There hasn't been a lot of warning to some of the issues that have happened, and we've just had to make do," Gretchen Blough says of the customs business.
Joe Raedle/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

If China aids Russia, what options would the U.S. have?

Mar 16, 2022
The U.S. could expand tariffs on Chinese goods — but that may raise prices for American consumers.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing on Feb. 4. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has promised consequences if China were to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Alexei Druzhinin/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images