Higher tariffs on consumer goods resonate at a Texas Walmart

Aug 2, 2018
On Wednesday, the Trump administration unveiled a proposal for even higher tariffs on many consumer goods imported from China. We went to a shopping center in Austin, Texas, to find out what buyers of those goods thought about the plan. Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 
A customer carries merchandise through a Walmart Supercenter.
Rick T. Wilking/Getty Images

Postcard from a Japanese steel town

Aug 1, 2018
The city of Kamaishi is the birthplace of the modern Japanese steel industry, but that hasn't shielded it from change.
The Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal plant in Kamaishi, Japan.
Adrian Ma/Marketplace

Why a comment on a tariff exemption application could make or break business

Jul 31, 2018
As the Department of Commerce continues to grant and reject steel tariff exemption applications, we check back in with Sam Desai in South Plainfield, New Jersey, whose company makes parts for appliances. He shares his frustration with how objection comments can derail an exemption application. That frustration is also familiar to Kate Karol, counsel at […]

Business is booming in Texas, but so is uncertainty

Jul 31, 2018
Want to know how tariffs are impacting the U.S.? Look at the Lone Star State.
The Deer Park Shell Manufacturing Complex in Deer Park, Texas.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Puerto Rico looks to private sector after insolvency

Jul 27, 2018
Private companies now manage public airports, water meters and the electric grid.
A view of damaged homes in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the day after Hurricane Maria made landfall on September 21, 2017.
Alex Wroblewski/Getty Images

Sen. Pat Toomey: Congress is a "helpless bystander" when it comes to tariffs

Jul 26, 2018
"It's gotten to the point where a president can, in complete compliance with the law, invoke national security and slap tariffs on our closest allies and friends," Toomey said.
A view of the U.S. Capitol.
Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images

With NAFTA stalled, U.S. and Mexican officials to meet on trade

Jul 26, 2018
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is scheduled to meet today with Mexico’s economy minister. They’re trying to revive NAFTA negotiations. Mexican officials and President Donald Trump are sounding optimistic. But what, realistically, can be accomplished in these talks? Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

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In a trade war, China has weapons in its arsenal beyond tariffs

Jul 25, 2018
The American semiconductor titan Qualcomm found itself in the crosshairs of the US-China trade spat when its mega deal — as in $44 billion dollars — to buy a Dutch chip-maker has cleared every global regulatory approval required — except in China. With no approval from China in sight and a deadline looming at midnight tonight, Qualcomm […]
Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf speaks during a press event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the 2014 International CES on January 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from January 7-10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Trump says U.S., EU are aiming for "zero tariffs"

Jul 25, 2018
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump met today with top European Union officials amid concerns of a growing trade dispute between the two economies over automobiles. During the meeting, European Union Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told President Donald Trump that the EU and U.S. are partners and allies, “not enemies,” and must work together at the […]
U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, left, give a statement in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., today.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Your foreign car may be as "Made in America" as a Chevy

Jul 24, 2018
Tariffs against car parts would impact all vehicles, even ones widely recognized to be American.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images