Wilbur Ross

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments on whether the 2020 census should include a citizenship question.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross was in Brussels this week, talking trade with the European Commission. And apparently things aren’t going so well. Back in July, the United States agreed to hold off on its threat to slap tariffs on European auto imports while the two sides negotiate a larger trade deal. Three months later, both […]

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross was in Brussels this week, talking trade with the European Commission. And apparently things aren’t going so well. Back in July, the United States agreed to hold off on its threat to slap tariffs on European auto imports while the two sides negotiate a larger trade deal. Three months later, both […]

But ZTE will be hit with a $1 billion penalty.

Most of the 75 ships transport oil and gas products worldwide, presenting a conflict of interest for the commerce secretary as he negotiates trade deals. Records show 11 purchases since March. Ross has come under fire for not disclosing Russia-tied ship business and a U.S. senator wants an investigation.

The agreement with China will increase U.S. exports of liquid natural gas. Navigator Holdings, which could gain from increased drilling, has a business partnership with a Russian-owned firm and is partially owned by Ross via an offshore investment fund. For deal-maker Wendy Teramoto — Ross' chief of staff and Navigator board member at the time — it raises a conflict of interest.

Documents made public as part of a data dump being called the Paradise Papers show that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has dealings with Sibur, an energy company with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, through his investment in a shipping company called Navigator Holdings.