China Solar Product Bought On Amazon Burns House; Insurer Sues.
An insurance company in Minnesota is suing Amazon to recover the money it’s paid out to clients whose home caught on fire due to a made-in-China solar generator sold on the website.
Tony Blinken Says National Security is Economic Security, But Biden Administration Faces Major Obstacles
Secretary of State Blinken says national security and economic security go hand in hand. But the U.S. Chamber of Commerce believes that outsourcing economic might to Asia is just as important.
New Alabama Factory Built Almost Entirely with American-Made Components
Wellborn Cabinets is investing in the future thanks to an anti-dumping charge against Chinese cabinetry. Now they’re thriving. Their latest factory upgrade focused on American-made parts to support local supply chains, not just foreign ones.
U.S. June Trade Deficit Hits New Record of $75.7 Billion As Imports Surge
Goods Deficit Also Sets Monthly Record at $93.2 Billion Department of Commerce figures published this morning show that in June the U.S. reported a trade deficit of $75.7 billion, a new record for U.S. and world history. The deficit was 6.7 percent higher than the May figure, and 49.4 percent worse than the year-ago June…
Comprehensive ITC Study Finds Little or No Benefit For U.S. From Trade Agreements
The US International Trade Commission (ITC) recently released a comprehensive analysis of the economic impact of all trade agreements the United States has entered into since 1985. Trade agreement negotiation, passage and implementation has been controversial throughout this time period. The ITC report is significant as the first recognition by a federal government trade agency…
FTC to Penalize Companies Who Falsely Label Their Products as Made in the USA
The Federal Trade Commission gave itself the power this month to start fining companies that claim their products are Made in the US, but are not. CPA welcomes the final rule. The Biden administration is also touting Buy America policies, but will he let the WTO get in his way?
House Committee Meeting on Climate: Lots of Incentives, But Less on Manufacturing
A House Select Committee on Climate hearing looked at climate change policies and economic growth. They focused mostly on tax incentives and federal loans. But big OEMs like Ford may still ‘go green’ elsewhere. Here’s why.
Congress Takes On Beef Monopoly In Dual Hearings
CPA supports country of origin labeling for beef. That wasn’t top of mind for the Congress this week. But both Houses recognized in hearings on Wednesday that corporate control and centralization is bad for small to midsized ranchers.
On Xinjiang, “Work With Allies” Not Really Working
President Biden will need to press the Europeans a little more if he wants to use his “work with allies” approach on dealing with China’s genocide policies against Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang.
House Hearing on Clean Energy: Solar, EV Batteries Need to be Made Here
A House Small Business Committee hearing listened to witnesses discuss ways to help the labor markets in Biden’s push for a green economy for blue-collar workers.