In the heart of Amish country, hat makers are maintaining a century-old business. [ CONNIE KARGBO, CHRISTOPHER BOOKER and CORINNE SEGAL| August 27, 2016 | PBS] The Bollman Hat Company, located in the small town of Adamstown, Pennsylvania, is America’s oldest hat maker, having survived since 1868. At the time, the machines used to produce the hats were powered by…
Two presidential candidates oppose it. So does much of the American public. But President Barack Obama, having staked much of his foreign policy credibility on a “pivot to Asia,” shows all the signs of wanting to push a major trade deal through Congress after the November elections. [ Inside Sources | August 31, 2016 |…
The reports of the Trans-Pacific Partnership’s death have been greatly exaggerated, unfortunately. [ Lori Wallach| August 31, 2016 | Huffington Post] It would great news if the pact, which would mean more power for corporations over our lives and government, and fewer good jobs for Americans, were ready to be boxed and buried. But more…
Nucor Corp, a massive U.S steel firm, has accused China of economic warfare against the US. John Ferriola, Chief Executive of the company, cites illegal government subsidies propping up Chinese steel companies at the expensive of the industry in the US. China has been accused of selling products at prices lower than production cost, in order…
by Michael Stumo National Public Radio interviewed Treasury Secretary Jack Lew revealing that he has zero understanding of voters concerns on TPP. When questioned about the massive voter rejection of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Lew was basically dismissive. “Look, what I believe is that there’s a lot of anxiety and anger amongst working people around the…
[David Dayen| August 2, 2016 | Salon] Here’s one of the best indicators that Congress won’t approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership: business groups are running a public campaign in support of it. I know that sounds like a paradox, but if the image of the TPP weren’t so tattered, there would be no need for such an overt…
[ August 31, 2016 | King and Spalding] The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (H.R. 644) was signed into law on February 24, 2016. This comprehensive legislation includes the Enforce and Protect Act of 2015 (the “Enforce Act”), which creates a new division and procedures in U.S. Customs & Border Protection (“CBP”)…
[Greg Hinz| August 29, 2016 | Crain’s] Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Tammy Duckworth is doubling down on her opposition to current U.S. trade policies, saying too many Americans have been hurt by bad deals. But incumbent Mark Kirk says she’s guilty of “hypocrisy.” Duckworth’s move comes in a new TV spot focused on downstate Granite…
by Michael Stumo Senator John Cornyn, writing in an op-ed yesterday, vigorously – and oddly – rebutted anti-trade deal arguments that nobody actually makes. In the Houston Chronicle (subscription required), Cornyn wrote: Candidates from both parties have argued that [free trade] this core tenet of capitalism should be completely rewritten, if not entirely erased. The…
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Commerce Department said on Monday truck and bus tires from China were being dumped in the United States at below-market prices, a potential step toward the imposition of duties. [Eric Beech| August 29, 2016 | The New York Times] In a preliminary determination, the department said the tires were being dumped…
