Washington, D.C. – The Commerce Department released the latest monthly U.S. trade figures Tuesday. The overall monthly U.S. international goods and services trade deficit increased 16 percent in August to $48.3 billion, from $41.8 billion in July, revised. Exports dropped 2 percent and imports rose 1.2 percent in July. [Reposted from the blog of the…

President Obama has had a sometimes rocky relationship with unions — and the workers they represent. Just this week, union leaders expressed displeasure at the administration’s concluding of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal that unions fear will be bad for workers. [Reposted from The New York Times  |  Michael Shear  |  October 7, 2015]…

  The historic trade deal struck by the U.S. and 11 other Pacific nations would benefit a number of U.S. industries, analysts and trade groups said Monday. But they say the deal won’t be a positive across the board. [ by Robert Schroeder | October 5, 2015 | MarketWatch ] The U.S. and the 11…

ATLANTA — Ending seven years of stop-and-start negotiations, officials from 12 Pacific Rim countries clinched early Monday a free-trade agreement that will allow two-fifths of the world’s goods and services to move more easily — but not entirely freely — across national borders. The pact, known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, also poses a challenge to China, by…

  Moments after the United States and 11 other Pacific Rim countries reached an agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Sen. Bernie Sanders, a surging contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, called the accord “disastrous.” [ by Ross Barkan | October 5, 2015 | Observer ] Mr. Sanders, an independent and self-identified socialist, has joined organized…

  Editor’s Note:  The following is a statement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) from Ziad Ojakli, Group Vice President for Government and Community Relations: WASHINGTON, DC, October  5, 2015 – “As a top U.S. exporter, Ford supports free trade agreements that result in real market openings and a level playing field for all to compete. “Within…

  U.S. Business and Industry Council Fighting for American companies Fighting for American jobs    Contact Kevin L. Kearns: 202 957 9994 Washington, October 5 – The members of the U.S. Business and Industry Council (USBIC) categorically reject the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal announced this morning as completely inadequate to serve the interests of American manufacturers,…

  Unfairly-priced imports in the U.S. market affect the prices U.S. producers receive in several ways, including an impact on supposedly “fixed” long-term contract prices. For some consumer goods, lower prices can increase demand for the goods, so that the negative impact of lower prices can be offset to some extent by higher revenues generated…

Vice President Joe Biden is considering a run for president. But Biden is currently working behind the scenes to push the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which most (if not all) core Democratic-aligned groups will likely oppose. Can Biden run for president as a Democrat after pushing TPP on us? [Reposted from Campaign for America’s Future  | …

ATLANTA — The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) ministerial taking place here is now considered increasingly likely to last beyond Friday (Oct. 2) due to continuing differences on dairy market access and monopoly protections for biologic drugs, despite key parties being close to a deal on the automotive rules of origin. [Reposted from Inside US Trade  | …