Grand Old Protectionists

“[Editorial note: An important blast from the past. This is a 2008 op-ed by Bob Lighthizer, Trump’s nominee for US Trade Ambassador. His criticism of Senator John McCain’s approach to trade policy is the source of McCain’s obstruction of Lighthizer’s nomination to day.]” [ROBERT E. LIGHTHIZER] March 6th, 2008 [The New York Times] NOW that…

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Jimmy Carter: Trump is right. Canada’s lumber trade practices are unfair.

I agree with the recent decision of the White House and the Commerce Department to impose anti-subsidy duties against Canada’s unfairly traded softwood lumber imports.   [Jimmy Carter] May 9th, 2017 [The Washington Post] This belated enforcement of U.S. trade laws will help millions of private timberland owners, American forestry workers and members of their local communities by leveling the playing…

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South Korean crony capitalism under fire

Forget Machiavelli, or “Game of Thrones.” When it comes to staying in power, South Korea’s richest business clans have the game plan down. [Jonathan Soble, Jeyup S. Kwaak & ChoeSang-Hung] May 8th, 2017 [The New York Times] There is the charity maneuver, in which family members park their stakes in their business empires in philanthropic nonprofits,…

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Michael Stumo & Jeff Ferry Published On Global Trade Magazine: A New Approach To Corporate Tax Reform

The House Republican business tax reform plan may be heading for political defeat. Senate support is absent, House Republicans are divided, and Democrats oppose it. May 9th, 2017 | Written by Michael Stumo and Jeff Ferry, Global Trade Magazine However, the border-adjustability feature of the tax plan is an important goal to preserve because it would neutralize foreign border taxes…

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McCain, citing ‘unanswered questions,’ objecting to unanimous consent request on Lighthizer

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is objecting to a unanimous consent request to proceed to the nomination of U.S. Trade Representative nominee Robert Lighthizer, McCain told Inside U.S. Trade. [Jenny Leonard] May 9th, 2017 [Inside Trade] “I have questions that are outstanding and I’d like to have answers to those questions. That’s the way the senate works,”…

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