Trade Policy News
Follow developments in American trade policy, from free trade agreements to protectionist measures, with reporting and conservative analysis.
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Podcast: The Trade Deal’s Overlooked Liberal Policies
There’s a lot to like about the new United States-Canada-Mexico trade deal (also known as the USMCA), says Tori Whiting of The Heritage Foundation. But there’s also some elements that should give conservatives pause, such as minimum wage requirements and liberal social policies on sexual orientation and gender identity. Whiting joins us to explain what’s…Katrina Trinko -
US and China Make Successful Start on New Trade Negotiations
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping made progress Saturday night toward resolving the ongoing U.S.-China trade dispute. After more than a year of conflict and new taxes on billions of cross-border trade, the two presidents came to an agreement at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that could begin de-escalating U.S.-China trade…Riley Walters -
China’s ‘Economic’ Losses Aren’t Because of US Trade Success
China’s economic growth has been slowing down, but it was slowing down before President Donald Trump entered the White House, and it will continue to slow down, regardless of whether the U.S.-China trade dispute continues or not. Supporters of the administration’s trade policy often cite the decline in China’s largest stock market, the Shanghai Stock…Riley Walters -
What You Need to Know About the New Trade Deal
This is a transcript of an interview on the Oct. 2 Daily Signal podcast. Katrina Trinko: So, before we break out the champagne and start a chorus of USMCA, we’re bringing in The Heritage Foundation’s Tori Whiting, who is the Jay Van Andel trade economist, to talk to us about this deal and why it…Katrina Trinko -
The Daily Signal Podcast: A First Look at the USMCA Trade Deal
Is the new United States Mexico Canada Agreement better than the North American Free Trade Agreement? The Heritage Foundation’s Tori Whiting joins us to discuss the new North American trade deal President Donald Trump hawked Monday, and what the next steps are. Plus: Kanye West tells the truth about the left on “Saturday Night Live.”…Katrina Trinko -
It’s Time for a Trade Deal With Taiwan
Taiwan and the United States have always been natural partners. Both are committed to free markets, the rule of law, and democracy. Yet due to China’s constant and growing impositions, the U.S.-Taiwan relationship has not reached its full potential. The two nations have enjoyed a long history of economic cooperation, but there is much more…Anthony B. Kim -
Trump Administration’s Trade Policies Undermining Business Benefits of Tax Cuts, Slashing Regulations
Last week, the U.S. government hosted its annual SelectUSA Investment Summit just outside of Washington, D.C. The event often draws a good crowd of potential foreign investors looking for opportunities to invest in America. With the president’s cuts to the corporate tax rate and regulations, the United States will continue to be a prime destination…Riley Walters -
US-China Truce on Trade War Is Good Progress
Over the weekend, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who led U.S.-China trade negotiations, announced a trade war between the two countries was “on hold.” This progress will surely bring a sigh of relief for American farmers—and short-term stability to international markets as tensions rightly de-escalate. Working Backward The two sides have been negotiating over bilateral trade…Riley Walters -
We’re Not Losing to China in a Trade War: 5 Misconceptions About US Trade With China
As U.S. officials prepare to negotiate trade deals with China, it’s crucial to recognize some of the most damaging misconceptions about trade between our two nations that have spread as tensions have risen. And make no mistake: these negotiations are a big deal, as shown by those attending. The delegation from the U.S. includes free…Tori K. Smith -
As US-China Trade War Looms, Ukraine Stands to Gain
KYIV, Ukraine—Amid the specter of a looming trade war with the U.S., China is boosting its economic ties with Ukraine. For one, Ukraine has overtaken the U.S. as China’s top corn supplier. Five years ago, the U.S. supplied about 97 percent of Chinese corn imports. In 2017, however, Ukraine accounted for about two-thirds of China’s…Nolan Peterson -
Existing Trade Deals Are Good for US Trade Balance
Trade skeptics and protectionists have charged that trade agreements like NAFTA and the U.S.-Korea trade agreement favor foreign producers and have contributed to the U.S. trade deficit. A recent Heritage Foundation event featuring speakers Frank Lavin, former undersecretary of Commerce for international trade, and Fredrik Erixon, the co-founder of a European think tank, explored the…Patrick Tyrrell -
Hits and Misses in Trump’s New China Trade Policy
The president recently announced a three-pronged strategy to target China for its alleged “unfair trade practices.” This new strategy includes challenging Chinese intellectual property practices at the World Trade Organization, further restricting Chinese investment, and imposing tariffs on consumer goods from China. The administration’s approach represents a combination of good policies that will minimize harm…Tori K. Smith -
This Iconic American Populist Shows What ‘America First’ Trade Policy Should Look Like
The Oxford dictionary defines populism as support for the concerns of ordinary people. The Trump administration has been described as populist in many ways, particularly with its embrace of “America first” trade policies. A look at history shows how such populist policies can put America’s interests first when it comes to international trade. In the…Bryan Riley -
Lemons in America Are About to Get Cheaper
Thanks to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans will be making a whole lot more lemonade this year, and saving money while they’re at it. On Dec. 23, the Department of Agriculture eliminated a 15-year-old ban on lemon imports from northwest Argentina, the world’s top producer of lemons. Domestic producers had long argued that Argentine…Tori K. Smith -
Trade Deals That Benefit Both US and Other Nations Are Possible
In an update to its Information Technology Agreement, the World Trade Organization began the process of eliminating tariffs on hundreds of technology products, resulting in the organization’s first tariff elimination agreement in almost 20 years. In this year of strong anti-trade sentiments, U.S. politicians and citizens should take note that good trade deals are possible….Max Rysztak -
What It Means to Have a Trade Deal That Puts America First
The new Republican Party platform suggests: “We need better-negotiated trade agreements that put America first.” Here are nine ways future trade agreements could really put America—or more specifically, Americans—first. Trade agreements should: Guarantee U.S. manufacturers have the freedom to buy low-priced inputs like steel and raw materials free of export duties imposed by foreign governments…Bryan Riley -
After Brexit, Paul Ryan Calls for ‘Special’ Trade Deal With Britain
House Speaker Paul Ryan is calling for the United States to engage in a free trade agreement with the United Kingdom once it completes the process of separating from the European Union. Seeking to preserve the “special relationship” between the two nations, Ryan, R-Wis., said the U.S. should pursue a unique trade partnership with the…Josh Siegel -
Obama’s Pessimistic Outlook Hurts Our Trade Dealings
No thanks to his fellow Democrats, President Barack Obama won a victory in Congress last week when Republicans voted to give him the authority to negotiate trade agreements in Asia and Europe. Too bad so much of the president’s case for the agreements is based on his belief that the United States is in decline….Ted Bromund -
Top Export-Import Bank Official Deletes Text Messages Sent During 2014 Midterm Elections
A government watchdog has learned a top-ranking official at the Export-Import Bank deleted text messages sent during the 2014 midterm elections, sparking a lawsuit calling for the recovery of the records. Cause of Action, a nonpartisan government accountability organization, submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to Ex-Im on Nov. 14, 2014, asking for text…Diana Stancy -
John Kasich on Export-Import Bank: ‘Get Rid of It’
Gov. John Kasich tells The Daily Signal that he’d like to see the Export-Import Bank shut down. “There’s been corruption in the bank. If they can dramatically restructure it, that would be OK with me but I’d rather at this point get rid of it,” the Ohio Republican said in an interview Friday at the…David Brody