• About Us
• Contact Us
• Get Involved
• Privacy Policy
• FAQs

Check back here often for the latest news as delivered by TradeRoots

• Norwalk pursues options to reopen furniture plant Many blame bad economy, cheap imports
  Jul 23, 2008 — The Blade
  Lesch said. "It's our biggest manufacturer. It blamed its problems on the economy and changes in the furniture industry. Its products are sold under the trade names Norwalk, J. Raymond, Joe Ruggiero Collection, and Hickory Hill.
• U.S. Offers a Subsidy Concession at Trade Talks
  Jul 23, 2008 — New York Times
  The European Union and Japan are also offering steep cuts in subsidy limits. Schwab said, noting that United States subsidies have exceeded her proposed limit in 7 of the last 10 years. “I hope this is not the last offer,” the minister, Celso Amor...
• U.S. offers to slash farm subsidies
  Jul 23, 2008 — Allentown Morning Call
  Emerging countries have demanded a subsidy cap closer to $12 billion for the United States, noting that U.S. subsidies have fallen to around $9 billion annually amid higher prices for basic commodities. Washington is currently allowed to distribute over $48 billion in subsidies linked to price, production and other trade-distorting criteria. Developing nations want agricultural tariffs and subsidies in rich countries to come down so they can sell more of their produce.
• EU's offer may not save talks on trade
  Jul 22, 2008 — Omaha World Herald
  Some trade officials suggested the cut was only an EU recalculation of its previous offer, while others suspected some creative mathematics. Mandelson said the offer was not a gift and called for lower tariffs on industrial goods from countries such as Brazil, India and China in exchange. In a deal, those goods would be shielded from deep tariff cuts.
• With Offer, Europe Tries to Spur Trade Talks
  Jul 22, 2008 — New York Times
  The offer from the European trade commissioner, Peter Mandelson, was intended to ignite the stalled Doha trade round, which began seven years ago. Until now, Europe has offered a maximum of 54 percent tariff reductions, but Mr. But developing coun...
• EU raises offer on farm tariffs for WTO talks
  Jul 21, 2008 — Houston Chronicle
  U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab's spokesman, Sean Spicer, said Washington's made clear it's "a leader in this round" and is ready to make a deal. Rich and poor countries have clashed in the WTO talks launched in Qatar's capital in 2001, now known as the Doha round. Negotiators are hoping for agreement on a deal that would liberalize world agriculture and manufacturing, setting the stage for an overall trade pact by the end of the year.
• Funds diverted from private holdings
  Jul 21, 2008 — The Washington Times
  Setser said. Purchases of corporate bonds, for example, plunged from $534 billion to $172 billion. Purchases of U.S. equities fell from $174 billion to $65 billion. Ruskin said. Meanwhile, official foreign investors, such as central banks and sovereign wealth (OOTC:SOVW) funds, did increase their purchase of U.S. long-term securities in the past year.
• Trade talks to resume, with few expecting success
  Jul 21, 2008 — The Washington Times
  With President Bush leaving office in six months, "the motivation to negotiate with the United States is very low," Mr.
• Brazil official's Nazi reference rocks WTO talks
  Jul 20, 2008 — Rocky Mountain News
  The so-called Doha trade round is already teetering on the brink of collapse. They are insulting." Spicer noted that Schwab visited Amorim to soothe tensions immediately after negotiations collapsed in acrimony in 2006. In an interview with the AP, Amorim's spokesman Ricardo Neiva Tavares said the minister "regrets if Susan Schwab or anyone else was upset by his comments on a historical fact.
• For Global Trade Talks, the Stakes Have Risen
  Jul 19, 2008 — New York Times
  According to the European Union negotiator, Peter Mandelson, a failure in Geneva would make agreement impossible for at least two years and harm multilateral negotiations on other topics like climate change. The support of the Brazilian trade negotiator, Celso Amorim, and his Indian counterpart, Kamal Nath, is now indispensable for any deal. A change would allow coalitions of willing countries to broker sectoral agreements — for example, on chemicals.
• Parts makers win trade dispute
  Jul 19, 2008 — Detroit News
  Parts makers win trade dispute WTO rules that China's hefty import tariffs discriminate against U.S. auto suppliers. The policy has helped China's auto parts companies, resulting in a steadily rising Chinese auto parts trade surplus. Trade deficit with China up In 2005, the United States had a $1.6 billion auto parts trade deficit with China.
• W.T.O. Rules Against China for Its Tariffs on Auto Parts
  Jul 19, 2008 — New York Times
  BLOOMBERG NEWS China violates global trade rules by requiring automakers operating there to buy components from local suppliers or face penalties, the World Trade Organization ruled on Friday. The case also reflects China’s increasing importance as an export market. In April 2005, China began a system of levying tariffs on auto parts based on the amount of imports in the complete vehicle.
• Charapich means business
  Jul 18, 2008 — Culpeper Star-Exponent
  ... Charapich, officially on the job for about two weeks, worked side-by-side with former, longtime Chamber President Norma Dunwody for three months before taking over. During her 15-year tenure, Dunwody helped grow chamber membership nearly thre...
• WTO publishes trade ruling against China
  Jul 18, 2008 — Birmingham News, Alabama
  found that China was breaking trade rules by taxing imports of auto parts at the same rate as foreign-made finished cars. It argues that all measures are fully consistent with WTO rules and do not discriminate against foreign auto parts. This dispute, launched in 2006, marked the first time Western allies teamed up to seek a formal WTO investigation of China's trade practices.
• Imports from Thailand will be focus of Mobile Chamber event
  Jul 17, 2008 — Mobile Register
  Tony Van Aken, the chamber's director of trade and technology, said the Thai delegation will consist of about a dozen people, mostly exhibitors. The chamber's trade department hosts foreign delegations throughout the year, Van Aken said, but this is the first from Thailand. Overall, Thailand is not one of the nation's top trade partners, but commerce – particularly U.S.-to-Thailand exports — has increased considerably in the past five years.
• McCain touts free trade to Hispanics
  Jul 15, 2008 — Tennessean
  Congress approved the NAFTA agreement with Mexico and Canada in 1993, and the agreement with six Central American nations in 2005, but has blocked the agreement with Colombia.
• Obama tells NAACP blacks must do more to bolster lives
  Jul 15, 2008 — Detroit News
  But he also received his most lusty applause as he urged blacks to demand more of themselves. "If we're serious about reclaiming that dream, we have to do more in our own lives. That's what everybody's got to do." Republican candidate John McCain is scheduled to address the NAACP's 99th meeting on Wednesday. Over the mantel hangs a portrait of Osama bin Laden.
• McCain touts free trade agenda to Hispanic group
  Jul 14, 2008 — Birmingham News, Alabama
  McCain said he has earned the trust of Hispanic voters by championing an immigration reform bill that nearly killed his presidential bid. Obama, he said, failed to take a similar stand on the politically explosive issue of illegal immigration. Obama has criticized McCain for turning against his own immigration bill.
• Pros and Cons Local businesses not agreeing with Obama's position on NAFTA
  Jul 14, 2008 — The Monitor
  In some areas it's actually hurt the maquilas," he said. "As far as other aspects of trade, like retail, things like that, it's had a positive effect.
• Exports set record, cut trade deficit
  Jul 12, 2008 — Atlanta Journal Constitution
  They were forecasting the trade gap to widen to $62.2 billion in May. The quantity of imported crude oil actually dipped in May from April. The United States has struggled to trim its trade deficits, a source of political tension.
• McCain shuns economic adviser's comments In Michigan, candidate assures he knows America is hurting
  Jul 11, 2008 — The Blade
  Obama said. The Arizona senator held yesterday's town hall meeting in the Bayloff Stamped Products factory, a family business since 1948. It's killing us," said Jim Zawacki, owner of GR Spring and Stamping, Grand Rapids, Mich. Mr. McCain said, saying such provisions should be left to negotiation between management and labor. Mr.
• Trade deficit ebbs as exports rise to record high
  Jul 11, 2008 — Chicago Sun-Times
  WASHINGTON -- The United States' trade deficit narrowed in May as exports -- including industrial supplies and consumer goods -- climbed to all-time highs. The trade deficit narrowed in May because exports grew faster than imports. The United States' politically sensitive trade deficit with China widened to $21 billion in May, from $20 billion in April.