Claude Barfield | The HillClaude Barfield argues that in choosing to confront China’s aggressive high-tech mercantilist trade regime, President Trump and his team are on target. Barfield explains the administration’s tactics as a two-pronged attack on China’s high-tech mercantile regime. First, it is bringing a case before the World Trade Organization (WTO), arguing that Beijing’s forced technology transfer and intellectual property practices violate China’s terms of WTO accession. Second, it is invoking Section 301, the provision in basic US trade law that authorizes the president to proceed unilaterally against a wide variety of alleged unfair trade practices.
Talks to rework the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) are opening a window of opportunity that might allow the United States, Mexico and Canada to reach a basic deal in the coming weeks, a Mexican private sector business leader said on Monday. - Reuters
Mickey Levy, E21
The negotiations among major trading nations about global trade policies are driven by knowledge about the magnitudes of trade, what goods and services are traded and their multi-national flows, as well as current tariffs, quotas, and other barriers.
While Trump’s proposed tariffs on all U.S. imports of steel and aluminum are misguided and the Administration’s aversion to bilateral trade deficits makes no economic sense, the Administration has provided exemptions to Canada, Mexico, and other U.S.-friendly nations. The focus of the trade negotiations has shifted to China’s blatantly unfair trade practices. Read more here....