BEIJING — China is ready to retaliate if U.S. President Donald Trump goes ahead with a tariff hike on Chinese goods and is confident it can maintain "steady and healthy" economic growth, a government spokesman said Thursday. The Trump administration is poised to impose 25 percent penalties this week on...
Americans Harbor Doubts About Trump’s Tariffs: Poll
WASHINGTON — Fewer than half of Americans expect President Donald Trump's tariffs to do much to help the U.S. economy, but their widespread unpopularity hasn't led most Republicans to stray from supporting the president's trade policy as the 2018 midterm elections approach. Majorities of Americans also doubt the recently announced...
US, China Raise Tariffs in New Round of Trade Dispute
BEIJING — The United States and China went ahead with tariff hikes on billions of dollars of each other's automobiles, factory machinery and other goods Thursday in an escalation of a battle over Beijing's technology policy that companies worry will chill global economic growth. The increases came as envoys met...
Valley Growers Hit Ag Secretary Perdue With Tough Questions
Stopping in Kingsburg during a Central Valley tour, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue heard concerns from representatives of dairy, fruit and nut growers. What was top of mind? Everything from the Trump tariffs to market access to immigration. Perdue made news: He said that the president is in negotiations...
Inflation, Gas Prices, Tariffs Squeeze Consumers
The price of a can of Coca-Cola? Likely going up. A package of Pampers? That too. Plane tickets? They also may be more expensive. These items and more may cost more in the coming months as people start feeling the effects of higher fuel prices and raw-material costs as well...
Minus McCarthy, Valley Lawmakers Seek Tariff Relief for Ag
President Donald Trump's trade war is unifying a large chunk of California's congressional delegation on behalf of farmers. But notably absent from the coalition is House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who represents Kern County, one of California's and the nation's top agricultural producers. Valley Republicans David Valadao, Devin Nunes, and...
Trump Claims US is 'Economic Envy of the Entire World'
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump celebrated the release of new economic data on Friday, claiming the U.S. is now the "economic envy of the entire world." The president was responding to new growth numbers announced on Friday that show the U.S. economy surged in the April-June quarter to an annual...
With Nut Harvest Coming, Valley Growers Weary of Trade War
With harvest season a few weeks away, nut growers in the Central Valley are already weary of new higher tariffs on some of their products, such as pistachios. And they worry that if the international market dries up, it could lead to a supply glut and falling prices. In addition, China...
Trump, EU Leaders Agree To Work Toward 'Zero Tariffs'
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and European Union leaders announced Wednesday they have agreed to work toward "zero tariffs" and "zero subsidies" on non-automobile goods and would work to resolve U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports that have roiled European markets. The president, in a hastily called Rose Garden...
Ivanka Trump Is Shutting Down Her Clothing Company
NEW YORK — Ivanka Trump is shutting down her fashion line of dresses, shoes and handbags that became a target of political boycotts and spurred concerns about conflicts of interest after her father was elected. The president's daughter said in a statement she made the decision so she could focus...