US lawmakers push for recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Golan
An American plan to bring the U.S. closer to recognizing the Golan Heights was laid out for Israeli and American officials in Washington last week.
Trade
Macron tells Trump US tariffs are ‘illegal’, EU will respond
French President Emmanuel Macron told US President Donald Trump late Thursday (May 31) that tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from the European Union (EU) were ‘illegal’ and that the EU would respond in a ‘firm and proportionate manner’, the Elysee Palace said.
US job growth might have picked up in May despite trade rift
U.S. employers are thought to have hired at a solid pace in May and helped extend the economy’s nearly nine-year expansion — the second-longest on record — despite uncertainty caused by trade disputes.
US, China Putting Trade War on Hold After Progress in Talks
The United States and China are pulling back from the brink of a trade war after the world’s two biggest economies reported progress in talks aimed at bringing down America’s massive trade deficit with Beijing.
E.U. leaders struggle to save Iran economic ties from U.S. sanctions
European Union leaders agreed on Wednesday to try to keep the Iran nuclear deal alive and maintain their reviving economic cooperation with Tehran after U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the pact.
North Korea cancels talks with South, threatens to pull out of U.S. summit
North Korea sent shock waves through the Trump administration’s hope for a history-making summit with Kim Jong-un, angrily canceling a planned meeting with South Korean officials Wednesday to protest joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises and calling into doubt President Trump’s announced meeting with Mr. Kim in Singapore in less than a month.
U.S., China still ‘very far apart’ on trade: U.S. ambassador
The United States wants China to give a timetable on how it will open up its markets to U.S. exports as the two countries are still ‘very far apart’ on resolving trade frictions, U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad said on Tuesday.
China’s trade surplus with US grows
China’s surplus with the United States widened in April, underlining an imbalance between the economic titans as they struggle to reach an agreement on averting a potentially damaging trade war.
Russia eyes closer Iran ties, more trade if Trump nixes nuclear deal
A top Russian official said bilateral relations and trade with Iran could actually be enhanced if President Trump follows through on a threat to take the United States out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran next week.
‘Tradecraft failings’: CIA’s conclusion that Putin interfered in election to help Trump was flawed
U.S. intelligence agencies’ far-reaching conclusion that Vladimir Putin interfered in the 2016 presidential election to specifically help Donald Trump was flawed by ‘tradecraft failings,’ says a House report.
Trump delays metal tariffs on Canada, EU, Mexico, exempts some others
U.S. President Donald Trump has postponed the imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada, the European Union and Mexico until June 1, and has reached agreements for permanent exemptions for Argentina, Australia and Brazil, the White House said on Monday.
Trump, Macron to focus on trade, military issues including Iran nuclear deal
President Trump welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday for the administration’s first state visit, cementing the close alliance between the two countries with a whirlwind of events that include a Marine One helicopter tour of Washington and a private dinner at Mount Vernon.
Trump, Macron to face differences on Iran, trade, as French visit begins
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House on Monday to kick off a three-day state visit expected to be dominated by U.S.-European differences on the Iran nuclear deal and trade.
NAFTA 70-80 percent done, Mexican negotiator says
The renegotiations for the North American Free Trade Agreement are ’70-80 percent’ complete and discussions on remaining issues could be completed in the next two to three weeks, Mexico’s top economic official said Thursday.
China’s One Belt One Road economic investment also expands military footprint
China is using its $1 trillion-plus investment initiative in infrastructure projects as a way to expand its military footprint, projecting power and influence around the globe from the Horn of Africa into the Middle East and South Asia, says a report released this week.
Kudlow tamps down possibility of U.S. rejoining Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow on Tuesday downplayed the likelihood of the U.S. rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, saying the request by President Trump is more of a ‘thought than a policy’ right now.
Russia stocks open lower after US vows further sanctions; Rusal tanks 14%
Russia’s stock market opened lower on Monday morning, amid renewed concerns over the prospect of imminent U.S. sanctions.
Trump orders aides to pursue reopening of Trans-Pacific Partnership
President Trump directed U.S. trade officials Thursday to explore rejoining the Obama administration’s free-trade deal with Pacific Rim nations, an agreement that Mr. Trump withdrew from last year, as he sought to ease farmers’ concerns about a tariff feud with China.
China says it will fight back if U.S. escalates trade spat
China’s commerce ministry said on Thursday trade negotiations with the United States would be impossible as Washington’s attempts at dialog were not sincere, and vowed to retaliate should US President Donald Trump escalate current tensions.
China to reduce auto tariffs after Trump criticism
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that his country will reduce tariffs on automobiles imported into the country.