EU to Hit Back at US Tariffs
The European Union's plans to hit back at new U.S. tariffs on EU steel and aluminium exports include hiking duties on a range of imports from the United States, from blue jeans and rice to the proverbial kitchen sink.In eight closely typed pages of documentation lodged at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, the EU has set out 25-percent tariff increases that are in part aimed at hurting the electoral districts of some of President Donald Trump's allies.That explains "motorcycles ...
Trump Tariffs: EU Seeks Permanent Exemption
European Union leaders called on Friday for a temporary exemption from U.S. import duties on steel and aluminium to be made permanent, saying they reserved the right to respond in an "in a proportionate manner" to protect the bloc's interests. The 40-day exemption granted by Washington was like U.S. President Donald Trump "putting a gun to our head", Belgium's prime minister complained. The EU's trade negotiator demanded that the United States drop "artificial deadlines". Trump said on Thursday he would suspend tariffs for the EU…
Gender Identity Spat Sinks Spending Bill
The rancorous political debate over sexual identity unexpectedly prompted the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to rejected an energy and water spending bill on Thursday after Democrats attached an amendment to protect the rights of transgender people. The legislation, which would have funded the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Energy in the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1, failed on a 112-305 vote, with 130 Republicans and 175 Democrats opposing the legislation. The vote outcome was such a surprise that the House Appropriations Committee initially announced that bill had passed and was forced to retract the statement.
US Needs to Strengthen its Navy -Paul Ryan
Tension over the South China Sea highlights the need for the United States to maintain a strong navy to serve as a deterrent, U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan said on Thursday, criticizing the Obama administration for proposals he said would reduce the U.S. naval fleet. "This just shows that we need to have a strong navy," Ryan said at a news briefing. "We should not have a president proposing to lower our ship count to pre World War One levels.
AAPA Praises Senate for Passing TPA - 2015
“The prosperity of the United States is inextricably entwined with that of the rest of the world and international trade agreements provide stability and equity enabling increased trade,” said American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) President and CEO Kurt Nagle in support of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA-2015), which the Senate just approved and the House approved on June 18. He added, “Port cargo activity accounts for over a quarter of the U.S. economy and provides more than 23 million American jobs. As the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas, AAPA has both independently, and in partnership with the Trade Benefits America coalition, strongly urged federal lawmakers to make TPA-2015 a priority.
U.S. Port Security and the Impact of Sequester & Budget Woes
This article describes the impact of the “sequester” and budget showdowns on ports and port security, and also gives a preview of the House-Senate Conference on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). On the one hand, ports and port security have been severely hampered by the ongoing budget battles, as has the rest of the U.S. Government and economy. On the other hand, Congress appears to be on the brink of reauthorizing the Water Resources Development Act for the first time in six years.
HSV 2 Swift Delivered to U.S. Navy
The new Catamaran HSV 2 Swift was delivered to the U.S. Navy yesterday during a celebration in Hobart, Australia. High ranking US Military officers joined with invited guests to witness the handover of the 98 metre Wave Piercing Catamaran HSV 2 Swift, Incat Hull 061. Guests were welcomed on board HSV 2 Swift by His Excellency The Honourable Sir Guy Green, AC, KBE, CVO, Governor of Tasmania. With the Royal Australian Air Force band playing, flags flying and the usual pomp and ceremony associated with such events, the 80 or so US officers and crew were joined by representatives of the Australian Defence Force, invited guests and the entire Incat workforce.
