US Trade Chief Tai Seeks Talks with China, Won't Rule Out New Tariff Actions
Top U.S. trade negotiator Katherine Tai on Monday pledged to exclude some Chinese imports from tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump while pressing Beijing in "frank" talks over its failure to keep promises made in Trump's trade deal and end harmful industrial policies.Tai said the United States would keep all options open as it continues to push China to stop pouring billions of dollars of state subsidies into its semiconductor, steel and other industries that Washington says harm U.S.
U.S. Allies Facing Steel Import Quotas Could Be Worse Off
U.S. government moves to negotiate steel import quotas with its allies in exchange for tariff exemptions could leave them worse off than countries who have to pay the levy.Washington set tariffs of 25 percent on U.S. steel imports in March, but has since granted the European Union, Canada and Mexico temporary exemptions until June 1.It has also agreed permanent exemptions for Brazil, Australia, Argentina and South Korea in return for quotas.South Korea, for example, agreed to quotas restricting its steel sales to the United States by 30 percent…
Women Are Moving up in the Maritime Industry
Historically, women have played only a minor role in shipping, shipbuilding and related areas up to the present, but decision makers in the industry are now beginning to recognize their potential in view of the current shortage of skilled people. Women are a major focus at the Maritime Career Market held at SMM. A highlight is presentation of the “Personality of the Year 2016” award by the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA). More women means more profit, as shown in a study by the Peterson Institute in Washington published in February 2016. The more women a company employs in middle and senior management, the better its earnings. The rule of thumb is that an increase in female executives from zero to 30 percent boosts profitability by 15 percent.
