A guest looks at their corn cob-themed tie signed by U.S. President Donald Trump during a signing ceremony for the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Jan. 29, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Leah Millis)

Trump signs CUSMA pact

Canada's ratification still to come

Washington | Reuters — President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a new North American trade agreement during an outdoor ceremony at the White House attended by about 400 guests — but not the key Democrats who helped secure congressional passage of the deal. Trump, on trial in the U.S. Senate on charges of abusing power […] Read more

Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands after signing “Phase One” of a U.S.-China trade agreement during a ceremony at the White House in Washington on Jan. 15, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)

U.S., China reset trade relationship with Phase One agreement

Washington | Reuters — The United States and China announced an initial trade deal on Wednesday that will roll back some tariffs and boost Chinese purchases of U.S. goods and services, defusing an 18-month conflict between the world’s two largest economies. Beijing and Washington have portrayed their “Phase One” agreement as a momentous step after […] Read more



Champagne vineyards at Montagne de Reims, France. (Southtownboy/iStock/Getty Images)

U.S. vows 100 per cent tariffs on France’s champagne, cheese over digital tax

Washington | Reuters — The U.S. government on Monday said it may slap punitive duties of up to 100 per cent on US$2.4 billion in imports from France of champagne, handbags, cheese and other products, after concluding that France’s new digital services tax would harm U.S. tech companies. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office said its […] Read more


A cargo ship is loaded with Brazilian soybeans bound for China. (Photo: Reuters/Paulo Whitaker)

Trump, citing U.S. farmers, slaps metal tariffs on Brazil, Argentina

Washington/Rio de Janeiro | Reuters — U.S. President Donald Trump ambushed Brazil and Argentina on Monday, announcing tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum imports from the two countries in a measure that shocked South American officials and left them scrambling for answers. In an early morning tweet, Trump said the tariffs, “effective immediately,” were necessary […] Read more




U.S. seen unlikely to block Chinese purchase of Smithfield

The U.S. government should soon give the go-ahead for the largest-ever Chinese acquisition of a U.S. company: a Chinese food group’s US$4.7 billion deal to buy Smithfield Foods, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters. Government approval of the purchase of Smithfield, the world’s largest pork processor, by Shuanghui International Holdings would be a […] Read more