sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
China Weighs Tariffs on Some U.S. Exports as Tensions Rise
<nyt_byline version="1.0" type=" "> By KEITH BRADSHER
</nyt_byline> Published: September 13, 2009
HONG KONG — China unexpectedly ratcheted up pressure on the United States in a widening trade dispute on Sunday evening, taking steps toward imposing tariffs on American exports of automotive products and chicken meat in retaliation for President Obama’s decision late Friday to levy tariffs on tires.
The action by China’s commerce ministry came as both governments are facing domestic pressure to take tougher stands against the other on economic issues, even as leaders seek to work together to combat global security threats, like the nuclear ambitions of Iran and North Korea. Mr. Obama’s decision to impose a tariff of up to 35 percent on Chinese-made tires came after he promised labor unions during the 2008 campaign that he would more strictly enforce trade laws, especially against China, which has steadily gained manufacturing jobs as the United States has lost them.
snip
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/14/business/global/14trade.html?hp
<nyt_byline version="1.0" type=" "> By KEITH BRADSHER
</nyt_byline> Published: September 13, 2009
HONG KONG — China unexpectedly ratcheted up pressure on the United States in a widening trade dispute on Sunday evening, taking steps toward imposing tariffs on American exports of automotive products and chicken meat in retaliation for President Obama’s decision late Friday to levy tariffs on tires.
The action by China’s commerce ministry came as both governments are facing domestic pressure to take tougher stands against the other on economic issues, even as leaders seek to work together to combat global security threats, like the nuclear ambitions of Iran and North Korea. Mr. Obama’s decision to impose a tariff of up to 35 percent on Chinese-made tires came after he promised labor unions during the 2008 campaign that he would more strictly enforce trade laws, especially against China, which has steadily gained manufacturing jobs as the United States has lost them.
snip
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/14/business/global/14trade.html?hp