The Hill June 12, 2019 By Frank Knapp Jr., Opinion Contributor The recently released Department of Labor May report on employment revealed a shocking number: New jobs last month rose by only 75,000, dramatically below expectations. Even worse, the number of new jobs created in March and April were revised…
Good, bad news on our state economy
Lexington County Chronicle June 6, 2019 By Jerry Bellune South Carolina ranks 34th of 50 states in overall economic health. Yet it is 6th highest of all states in imports. That’s a sign that what we make and sell in other countries brings more money into our economy. These are…
How’s that trade war working out for us?
2018 saw the Trump Administration start trade wars with other nations, principally with China, under the premise that the U.S. trade deficit was too large. China is also accused of forcing U.S. companies to transfer their technology to the Chinese in order to do business in that country. China is…
Partial federal government shutdown ends but political impasse remains
MULTIBRIEFS January 28, 2019 By Seth Sandronsky Last Friday, President Trump signed a bill in effect through Feb. 15 that ends the 35-day partial federal government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. What is likely to or could happen over the next three weeks as border security talks between the…
How the partial federal government shutdown affects small businesses
MultiBriefs January 9, 2019 By Seth Sandronsky On the 2016 campaign trail, President Trump vowed that Mexico would pay for a wall on its border with the U.S. from California east to Texas. That was then, and this is now: day 19 of a partial federal government shutdown. As Trump…
US, China come to trade truce — for now
MultiBriefs December 6, 2018 By Seth Sandronsky There are signs that U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping want to mend if not end a growing trade fight. Businesses in both nations would appear to welcome the 90-day binational trade truce between the nations that began on Dec.…
Fair trade? China-US tariff tensions rise
MultiBriefs September 20, 2018 By Seth Sandronsky Take the world’s two biggest economies. Then, increase trade tariffs, or taxes, as a policy to solve disputes. President Trump said on Sept. 17 that tariffs, or taxes on $267 billion of China’s imports to the U.S., its top buyer, will begin on…
BMW says no change in South Carolina expansion plans
New Orleans City Business The Seattle Times July 11, 2018 By: The Associated Press BMW says it is sticking with plans to add 1,000 workers in South Carolina, even though the company will start production of a new vehicle in China. BMW and Chinese partner Brilliance Automotive Group Holdings said…
BRACK: Use smarter tools to be tough on trade
Statehouse Report July 6, 2018 By Andy Brack, editor and publisher President Donald Trump is the bully in the China shop of global trade. If a new trade war sparked by tariffs on goods from China, Canada, Mexico and our European allies continues, South Carolinians will lose jobs – lots…
What happened when North Carolina cut taxes like the GOP plans to for the country
(Disclaimer: Eric Henry is an old friend of mine. Don’t hold that against him.) The Washington Post December 3, 2017 By Todd C. Frankel BURLINGTON, N.C. — For a peek into a world after a massive tax cut, visit North Carolina and ride along with factory owner Eric Henry. Conservative…