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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Issues: trade

Can Trump ‘Order’ U.S. Companies to Leave China?

Can Trump ‘Order’ U.S. Companies to Leave China?
August 27, 2019

President Trump said he “hereby ordered” U.S. companies to “immediately start looking for an alternative to China,” including moving their operations back to the United States. His top economic adviser later said “we do have such authority, but it is not going to be exercised presently.” Here we look at the 1977 law the administration cited.

Kudlow’s Unsupported USMCA Jobs Claim

Kudlow’s Unsupported USMCA Jobs Claim
August 21, 2019

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow claimed without evidence that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement would add “180,000 new jobs per year” in the U.S.

U.S.-Japan Trade Deficit Not ‘Changing Rapidly’

U.S.-Japan Trade Deficit Not ‘Changing Rapidly’
August 16, 2019

In Pennsylvania, President Donald Trump falsely claimed that the trade deficit with Japan is “changing rapidly.” In fact, the U.S. deficit in goods and services with Japan is up slightly under Trump.

Harris Wrong on Autoworker Jobs

Harris Wrong on Autoworker Jobs
August 14, 2019

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris wrongly claimed that “as many as 300,000 autoworkers may be out of a job before the end of the year.” That’s a high-end estimate for total job losses — not solely among autoworkers — due to the potential impact of the Trump administration’s trade policies, including actions not yet taken.

Biden’s Stretch on Intellectual Property Theft

Biden’s Stretch on Intellectual Property Theft
July 10, 2019

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden says the Trump administration has not been fighting China on “stealing intellectual secrets,” claiming that instead it has been “fighting in trade.” But intellectual property issues have been part of ongoing trade negotiations with China.

Trump’s Dubious Claims About China

Trump’s Dubious Claims About China
June 12, 2019

In remarks to the press in Iowa and before departing for Iowa, President Donald Trump talked about ongoing trade negotiations with China, and the possibility of enacting further tariffs. But Trump distorted the facts on several points.