trade

North Dakota leads the nation in the production of several crops including: barley, canola, spring wheat, and honey. A low population state, farmers there rely heavily on exports.

Trump says we’re losing badly with trade. But North Dakota suggests otherwise.

North Dakota is a big place with a small population: 750,000. So, farmers send a lot of their harvest overseas, and elected officials know full well: Exports are the state’s lifeblood.

Trump says we’re losing badly with trade. But North Dakota suggests otherwise.
Trucks wait in a long line for border customs control to cross into the US at the Otay border crossing in Tijuana, Mexico.

Trump will give NAFTA talks a shot, but withdrawal is still possible

Trump will give NAFTA talks a shot, but withdrawal is still possible
A Mexican demonstrator holds a corn cob on "Día Nacional del Maíz" (National Corn Day). Mexicans have an expression: "sin maíz, no hay país” (without corn, there is no country). Mexico has been increasingly reliant on US imports since NAFTA took effect.

Trump's gamble: Mexico could actually gain more from a NAFTA redo

Trump's gamble: Mexico could actually gain more from a NAFTA redo
Japanese shipping containers in the port of Tokyo. In 2016, the US had a $69 billion deficit with Japan.

Trump warns of trade deficits. Economists say, who cares?

Trump warns of trade deficits. Economists say, who cares?
A spray painted sign against the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) free trade agreement is pictured in Frankfurt, Germany, March 29, 2016.

The huge US-EU trade deal is in danger of falling apart. No surprise there.

The huge US-EU trade deal is in danger of falling apart. No surprise there.
President Barack Obama and his family with Cuban President Raul Castro at an exhibition baseball game between the Cuban National team and the MLB Tampa Bay Rays in Havana.

Obama to Cuba: 'I have come here to bury the last remnant of the Cold War in the Americas'

President Barack Obama's speech to Cubans today featured echoes of Ronald Reagan's 1987 plea to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Obama to Cuba: 'I have come here to bury the last remnant of the Cold War in the Americas'
A Cuban flag and a sticker of a U.S. flag are seen on the roof of tricycle taxi in Havana March 9, 2016.

Here's why US-Cuban relations are so important to all of us

Sure, President Barack Obama's about to make a historic visit to Cuba. But it's also the climax of a string of events that could lead to significant trade and immigration policy adjustments between the US and the Cuban nation — which in turn may affect international business and domestic politics for the US.

Here's why US-Cuban relations are so important to all of us
Pills in a hand

New trade agreement may export high US drug prices to the developing world

A new trade agreement makes it harder for poorer countries to buy cheaper generic medications.

New trade agreement may export high US drug prices to the developing world
A worker prunes almond trees in an orchard near Bakersfield in the Central Valley, California, United States January 17, 2015.

What does California have in common with a decades-old Saudi Arabian water mystery?

A decade ago, Saudi Arabia began drying up. Today, it seems like California is headed down the same path. And the closer you look, the more similar the two situations seem.

What does California have in common with a decades-old Saudi Arabian water mystery?
A Chinese ship is anchored at Port of Santos in Brazil while being loaded with soybeans. May 19, 2015.

This is why Brazil is worried about China's shaky economy

Brazil's economic growth was fueled by China. Now, Brazilians are worried that China's slowing economy could drag down its economy even further.

This is why Brazil is worried about China's shaky economy
John Kerry state department human trafficking report 2015 malaysia upgrade

US human trafficking report is called 'toilet paper' after it upgrades Malaysia’s ranking

Critics believed the upgrade from tier three to tier two was a political decision to facilitate Malaysia’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a massive free trade deal being aggressively pushed by President Barack Obama.

US human trafficking report is called 'toilet paper' after it upgrades Malaysia’s ranking
Anti-Ivory Ad

China’s promised phase-out of ivory sales is good news for wildlife

Earlier this year, the Chinese government announced it would phase out commercial processing and sales of ivory, effectively shutting down the domestic market for ivory. If they hold true to this promise, it could have a massive impact on the poaching and trafficking of elephants.

China’s promised phase-out of ivory sales is good news for wildlife
Oil palm trees

Will Latin America chart a different, more sustainable path for palm oil?

Palm oil can mean steady, consistent income for farmers in the developing world, but it can also means environmental degradation and other abuses. As palm oil expands in Latin America, can it take a different course?

Will Latin America chart a different, more sustainable path for palm oil?
Protesters, many against the fast track trade authority of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, rally outside a hotel in Portland, Oregon.

Why economists think the Trans-Pacific Partnership will be good for Americans

The Trans-Pacific Partnership, a major free trade deal, has turned into a hot and divisive political battle. But no matter what the critics say, most economics believe the treaty will be good for most Americans, even poor ones.

Why economists think the Trans-Pacific Partnership will be good for Americans
HK Nicaragua Canal Development Investment Co Ltd (HKND Group) chairman Wang Jing waves after attending a media conference in Managua December 23, 2014.

Chinese investments are pushing the Latin American economy back in time

China has made major investments Latin America in the last few years. But it's pushing their economies back to a simple export business for raw materials.

Chinese investments are pushing the Latin American economy back in time