The U.S. trade war with China just got kicked up another notch.
The White House on Wednesday proposed a 25 percent tariff on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, more than double the 10 percent tax rate originally planned.
U.S. trade representatives are trying to re-engage China in trade talks to de-escalate tensions between the two countries. Advisers reportedly told President Trump that China's authorities would be more likely to yield if higher tax rates were imposed.
Last month, the administration imposed a 25 percent tariff on $34 billion worth of Chinese goods, mostly machines and components. When Beijing immediately retaliated, Trump proposed additional taxes on $200 billion in importsーthis time affecting more consumer goods like furniture and computers.
Raising the proposed tax rate on those goods means extending the deadline for public comment on the plan from August 30 to September 5.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s second-in-command has quietly stepped down amid reporting by The Associated Press that he once consulted for a pharmaceutical distributor sanctioned for a deluge of suspicious painkiller shipments and did similar work for the drugmaker that became the face of the opioid epidemic: Purdue Pharma.
The Biden administration on Wednesday proposed new guidelines for corporate mergers, took steps to disclose the junk fees charged by landlords and launched a crackdown on price-gouging in the food industry.
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger made a secret trip to China to meet with leaders.
Travis King, a private 2nd Class U.S. soldier, was identified as the individual that crossed the North and South Korean border earlier this week.
Several civil rights groups are suing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over his new immigration laws.
A judge in Iowa temporarily blocked the state's six-week abortion ban.
A U.S. national is being held in North Korea after crossing its closely-guarded border with South Korea.
The Biden administration and major consumer technology players on Tuesday launched an effort to put a nationwide cybersecurity certification and labeling program in place to help consumers choose smart devices that are less vulnerable to hacking.
Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has received a letter informing him that he is a target of the Justice Department's investigation into efforts to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election, an indication that he could soon be indicted by federal prosecutors.
A judge in Iowa has temporarily blocked the state's new six-week abortion ban from taking effect.
