Import tariffs placed on more than US$300 billion worth of Chinese goods during the Trump administration increased US prices, according to a report from a bipartisan US trade commission, confirming a widely held view among analysts of trade and tariffs that they caused “self-inflicted harm”.
How much did Trump-era tariffs on China cost Americans? New US findings confirm ‘self-inflicted harm’
For a variety of reasons, the US is already one of the worst places in the world to build infrastructure. And now, president Joe Biden’s plan to “buy American” for future government infrastructure projects will likely make things even worse.
Biden’s “Buy American” plan could kill US jobs
By Michael Hudson
The reaction to the sabotage of three of the four Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in four places on Monday, September 26, has focused on speculations about who did it and whether NATO will make a serious attempt to discover the answer. Yet instead of panic, there has been a great sigh of diplomatic relief, even calm. Disabling these pipelines ends the uncertainty and worries on the part of US/NATO diplomats that nearly reached a crisis proportion the previous week, when large demonstrations took place in Germany calling for the sanctions to end and to commission Nord Stream 2 to resolve the energy shortage.
The Euro Without German Industry
On September 8, ArcelorMittal Poland announced it would take Blast Furnace No. 3 at the Dąbrowa Górnicza steel manufacturing plant off stream starting in late September. According to the company, the temporary measure is a response to current market conditions throughout Europe.
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“Reducing production is the result of several factors,” the company said, elaborating on its decision. “[These include] the slow-down of economic activity in Europe, destocking done by customers, increasing level of imports from outside EU, and increasing gas and electricity prices.”
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“Additionally, the cost of carbon, which is not applicable for steel producers importing steel into Europe, has reached record high levels this year, placing European steelmakers at a further competitive disadvantage,” the company added.
Steel Manufacturing: ArcelorMittal Poland Plans Extended Shut-Down
Trump Administration Hits Iran With Even More Sanctions
While sanctions against Iran have steadily increased over the past few years, the pressure was turned up after it became clear President Trump would not serve a second term, and sanctions have been added weekly since November. The Trump administration hopes to make it as difficult as possible for Joe Biden to return to diplomacy with Iran and revive the 2015 nuclear deal.
President Trump on Friday signed a proclamation expanding tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from some countries.
— Read on thehill.com/policy/finance/479881-trump-expands-tariffs-on-steel-and-aluminum-imports
Ms. Cat’s Chronicles 
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