As a March deadline approaches, American negotiators are struggling with how to ensure China, which has reneged on promises to past administrations, follows through on any agreement. Source: NYT > Business – ANA SWANSON and ALAN RAPPEPORT
German Growth Stagnates as Trump Trade War Starts to Bite
Europe’s largest economy showed no growth in the fourth quarter as steel tariffs hit manufacturers and sales to China declined. Source: NYT > Business – JACK EWING
Trump’s Trade War Leaves American Whiskey on the Rocks
Squeezed by retaliatory tariffs, the spirits industry is joining a growing chorus of businesses pressuring the president to back off his trade fights. Source: NYT > Business
U.S. and Germany Defuse an Energy Dispute, Easing Tensions
In a rare show of accord, Berlin promised to help build a port for importing liquid gas. Washington is toning down its opposition to a pipeline from Russia. Source: NYT > Business
Trump Says U.S. May Delay China Trade Deal Deadline
President Trump said that he would consider delaying the March 2 deadline and that the United States might not impose higher tariffs on Chinese goods if talks with Beijing were going well. Source: NYT > Business
U.S.-China Trade Talks Face Big Obstacle: Ensuring That Promises Are Kept
American negotiators, worried that Beijing will drag its feet on sticking to the provisions of a deal, want a way to punish failures to comply. Their Chinese counterparts may not go along. Source: NYT > Business