BUSINESS/TARIFFS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump signed legislation on Thursday [9-13-18] that would reduce tariffs on nearly 1,700 imported products used by U.S. manufacturers — an uncharacteristic move for the leader who has shown an affinity for imposing tariffs on foreign goods. The bill, which House lawmakers passed last week, temporarily reduces or suspends tariffs on various imported raw materials and intermediate goods that are not produced in the U.S. The Miscellaneous Tariff Bill has long received strong support from congressional trade leaders and major business groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, but it expired in 2012 after it became entangled in the House Republican ban on earmarks. A win for U.S. manufacturers: The American Chemical Council welcomed Trump’s signature as a win for American chemical manufacturers ‘who rely on select foreign inputs to retain our position as the world’s leading, low-cost producer of chemicals.’ Chemicals make up more than half of the products that will see tariff reductions, the group said.”
–Sabrina Rodriguez, “Trump signs tariff-cutting bill into law,” Politico, September 14, 2018 10:00 am