Government, Business

Chinese Tariffs Hit US Car Sales, Jobs in Trade-Heavy Counties

In the trade war with the U.S., China’s tariffs have targeted agricultural goods for a couple main reasons: They make up a large proportion of U.S. exports to China, but also because they strike at the heart of President Donald Trump’s base of support in farm country.

October 8, 2019
Business

GM and Ford Can’t Shake Anguish Over US Sales

General Motors Co. posted a quarterly sales gain, and Ford Motor Co. sales fell less than expected. But both are having trouble shrugging off concerns that the U.S. auto market is taking a turn for the worse.

October 2, 2019
Government, Business, Fuel

Officials Agree on Plan to Boost Ethanol, Biodiesel

The Trump administration has agreed to a new plan for boosting renewable fuels and offsetting waivers exempting oil refineries from mandates to use them, according to three people familiar with the matter who asked for anonymity before a formal announcement.

October 1, 2019
Government, Business, Fuel

Pemex Faces Oil Trading Team Exodus Amid Pricing Review

Petroleos Mexicanos’ head of crude oil trading Victor Briones and two other executives left the company amid a conflict over an external review of the nation’s crude price formulas, people familiar with the matter said.

September 27, 2019
Government, Business, Fuel

A 12,000-Mile Trip May Be in Vain Due to Iran Oil Sanctions

More than two months and 20,000 kilometers (12,000 miles) ago, the tanker Da Yuan Hu left Singapore and headed to Mexico to pick up a shipment of crude oil. On Sept. 26, with less than two weeks to go until it reaches its destination, its long quest could be in jeopardy.

September 26, 2019
Business, Technology, Equipment, Fuel

China Battery Giant Shrugs Off Headwinds With $1.4 Billion Plan

China’s top maker of electric-vehicle batteries plans to spend $1.4 billion (10 billion yuan) building its first factory in the southwest of the country, adding to ambitious plans for the next decade even as the short-term EV outlook gets buffeted by subsidy cuts and demand uncertainties.

September 26, 2019
Government, Business

China Gives New Waivers for Tariff-Free US Soybean Purchases

The Chinese government has given new waivers to several domestic state and private companies to buy U.S. soybeans without being subject to retaliatory tariffs, according to people familiar with the situation.

September 24, 2019
Government, Business, Technology, Fuel

California Sues US to Regain Power Over Auto Emissions

California is asking a federal court to prevent President Donald Trump from stripping the state of its power to set limits on auto emissions of greenhouse gases that are stricter than those of the national government.

September 20, 2019
Business, Logistics

GM Makes Concessions on Big-Ticket Employee Health Care

As GM was nearing the expiration of its labor contract with the union last week, the carmaker sought to have hourly workers pay 15% of their health care costs, according to sources familiar with the talks. But by the time the company presented UAW with a deadline offer, GM walked back the proposal and called for keeping contributions steady at about 4%, said the sources.

September 18, 2019
Business, Technology, Fuel

Porsche, Tesla Compete on Electric Vehicle Speed

First there was derision. Then mockery turned into admiration. Now a battle is unfolding between the most revered names in the automobile world, Porsche and Tesla Inc., on one of the world’s most challenging racetracks.

September 13, 2019