China's Coming Reductions in Import Barriers: A Short-Term or Long-Term Change?

SHANGHAI -- The Chinese government is to reduce import tariffs on popular consumer goods, and increase imports of such goods, as part of its efforts to boost domestic consumption. China’s State Council, or cabinet, announced after a meeting on Tuesday that it would begin a trial reduction of tariffs on certain types of popular goods by June. It also announced an expansion of the categories of imports benefiting from tax reductions.

The European Commission faces a difficult choice Wednesday -- stick to its principles and impose anti-dumping duties on Chinese solar panel imports, or bow to German-led pressure and avoid a step many believe risks a full-scale trade war with Beijing. The stakes are high, commercially and politically.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce says the province’s businesses will need offset measures to help transition to the new Ontario Retirement Pension Plan. The 60,000-member business lobby said in a release Tuesday that the new ORPP will increase costs for employers, even when existing offset measures are taken into account. Those measures include  a reduction in Employment Insurance (EI) and Workplace and Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) premiums.

Washington (AFP) - US authorities on Tuesday proposed the first-ever federal regulations to cut the potent greenhouse gas methane by limiting emissions from the oil and gas industry.

Berlin (AFP) - China's Premier Li Keqiang will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday, the third top-level talks this year between the export powers, amid growing disquiet over human rights and business rules.