Trump Slapping 10% Tariffs On $200 Billion In Chinese Imports
President Trump has directed U.S. Trade Representative Wilbur Ross to place additional 10% tariffs on about $200 billion worth of Chinese imports, effective September 24. On January 1, 2019, the tariffs will increase to a rate of 25%. If the Chinese government retaliates, the Trump administration will enact tariffs on $267 billion worth of additional imports, according to a White House statement. “Once again, I urge China’s leaders to take swift action to end their country’s unfair trade practices,” Trump stated. “Hopefully, this trade situation will be resolved, in the end, by myself and President Xi of China, for whom I have great respect and affection.”
FPPC Closes Investigation Into City’s Measure M Mailers
City Attorney Charles Parkin announced today that the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) no longer has any open cases against the city related to alleged violations of FPPC rules about Measure M. Former Councilmember Gerrie Schipske filed a complaint with the FPPC alleging that city-issued informational materials regarding Measure M amounted to campaigning, a violation of FPPC rules. The measure allows the transfer of “surplus city utility revenues to the city’s general fund,” and was approved by voters on June 5.
Report Shows ‘Significant’ Economic Impact By Long Beach Immigrants
The City of Long Beach in partnership with New American Economy released a report stating immigrants had a “significant impact” on the local economy in 2016. The report shows that Long Beach-area immigrants paid more than $1 billion in taxes and earned $3.4 billion in income in 2016. Immigrants made up 26.6% of the total population and 32.1% of the employed labor force, according to the report. Nearly 36% of Long Beach entrepreneurs are immigrants, who generated $162.1 million in business income in 2016. “Immigrants in Long Beach, and across the United States, are making critical contributions to the local economy, and are key players in these cities’ success stories,” Mayor Robert Garcia said in a statement.
Local Company Owes More Than $3.5M In Back Wages And Benefits
Long Beach-based California Cartage Company LLC, which is owned by National Freight Industries, must pay more than $3.57 million in back wages and benefits to 1,416 employees, the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced last week. The WHD found that the company violated the McNamara-O’Hara Contract Act (SCA) by not paying prevailing wages or required health and welfare benefits to employees at a centralized examination station operated by U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Cartage received federal funds to provide drayage services for cargo selected for inspection. All companies that receive federal funds to provide services to the government are required to pay its employees the prevailing wage under the SCA.
New Clean Truck Rules Begin At San Pedro Bay Ports October 1
As part of the 2017 Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) update, new trucks entering service at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles must be model year 2014 or newer as of October 1. Under the original 2006 CAAP, all trucks in port service were required to be model 2007 or newer. Today, about half of the trucks on the Port Drayage Truck Registry are at least 2010 model year or newer, according to the ports’ announcement. The CAAP update set a goal to replace older trucks with zero-emission trucks by 2035. Click here for more information or read previous Business Journal coverage here.