Trade War

Trade war buildup is letting companies meet a surge in demand from U.S. students and workers stuck at home.

The June 1 start date would add to pressures on U.S. companies due to the spread of the coronavirus

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on Monday said the United States would seek to promote more domestic manufacturing of key medical supplies in light of the strategic vulnerabilities laid bare by the coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19, which originated in Wuhan, China, has infected 286,000 people worldwide and killed nearly 12,000, according to the latest data provided by Johns Hopkins University & Medicine.

While a growth slowdown could be cushioned by ultra-loose monetary policy among the world's major central banks, it also may trigger new debt crises in emerging markets.

Supply chains typically garner more attention in times of social or economic distress, such as trade wars or disease outbreaks.

Cuban cigar sales topped $531 million last year, state monopoly Habanos S.A. announced on Monday

China was focused on the virus for now, he said, but Washington still expected Beijing to live up to its commitments to buy more U.S. products and services under the trade deal.

China exports the most goods of any country on the planet --- $2.4 trillion in 2017.