International Trade and World Market

• China’s Trade Surplus Surged 20 Percent to New Highs - A currency kept weak to help Chinese factories, combined with faltering consumer spending, propelled exports, while a campaign for self-sufficiency limited imports.
• Two Hours, Scores of Questions, 23,000 Words: Our Interview With President Trump - Four New York Times reporters pressed Mr. Trump about a range of topics in a nearly two-hour interview. Here is a transcript of their conversation.
• Trump Administration Nears Trade Deal With Taiwan - The deal would cut tariffs and include a commitment from Taiwanese Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation, the island’s chip giant, to build more manufacturing plants in the United States.
• Trump’s $100 Billion Venezuela Oil Plan Gets a Cool Reception - President Trump met with oil and gas executives on Friday in an effort to push them to invest money in Venezuela, a plan many of them are reluctant to embrace.
• Volkswagen Suffers More Than Rivals From Auto Industry Woes - The German automaker’s sales in the United States plunged last year, hit by tariffs and the end of tax credits for electric vehicles.
• Trump Is Making a Power Play in Latin America. China Is Already There. - China built a dominant strategic position in the region as the leading lender and trading partner. It is watching President Trump’s next moves closely.
• E.U. and South America to Form Free-Trade Zone With 700 Million People - The agreement represents a push for deeper global cooperation, in contrast to the United States turning to coercion in its dealings with other countries.
• U.S. Trade Deficit Fell to Lowest Level Since 2009 in October, Data Show - The monthly trade deficit continued to shrink after President Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on foreign imports.
• China’s Threat to Block Rare Earths Has Put Japan on High Alert - Tokyo is concerned at signs that Beijing may be laying the groundwork to restrict access to the metals vital to manufacturing.
• China Touts Hainan, Its Duty-Free Island, Amid $1 Trillion Trade Surplus - Policies meant to lure importers to Hainan, a resort island off China’s coast, signal an opening up, Beijing says. One expert calls it a “bait and switch.”