Ra?l Castro has said Cuba hopes to continue to normalize relations with the United States but made it clear that the Trump administration should not expect concessions affecting the country?s sovereignty. Seeking to reverse more than 50 years of US efforts to force communist-run Cuba to change by isolating it, Obama agreed with Castro in December 2014 to work to normalize relations. Obama, a Democrat, used executive orders to circumvent the longstanding US trade embargo on Cuba and ease some restrictions on travel and business. Travel to the Caribbean island from the United States has increased, with the start of direct flights and cruises and roaming agreements signed, but no manufacturing or significant trade deals have been inked. Since then the two countries have restored diplomatic ties and signed cooperation agreements.

Story highlights May and Trump to discuss trade, NATO, Russia and SyriaTrump recently described NATO as "obsolete"London (CNN) British Prime Minister Theresa May is set to visit US President Donald Trump in Washington on Friday, making her the first foreign leader to meet with the newly inaugurated president. The British Embassy in Washington confirmed the visit to CNN, saying that the leaders would also discuss relations with Russia and the global fight against terrorism. Speaking in a televised interview with the BBC`s Andrew Marr, May said she would discuss the countries` future trade relations, the importance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Syrian conflict. "What I think is important is that when I sit down, I will talk about how I can build on this special relationship. He has already said to me that he wants to see a very strong relationship between the US and the UK in the future," May said.

We all lose the benefits of the greater productivity and lower prices that TPP would have provided. Moreover, less educated workers would have gained almost as much as more educated workers. Rather, the bulk of American workers, consumers and businesses likely will be hurt by the unfolding of US trade policies under President Trump. (CNN) It`s now clear that the election of Donald Trump will dramatically alter the shape of the world`s economy for the foreseeable future. But based on his executive action to withdraw from the negotiating process of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), this reshaping will not be for the benefit of US workers and citizens.

But already, Chinese leaders are angling to take the United States` place and expand the country`s influence in the region. In exchange, the United States had negotiated labor, environmental and intellectual property protections that major businesses sought. However, by pulling the United States out of the deal, Trump fulfilled a campaign promise. Best-case scenario for the United States: Nothing at all, since China wasn`t involved in the TPP. The task is difficult -- even though Trump`s move to withdraw from the TPP is likely to be politically popular.

Relations between China and the United States will inevitably deteriorate with Mr. Trump at the helm. On the bilateral front, a trade war between China and the United States seems likely under Mr. Trump. China is also poised to take a leading role in environmental policy, given Mr. Trump?s hostility toward climate agreements. And as much as Mr. Trump would like to freeze the forces of free trade, the world will keep globalizing. China has a chance to become a full-fledged superpower if it responds to the Trump presidency by opening up more to the world economically and politically.

Over the last two years, these trade deficits have taken an entire percentage point out of America`s sluggish economic growth. With its systematic half-a-trillion dollars of quasi structural trade deficits, the U.S. accounts for 40 percent of the world`s total (trade deficits) and bears the brunt of what some would call beggar-thy-neighbor trade policies. These countries account for 40 percent of world GDP, but their combined trade surpluses of $1 trillion represent about 80 percent of the world`s total. Germany is currently running the world`s largest trade surplus of $300 billion. In other words, nearly half of the world economy is a drag on the rest of the global demand, output and employment.

In the event of a US-UK trade deal, farmers on both sides of the Atlantic might argue that GM labelling, and cultivation and import bans, are discriminatory barriers to trade. A US-UK trade deal opens the door to imports of American foods grown using these pesticides. The UK?s willingness to accept imports of animal feed manufactured with animal byproducts (and GM soya) could be a prerequisite of any US trade deal. Facebook Twitter Pinterest A US-UK trade deal could lead to GM crops being grown commercially in the UK. The only GM foods currently on British shelves are sweet imported American junk foods, and cheap cooking oils aimed at the catering trade.

Downing Street insisted there was no contradiction between having concerns about a country?s human rights record and signing trade deals. The human rights situation in Turkey had ?deteriorated markedly? during the state of emergency imposed after last July?s botched coup, said Amnesty. Britain currently trades with Turkey through Ankara?s trade deal with the EU, which will no longer be valid when Britain leaves. The Turkish defence deal will see BAE Systems collaborate with Turkish companies to build a bespoke fighter jet, the TF-X. May and Erdo?an also agreed to form a joint working group to begin talking about a bilateral trade deal that could be signed after Brexit.

U.S. President Donald Trump`s approach to trade issues could trigger retaliation in other countries and harm global economic growth, European Central Bank policy maker Ignazio Visco said on Saturday. "The U.S. administration`s declared intention of slowing down or reversing trade liberalization processes, and the steps it has already taken in this direction, risk triggering tit-for-tat measures in other countries, with negative repercussions for world growth," Visco, who sits on the ECB Governing Council, told a financial conference.

Image copyright PATheresa May is set to discuss a post-Brexit trade deal with Turkey during weekend talks in the country with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A new trading relationship with Turkey following the UK`s exit from the European Union would form part of discussions, Number 10 said. Mrs May`s first prime ministerial visit to Turkey comes as President Erdogan is increasing pressure on opponents following the failed military coup in July 2016. The spokeswoman added: "They will be discussing a new trade relationship [and] a strategic security partnership. Many fear that Turkey - a key Nato ally - is heading towards a more authoritarian future under President Erdogan.

Theresa May is travelling to Turkey for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about security and a post-Brexit trade deal. The Prime Minister and Mr Erdogan are also expected to unveil a strategic security partnership which will see the UK and Turkey collaborate more closely on aviation security and counter-terrorism measures. On a visit to Ankara last year, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson expressed hope of securing a "jumbo" free trade deal with Turkey after Brexit. The Prime Minister`s visit to Ankara comes at an unstable time for Turkey, which has suffered several terror attacks in recent months. Mrs May will also be under pressure to confront Mr Erdogan over human rights, as his crackdown on dissent following last summer`s failed coup has seen thousands of officials jailed and several media outlets closed.

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Mexico sent $295 billion worth of goods across the U.S. border in 2015, the office of the Trade Representative says. "Fresh vegetables purchased from Mexico totaled $4.8 billion in 2015, according to the office of the Trade Representative. The U.S. has made use of services from Mexico in transportation, travel, technology and other industries. But cars are far from the only product that U.S. importers bring in from Mexico. "Consider the impact on American consumers of a 20% hike in the cost of foods such as bananas, mangoes and other products that we simply cannot grow in the United States.

And that`s where the Trump team could potentially get more creative and declare this border wall as a national security issue," explained Goujon. If that happens, the matter would have to be referred to units within the Commerce Department to decide whether it actually constitutes a national security issue, she continued. Invoking national security could be one of them, Reva Goujon, vice president of global analysis at intelligence firm Stratfor, told CNBC on Friday. " An import tax is set to pose major economic consequences for Mexico`s manufacturing-based economy and U.S. businesses whose bottom lines rely on Mexican imports. As American President Donald Trump continues his headstrong quest to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border, many expect him to use various tactics to strong-arm his southern neighbor into paying for the anti-immigration tool.

Chief of Staff Reince Priebus called the 20 percent tax on Mexican imports is one of a "buffet of options. Former Mexican President Vicente Fox in a video posted on Twitter implored Trump to rethink his position. Trump later was asked by NBC News about the 20 percent import tax and replied, "We`re going to tax people coming in. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Thursday afternoon that President Donald Trump was not formally proposing a 20 percent tax on Mexican imports to pay for his controversial border wall, but rather considering it among a menu of options. "I`m deeply concerned by President Trump`s statements today reaffirming his commitment to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)," McCain said.

U.S. trade policy towards China has been upended with the arrival of the Trump administration, and Boeing jetliner deliveries are widely viewed as vulnerable if China retaliates. Related: Trump & Boeing: It`s not about Air Force One, it`s about ChinaBoeing anticipates delivering between 760 and 765 airliners in 2017, roughly matching its 2015 record of 762 planes. Boeing`s chief executive has reiterated the company`s plan to open a facility in China to install the interiors on single-aisle 737 jetliners. ""We`re able to add volume and increase sales in China, because as we increase sales to China we increase building airplanes here in the U.S., and that`s U.S. manufacturing jobs," he said. Boeing leaders are concerned a significant shift in trade policy toward China could have catastrophic effects on the company`s plans to sustain and increase production of its lucrative 737 planes.

President Raul Castro expressed Cuba`s willingness to continue negotiations with President Donald Trump`s new administration but warned that his country would not concede any of its sovereignty. He said Cuba was willing to continue normalizing relations with Washington but his country would not "make concessions inherent to its independence and sovereignty" to achieve this. "Cuba and the United States can cooperate and live together in a civilized manner," Castro said Wednesday in a speech at the summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. The leaders veered off the expected script for the summit after Trump signed executive actions calling for construction of a border wall and stripping support for so-called sanctuary cities. Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa called upon everyone to "assume a clear position in defense of migrants, not only from Latin America and the Caribbean, but the entire world.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe signaled that he?s open to a bilateral trade deal with the U.S. after Donald Trump formally withdrew from a 12-nation Asia-Pacific accord this week in one of his first acts as president. Defense Minister Tomomi Inada told parliament she welcomed the visit as a sign of America?s interest in Asia. Trump prefers to negotiate bilateral trade deals and has warned that he might withdraw U.S. troops from South Korea and Japan if allies did not pay more for their services. One-on-one talks with the U.S. on a trade deal are ?not absolutely impossible,? Abe told lawmakers on Thursday in Tokyo, adding that he?s finalizing negotiations for a summit with Trump. Abe, a key proponent of the Trans-Pacific Partnership regional trade agreement, is seeking ways to boost economic relations with Japan?s only military ally.

Hong Kong human rights situation `worst since handover to China` Read moreAccusing the government of not having ?manifestly stood up for Hong Kong?, Patten said: ?I wonder what has happened to our sense of honour and our sense of responsibility ? particularly in Britain. He said the agreement between London and Beijing committed the UK to protecting Hong Kong?s rights until 2047. ?I think it would be a tragedy if we let down these kids as well.?Anson Chan, the former Hong Kong chief secretary who worked as Patten?s deputy, echoed his concern. Pro-independence politicians have also been blocked from Hong Kong?s legislature. ?We regularly discuss the importance of respect for ?one country, two systems? and Hong Kong?s high degree of autonomy with the Chinese government.