News
ISSA Advocacy Recap—U.S. Manufacturing Not Boosted by Trade War with China
October 30, 2020Welcome to the ISSA Advocacy Recap, our regular roundup of the latest public policy issues impacting the cleaning industry. This week’s recap touches on the U.S. trade war with China, new COVID-19 workplace standards in Oregon, the absence of a federal economic stimulus package before the election, and more.
Trade War with China Not Boost for U.S. Manufacturing
U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war against China has not achieved the central objective of reversing a U.S. decline in manufacturing, despite tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of Chinese goods to discourage imports, MarketWatch.com reported. The tariffs did succeed in reducing the trade deficit with China in 2019, but the overall U.S. trade imbalance was bigger than ever that year and has continued climbing, reaching a record US$84 billion in August as U.S. importers shifted to less expensive sources of goods from Vietnam, Mexico, and other countries. The trade deficit with China also has risen amid the pandemic and is back to where it was at the start of the Trump administration.
Oregon OSHA to Implement New COVID-19 Workplace Standards
The Oregon Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) will soon set temporary COVID-19 workplace rules that require employers to provide the best indoor air quality possible and personal protective equipment, along with proper wear instructions to employees, according to KGW-TV. Oregon will become the third state, along with Virginia and Michigan, to set emergency workplace standards due to the coronavirus pandemic.
No Economic Relief Deal before Election Day
President Trump acknowledged this week that a coronavirus economic relief deal would likely come after the November 3 election, with the White House unable to bridge differences with fellow Republicans in the U.S. Senate, as well as congressional Democrats, Reuters reported. “After the election we’ll get the best stimulus package you’ve ever seen,” Trump told reporters at the White House before leaving on a campaign trip. Trump and U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-D) have traded blame for the impasse over another large stimulus package worth around $2 trillion to help Americans weather the pandemic.
Visit ISSA Government Affairs Booth as Part of ISSA Show North America Virtual Experience
Want to learn more about the growing intersection between the cleaning industry and government affairs at the federal and state levels? Be sure to visit the ISSA Government Affairs exhibitor booth as part of the ISSA Show North America Virtual Experience, November 16-19, 2020, where you can find out how ISSA advocates on behalf of the full spectrum of the cleaning industry, become an ISSA Advocate for Clean and be entered to win an Amazon gift card, as well as “chat” with members of your ISSA Government Affairs team. We look forward to connecting with you soon!
Other links of interest
- Small Businesses Await Guidance on PPP Loan Forgiveness
- S. Economy Grew Record 33.1% Annual Rate Last Quarter
- S. Weekly Jobless Claims Total 751,000; 778,000 Expected
- Bouncing Back: A List of Statewide Return-to-Work Protocols
- Time Is Running Out: Register for Cleaning Products – A Regulatory Review