Commerce Department U S

The United States moved one step closer to imposing duties against stainless steel rod producers in seven countries accused of unfair trade practices. The Commerce Department announced its preliminary findings on the extent to which imports may have been sold in the United States at below-market value. The department found the so-called dumping margin could be as much as one-third below the prevailing U.S. prices. Last July, the U.S.

Housing construction in June climbed to the highest level since the beginning of the year and fewer American workers filed claims for unemployment benefits, more signs that the economy may be gaining traction. The Commerce Department reported Thursday that the number of housing projects builders broke ground on rose 3.7% in June from May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.8 million units, the strongest showing since January.

Housing construction in June climbed to the highest level since the beginning of the year and fewer American workers filed claims for unemployment benefits, more signs that the economy may be gaining traction. The Commerce Department reported Thursday that the number of housing projects builders broke ground on rose 3.7% in June from May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.8 million units, the strongest showing since January.

The Clinton administration is preparing to loosen government controls on the sale of powerful computers to more than 100 countries only two weeks after a congressional committee charged it with carelessly permitting sales to China. The Commerce Department has proposed easing restrictions on sales to most countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe, administration sources said Monday.

The Clinton administration is preparing to loosen government controls on the sale of powerful computers to more than 100 countries only two weeks after a congressional committee charged it with carelessly permitting sales to China. The Commerce Department has proposed easing restrictions on sales to most countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe, administration sources said Monday.

The gross national product, the time-honored gauge of U.S. economic performance, will be downgraded this week as government officials unveil a different measure that focuses more on activity inside the nation's borders. Beginning with Wednesday's release of revised third-quarter figures, the Commerce Department will concentrate on gross domestic product, which measures goods and services produced in the country, rather than on the more familiar gross national product.

The Clinton administration has offered to give away a huge, valuable block of the radio spectrum to help several billionaire entrepreneurs, including Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates, resolve a dispute over their competing wireless telephone and Internet services.

In farewell salvos today, departing U.S. Customs Commissioner William von Raab plans to step up his assault on "wimps" at the State Department and "dithering" officials at the Treasury and Justice departments who have opposed his anti-drug efforts. Von Raab, whose eight years as customs chief have been marked by controversial initiatives and combative rhetoric, also plans to assail "free-wheeling licensing gurus" at the Commerce Department who have let U.S.

The U.S. International Trade Commission ruled Wednesday that imported Canadian forklift truck arms were not injuring domestic firms, rejecting their request that tariffs be imposed on the imports. The 6-0 vote was the second ruling this week on Canadian imports by the independent commission, which monitors compliance with U.S. trade law. On Monday the commission ruled 4-2 that Canada and Taiwan were dumping oil field tubular steel goods on the U.S. market, injuring U.S.

Money spent on new construction climbed 1.2% in December to the highest annual rate since last February, the Commerce Department reported. U.S. construction spending increased to an annual rate of $858.3 billion in December from November's $847.9 billion. The December figure was 2% above the rate for December 2001. Spending on new residential housing units was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $314.4 billion in December, 3.2% above November.

The United States moved one step closer to imposing duties against stainless steel rod producers in seven countries accused of unfair trade practices. The Commerce Department announced its preliminary findings on the extent to which imports may have been sold in the United States at below-market value. The department found the so-called dumping margin could be as much as one-third below the prevailing U.S. prices. Last July, the U.S.

The Clinton administration has offered to give away a huge, valuable block of the radio spectrum to help several billionaire entrepreneurs, including Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates, resolve a dispute over their competing wireless telephone and Internet services.

The gross national product, the time-honored gauge of U.S. economic performance, will be downgraded this week as government officials unveil a different measure that focuses more on activity inside the nation's borders. Beginning with Wednesday's release of revised third-quarter figures, the Commerce Department will concentrate on gross domestic product, which measures goods and services produced in the country, rather than on the more familiar gross national product.

In farewell salvos today, departing U.S. Customs Commissioner William von Raab plans to step up his assault on "wimps" at the State Department and "dithering" officials at the Treasury and Justice departments who have opposed his anti-drug efforts. Von Raab, whose eight years as customs chief have been marked by controversial initiatives and combative rhetoric, also plans to assail "free-wheeling licensing gurus" at the Commerce Department who have let U.S.

Stockpiles of unsold goods grew a surprisingly small 0.4% in January after a 0.9% increase in December, the government said today. Economists had expected business inventories to rise about 0.8%. The slower rate suggested firms were succeeding in bringing output back into line with demand after a massive accumulation of unsold goods in the fourth quarter of 1987. As a result, companies ought not need to cut production sharply in the months ahead, boding well for the economy.

TODAY → CVS Caremark Corp. is scheduled to release quarterly earnings. → Financial results are also expected from Electronic Arts Inc., Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. and Hasbro Inc. TUESDAY → Commerce Department releases wholesale trade inventories for December. → Earnings reports are expected from Coca-Cola Co., Walt Disney Co. and IAC/InterActiveCorp. WEDNESDAY → Commerce Department releases U.S. trade balance figures for December.