BEIJING >> Chinese Premier Li Keqiang appealed to Washington on Tuesday to “act rationally” and avoid disrupting trade over steel, technology and other disputes. He promised Beijing will “open even wider” to imports and investment.
“No one will emerge a winner from a trade war,” said Li, the No. 2 Chinese leader, at an annual news conference held during the meeting of China’s ceremonial legislature.
Li made no mention of a possible Chinese response if U.S. President Donald Trump raises import barriers over trade complaints against Beijing. But other officials say President Xi Jinping’s government is ready to act.
Trump is expected to announce tariff hikes as early as this week on billions of dollars of Chinese goods from clothing to electronics, despite warnings by U.S. business groups that that might hurt American companies and consumers. That has prompted fears Beijing might retaliate by cutting Chinese purchases of American jetliners, soybeans and other goods.
“What we hope is for us to act rationally rather than being led by emotions,” said Li. “We don’t want to see a trade war.”
San Francisco is largest city to ban sale of fur
SAN FRANCISCO >> San Francisco supervisors voted unanimously to ban the sale of fur, further burnishing the city’s animal-loving credentials as it becomes the largest U.S. city to approve the prohibition.
Animal welfare advocates around the world cheered news of Tuesday’s vote, applauding the city for its compassion and hoping that the legislation will catch on.
The ban takes effect Jan. 1 and applies to apparel and accessories featuring real fur, including coats, keychains and gloves. An amendment added Tuesday allows furriers and other retailers to sell current inventory until Jan. 1, 2020.
Wayne Hsiung, co-founder of animal rights network Direct Action Everywhere, said in a statement that “this historic act will usher in a new wave of animal rights legislation across the globe.”
Retailers in San Francisco, however, balked at what they called another social mandate at the cost of their ability to make a living.
ON THE MOVE
City Mill has announced that Shannan Okinishi has been appointed the company’s marketing manager. Her responsibilities include overall leadership of the Marketing Department for City Mill and sister company Simply Organized. Okinishi has nearly 20 years of experience in media sales, marketing strategy as well as planning and project management, including having served as retail advertising manager for Oahu Publications.
The Queen’s Medical Center has awarded Cortney Midla as the 2017 Employee of the Year. She was chosen from among 12 Employees of the Month, and they represent a staff of more than 4,700 employees at Queen’s. Midla serves as a clinical data analyst at Queen’s Comprehensive Weight Management Program and has been with the hospital for the past seven years.
