People Make Business

As a rather turbulent 2009 draws to a close, entrepreneurial spirit is still very much alive. A third of British people want or have already started their own business according to recent YouGov research. The results show that while Brits are keen to get in the driving seat, the recession has had a damaging effect on entrepreneurial confidence. In comparison to this time last year, 50 percent of respondents agreed that now is a worse time to set up a new business and around 40 percent of those that do want to set up their own business blame the recession for delaying their plans.

Any company who has existed through the past 18 months will understand the real challenges businesses can face, and know the level of determination, commitment and drive that is required to keep a business going having experienced one of the biggest recessions since the 1930’s. H

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The steel imports to be taxed are called “oil country tubular goods.” They are hollow, circular steel products, including well casings and tubing. And in 2008, the U.S. imported $2.7 billion worth of them from China, a 357% increase in volume compared to 2006, according to the Commerce Department.

Overall, the U.S. consumes about $11.5 billion worth of the steel piping, according to the commission records.

The U.S. International Trade Commission said more information would be available later Wednesday.

The U.S. and China already have a tense relationship when it comes to trade, despite visits to Beijing earlier this year by President Obama and top cabinet officials

The first shot was fired earlier this fall, when the U.S. slapped a 35% tax on imports of Chinese tires, which had accounted for roughly 50 million tires or more than one-fifth of all tires sold in America.

Chinese officials have opposed such measures, calling them protectionist.

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