Marketplace Morning Report

Will China’s olive branch on trade do anything to ease tensions in Congress? Mayors from around the world pledge to lower climate change emissions. Assessing the economic toll of California’s planned power outages. Plus, how the 2017 GOP tax plan has hurt some homeowners to the tune of $1 trillion.

China resumes trade talks as the U.S. imposes restrictions on more tech firms. Plus, new analysis finds the big GOP real estate tax cap has hurt homeowners.

From BBC World Service…The world is going increasingly cashless, but using credit cards and online banking isn’t for everyone, with many small businesses and towns in the U.K. warning that they’re being hurt by disappearing cash points and bank branches. Plus, Apple removes a smartphone app Hong Kong protesters have been using to track police movements, saying it violated rules by being “used in ways that endanger law enforcement and residents.” However critics claim the U.S. firm is just bowing to pressure from China.

Investors perk up after China offers an olive branch on trade. American shale oil production is seeing little gains. Plus, the NBA and the creators of “South Park” enter the fray in Hong Kong.

Employees are leaving their jobs for greener pastures. Johnson & Johnson is ordered to pay a man $8 billion over the use of an anti-psychotic. Plus, Charles Schwab talks about his new book, his company cutting investment fees, and his history with dyslexia.

From the BBC World Service… Ireland’s finance minister warns of economic consequences of a no-deal Brexit. Ecuador declares a two-month state of emergency as protests turn violent. Plus, how businesses in India are impacted by potential single-use plastics ban.

The U.S. has blacklisted more Chinese tech companies ahead of trade talks. We look further into the trade deal with the U.S. and Japan that can benefit American farmers. Also, we discuss the Supreme Court hearing oral arguments regarding the rights of the LGBTQ community.

From the BBC World Service … China’s state broadcaster scraps plans to broadcast the NBA’s pre-season exhibition games as a political firestorm sparked by a tweet continues. The Trump administration adds more Chinese tech giants to its export blacklist in a move that is expected to inflame trade tensions, and some British companies are allowing their employees to decide how much they get paid.

GE freezes is U.S. pension plan in a debt-fighting move. Julia Coronado checks in to talk with us about the markets. Then, we look into a report about jail officials trying to find ways to avoid paying medical bills for inmates.

Contract talks between General Motors and the United Auto Workers have reached a standstill. We examine what the sticking points are. Also, upcoming consumer credit numbers could signal how the economy is doing ahead of the holidays. Then we delve into the concept of political branding.