Government

BEIJING — China’s government said Dec. 27 it has made plans with Washington for talks in January aimed at ending a tariff battle that threatens to depress global trade.

With just days to go before Christmas, funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation and other agencies remained uncertain as President Donald Trump continued to push for robust funding for a wall along the border he said Mexico would pay for.

While 33 states allow the use of medical marijuana and 10 states permit possession and recreational use of pot, for truck drivers there is but one law: Don’t use it. Period.

Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits rose for the first time in three weeks while remaining near levels that reflect a tight labor market.

Expect record-breaking crowds this holiday season on the nation’s roads, rails and runways, as about one-third of Americans will be on the move.

In a farewell address Dec. 19 to the nation that highlighted ongoing concerns over immigration and celebrated the passage of legislation about tax and energy policies, the outgoing Republican leader of the House of Representatives did not mention transportation-centric bills that had advanced during his tenure.

The Federal Reserve raised borrowing costs for the fourth time this year Dec. 19, ignoring a stock market sell-off and defying pressure from President Donald Trump, while dialing back projections for interest rates and economic growth in 2019.

China, the world’s largest consumer of soybeans, bought American-grown oilseed for a second week after largely shunning U.S. supplies earlier this year in a trade war between the countries.

Sales of previously owned U.S. homes rose for a second straight month and exceeded forecasts in November, suggesting consumer demand is picking up as price gains moderate amid more generous inventories.