Below are two current events:

1. Recently President Trump announced new tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum. The tariffs are a 25 percent on imported steel and a 10 percent on imported aluminum.

2. From The Associated Press, April 2, 2018:

Some goods on which the Chinese government raised tariffs Monday.

25 PERCENT TARIFFS

Most goods targeted for 25 percent tariffs are varieties of pork, for which China is the No. 3 American export market.

— PORK

Fresh and chilled bone-in pork forelegs and hind legs, chilled whole and half hog heads, pork liver, chopped pork, other fresh and chilled pork

— ALUMINUM

Scrap aluminum

15 PERCENT TARIFFS

Chinese regulators also imposed 15 percent duties on apples, almonds and dozens of types of fruit

— FRUIT

Apples, fresh or dried; coconut, fresh and dried; bananas, fresh or dried; pineapple; pomegranates; mangos; grapefruit; grapes; watermelon; cherries; strawberries; dried apricots

— NUTS

Brazil nuts, cashews, almond kernels, walnuts, macadamia nuts, pine nuts

— WINE

Sparkling wine

— HERBS

Ginseng

— PIPES

Stainless steel and alloy pipe used for petroleum or natural gas, multiple diameters

Questions:

a. In which of the six components of the general environment would you categorize these events?

b. In your own words, discuss why a fertilizer company should be concerned.

c. Why should a clothing retailer want to be pay close attention to the international news and on going events related to these actions?