trade agreement

In an effort to get Mexico to cut tariffs on some U.S. goods, the U.S. federal government may start allowing Mexican trucking companies to transport goods onto U.S. roads.

The CEOs of 18 big companies, including Google, Boeing and General Electric, met with President Barack Obama to discuss the U.S. economy Wednesday. Several business leaders said they left with a sense of improved collaboration. But what will the talks actually accomplish?

Since the mad cow scare of 2003, South Korea has been a tough market for U.S. beef: The country first banned it, then severely limited imports. But a pending new trade agreement could mark the resumption of normal trade and the start of a more prosperous era for American beef exports.

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on Thursday is expected to discuss an ambitious plan to double U.S. exports to $2 trillion by 2015. The initiative will aim to help struggling farmers and small businesses distribute more of their goods -- and seeks to add 2 million jobs to the economy.