United States

Wal-Mart, Gap, and The Children’s Place have become the first U.S. retailers to contribute to a US$40 million fund for the victims of last year’s Rana Plaza factory collapse. While none of these companies have publicly admitted to sourcing clothes from a Rana Plaza production facility, labor groups say that both Wal-Mart and The Children’s Place were indeed linked to the building. The fund is aimed at compensating over 4,000 people affected by the incident last year. (The New York Timese)

Exports of premium U.S.-made women’s jeans to the European Union will no longer be subject to extremely high tariffs imposed last year starting on May 1. The European Union has voted to reverse a 26% hike in the tariff imposed as retaliation toward the United States for unfair trade practices. The tariff now stands at 12.35%. (PR Newswire)