Ford saw a 19% rise in sales at dealerships in March, while General Motors reported a 17% year-over-year bump in first quarter sales.

Ortberg acknowledged to the committee that Boeing's string of controversies was "unacceptable," and stressed the company's commitment to safety.

Svitzer was spun off from A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S about a year ago, and the shares had lost about 8% since the listing on Nasdaq Copenhagen before April 2.

The American Apparel & Footwear Association warned that the cuts could lead to unfair competition with countries "not held to the same laws and standards for labor abuses."

Total tonnage at Port Houston was down 5% year-over-year in February, with an estimated 14 days in the month impacted by fog.

Using a 20% universal tariff as a benchmark, a Moody's simulation warned that such a levy could send the U.S. into a "serious recession."

The sector is already preparing for imminent additional risk, with new clauses that state companies hiring Chinese ships will bear the cost of any taxes.

The American Business Immigration Coalition is leading a push for "bipartisan, common-sense immigration solutions balancing security and economic strength." 

The spread of avian influenza has slowed in recent weeks, with no infections having been found in egg-laying flocks since March 18.

French Minister for Gender Equality Aurore Bergé said that French companies "don't plan to change their policies," and that forcing firms to comply is "out of the question."