Christmas tree promotion put on hold by USDA

WASHINGTON – Is the Obama administration really taxing Christmas trees?

No, but the White House said Wednesday it was reversing its decision to approve an industry-sponsored Christmas tree promotion program after conservatives accused the Agriculture Department of spoiling Christmas with a new tree tax.

The program – similar to familiar industry campaigns like “Got Milk?” “Beef: It’s What’s For Dinner” and “The Incredible Edible Egg” – would have been fully funded by fees on the industry at 15 cents per Christmas tree sold. The industry had asked the USDA to set up the program.

Conservative critics said the costs could eventually be passed on to consumers. The National Christmas Tree Association said it wouldn’t have an impact on the price consumers pay for their trees.

White House spokesman Matt Lehrich said the USDA would delay the program, but defended it, saying it was not a tax.

“I can tell you unequivocally that the Obama administration is not taxing Christmas trees,” Lehrich said. “What’s being talked about here is an industry group deciding to impose fees on itself to fund a promotional campaign.”

Associated Press

GM earnings buffeted by losses in Europe

LOS ANGELES – General Motors Co. saw its profit slide in the third quarter, hurt by losses in Europe and a slowing global economy.

Although the nation’s largest automaker has posted a string of seven consecutive profitable quarters, its earnings in the latest period fell 15 percent to $1.7 billion, or $1.03 per share, from $2 billion, or $1.20 a share, in the same period last year. Revenue rose 7.6 percent to $36.7 billion.

“We produced a solid quarter generating our best results in North America and China, the world’s most important auto markets and where GM is a market leader,” said Dan Akerson, GM’s chief executive. “We have a lot more work to do, especially in Europe, which is being hurt by challenging economic conditions, and in South America.”

Los Angeles Times

Toyota recalling 420,000 vehicles in U.S.

SEOUL, South Korea – In another corporate sputter for beleaguered Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp., the company said it was recalling more than 420,000 vehicles in the U.S. in connection with potential steering problems.

The safety recall to replace the crankshaft pulley on the V-6 engine affects 283,200 Toyota and 137,000 Lexus vehicles in the U.S., the company said. Worldwide it covers 550,000 cars.

There have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to the problems, Toyota said.

If not corrected, the outer ring of the crankshaft pulley may become misaligned with the inner ring, causing noise or a warning signal to light up. The belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley, making it suddenly more difficult to turn the driving wheel, the release said.

Since September 2009, Toyota has issued recalls covering more than 13 million vehicles in the U.S.

Los Angeles Times