US Trade and Climate Correspondent

About us

The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide.

At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world.

In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing.

Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.

Build a newsworthy career at the FT.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion 

We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.

The role 

We are looking for a correspondent to cover international trade, based in Washington, DC.  This is a demanding but rewarding role and an exciting opportunity to be part of one of the most intense, news-driven bureaus in the FT on a beat that will be central to our global report following Donald Trump’s election victory.

Trump upended global trade policy the first time he was president, but has vowed even more aggressive action starting next year, including sweeping across-the-board tariffs of up to 20 per cent on all imports, and even higher levies on goods from China.

Tensions are likely to rise with all key US trading partners, including Canada and Mexico,  the EU and the UK. Markets could be volatile, and the impact could be felt across the global economy. The interaction between trade policy and climate will also be an important area of coverage, as Trump tries to gut the clean energy subsidies introduced by his predecessor, while the EU moves to use its trade policy to cut emissions. You will have knowledge of economic policymaking and trade, a proven track record of news reporting, strong analytical skills and solid judgement.   

 Key responsibilities:

• Collaborate with Washington-based colleagues covering China and the US economy to cover Trump’s trade policies
• Develop an array of sources in the administration, on Capitol Hill and among business lobbyists and foreign diplomats, to break new angles
• Travel outside Washington to cover the impact of Trump’s trade policies in states and communities most affected
• Help with breaking news in one of the FT’s most heavily news-driven bureaus
• Work with colleagues covering trade and climate policy in the global network, particularly in Brussels and other major capitals 

Washington is necessarily one of the most collaborative bureaus in the FT network, and you will be expected to help colleagues with big stories that occasionally stray beyond their patch, from budget fights to foreign policy crises. But at its heart, this opportunity is one of the most exciting and consequential stories in the FT’s coverage, and is the ideal way for a correspondent to showcase their skills on a truly global story. 

Please submit your application by the end of the day, Wednesday 18th December 2024. 

Salary range

A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $80,000 to $100,000. To ensure pay fairness, the successful candidate will be offered a salary within the estimated salary range based on a number of considerations including but not limited to: skill set; experience and training; certifications; and other business and organisational needs. This position is represented by the News Guild.

What’s in it for you? Our benefits

Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here.

We’ve embraced a hybrid working model that promotes flexibility, including remote work options. We will support specific flexibility requests for all roles where feasible.

Accessibility

We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email [email protected] and a member of our team will be happy to help.

*LI-RS1