24 h. ago IMF warns that trade tensions could test stability of world economy; Reeves ‘confident’ about US trade deal – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsDonald Trump’s tariffs will make it harder for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s car division, Ineos Automotive, to reach its first profit.Ineos Automotive’s CEO, Lynn Calder, told Bloomberg that the US president’s 25% tariff on foreign cars will make it harder to hit the earnings target.“For sure, this last week has put a dent in that and, for sure, delayed it,”“We’re stubborn as mules. We’re not easy to knock down.”“With fieldwork completed just days after Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, it is unsurprising that consumer expectations for the economy plummeted to a record low. The original tariff schedule, since reduced for most countries, was expected to reduce growth in the UK and elsewhere. Yet despite this economic pessimism, expectations of retail spending rose slightly as the prospect of Easter shopping drew closer.The state of the economy dropped significantly to -48 in April, down from -35 in March.Their personal financial...

Events

67 h. ago The Guardian view on the IMF’s warning: Donald Trump could cost the world a trillion dollars | Editorial

The US president’s economic agenda collides with fragile financial systems, triggering market fears, investor flight and developing nation chaosWake up! When the most sober of global institutions, the International Monetary Fund, abandons its usual technocratic calm to sound the alarm on the political roots of global financial instability, it’s time to pay attention. The IMF is warning of a non-negligible risk of a $1tn hit to global output, as Donald Trump’s erratic “America first” agenda – part oligarchic enrichment scheme, part mobster shakedown – collides with a perfect storm of global financial vulnerabilities.Such a shock would be equivalent to a third of that experienced in the 2008 crisis. But it would be felt in a much more fragile and politically charged environment. This time, the crisis stems not just from markets but from the politics at the heart of the dollar system. The IMF’s latest Global Financial Stability Report sees the danger in Mr Trump’s trade ...

Events

2 d. ago Risks to global financial stability surging after Trump tariffs, warns IMF

World body says ‘sharp repricing of risks’ possible amid growing concern over role of ‘nonbank’ lendersIMF warns of ‘major negative shock’ from Trump’s tariffsEditorial: Donald Trump could cost the world $1tnThe global financial system is coming under increasing strain as Donald Trump’s trade war rocks markets, the International Monetary Fund has warned.“Global financial stability risks have increased significantly,” the IMF said in its regular snapshot of the system, urging regulators to be on the alert for potential crises. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Global economic growth will slow amid Trump tariffs, IMF warns – as it happened

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as ECB reduces main interest rate from 2.5% to 2.25%, the seventh cut in a yearTrump attacks Fed chair Jerome Powell for not lowering interest ratesECB cuts rates for third time this year as Europe braces for Trump tariffsDonald Trump is awake. And he has strongly criticised monetary policy by the Federal Reserve, saying the end of Jerome Powell’s tenure as chair “cannot come fast enough”.In a post on Truth Social, the social network he owns, Trump said that Powell had been too slow to cut interest rates – contrasting its hesistance because of perceived inflationary pressures with the European Central Bank (ECB).The ECB is expected to cut interest rates for the 7th time, and yet, “Too Late” Jerome Powell of the Fed, who is always TOO LATE AND WRONG, yesterday issued a report which was another, and typical, complete “mess!” Oil prices are down, groceries (even eggs!) are down, and the USA is getting RICH ON TARIFFS. ...

Events

7 d. ago Global economic growth will slow amid Trump tariffs, IMF warns – business live

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as ECB reduces main interest rate from 2.5% to 2.25%, the seventh cut in a yearTrump attacks Fed chair Jerome Powell for not lowering interest ratesECB cuts rates for third time this year as Europe braces for Trump tariffsDonald Trump is awake. And he has strongly criticised monetary policy by the Federal Reserve, saying the end of Jerome Powell’s tenure as chair “cannot come fast enough”.In a post on Truth Social, the social network he owns, Trump said that Powell had been too slow to cut interest rates – contrasting its hesistance because of perceived inflationary pressures with the European Central Bank (ECB).The ECB is expected to cut interest rates for the 7th time, and yet, “Too Late” Jerome Powell of the Fed, who is always TOO LATE AND WRONG, yesterday issued a report which was another, and typical, complete “mess!” Oil prices are down, groceries (even eggs!) are down, and the USA is getting RICH ON TARIFFS. ...

Economics

1 week ago White House says there is ‘great optimism’ in the economy despite ongoing market volatility – business live

Markets pick up slightly after earlier falls amid increasing fears of recession while White House insists Trump’s tariffs are ‘proven economic formula’US stocks fall again after rally following Trump’s shock retreat on tariffsWhat are bonds and why have they spooked Donald Trump?The US dollar slumped on Friday as waning confidence in the US economy prompted investors to ditch US assets to the benefit of safe havens like the Swiss franc, yen and euro, as well as gold.The yellow metal recorded a new all-time peak in early Asia trade, and the franc notched a fresh decade high, Reuters reports.There has been a pronounced ‘sell US’ vibe flowing through broad markets and into the classic safe-haven assets, with the USD losing the safe-haven bid. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago ‘The damage is done’: Why Trump’s tariff pause has not stopped the risk of global recession

Even with a 90-day halt on aggressive tariff hikes, leading economists say uncertainty has already caused considerable harm

Events

2 w. ago GDP jump offers Rachel Reeves some light as UK enters Trump tariff tunnel

Growth defied forecasts that chancellor had hobbled economy, but trade war casts long shadowUK economy far exceeds forecasts to grow 0.5%Business live – latest updatesEarlier this year Rachel Reeves was being written off for having jeopardised Britain’s economy. The chancellor’s tax-raising autumn budget had sapped business investment, spooked the financial markets and put the jobs market at risk.The latest official figures showing stronger-than-expected economic growth of 0.5% in February will therefore come as a boost for the embattled chancellor, in a sign that the economy was in better health than her critics claimed. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago ‘The damage is done’: Why the risk of global recession remains despite Trump’s tariff pause

Even with a 90-day pause on aggressive tariff hikes, leading economists say global damage has already been done thanks to ongoing uncertainty

Events

2 w. ago China retaliates with 84% tariffs as Trump says ‘great time to move companies to the US’ – business live

Stock markets down in UK and across Europe after steep declines in Asia, while turmoil spreads to bond market China announces 84% tariffs on all US goods in response to Trump’s 104%Bank of England warns Trump tariffs threaten global growth and raise risk of ‘severe shocks’Today’s tariffs follow Trump’s 10% tariff on all imports from many countries, including Australia, which came into effect at the weekend.US customs agents began collecting the unilateral tariff at US seaports, airports and customs warehouses on Saturday. Today’s measures are higher levies on goods from 57 larger trading partners. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump tariffs threaten global growth and raise risk of ‘severe shocks’, says Bank of England

Levies have heaped pressure on government finances and increased chance of ‘further sharp correction’, report warnsTrump imposes new tariffs on dozens of partnersDramatic sell-off of US government bondsBusiness live – latest updatesDonald Trump’s sweeping tariffs have put global growth at risk, the Bank of England has warned, heaping pressure on government finances and increasing the likelihood of “severe shocks” to the financial system.The Bank’s financial policy committee (FPC) said its global risk environment had deteriorated and “uncertainty had intensified” since its last update in November, with US tariff announcements contributing to a “material increase in risks to global growth” and inflation levels. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago NHS medicines could be at risk due to Trump tariffs and global trade friction, ministers warned

Ministers must treat medicines supplies as a ‘defence’ issue as it faces ‘hostile activity’ over the brewing trade war

Events

2 w. ago Trump tariffs live: Starmer warns ‘world as we know it has gone’ as Jaguar Land Rover halts shipments to US

Donald Trump admits tariffs plan ‘won’t be easy’ but calls on Americans to ‘hang tough’

Events

2 w. ago Trump tariffs live: Jaguar Land Rover pauses shipments to US as 10% tariff kicks in for UK

Donald Trump admits tariffs plan ‘won’t be easy’ but calls on Americans to ‘hang tough’

Politics

2 w. ago FTSE suffers biggest daily drop since early in the pandemic as Wall Street slides again – business live

Global trade war escalates as Beijing hits back against Donald Trump with new tariffs on US goodsChina retaliates to Trump’s ‘bullying practice’ with 34% tariffs on US importsIMF warns of ‘significant risk’ to global economy from Trump tariffs as markets slideAnalysis: Trump’s ‘idiotic’ and flawed tariff calculations stun economistsNew Civil Liberties Alliance, a conservative legal group, has filed what it says is the first lawsuit seeking to block Donald Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports, saying the US president overstepped his authority. Reuters reports:The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Florida, alleges that Trump lacked the legal authority to impose the sweeping tariffs unveiled on Wednesday as well as duties authorized on February 1 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.“By invoking emergency power to impose an across-the-board tariff on imports from China that the statute does not authorize, President Trump has misused that power, usurped Congress’s right ...

Economics

3 w. ago Stock markets plunge as China announces retaliatory 34% tariffs on US goods – business live

Global trade war escalate as Beijing hits back against Donald Trump with new tariffs on US goodsIMF warns of ‘significant risk’ to global economy from Trump tariffs as markets slideGlobal markets in turmoil as Trump tariffs wipe $2.5tn off Wall StreetAnalysis: Trump’s ‘idiotic’ and flawed tariff calculations stun economistsNew Civil Liberties Alliance, a conservative legal group, has filed what it says is the first lawsuit seeking to block Donald Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports, saying the US president overstepped his authority. Reuters reports:The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Florida, alleges that Trump lacked the legal authority to impose the sweeping tariffs unveiled on Wednesday as well as duties authorized on February 1 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.“By invoking emergency power to impose an across-the-board tariff on imports from China that the statute does not authorize, President Trump has misused that power, usurped Congress’s right to contro...

Economics

3 w. ago IMF warns of ‘significant risk’ to global economy from Trump tariffs as markets plunge

Fund boss Kristalina Georgieva says it is important that US and trading partners avoid escalating trade warBusiness live – latest updatesThe International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that Donald Trump’s implementation of swingeing tariffs poses a “significant risk” to the global economy, as stock markets were hit by a punishing worldwide sell-off by investors.Kristalina Georgieva, the managing director of the IMF, said it was important that the US and its trading partners avoided further escalating Trump’s trade war, while stock markets plunged on Friday as China retaliated against the tariffs. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago FTSE 100 hits lowest level since January as IMF warns Trump tariffs ‘a significant risk’ to global economy – business live

Kristolina Georgieva warns against retaliation to US levies while US president insists ‘markets will boom’ after sweeping tariff announcementGlobal markets in turmoil as Trump tariffs wipe $2.5tn off Wall StreetAnalysis: Trump’s ‘idiotic’ and flawed tariff calculations stun economistsNew Civil Liberties Alliance, a conservative legal group, has filed what it says is the first lawsuit seeking to block Donald Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports, saying the US president overstepped his authority. Reuters reports:The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Florida, alleges that Trump lacked the legal authority to impose the sweeping tariffs unveiled on Wednesday as well as duties authorized on February 1 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.“By invoking emergency power to impose an across-the-board tariff on imports from China that the statute does not authorize, President Trump has misused that power, usurped Congress’s right to control tariffs, and upset the Constitution’s ...

Events

3 w. ago Asian markets drop further as IMF warns Trump tariffs ‘a significant risk’ to global economy – business live

Kristolina Georgieva warns against retaliation to US levies while US president insists ‘markets will boom’ after sweeping tariff announcementFull report: Global markets in turmoil as Trump tariffs wipe $2.5tn off Wall StreetAnalysis: Trump’s ‘idiotic’ and flawed tariff calculations stun economistsSenior senators introduced new bipartisan legislation on Thursday seeking to claw back some of Congress’s power over tariffs after Donald Trump unveiled sweeping new import taxes and rattled the global economy with sweeping new import taxes.The Trade Review Act of 2025, co-sponsored by Senator Chuck Grassley, a top Republican lawmaker from Iowa, a state heavily reliant on farm exports, and Senator Maria Cantwell, a Democrat from Washington, whose state shares a border with Canada, would require the president to notify Congress of new tariffs, and provide a justification for the action and an analysis on the potential impact on US businesses and consumers. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago US dollar ‘at risk of confidence crisis’ as Trump tariffs rattle global markets – business live

Ursula von der Leyen says tariffs a ‘major blow’ to world economy, as US dollar falls to six month low after US President Trump’s ‘liberation day’Full report: Trump announces sweeping new tariffsAnalysis: Trump’s tariffs likely to raise prices and cause chaosWhat are tariffs and why do they matter?The new US tariffs “will only create losers” with US consumers particularly hard hit, the German Automotive Industry Association (VDA), has said in a statement, calling on the EU “to act together and with the necessary force, while continuing to signal its willingness to negotiate.”The body, which represents the powerful German auto industry, said the tariffs markedthe United States’ departure from the rules-based global trade order – and thus a departure from the foundation for global value creation and corresponding growth and prosperity in many regions of the world.This is not America first; this is America alone. Continue reading...

Economics