5 h. ago Trump claims China's President Xi called HIM amid tariffs drama and makes odd comparison regarding their chat

President Donald Trump claimed that China's President Xi Jinping called him amid the countries' tariff drama - as China continued to dispute that trade talks are happening.

Politics

6 h. ago Trade war fears trigger biggest slide in US consumer expectations since 1990 recession – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsXi announces plan for Chinese economy to counter impact of US trade warEuropean stock markets are rising this morning, amid hopes that China is relaxing some of its tariffs.In London, the FTSE 100 index is up 12 points or 0.13%, at 8417 points. Engineering companies are among the top risers, with aerospare manufacturers Melrose up 3.6%, and Rolls-Royce up 2%, after Safran reported that tariffs on aircraft parts have been lifted.“We learned last night that China has taken the decision not to tax engines or landing gear or nacelles - in other words a certain number of aerospace equipment parts.”“It demonstrates that the situation is very fluid.” Continue reading...

Economics

9 h. ago ‘Very problematic’: US apparel bosses say Trump’s tariffs will hurt Americans

The president aims to boost US manufacturing, but insiders warn tariffs will increase costs and destroy businessesAcross the US, many executives leading apparel and textiles businesses are scratching their heads.Tariffs of 145% on goods from China, and tariffs of 10% on goods from much of the rest of the world, have been billed by the White House as a once-in-a-generation efffort to boost domestic manufacturing. Continue reading...

Politics

13 h. ago China ‘may exempt some US goods’ from tariffs; British retail sales beat forecasts – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsRachel Reeves used a brief speech to US investors at the British ambassador’s lavish residence in Washington last night, to acknowledge some of the downsides of globalisation, in a nod to Donald Trump’s stance.As she prepares to meet Treasury secretary Scott Bessent today, Reeves said China’s entry into the global trading system 25 years ago had created “huge benefits in terms of cheaper goods, more innovation and more opportunities to trade”.“They voted for change because they didn’t think that the economy worked well enough for them and their families. They saw the erosion of good jobs that paid a decent wage. They saw industries that once powered their towns disappear. And as elected politicians we have to respond to that”.“Some may say that under this very consequential president we have at the moment, this is a rollercoaster period and therefore a challenge to us all. But we would say that a rollercoaster is fine, as lon...

Economics

21 h. ago Consumer confidence slides amid household bill hikes and ‘Trump Tariffs’

GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index fell four points in April to minus 23, led by an eight-point fall in expectations for the wider economy.

Politics

45 h. ago Trumpworld talks out of both sides of its mouth on tariffs and trade

Analysis: Trump’s tariffs might upset the tummy of Wall Street. But its the inconsistency that will give investors heartburn

Politics

51 h. ago Rachel Reeves says US trip about more than 'damage limitation' as she signals UK could lower import levies on American cars in bid for trade deal with Donald Trump

The Chancellor is in Washington for IMF meetings and talks with other G20 finance ministers to discuss the impact of the US president on global commerce.

Politics

51 h. ago Reeves opens door to cutting US car import tariffs in UK trade talks

Chancellor says a deal ‘can be done’ with Washington but insists Britain will not lower food or auto standards

Politics

52 h. ago FTSE 100 jumps amid global stock rally after Trump rows back on tariff threats

The US president said that sky-high trade tariffs on China will ‘come down substantially but it won’t be zero’, prompting stock markets to surge.

Politics

53 h. ago Stock markets rise as Trump backtracks on high China tariffs and firing Fed chair

Weeks of tough talk from the US president, who now says he will be ‘very nice’ to China, had rattled investors Stock markets have risen around the world after Donald Trump said his tariffs on China would come down “substantially” and he had “no intention” of firing the chair of the US central bank, Jay Powell.Weeks of tough talk on trade from White House officials have rattled investors and Trump now appears to be softening his tone. The president told reporters in Washington on Tuesday he planned to be “very nice” to China in trade talks and that tariffs could drop in both countries if they could reach a deal, adding: “It will come down substantially, but it won’t be zero.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 d. ago Rachel Reeves vows to 'meet the moment' ahead of crunch US tariff talks

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will meet her US counterpart Scott Bessent for make-or-break trade deal talks in Washington DC as she calls for tariffs on UK goods to be lifted

Politics

4 d. ago From peppercorns to plastic forks: US businesses that rely on Chinese products reel from Trump tariffs

Price hikes worry restaurants and online markets as uncertainty stymies their ability to plan for the futureChang Chang, a Sichuan restaurant in Washington DC, was already noticing that some of its business had dropped off after tens of thousands of federal workers living in the area lost their jobs. But the recent tariff rate hikes mark an even greater blow for the restaurant.Sichuan peppercorns, which create the signature numbing spice of the regional Chinese cuisine, along with other ingredients, face an at least 145% tariff after last week’s tit-for-tat trade battle between China and the United States. The steep rate is an existential threat for restaurants across the country that rely on specialty ingredients imported from China to craft the authentic flavors of their dishes, said operators who were blindsided. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Japan reports a $63 billion trade surplus with the US as it talks with Trump on tariffs

Japan recorded a trade deficit for the fiscal year that just ended but racked up a $63 billion surplus with the United States

Economics

9 d. ago World Trade Organisation says global trade could slide this year because of Trump’s tariff policies

‘Enduring uncertainty threatens to act as a brake on global growth’ says international trade forum

Politics

9 d. ago One of UK’s largest companies sees £2bn wiped off shares through Trump tariffs impact

The UK distributor supplies companies around the world with everyday goods such as food packaging, equipment and protective wear

Economics

9 d. ago Visas not an issue in UK trade talks, insists India's top diplomat in London amid Trump tariff chaos

Vikram K Doraiswami stressed that his country wanted Indian companies to be able to move staff to Britain ‘more easily’ as part of an agreement, but their focus was on hiring locally

Politics

9 d. ago Nvidia hit with $5.5bn charge after promising half a trillion US investment

The world’s biggest chipmaker and AI leader is set to invest heavily in the States across the coming years

Economics

9 d. ago Japan set for ‘guinea pig’ trade talks with US after Trump’s tariffs

Tokyo first in line for negotiations that will be closely watched as test case of Washington’s trade war strategy

Politics

1 week ago US tariffs explained: what they are, how they work and who they affect

President Trump’s tariff plan, which included a 10% charge on imports from the UK, has shaken the world’s financial markets

Economics

1 week ago US’s $2.36tn tourism business fears ‘Trump slump’ over tariff turmoil

Warnings emerge even as effect of economic and political turbulence on the foreign visitors to the US is hard to defineBatman said business was so-so, and King Kong beat his chest in agreement. But neither could predict that it would improve. Gotham’s caped crusader and his muscular ape neighbour could only hope. As with Times Square’s superhero-themed visitor-photography business last week, so it is with the US tourism business at large.The effect of economic and political turbulence on the number of foreign visitors coming to the US is for now hard to define. But both – whether through tariffs, currency exchange chaos, or fears over political ill-winds – are sending chills through the $2.36tn business, the world’s most powerful travel and tourism market. Continue reading...

Economics