61 h. ago The Guardian view on Donald Trump’s tariffs: a spectacle of struggle and control | Editorial

The US president wields tariffs not as a policy tool but as an instrument of pressure, rewarding loyalty and punishing defiance – even among alliesDonald Trump has probably not read much Michel Foucault. But he appears to embody the French philosopher’s claim that “politics is the continuation of war by other means”. Nowhere is this more apparent than in his fondness for tariffs. He presents taxing foreign imports as a way to rebuild the American economy in favour of blue-collar workers left behind by free trade and globalisation. Yet he plainly thinks that politics is not about truth or justice. It is about leverage and supremacy.Britain is learning first-hand that Mr Trump, with his us-versus-them framing and taste for spectacle, is an accidental Foucauldian – using tariffs as tools of loyalty and dominance, even against allies. If Mr Trump follows through on his threat to impose a 20% tariff on all imports, UK growth will suffer. The effect depends on the response....

Politics

3 d. ago China and India to face brunt of Trump tariff threat against Russian oil buyers

‘Very angry’ Trump says he will punish all buyers of Russian oil if he believes Putin is scuppering a ceasefire deal on Ukraine

Economics

4 d. ago Ukraine war briefing: Trump sanctions threat on Russian oil buyers could hit China, India

Trump threatens Putin over ceasefire; Russia claims it has taken control of a Donetsk village. What we know on day 1,132China and India could be affected if Donald Trump introduces tariffs of 25-50% against countries buying Russian oil, analysts and officials have suggested. Dan Sabbagh reports that the US president told NBC he would impose such measures within a month “if a deal isn’t made, and if I think it was Russia’s fault”, as he vented frustration at Vladimir Putin’s delaying tactics and attempts to discredit Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president.Some countries, including China and India, are not participating in anti-war sanctions against Russian oil. Secondary sanctions or tariffs imposed directly on them by the US could further limit Putin’s access to oil revenue to fund the war. While not joining the international sanctions against Russia, China has been wary about breaching them in case it attracts secondary penalties. Some Chinese banks, for example, have curtail...

Events

4 d. ago UK responds to Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariff threat

Home Secretary Yvette Coope rdid not rule out the UK government hitting back with tit-for-tat measures but said talks were ongoing to reach a deal with the White House

Politics

5 d. ago Keir Starmer urged to get tough with Trump as US tariff threat looms

PM told to be as robust as Canada with the US president as the UK stages last-ditch talks to strike trade dealKeir Starmer should fight back strongly against Donald Trump if he imposes punitive tariffs on British exports, senior UK and EU diplomats said on Saturday night, amid heightened fears that the US president could trigger a global trade war with devastating effects on the UK economy.British government officials in London and Washington are working frantically this weekend to try to persuade Trump not to slap duties on more key UK industries on what he is calling “liberation day” on Wednesday. The US president has already announced plans for 25% levies on imports of cars, steel and aluminium to the US. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Spring Statement news: Trump's mounting tariff war threat to UK economy amid National Insurance rise stand

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Events

2 w. ago Trump live updates: U.S. importers warn president’s 200% tariff threat on E.U. alcohol will kill demand

President’s chaotic trade war continues to unsettle financial markets as administration suffers further political setbacks in court

Events

3 w. ago Trump calls Tesla boycott ‘illegal’ and says he’s buying one to support Musk

President makes statement in support of Musk’s ‘baby’ as company shares fall hard and owners sell vehiclesUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump has signaled he intends to buy a “brand new Tesla” and blamed “Radical Left Lunatics” for “illegally” boycotting Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company a day after Tesla suffered its worst share price fall in nearly five years.Tesla’s share fell hard on Monday as markets reacted to the threat of a recession and Trump’s tariff plans. Tesla’s slide came amid widespread protests over the billionaire Musk’s influence in the federal government at Tesla dealerships, a boycott campaign, car owners selling their Tesla vehicles, and activists pushing members of the public to sell Tesla shares. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Watch in full: Trump speaks from Oval Office after threatening Moscow with tariffs and sanctions

Donald Trump spoke from the Oval Office on Friday (7 March) after threatening Moscow with tariffs and sanctions.

Politics

3 w. ago Watch live: Trump speaks from Oval Office after threatening Moscow with tariffs and sanctions

Watch live as Donald Trump speaks from the Oval Office on Friday (7 March) after threatening Moscow with tariffs and sanctions.

Politics