29 h. ago Trump says he is hitting EU with 50% tariff as trade talks are ‘going nowhere’

President says EU imports to US will be subject to levy from 1 June as markets slump in reaction to ‘major escalation’Business live – latest updatesDonald Trump has said he will impose a 50% tariff on all EU imports to the US from 1 June after saying trade talks between the two trading blocs were “going nowhere”.In a surprise announcement, the US president posted on his Truth Social platform that his long-running battle to secure concessions from the EU had run aground. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Trump humiliatingly retreats from 145% Chinese tariff after warning of empty US shelves

Donald Trump has called a truce in his unhinged attack on world trade, drastically suspending his 145 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports as US consumers balk at increased prices

Events

1 week ago White House claims China trade deal reached while Beijing hails ‘important first steps’

US announcement comes after treasury secretary touted progress in two days of talks with Chinese vice-premier in GenevaThe White House has announced that a trade deal with China has been struck after two days of talks in Geneva, while Beijing has hailed “important first steps.”The announcement on Sunday came after the US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, told reporters that there had been “substantial progress” in talks between his team and that of the Chinese vice-premier, He Lifeng, in Geneva on defusing the trade war between the world’s two largest economies sparked by Donald Trump’s 145% tariffs. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Trump floats cutting Chinese tariffs from 145% to 80% before weekend talks

Meeting aimed at de-escalating trade war after Chinese exports beat expectations despite slump in tradeDonald Trump has floated cutting tariffs on China from 145% to 80% before a weekend meeting as he looks to de-escalate the trade war.Top US officials are set to meet a high-level Chinese delegation this weekend in Switzerland in the first significant talks between the two nations since Trump sparked a trade war with stiff tariffs on imports. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump slashes tariffs for UK cars and steel but trade deal row looms on US beef imports to Britain

The US president said it was a 'very big and exciting day' for America and Britain

Economics

2 w. ago 'Cruel' animal welfare practices 'could be imported to UK due to new trade deal'

As Britain and India sign a new trade deal, Animal Policy International revealed the immense suffering of hens confined to battery cages raising concerns about the potential increase in cruel imports

Economics

2 w. ago Tariff cuts and tax exemptions for some workers agreed in UK

Ministers say the long-coveted agreement will add £4.8 billion a year to the economy by 2040.

Economics

2 w. ago ‘Blood timber’: western firms fuel conflict and ‘slavery’ in Colombia

Trade in uncertified hardwood illegally logged in Chocó rainforest and imported by US and Europe is financing paramilitaries, says Environmental Investigation AgencyThe Atrato River winds through the dense rainforest of Colombia’s Chocó region for nearly 400 miles (600km) before spilling into the Caribbean Sea. Some of these tropical forests are among the wettest on Earth. Their flooded lowlands and swollen rivers are so impenetrable they have acted as an evolutionary barrier, making Chocó a haven for rare and remarkable species found nowhere else on the planet.“We have so many animals that you won’t even know the names of many of them,” says María Mosquera, a community leader in the region, whose name has been changed to protect her identity. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Shein explores US restructuring as tariffs threaten to derail London IPO

Fast-fashion company searches for workarounds as Trump’s trade war endangers operations in its most important market

Economics

3 w. ago US goods trade gap hits record high as Trump tariffs prompt import surge

Companies rushed to purchase foreign products ahead of imposition of wide-ranging levies

Politics

4 w. ago Rachel Reeves says EU more important to Britain in 'gaffe' that could harm her chances of securing a US trade deal to avoid Trump's punishing tariffs

Rachel Reeves has been criticised for saying trade with the EU is more important than with the US just ahead of meeting American counterpart Scott Bessent in a bid to secure a trade deal.

Economics

4 w. ago Reeves says Britain’s trade ties with EU ‘even more important’ than US

Chancellor’s comments comes as UK balances trade talks with both regions

Politics

4 w. ago Rachel Reeves says EU trade 'reset' is MORE important than deal with US to dodge Trump's tariffs

Chancellor Rachel Reeves suggested the government could prioritise ties with Brussels ahead of sitting down with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Economics

4 w. ago China grants some tariff exemptions for US imports as trade war bites

Sign of relief for foreign businesses comes as Donald Trump insists talks are under way to reduce levies

Events

4 w. ago Rachel Reeves suggests UK trade with EU more important than US ahead of crunch talks in Washington

Chancellor is set to meet with her US counterpart Scott Bessent on Friday

Politics