39 h. ago Any trade deal with US must be based on ‘respect not threats’, says EU commissioner

Maroš Šefčovič’s remarks come after pace of talks prompted Trump to propose 50% tariff on goods from blocThe European Union’s trade chief has struck a defiant tone after Donald Trump threatened to place a 50% tariff on all goods from the bloc, saying any potential trade deal between Brussels and Washington must be based on “respect not threats”.The US president made his statement after voicing frustration with the pace of progress on a trade agreement with the EU. The new rates would come into effect from 1 June. Continue reading...

Events

57 h. ago European markets suffer losses after Trump ‘recommends’ 50% tariff on EU, and threatens Apple with 25% tariff – business live

US president Donald Trump reignites trade war with threat to impose high tariffs on European goods, and Apple iPhones made overseasTrump says he is hitting EU with 50% tariff as trade talks are ‘going nowhere’As well as cutting UK energy costs (see earlier), Donald Trump can also take credit for growing the German economy!New GDP data this morning shows that Germany’s GDP rose by 0.4% in January-March, twice as fast as the first estimate of 0.2% growth in the quarter.“The reason for the slightly higher growth compared to the initial estimate was the surprisingly positive economic development in March.”“In particular, production in the manufacturing sector and exports performed better than initially expected.The German economy had its best quarterly performance since the third quarter of 2022, and the reason for it seems to be Donald Trump. As a result of the announced tariffs and in anticipation of ‘Liberation Day,’ German industrial production and exports surged in March.Net export...

Economics

60 h. ago Markets tank as Trump moves to impose crippling 50% tariff on Europe

Donald Trump is threatening new crippling tariffs on the European Union after trade negotiations have gone south.

Politics

61 h. ago Trump launches crippling tariffs on 'very difficult' Europe in new trade war escalation

Donald Trump is threatening new crippling tariffs on the European Union after trade negotiations have gone south.

Politics

62 h. ago Donald Trump threatens huge tariffs on EU goods and Apple iPhones

Markets drop on news as US President Donald Trump cranks up trade threats

Politics

62 h. ago Trump ‘recommending’ 50% tariff on EU, and threatens Apple with 25% tariff – business live

US president Donald Trump reignites trade war with threat to impose high tariffs on European goods, and Apple iPhones made overseasTypical energy bill in Great Britain to fall 7% to £1,720 a year from JulyAs well as cutting UK energy costs (see earlier), Donald Trump can also take credit for growing the German economy!New GDP data this morning shows that Germany’s GDP rose by 0.4% in January-March, twice as fast as the first estimate of 0.2% growth in the quarter.“The reason for the slightly higher growth compared to the initial estimate was the surprisingly positive economic development in March.”“In particular, production in the manufacturing sector and exports performed better than initially expected.The German economy had its best quarterly performance since the third quarter of 2022, and the reason for it seems to be Donald Trump. As a result of the announced tariffs and in anticipation of ‘Liberation Day,’ German industrial production and exports surged in March.Net exports an...

Politics

2 d. ago From the day Britain left the EU, this reset was inevitable. What a pointless waste of time, money and effort | Simon Jenkins

Keir Starmer is not blameless when it comes to Brexit, but he is moving in the right direction. Even the Tories attacking him know thatFor the Tories to attack Keir Starmer’s first step towards a Brexit reset is monumental hypocrisy. Their Brexit led to £4.7bn being spent on implementing post-EU border arrangements, according to the National Audit Office, including a vastly expensive “take back control” border post at Sevington in Kent. No other country in the world can have erected such ludicrous barriers against its biggest trading partners. All are now wasted. At least the nonsense can stop. Memorial plaques to Boris Johnson should be pinned to their gates and passersby invited to sign a 50-page customs form in his memory.Meanwhile, Starmer should hang his own head in shame. He was Jeremy Corbyn’s Brexit henchman back in 2019, when Labour voted down Theresa May’s bid to negotiate a soft Brexit deal that would certainly have gone beyond what was signed this week. It was Starmer wh...

Politics

3 d. ago G7 ministers threaten more sanctions against Russia over Ukraine war

Summit makes little progress on how to respond to Donald Trump’s trade war

Politics

4 d. ago Germany's economy will stagnate this year as tariffs cast a shadow, advisers say

Germany’s economy will stagnate this year as the country faces headwinds from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade threats

Economics

4 d. ago German finance minister calls for swift resolution to Trump tariff wars as G7 finance ministers meet in Canada – Europe live

Finance ministers are meeting in Banff, Alberta to discuss Ukraine and Trump’s trade policy Finance ministers of the world’s seven largest economies – G7 – are meeting in Banff, Alberta in Canada to discuss their ideas on Ukraine and concerns about disruptions resulting from Donald Trump’s unorthodox trade policy.Before the meeting, German finance minister Lars Klingbeil warned that trade disputes with the US should be resolved as soon as possible, as he stressed they were a burden on the economy and job security. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Minister risks wrath of fishing industry as he claims there is 'no downside' to Brexit 'reset'

Environment Secretary Steve Reed mounted a robust defence of the package as he appeared before MPs, despite fury at the 'disastrous' terms.

Politics

5 d. ago Tories mock Keir Starmer's 'bogus' claim that his Brexit 'reset' deal will allow Brits to use e

The Prime Minister boasted his agreement with Brussels, signed yesterday, would end 'huge queues' for holidaymakers at passport control in Europe.

Economics

5 d. ago UK politics live: Reeves eyes trade deal with Gulf countries after striking EU Brexit reset pact

The chancellor is hoping an agreement can be secured with countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia

Politics

5 d. ago Why you can thank Donald Trump for the rising cost of your pint of Guinness

Diageo, the drinks giant behind Guinness and Johnnie Walker, has revealed it faces a £111 million hit from US tariffs, despite the UK government having secured a trade deal with Donald Trump

Politics

6 d. ago Keir Starmer’s Brexit reset restores Britain’s place in Europe with pragmatism, not ideology

Editorial: The prime minister has achieved what once seemed impossible: strengthening Britain’s global role without reopening the Brexit divide

Politics

6 d. ago Voices: Independent readers praise Brexit reset deal – ‘Starmer is showing that Britain can act like a grown

Our community welcomed the move as a long-overdue step to cut red tape and begin repairing the damage caused by earlier Brexit agreements

Economics

6 d. ago Starmer’s Brexit reset deal ‘turns page’ on relations with EU

The prime minister unveils his third major international deal this month as he puts pen to paper for a new deal which removes trade barriers and red tape

Economics

6 d. ago How Starmer managed to have his cake and eat it with new Brexit deal

During the Brexit negotiations after the referendum, the notion that Britain could have a trade deal with the US or India while still having favourable access to the EU was sneered at as impossible. But in a single month Sir Keir Starmer has achieved it, explains The Independent’s political editor David Maddox

Economics

6 d. ago Starmer under fire for missing ‘open goal’ on youth mobility in post

Critics accused the PM of failing to secure a youth mobility agreement with the EU

Events

6 d. ago Starmer’s Brexit reset deal hailed for ‘turning page’ on relations with EU

Sir Keir Starmer unveils his third major international deal this month as he puts pen to paper for a Brexit reset which removes trade barriers and red tape and creates a new defence cooperation with the EU

Economics