62 h. ago Rightwing populists will keep winning until we grasp this truth about human nature | George Monbiot

Economic inequality breeds resentment and a desire to get even. That’s what fuels support for even incompetent regimes“He’s really gone and done it this time. Now everyone can see what a disaster he is.” How many times have we heard this about Donald Trump? And how many times has it been proved wrong? Well, maybe this time he really has overstepped. After all, his clowning around with tariffs, sparking trade wars, then suddenly reversing his position, could provoke a global recession, perhaps even a depression. Surely his supporters will disown him? But I’m not banking on it, and this is why.Already, Trump has waged war on everything that builds prosperity and wellbeing: democracy, healthy ecosystems, education, healthcare, science, the arts. Yet, amid the wreckage, and despite some slippage, his approval ratings still hold between 43 and 48%: far higher than those of many other leaders. Why? I believe part of the answer lies in a fundamental aspect of our humanity: the urge to dest...

Politics

4 d. ago Trump insists tariff war is ‘doing really well’ as recession fears mount

S&P 500 and Dow Jones rise sharply after extraordinarily volatile week as experts warn of continued turbulenceDonald Trump insisted his trade war with much of the world was “doing really well” despite mounting fears of recession and as Beijing hit back and again hiked tariffs on US exports to China.As the US president said his aggressive tariffs strategy was “moving along quickly”, a closely watched economic survey revealed that US consumer expectations for price growth had soared to a four-decade high. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Reeves looks to nurture ‘green shoots’ of UK economic growth

Chancellor welcomes striking official data as allies set out ‘four-pronged response’ to Trump tariffs

Economics

4 d. ago Trump tariffs could push US inflation to 4% this year, warns top Fed official

President’s trade war likely to raise unemployment and slow economic growth ‘considerably’, says John Williams

Events

4 d. ago Trump tariffs could push US inflation to 4% this year, New York Fed chief warns

President’s trade war likely to raise unemployment and slow economic growth ‘considerably’, says John Williams

Events

4 d. ago Voices: Strong GDP growth is unexpected good news for Rachel Reeves – but there’s a ‘but’

The boost to the British economy froma jump in exports to the US will be short-lived – thanks to Trump’s trade war over tariffs, says James Moore

Politics

4 d. 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

4 d. ago UK economy grows faster than expected in February as Trump tariff threat looms

The figures are a positive for Labour, but economists said growth will likely be hampered by the US trade war in the coming months.

Politics

4 d. ago UK economy surges 0.5% in February in surprise boost for Rachel Reeves

However, City economists warned that the spurt could be short-lived as the impact of higher tariffs and business taxes kick in

Politics

4 d. ago UK economy surges 0.5% in February in major boost for Rachel Reeves

The surprise growth was driven by a big bounce back in industrial output, which was up by 1.5%

Politics

4 d. ago UK economy far exceeds forecasts to grow 0.5% in boost to Rachel Reeves

February GDP rise bigger than forecast but impact from Donald Trump’s tariff war yet to comeBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK economy unexpectedly expanded by 0.5% in February, figures show, in a boost for Rachel Reeves before an expected downturn triggered by Donald Trump’s tariff war.Reversing a modest fall in January of 0.1%, the increase in gross domestic product in February was five times larger than the 0.1% growth that a poll of City economists had forecast. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Keir Starmer set to approve nuclear plant in bid to power up economic growth

The prime minister is pinning his hopes of economic growth on a major nuclear plant and a series of mini nuclear sites

Economics

6 d. ago I’ve seen many phoney trade wars come and go. This is the real thing | Larry Elliott

This battle between the US and China goes far beyond market turmoil – it has killed off the liberal dream of a borderless world Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 104% tariff on Chinese imports into the US – and China blasting back with 84% – has spooked the financial markets. The response is entirely rational. Over the past few decades, phoney trade wars have been commonplace. Rival nations have squared off against each other, indulged in a bit of sabre-rattling, but eventually agreed on a deal. Headlines that screamed “trade war looms” were quickly replaced by those that read “trade war averted”. This time it’s different. The battle between the US and China prompted by Trump’s tariffs is no pretend trade war. It is the real deal – and it will have real consequences. Tariffs operate as a tax, adding to the costs of doing business and raising prices for consumers. Growth will slow and inflation rates will rise. The global economy was already growing only slowly. As things stand, it...

Events

6 d. ago India’s central bank cuts interest rates after Trump’s tariffs kick in

Reserve Bank lowers growth forecast after economists estimate US tariffs could shave 20-40 basis points off growth in world’s fifth-largest economy this year

Politics

7 d. ago Trump tariffs will hit UK economic growth, BoE official warns

Clare Lombardelli says import taxes will ‘depress activity’ but impact on inflation is less clear

Events

8 d. ago Visas shortage in key sectors revealed as Downing Street defends delay to new immigration blueprint

Home Office data shows that fewer than 181,000 visas out of a total of about 560,000 were allocated to foreign workers in the key fields identified for economic growth

Politics

8 d. ago UK work visas shortage in key sectors revealed as Downing Street defends delaying new immigration blueprint

Home Office data shows that fewer than 181,000 visas out of a total of about 560,000 were allocated to foreign workers in the key fields identified for economic growth

Economics

8 d. ago UK visas shortage in key work sectors revealed as just third of permits given to highly skilled professionals

Home Office data shows that fewer than 181,000 visas out of a total of about 560,000 were allocated to foreign workers in the key fields identified for economic growth

Events

9 d. ago Starmer to declare end of globalisation while Trump’s tariff war rages

Prime minister argues that tariffs show Britain must ‘move further and faster’ in cutting red tape to boost economic growth

Politics

9 d. ago Starmer to declare end of globalisation and admit it has failed voters

Prime minister argues that tariffs show Britain must ‘move further and faster’ in cutting red tape to boost economic growth

Politics