7 h. ago Chile foreign minister says US would not be able to ‘replace’ Chilean copper

Alberto van Klaveren’s comments follow Trump’s announcement that he would impose 50 per cent tariffs on copper imports.

Politics

9 h. ago Trump announces 50% tariff on Brazil, citing what he claims is a ‘witch

US president slaps tariff on Brazil and complains about treatment of Brazil’s former president, who is facing trial over an alleged coup attemptTrump targets Brunei, Libya and Moldova with latest threat of US tariffsTrump says Bolsonaro ‘not guilty of anything’ amid Brazil coup trialThe US justice department has sued California over state policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ school sports, alleging that allowing them to do so violates federal anti-discrimination laws.The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Los Angeles, claims that California’s policies violate Title IX, which affords legal protection against sex discrimination.Our Fed Rate is AT LEAST 3 Points too high. “Too Late” is costing the U.S. 360 Billion Dollars a Point, PER YEAR, in refinancing costs. No Inflation, COMPANIES POURING INTO AMERICA. “The hottest Country in the World!” LOWER THE RATE!!!ANYBODY BUT “TOO LATE.”In effect, we went on hold when we saw the size of the tariffs and essentially all...

Politics

14 h. ago Trump announces tariffs of up to 30% on six more countries – live updates

President defends tariffs and sends letters to countries including Algeria, Iraq and Brunei The US justice department has sued California over state policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ school sports, alleging that allowing them to do so violates federal anti-discrimination laws.The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Los Angeles, claims that California’s policies violate Title IX, which affords legal protection against sex discrimination.Our Fed Rate is AT LEAST 3 Points too high. “Too Late” is costing the U.S. 360 Billion Dollars a Point, PER YEAR, in refinancing costs. No Inflation, COMPANIES POURING INTO AMERICA. “The hottest Country in the World!” LOWER THE RATE!!!ANYBODY BUT “TOO LATE.”In effect, we went on hold when we saw the size of the tariffs and essentially all inflation forecasts for the United States went up materially as a consequence of the tariffs.Anybody would be better than Jay Powell. He’s costing us a fortune because he keeps the rate way u...

Politics

17 h. ago Trump defends tariffs as more trade announcements expected – live updates

President Donald Trump said that there would be more trade-related announcements this morningSources in the European Union, which Donald Trump said could expect a letter regarding its tariff deal in the next 48 hours, said they believed a framework agreement would be reached this week. The agreement is expected to include headline tariff arrangements for a limited number of sectors including cars, steel and medical devices.The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, told the Bundestag today: “I am cautiously optimistic that we can succeed in reaching an agreement with the US in the next few days, by the end of the month at the latest.” Continue reading...

Politics

19 h. ago Bank of England says UK banks can increase riskier mortgage lending – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as BoE recommends banks can issue more high loan-to-income level loansCopper prices in US hit record high after Trump announces 50% tariffTrump threatens to escalate trade war amid confusion over new tariff ratesCarsten Menke, Head of Next Generation Research at Julius Baer, says the copper tariffs will be inflationary domestically in the US and deflationary internationally – which matches the price action we’ve seen since last night.Menke also points out that the jump in US copper prices (13% yesterday) is less than the 50% tariff, implying traders expect some imports will be exempt, saying:President Trump announced the imposition of 50% import tariffs at a cabinet meeting yesterday. While US-traded futures jumped on the news, the price differential is well below the tariff level, pointing to expectations of exemptions for key suppliers or expectations of different demand dynamics.As already mentioned, we remain of the con...

Economics

21 h. ago Copper prices in US hit record high after Trump announces 50% tariff

Latest escalation in trade war is expected to push up costs across key parts of US economyBusiness live – latest updatesCopper prices hit a record high in the US after Donald Trump announced he would impose a 50% tariff on the industrial metal, in the latest escalation in his trade war.Trump said before a cabinet meeting on Tuesday: “Today we’re doing copper,” proposing a 50% tariff rate for imports. He also threatened to impose a 200% border tax on pharmaceuticals but in a year or year and a half’s time. Continue reading...

Politics

56 h. ago Trump announces tariffs of up to 40% on 14 countries, with more letters to follow – US politics live

US president posts letters setting out tariffs of between 25% and 40% on number of countries including South Korea, Japan, Cambodia and ThailandThe president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said she had a “good exchange” with Donald Trump on Sunday, a Commission spokesperson told reporters during a daily press briefing this morning.The spokesperson said:We want to reach a deal with the US (by 9 July). We want to avoid tariffs. We believe they cause pain. We want to achieve win-win outcomes, not lose-lose outcomes. Continue reading...

Politics

60 h. ago Trump plans to delay tariff start to August 1 as he announces 25% levy for Japan and South Korea

Bizarre letters cite ‘unsustainable’ trade deficits with two of America’s most important allies and trading partners

Politics

61 h. ago Donald Trump announces 25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea in letters released on social media – US politics live

US president’s letters appear to be the first his administration planned to release today outlining new tariffs on major trading partners The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said she had a “good exchange” with Donald Trump on Sunday, a Commission spokesperson told reporters during a daily press briefing this morning.The spokesperson said:We want to reach a deal with the US (by 9 July). We want to avoid tariffs. We believe they cause pain. We want to achieve win-win outcomes, not lose-lose outcomes. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Trio of trade deals ‘restored identity’ of UK, PM says as trade plan unveiled

Since Donald Trump’s tariff announcements in April, the UK has reached new agreements with the US, India and the EU.

Economics

2 w. ago Trump praises Nato states as summit prepares to lift defence spending target

‘Nato’s going to become very strong with us,’ says US president, as secretary general calls him ‘daddy’Europe live – latest updatesDonald Trump praised Nato countries for being willing to lift defence spending to 5% in his first public remarks at the military alliance’s annual summit, and said that he expected the US to be fully in support.The president was speaking at a preliminary press conference in The Hague that was dominated by his rejection of overnight reports that Iran’s nuclear sites were not destroyed in US bombing, and where he was also praised by the Nato chief, Mark Rutte, for being the “daddy”. Continue reading...

Politics