5 d. ago Even Trump must know that firing the chair of the Fed would be self

Jerome Powell is a soft target for the president amid economic instability. But getting rid of him would only invite more chaosUS stock markets, Treasury bonds and the dollar itself are sliding amid the tariff turmoil and Donald Trump needs a soft target. It was probably only a matter of time before he intensified his attacks on Jerome Powell, chair of the US Federal Reserve. It is an easy narrative to blame the dull central banker with orthodox worries about anchoring inflation expectations. Nor is Powell able to engage in tit-for-tat soundbites. Unlike Trump, he must measure the impact on markets of his every word.The open question is how far Trump intends to push things. Monday’s reaction in financial markets was strong because it seemed for the first time that the president could be serious about removal. “Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!” declared Trump, which was several notches beyond his usual whine about urging the Fed to hurry up with cuts in interest rates. C...

Politics

1 week ago US’s $2.36tn tourism business fears ‘Trump slump’ over tariff turmoil

Warnings emerge even as effect of economic and political turbulence on the foreign visitors to the US is hard to defineBatman said business was so-so, and King Kong beat his chest in agreement. But neither could predict that it would improve. Gotham’s caped crusader and his muscular ape neighbour could only hope. As with Times Square’s superhero-themed visitor-photography business last week, so it is with the US tourism business at large.The effect of economic and political turbulence on the number of foreign visitors coming to the US is for now hard to define. But both – whether through tariffs, currency exchange chaos, or fears over political ill-winds – are sending chills through the $2.36tn business, the world’s most powerful travel and tourism market. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago ‘Stuff should be made here’: Ohio shrugs off Trump tariff turmoil

Company owners say the president’s measures will result in more manufacturing in the US

Politics

2 w. ago Nigel Farage compares turmoil of Donald Trump’s tariffs to market chaos caused by Liz Truss

Nigel Farage has compared Donald Trump with Liz Truss as he increasingly distances himself from the US president’s policies

Politics

2 w. ago China raises US tariffs to 125% as Xi invites EU to team up against Trump ‘bullying’

Chinese leader canvasses Spain and other trading partners on how to tackle economic fallout as market turmoil continuesBusiness live – latest updatesWhy did ‘strongman’ Trump back down on tariffs? – podcastChina has raised its tariffs on US products to 125% in the latest salvo of the trade dispute with Washington, just hours after Xi Jinping said there were “no winners in a tariff war”.Xi made the comments during a meeting with the Spanish prime minister in which he invited the EU to work with China to resist “bullying”, part of an apparent campaign to shore up other trading partners. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Donald Trump blinks... but doubles down on China: After market turmoil, President announces 90

In a dramatic climbdown, the US President said a blizzard of 'reciprocal' tariffs on countries worldwide would be put on hold to allow time for trade talks.

Politics

2 w. ago Trump imposes new tariffs on dozens of partners, sparking fresh market turmoil

Rates on imports to US from dozens of economies rise further, with China hit by 104% tariffsBusiness live – latest updatesThe US and China are heading towards an all-out trade war, after Donald Trump unleashed a fresh wave of tariffs against dozens of partners that triggered a fresh day of stock market turmoil on Wednesday.Despite the market chaos, China’s government was unbowed, reiterating threats of further countermeasures and saying it was unwilling to fight a trade war but “will never sit idly by and watch the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese people be damaged and deprived”. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Wall St set to rally as European markets rebound despite Trump and China trade threats – business live

Beijing says US threat to escalate tariffs against China is a ‘mistake on top of a mistake’ and amounts to blackmailHow ‘liberation day’ rout compares with other notorious stock market crisesWall Street traders on Trump tariffs: ‘Without doubt, we’re hitting a recession’Trump threatens additional 50% tariffs on China over retaliatory leviesSouth Korea’s government has approved Tuesday 3 June as the date for a snap presidential election, following the removal from office of Yoon Suk Yeol last week over his declaration of martial law.The move comes after Yoon’s removal after the country’s constitutional court voted unanimously on Friday to uphold parliament’s decision to impeach him over his ill-fated declaration of martial law in December. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago UK stocks rise in early trading after days of turmoil triggered by Trump tariffs

London's FTSE 100 was up more than 1 per cent in the first few minutes of trading, after several days of heavy losses.

Politics

2 w. ago Trump news at a glance: Wild swings on global markets as Trump threatens further China tariffs

Extreme volatility has plagued global stock markets, with Donald Trump defying stark warnings about economic damage – key US politics stories from 7 April Global stock markets fell catastrophically on Monday following President Trump’s tariff rollout.Despite the economic turmoil, the US president doubled down on his plan, threatening to impose an additional 50% tariff on imports from China on Wednesday, unless the country rescinds its retaliatory tariffs on the United States by Tuesday. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago British businesses warn they face fight to survive amid fears their revenue will be HALVED after world was plunged into 'turmoil' by Donald Trump's 'ridiculous' tariffs

Firms have told MailOnline the world is in 'turmoil' and labelled the US President's decision to impose the widespread tariffs as 'ridiculous'.

Events

2 w. ago S&P 500 jumps 3.3% at the open as global markets regain ground

Stocks stage partial rebound after three trading days of turmoil sparked by Donald Trump’s tariffs

Economics

2 w. ago Trump says US in direct talks with Iran over nuclear program as he holds Oval Office meeting with Netanyahu – US politics live

President says talks to continue on Saturday and adds he and Israeli president also discussed tariffs and Israel-Gaza warEU ministers are in Luxembourg to consider the European Union’s response to Trump’s sweeping tariff regime amid continuing market turmoil and heightened fears of a global economic recession.It comes after Trump doubled down on his tariff policy in comments aboard Air Force One overnight. He said Europe “has treated us very, very badly,” and “has taken our leaders for a ride”, and declined to hold talks on changing tariffs “unless they pay us a lot of money on a yearly basis”. He also repeated criticism of Europe for not spending a fair share on Nato. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump threatens China with extra 50% tariffs if country fails to withdraw 34% retaliatory levies – US politics live

US president escalates trade war with China, saying all negotiations will be terminated and additional levies will take effect on WednesdayGlobal stock markets tumble over tariff ‘medicine’Wall Street falls continue – business liveWhich Trump billionaires have lost the most?EU ministers are in Luxembourg to consider the European Union’s response to Trump’s sweeping tariff regime amid continuing market turmoil and heightened fears of a global economic recession.It comes after Trump doubled down on his tariff policy in comments aboard Air Force One overnight. He said Europe “has treated us very, very badly,” and “has taken our leaders for a ride”, and declined to hold talks on changing tariffs “unless they pay us a lot of money on a yearly basis”. He also repeated criticism of Europe for not spending a fair share on Nato. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Wall Street dives at opening in fresh stock market turmoil caused by Donald Trump tariffs

Volatile trading as US markets open as President Trump shows no signs of backing down over blanket tariffs on US imports

Politics

2 w. ago Bosses of the world's biggest banks hold urgent private talks over the financial market turmoil after Donald Trump's tariffs blitz

Chief executives from Bank of America, Barclays, Citi and HSBC Holdings are said to have discussed the scale of disruption in global financial markets during an urgent call yesterday.

Economics

2 w. ago Trump says Federal Reserve should cut rates; Canada initiates WTO dispute over car tariffs – US politics live

US economic council head denies tariffs were part of strategy to pressure Fed to cut interest rates; Canada says measures breach trade agreementsEU ministers are in Luxembourg to consider the European Union’s response to Trump’s sweeping tariff regime amid continuing market turmoil and heightened fears of a global economic recession.It comes after Trump doubled down on his tariff policy in comments aboard Air Force One overnight. He said Europe “has treated us very, very badly,” and “has taken our leaders for a ride”, and declined to hold talks on changing tariffs “unless they pay us a lot of money on a yearly basis”. He also repeated criticism of Europe for not spending a fair share on Nato. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Senior Trump officials give conflicting lines on tariffs after markets turmoil

Commerce secretary insists on CBS that tariffs will ‘stay in place’ as treasury secretary tells NBC negotiation is possibleSenior officials within Donald Trump’s administration officials gave conflicting messages on Sunday about the US president’s global tariffs that have caused a meltdown in stock markets, prompted warnings of a world recession and provoked rare expressions of dissent from within his Republican party.Cabinet members fanned out across Sunday’s political talk shows armed with talking points on Trump’s 10% across-the-board tariff on almost all US imports, with higher rates targeted at about 60 countries. If the intention was to calm nerves with a clear statement of intent, then it backfired as top officials gave starkly contrasting signals. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Trump officials vow to stay the course on tariffs despite market turmoil

Treasury secretary rejects recession fears and says tough reciprocal levies will not be delayed

Politics

3 w. ago Starmer under pressure from biggest backers to unpick Brexit after Trump tariffs

As Keir Starmer reflects on the ongoing turmoil of Trump’s tariffs trade unions, business groups, pro-EU campaigners and Labour MPs are trying to push him to negotiate much closer ties with the EU

Politics