19 h. ago UK small businesses struggling to take advantage of trade deals

British Chambers of Commerce urge ministers to do more to help exporters

Economics

3 d. ago What – if anything – did Asian countries get out of Donald Trump’s whirlwind tour?

Uncertainty surrounds the signing of this week’s trade deals amid the failure to secure reciprocity from the US to cut tariffsOn Donald Trump’s whirlwind tour of Asia – which involved stops in Malaysia, Japan and Korea – the US president triumphantly collected new trade deals from countries hoping for a reduction in the tariffs he slapped on them earlier this year.However – China aside – analysts were left asking just how much Asian nations got out of it. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago FTSE 100 winning streak ends as WPP shares hit lowest level since 2008

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsOver in Germany, Puma has told investors this morning that it plans to cut more than 900 jobs in a turnaround plan under the new boss Arthur Hoeld.The sportswear brand said it will cut 900 roles by the end of next year as part of a plan to get back to growth by 2027.At the end of July, we stated that 2025 would be a year of reset. Since then, we have taken important steps to clean up Puma’s distribution, improve our cash management and reset our operational expenses. By expanding our cost efficiency programme, we are moving quickly to address challenges and make the business more efficient and resilient.I strongly believe the Puma brand has incredible potential with more than 77 years of history, one of the best product archives in the industry and huge credibility in many major sports. We have identified the areas in which we need to take decisive action and outlined our strategic priorities to become one global sports brand...

Events

4 d. ago Trump leaves South Korea after talks with China’s Xi Jinping

US president hailed counterpart as a ‘great leader’ ahead of trade deal negotiations

Politics

4 d. ago Donald Trump and Xi Jinping hold meeting in South Korea amid hopes for trade deal – live updates

Summit on sidelines of Apec is the first between the leaders of US and China since 2019, and comes after tensions have been strained by Trump’s trade warIn the days leading up to the Trump-Xi meeting, American officials signalled that the US president did not intend to make good on a recent threat to impose an additional 100% import tax on Chinese goods.Also that China had shown signs it is willing to relax its export controls on rare earths as well as revive buying soybeans from the US.The relationship with China is very good.Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Trump news live: President says South Korea trade deal is finalized after admitting he was ‘sad’ he can’t run for 3rd term

Trump, who declared he’s ‘not a king’ was awarded a gold crown during his visit to South Korea, one day before he’s set to meet with China’s leader Xi Jinping

Politics

5 d. ago Jared Kushner is back – and so are big questions about his financial ties | Mohamad Bazzi

Kushner’s investment firm is backed by three Arab petrostates critical to the Gaza agreement. And the deals keep comingIn Donald Trump’s first term, his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner was omnipresent. He worked on criminal justice reform, Covid-19 vaccine development and modernizing technology across federal agencies. His portfolio extended to foreign policy, as he brokered a new North American trade agreement and negotiated peace deals in the Middle East. But when Trump returned to the White House in January, Kushner stayed out of the limelight and declined to take a formal role in the administration.A few weeks ago, Kushner re-emerged as a central player behind Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, which so far has achieved a ceasefire, an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory. Kushner took a victory lap, as Trump and others in the US administration gave him significant credit for helping negotiate ...

Politics

5 d. ago Trump says he has ‘pretty much’ reached trade deal with South Korea

Agreement would give Seoul a tariff rate of 15% in return for $350bn of investment in US

Politics

5 d. ago Trump says he will cut fentanyl tariff on Chinese goods and expects ‘great deal’ with Xi – business live

Most Asian stock markets rally on trade deal optimism, ahead of expected US interest rate cutAston Martin has slashed £300m from its investment plans after the British sportscar maker reported a bigger than expected loss in the third quarter because of Donald Trump’s tariffs and weak demand in China.The carmaker said on Wednesday that losses before tax were £112m in the third quarter of 2025, a ninefold increase from £12m a year earlier.This year has been marked by significant macroeconomic headwinds, particularly the sustained impact of US tariffs and weak demand in China.Work is under way to review our future product cycle plan with the aim of optimising costs and capital investment while continuing to deliver innovative, class-leading products to meet customer demands and regulatory requirements. Continue reading...

Economics

5 d. ago Trump predicts ‘good deal’ with China as he arrives for crucial trade talks in South Korea: Live updates

In a show of military force hours before Trump’s arrival, North Korea launched sea-to-surface cruise missiles into its western waters

Politics

5 d. ago Trump and Xi talks could end months of global economic chaos

High on agenda for the leaders of the US and China will be rare earths and tariffs, with a chance of a relationship resetAhead of Thursday’s long-awaited first meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping since the US president’s return to office, officials from both sides have been hammering out the contours of what a trade deal between Washington and Beijing might look like, an agreement that could bring an end to months of global economic chaos caused by the US-China trade war.The two leaders have not met in person since 2019. Since then, the war in Ukraine and increasing concern in Washington about China’s technological advances, as well as longstanding issues about the imbalanced US-China trade relationship, have strained the bonds between the two superpowers. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago UK trade deal with Gulf states ‘almost done’ after Reeves visit

Chancellor hopes to get the agreement over the line before her Budget

Economics

6 d. ago Poignant moment Trump is gifted priceless Abe golfing relic ahead of signing landmark deal... and issuing gushing praise of Japan

Trump is in Japan to meet the country's first female leader Sanae Takaichi. The president lavished praise on her and signed deals on trade and rare earths. Trump was also showered with gifts.

Economics

7 d. ago Just days left to trade in old bikes ahead of Christmas and get 20% bonus at Decathlon

The offer is designed to make Christmas gifting a little easier and greener by encouraging families to swap outgrown or unused bikes

Politics

7 d. ago Rachel Reeves hints at tax rises in Budget as she heads to Riyadh in search of trade deal

The chancellor is widely expected to use the Budget to increase taxes once again, with the Institute for Fiscal Studies estimating she needs to find £22bn of tax rises or spending cuts to meet her self-imposed fiscal rule

Economics

7 d. ago Rachel Reeves warns the rich will have to 'contribute' more taxes after Budget and can only say burden on squeezed middle earners will be kept as 'low as possible'

The Chancellor said the Government needed to ensure there is 'sufficient headroom' above its spending plans when she reveals her next fiscal package on 26 November.

Events

7 d. ago Rachel Reeves reveals tax rises and spending cuts ARE being considered at Budget as she scrambles for Gulf trade deal on Saudi Arabia visit

The Chancellor said the Government needed to ensure there is 'sufficient headroom' above its spending plans when she reveals her next fiscal package on 26 November.

Economics

7 d. ago Trump meets with Japanese emperor and says he may sign China

The president’s Asia tour began on Sunday in Malaysia with a swirl of activity, including announcing another ‘historic peace deal plus U.S. sanctions on Russia and trade penalties against Canada

Politics

7 d. ago Fresh hope as Asian shares soar to record levels while Trump seeks trade deals

Asian shares have rallied with Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 topping 50,000

Politics

7 d. ago Trump arrives in Japan for meeting with emperor and says he may sign China

The president’s Asia tour began on Sunday in Malaysia with a swirl of activity, including announcing another ‘historic peace deal plus U.S. sanctions on Russia and trade penalties against Canada

Politics