3 d. ago Trump administration cuts tens of millions of dollars from Planned Parenthood – live

HHS reportedly gives organization 10 days to prove that they’ll comply with orders that ban DEI and other initiativesImmigration remains a strength for Donald Trump, but his handling of tariffs is getting more negative feedback, according to a poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About half of US adults approve of Trump’s approach to immigration, the survey shows, but only about four in 10 have a positive view of the way he’s handling the economy and trade negotiations. The poll indicates that many Americans are still on board with Trump’s efforts to ramp up deportations and restrict immigration. But it also suggests that the Republican president’s threats to impose tariffs – which have been accompanied by tumbling consumer confidence and wild stock market swings – might be erasing his advantage on another issue that he made central to his winning 2024 campaign. The economy was a drag on then president Joe Biden, who saw the share of Americans who ...

Politics

3 d. ago Trump administration announces review of Harvard University’s federal contracts and grants – live

Education department announces review of Harvard’s $255.6m contracts and $8.7bn multi-year grant commitments amid allegations of antisemitism Immigration remains a strength for Donald Trump, but his handling of tariffs is getting more negative feedback, according to a poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About half of US adults approve of Trump’s approach to immigration, the survey shows, but only about four in 10 have a positive view of the way he’s handling the economy and trade negotiations. The poll indicates that many Americans are still on board with Trump’s efforts to ramp up deportations and restrict immigration. But it also suggests that the Republican president’s threats to impose tariffs – which have been accompanied by tumbling consumer confidence and wild stock market swings – might be erasing his advantage on another issue that he made central to his winning 2024 campaign. The economy was a drag on then president Joe Biden, who saw th...

Politics

4 d. ago Donald Trump refuses to say whether he’s planning to leave office after second term – US politics live

President criticized by some in both parties after telling NBC ‘there are methods’ in securing a third term despite constitutional barriersImmigration remains a strength for Donald Trump, but his handling of tariffs is getting more negative feedback, according to a poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About half of US adults approve of Trump’s approach to immigration, the survey shows, but only about four in 10 have a positive view of the way he’s handling the economy and trade negotiations. The poll indicates that many Americans are still on board with Trump’s efforts to ramp up deportations and restrict immigration. But it also suggests that the Republican president’s threats to impose tariffs – which have been accompanied by tumbling consumer confidence and wild stock market swings – might be erasing his advantage on another issue that he made central to his winning 2024 campaign. The economy was a drag on then president Joe Biden, who saw the s...

Politics

4 d. ago Donald Trump criticized for suggesting there are ‘methods’ for a third term – US politics live

President attracting criticism from some in both parties after telling NBC ‘there are methods’ in securing a third term despite constitutional barriersImmigration remains a strength for Donald Trump, but his handling of tariffs is getting more negative feedback, according to a poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About half of US adults approve of Trump’s approach to immigration, the survey shows, but only about four in 10 have a positive view of the way he’s handling the economy and trade negotiations. The poll indicates that many Americans are still on board with Trump’s efforts to ramp up deportations and restrict immigration. But it also suggests that the Republican president’s threats to impose tariffs – which have been accompanied by tumbling consumer confidence and wild stock market swings – might be erasing his advantage on another issue that he made central to his winning 2024 campaign. The economy was a drag on then president Joe Biden, w...

Politics

4 d. ago New car tax rules could ‘undermine consumer confidence’ in EVs, Treasury warned

The Treasury will remove EVs’ exemption from vehicle excise duty – known as car tax – from Tuesday.

Events

7 d. ago US consumer confidence hit by tariff fears; Thames Water’s finance chief leaving within days – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsOver in Germany, the number of people out of work has risen at the fastest rate since October of 2024.The German labour office said the number of unemployed increased by 26,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to 2.92 million. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected that figure to rise by 10,000.“March marks the start of the so-called spring recovery on the labour market. This year, however, the economic slump is noticeably slowing it down.”One bright spot was the impressive 1.9% q/q (CE forecast 0.7% q/q) rise in consumers’ real incomes in Q4. The 4.2% rise in 2024 as a whole suggests households experienced the strongest real income growth in nine years.With consumer spending hardly rising, at 12.0% in Q4 (up from 10.3% in Q3), the saving rate remains unusually high, suggesting households are choosing to save rather than spend the bulk of those gains. Continue reading...

Economics

9 d. ago Rising fears of Trump tariffs pummel US consumer confidence to four

Tariffs panned by economists for sowing uncertainty that they said made it challenging for businesses to plan aheadUS consumer confidence plunged to the lowest level in more than four years in March, with households fearing a recession in the future and higher inflation because of tariffs.The Conference Board said on Tuesday that write-in responses to the survey showed “worries about the impact of trade policies and tariffs in particular are on the rise”, adding: “There were also more references than usual to economic and policy uncertainty.” Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago US consumer confidence tumbles for the 4th consecutive month to a 12

U.S. consumer confidence fell for the fourth straight month as Americans’ anxiety about future expectations declined to a 12-year low amid rising concern over tariffs and inflation

Politics

1 week ago Tesla sales plunge 42% in Europe and market share continues to shrink amid fallout over Elon Musk's support for hard

Tesla's market share in Europe continued to shrink year-on-year in February, as sales dropped for a second consecutive month despite rising overall EV registrations on the continent.

Economics

2 w. ago China plans to ‘vigorously boost consumption’ to shore up economy

Communist party aims to ‘promote reasonable wage growth’ and to reduce financial burdens amid Trump tariffsBusiness live – latest updatesChina’s government has announced ambitious plans to “vigorously boost consumption” by putting up pay and reducing financial burdens, in its latest attempt to increase consumer confidence and lift its struggling economy.The plans, announced by the ruling Chinese Communist party’s (CCP) central committee and state council on Sunday, include aims to “promote reasonable wage growth” and to improve the mechanisms for adjusting the minimum wage. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Households fear financial wellbeing will deteriorate sharply – survey

Only higher-income households are seeing an improvement in their financial situation, the S&P Global UK Consumer Sentiment Index survey found.

Politics

3 w. ago Risk of ‘Trumpcession’ rising, economists say, as global markets fall

Donald Trump’s brinkmanship and stop-start approach to tariffs rattle investorsBusiness live – latest updatesThe risk that the US economy will enter recession this year is rising, according to economists, as Donald Trump’s chaotic approach to tariffs continued to hit markets.Shares on Wall Street fell sharply on Monday as investors bet the president’s unpredictable tariff trade war and handling of the economy would hit growth, amid a recent plunge in business and consumer confidence. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago UK construction in worst slump since 2020 due to 'dearth of new projects'

'Weak demand conditions were attributed to entrenched caution among clients, against a backdrop of subdued consumer confidence and lacklustre economic performance'

Politics

last month Hopes of US golden age fade as investors start to worry about ‘Trumpcession’ risk

Tariffs are dampening consumer confidence and fears of a downturn seem to be weighing on the dollarBusiness live – latest updatesNo sooner had historic 25% tariffs on imports to the US from Canada and Mexico come into force on Tuesday than the commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, suggested the policy might be softened. Hours later, Donald Trump told Congress that the tariffs were “protecting the soul of our country”.They say it’s the hope that kills you, but for investors trying to make sense of the Trump administration’s economic policies, it’s the uncertainty. Continue reading...

Politics