15 h. ago Trump says Samsung and other smartphone manufacturers will also be subject to 25% Apple tariff – business live

US president says 50% tariff on EU goods to come in 1 June; Apple iPhones and those of other manufacturers made overseas to face 25% tariffTrump says he is hitting EU with 50% tariff as trade talks are ‘going nowhere’As well as cutting UK energy costs (see earlier), Donald Trump can also take credit for growing the German economy!New GDP data this morning shows that Germany’s GDP rose by 0.4% in January-March, twice as fast as the first estimate of 0.2% growth in the quarter.“The reason for the slightly higher growth compared to the initial estimate was the surprisingly positive economic development in March.”“In particular, production in the manufacturing sector and exports performed better than initially expected.The German economy had its best quarterly performance since the third quarter of 2022, and the reason for it seems to be Donald Trump. As a result of the announced tariffs and in anticipation of ‘Liberation Day,’ German industrial production and exports surged in March.Ne...

Economics

16 h. ago European markets suffer losses after Trump ‘recommends’ 50% tariff on EU, and threatens Apple with 25% tariff – business live

US president Donald Trump reignites trade war with threat to impose high tariffs on European goods, and Apple iPhones made overseasTrump says he is hitting EU with 50% tariff as trade talks are ‘going nowhere’As well as cutting UK energy costs (see earlier), Donald Trump can also take credit for growing the German economy!New GDP data this morning shows that Germany’s GDP rose by 0.4% in January-March, twice as fast as the first estimate of 0.2% growth in the quarter.“The reason for the slightly higher growth compared to the initial estimate was the surprisingly positive economic development in March.”“In particular, production in the manufacturing sector and exports performed better than initially expected.The German economy had its best quarterly performance since the third quarter of 2022, and the reason for it seems to be Donald Trump. As a result of the announced tariffs and in anticipation of ‘Liberation Day,’ German industrial production and exports surged in March.Net export...

Economics

20 h. ago Ukraine’s Zelenskyy confirms major prisoner swap with Russia – Europe live

The first stage of a major prison swap between Ukraine and Russia has taken place in Turkey, with 390 people released todayFor more coverage of Trump’s tariffs threats – which also include a warning that Apple must pay a 25% tariff unless it manufactures its iPhones in the US – follow our business live blog here:US president Donald Trump has just called the EU “very difficult to deal with,” lamenting the bloc’s “powerful Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against American Companies, and more” (original capitalisation!).“Our discussions with them are going nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. Continue reading...

Events

21 h. ago Trump says he is hitting EU with 50% tariff as trade talks are ‘going nowhere’

President says EU imports to US will be subject to levy from 1 June as markets slump in reaction to ‘major escalation’Business live – latest updatesDonald Trump has said he will impose a 50% tariff on all EU imports to the US from 1 June after saying trade talks between the two trading blocs were “going nowhere”.In a surprise announcement, the US president posted on his Truth Social platform that his long-running battle to secure concessions from the EU had run aground. Continue reading...

Politics

22 h. ago Trump ‘recommending’ 50% tariff on EU, and threatens Apple with 25% tariff – business live

US president Donald Trump reignites trade war with threat to impose high tariffs on European goods, and Apple iPhones made overseasTypical energy bill in Great Britain to fall 7% to £1,720 a year from JulyAs well as cutting UK energy costs (see earlier), Donald Trump can also take credit for growing the German economy!New GDP data this morning shows that Germany’s GDP rose by 0.4% in January-March, twice as fast as the first estimate of 0.2% growth in the quarter.“The reason for the slightly higher growth compared to the initial estimate was the surprisingly positive economic development in March.”“In particular, production in the manufacturing sector and exports performed better than initially expected.The German economy had its best quarterly performance since the third quarter of 2022, and the reason for it seems to be Donald Trump. As a result of the announced tariffs and in anticipation of ‘Liberation Day,’ German industrial production and exports surged in March.Net exports an...

Politics

25 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 23 May: Sterling higher after retail surprise, energy bills fall

Household energy bills will fall by 7% from July after the latest energy price cap was revealed by Ofgem today.

Science

26 h. ago FTSE 100 Live 23 May: Food sales drive retail surprise, energy bills fall

Household energy bills will fall by 7% from July after the latest energy price cap was revealed by Ofgem today.

Society

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 21 May: M&S braced for £300m cyber attack hit, inflation surges

Marks & Spencer has revealed that disruption from a “highly sophisticated” cyber attack last month is expected to continue through to July.

Economics

3 d. ago FTSE 100 Live 21 May: Inflation surges, M&S reveals cyber attack profit hit

Marks & Spencer has revealed that disruption from a “highly sophisticated” cyber attack last month is expected to continue through to July.

Economics

4 d. ago Reeves eyes Gulf trade pact as ‘next deal,’ Bank of England’s Pill says pace of interest rate cuts ‘too rapid’ – business live

China and Australia cut interest rates; Shell faces protests calling for clean-up in Niger DeltaHere’s our full story on Greggs.Sales at Greggs have picked up after the UK’s biggest bakery chain branched out into iced drinks, pizza boxes and a macaroni cheese that has gone viral on social media.These are important issues and we respect the right of people to express their view. But for many years the vast majority of spills in the Niger Delta have been caused by third parties acting unlawfully, such as oil thieves who drill holes in pipelines, or saboteurs.These challenges are managed by a joint venture which Shell’s former Nigerian subsidiary, SPDC, operated, cleaning up every spill from the joint venture’s facilities. Continue reading...

Economics

4 d. ago Reeves eyes Gulf trade pact as UK government’s ‘next deal’ after EU summit – business live

China’s and Australia’s central banks cut interest ratesRachel Reeves said the UK government is closing in on a trade pact with six Gulf nations, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as its next major deal.The chancellor told the BBC the agreement would be the government’s “next deal” as it looks to boost trade ties following Brexit.Britain is in a better place than any other country in the world in terms of deals with those countries.The first deal and the best deal so far with the US, we’ve got the best deal with the EU for any country outside the EU, and we’ve got the best trade agreement with India.We are not going to litigate old arguments, we are going to go forward in the spirit of what we do together, we do better.This deal will mean Britain becoming a rule-taker, accepting dynamic alignment, giving up fishing rights and paying new money to the EU. Nobody has lost more than the fishermen. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Stock markets drop and bond yields rise after US credit rating downgrade; EC cuts eurozone growth forecast – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsUS credit rating downgrade could add to pressure on government debtEconomic risks are weighing on the US dollar today, reports Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown:‘’Like a long weekend hangover, a headache of worry is seeping into sentiment today. The FTSE 100 has opened lower, as investors mull over the downgrading of the US sovereign credit rating on Friday.Moody’s stripped the US of its triple-A rating, citing the growing US fiscal deficit, and the higher borrowing costs the administration will be forced to pay. Given the pledge by Trump to cut taxes, it’s feared the situation could deteriorate further. More of a sombre mood is expected on Wall Street when trading opens later, with futures indicating falls of around 1% for the S&P 500 and 1.3% for the Nasdaq. Continue reading...

Economics

5 d. ago Stock markets drop and bond yields rise after US credit rating downgraded by Moody’s – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsUS credit rating downgrade could add to pressure on government debtEconomic risks are weighing on the US dollar today, reports Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown:‘’Like a long weekend hangover, a headache of worry is seeping into sentiment today. The FTSE 100 has opened lower, as investors mull over the downgrading of the US sovereign credit rating on Friday.Moody’s stripped the US of its triple-A rating, citing the growing US fiscal deficit, and the higher borrowing costs the administration will be forced to pay. Given the pledge by Trump to cut taxes, it’s feared the situation could deteriorate further. More of a sombre mood is expected on Wall Street when trading opens later, with futures indicating falls of around 1% for the S&P 500 and 1.3% for the Nasdaq. Continue reading...

Economics

5 d. ago Stock markets drop after US credit rating downgraded by Moody’s – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsUS credit rating downgrade could add to pressure on government debtEuropean stock markets have opened a little lower, despite reports of a last-minute breakthrough in talks between the UK and EU over a significant reset to post-Brexit relations.In London, the FTSE 100 share index has dropped by 38 points, or 0.45%, at 8646 points. Continue reading...

Economics

8 d. ago Live updates: Trump wraps up Mideast tour, meet business leaders, visit interfaith place of worship

President Donald Trump wraps up a Mideast tour in the United Arab Emirates with a breakfast for business leaders and a visit to an interfaith place of worship named for the Abraham Accords he negotiated

Politics

8 d. ago US recession can’t be ruled out, Jamie Dimon warns, as UK tops G7 growth table – business live

UK economy posts its fastest quarterly growth in a year, outpacing rivals, in growth spurt ahead of trade war disruptionUK economy defies gloomy warnings to grow 0.7% in first quarter of yearChancellor Rachel Reeves has hailed today’s growth figures, pointing out that the UK expanded faster than other major economies in January-March.But Reeves is also cautioning that there is ‘more to do’:“Today’s growth figures show the strength and potential of the UK economy.“In the first three months of the year, the UK economy has grown faster than the US, Canada, France, Italy and Germany.UK: +0.7% growthCanada: estimated to have grown by 0.4%Italy: 0.3% growthGermany: 0.2% growthFrance: 0.1% growthUS: -0.075% (or -0.3% on an annualised basis)Japan: reporting tomorrow, -0.1% forecast Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Britain’s biggest pawnbroker H&T snapped up by US firm for £297m; Goldman Sachs lifts UK and eurozone growth forecasts – business live

China issues warning to UK over terms of US trade deal, saying it is a ‘basic principle’ that bilateral agreements should not target other nationsHere’s our full story on the Co-op saying that that stock availability in its stores will not improve until this weekend, as it struggles to recover from a cyber-attack two weeks ago.And our full take on Burberry’s planned 1,700 job cuts. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Thames Water CEO says crisis ‘decades in the making’; Goldman Sachs cuts US recession odds – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsUK pub chain Marston’s has swung back to a profit in the first half of its financial year, thanks to a busy Christmas and Mother’s Day, as well as a tighter focus on costs.The pub owner reported a pre-tax profit of £19m in the 26 weeks ended on 29 March, compared with a loss of £0.2m in the comparable period in 2024.Their revised forecast reflects a combination of a lower effective tariff rate and the recent easing of financial conditions.We raise our S&P 500 return and earnings forecasts to incorporate lower tariff rates, better economic growth, and less recession risk than we previously expected. Our new 3- and 12-month returns forecasts are +1% and +11%, indicating levels of 5900 and 6500 (previously 5700 and 6200). Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Goldman Sachs cuts US recession odds on tariff optimism; UK wage growth slows as jobs market cools – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsUK pub chain Marston’s has swung back to a profit in the first half of its financial year, thanks to a busy Christmas and Mother’s Day, as well as a tighter focus on costs.The pub owner reported a pre-tax profit of £19m in the 26 weeks ended on 29 March, compared with a loss of £0.2m in the comparable period in 2024.Their revised forecast reflects a combination of a lower effective tariff rate and the recent easing of financial conditions.We raise our S&P 500 return and earnings forecasts to incorporate lower tariff rates, better economic growth, and less recession risk than we previously expected. Our new 3- and 12-month returns forecasts are +1% and +11%, indicating levels of 5900 and 6500 (previously 5700 and 6200). Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Tory extinction ‘can’t be ruled out’, says Jeremy Hunt – UK politics live

Former chancellor says he does not expect the Conservatives to die out as a party but he says it is a possibilityKeir Starmer starts by saying rising tensions between India and Pakistan will be of serious concern for many across Britain. The government is enouraging de-escalation, he says.He says tomorrow the nation will fall silent to commemorate VE Day. The armed forces protect our freedom, he says. Continue reading...

Politics