Articles in this Cluster
23-04-2025
A record 7.3 million Canadians—about a quarter of eligible voters—cast advance ballots over the Easter weekend, a 25% increase from 2021. Mail-in votes also rose to 754,000. With election day on 28 April, polls show the Liberals holding a 5-point lead over the Conservatives. Liberal leader Mark Carney is positioning his party as best suited to confront U.S. tariffs under President Trump, which have triggered layoffs in Canada’s auto sector. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is campaigning on change, emphasizing housing, crime, and cost of living, and criticizing Liberal spending. The Bloc Québécois is polling third, with the NDP fourth.
Entities: Canada, Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Mark Carney, Pierre Poilievre • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
23-04-2025
The IMF sharply downgraded its 2024 global growth outlook due to trade tariffs and uncertainty, with the US hit hardest among advanced economies. US growth is now forecast at 1.8% (down from 2.7%), with a 40% recession risk this year; tariffs and weaker consumer spending are key drags, and impacts extend into 2026. The IMF projects global growth at 2.8% in 2024 and 3.0% in 2026. The UK’s 2024 growth is cut to 1.1% but is still expected to outpace Germany, France, and Italy, though UK inflation is set to be the highest among advanced economies at 3.1%. China’s growth is trimmed to 4.0%. The eurozone is downgraded to 0.8% for 2024; Spain’s 2025 outlook improves, while Canada and Mexico see notable cuts. The IMF warns that elevated tariffs and policy uncertainty are prompting firms to delay investment, weighing on interconnected global supply chains.
Entities: International Monetary Fund (IMF), United States, trade tariffs, global growth, recession risk • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
23-04-2025
A Boeing 737 Max 8 intended for China’s Xiamen Airlines was flown back to the U.S., reflecting rising trade tensions. China has reportedly told its airlines to halt Boeing deliveries amid escalating tariffs, which now reach up to 145% on some goods. Several 737 Max jets for Chinese carriers are awaiting delivery, with more possibly returning. Boeing shares fell about 2% on the news.
Entities: Boeing, 737 Max 8, Xiamen Airlines, China, U.S. • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
23-04-2025
IBM beat Q1 expectations with adjusted EPS of $1.60 (vs. $1.40 est.) and revenue of $14.54 billion (vs. $14.4 billion est.), up 0.6% year over year. Net income fell to $1.06 billion from $1.61 billion. The company maintained 2025 guidance for $13.5 billion in free cash flow and at least 5% constant-currency revenue growth, noting currency tailwinds of 150 bps. Q2 revenue is guided to $16.4–$16.75 billion, above consensus at the midpoint.
Segment performance: Software revenue rose 7% to $6.34 billion (hybrid cloud/Red Hat up 12%); Consulting fell 2% to $5.07 billion; Infrastructure declined 6% to $2.89 billion. IBM closed its $6.4 billion HashiCorp acquisition, plans to buy DataStax, and settled litigation with GlobalFoundries.
Management cited a fluid macro environment, tariff-related uncertainty, and cautious consulting outlook with some federal contract delays, though client buying behavior in Q2 hasn’t materially changed. Despite IBM shares being up 11% year-to-date versus a 14% Nasdaq decline, the stock fell 6% after-hours.
Entities: IBM, Q1 2025 earnings, free cash flow guidance, hybrid cloud/Red Hat, HashiCorp acquisition • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
23-04-2025
The IMF cut its 2025 growth forecasts across major Asian economies, citing trade tensions, new tariffs, and high policy uncertainty. China’s projection was reduced to 4% (from 4.6%), India’s to 6.2% (from 6.5%), and Japan’s to 0.6% (from 1.1%). Globally, 2025 growth was lowered to 2.8% from 3.3%, with U.S.-led tariff actions deemed a major negative shock. Banks and ratings agencies have similarly trimmed outlooks, especially for China and India, amid escalating U.S.-China tariffs, while Japan and India pursue more conciliatory trade talks with the U.S.
Entities: International Monetary Fund (IMF), China, India, Japan, United States • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
23-04-2025
Surveys show Trump’s broad tariffs are denting global growth: Germany’s and the UK’s private-sector output contracted in April (PMIs at 49.7 and 48.2, respectively) as firms cited tariff-driven uncertainty and weaker demand. Early trade data signal a slump—South Korea’s exports fell 5.2% in the first 20 days of April. The IMF cut growth forecasts for the US, Germany, and the UK, warning unpredictable US tariffs and retaliation will hit economies worldwide. The eurozone overall was flat (PMI 50.1) but saw the fastest decline in new orders this year. Economists say tariffs are chilling confidence, especially in the UK, though a UK recession isn’t yet expected.
Entities: Donald Trump, tariffs, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Germany, United Kingdom • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
23-04-2025
China is rapidly automating its manufacturing with AI-powered robots, enabling it to keep export prices competitive despite U.S., E.U., and other countries’ tariffs. Backed by government strategy and massive investment, China now has one of the world’s highest densities of factory robots, surpassing the U.S., Germany, and Japan. Automation spans from small workshops to advanced car plants like Zeekr’s, where “dark” welding shops and AI-driven quality control cut costs and improve consistency, while humans handle dexterity and final checks. Domestic robot capabilities have advanced and become far cheaper, and Chinese firms have absorbed global robotics know-how through acquisitions. Beijing’s policies—such as Made in China 2025 and pushes to trial humanoid robots—aim to make robotics a new pillar industry, positioning China to sustain mass production despite an aging workforce and global trade barriers.
Entities: China, AI-powered robots, U.S. tariffs, European Union, Zeekr • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
23-04-2025
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called for sweeping reforms of the IMF and World Bank, accusing them of “mission creep” into climate, gender, and social issues at the expense of core economic stability and development mandates. While reaffirming U.S. commitment to leadership in the institutions, he urged a return to core missions, more efficient use of resources, and “tech-neutral” energy financing that prioritizes affordability, including gas, fossil fuels, and potentially nuclear. Bessent defended the administration’s tough trade stance on China, saying any tariff de-escalation must be mutual, and stressed that “America First” means deeper collaboration, not withdrawal from global bodies. World Bank president Ajay Banga signaled ongoing constructive talks with the U.S. on the bank’s direction.
Entities: Scott Bessent, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Ajay Banga, United States Treasury • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: analyze
23-04-2025
A New York Times polling average shows President Trump’s job approval has fallen from 52% a week after inauguration to about 45% by late April, with roughly half of Americans disapproving. The decline has been faster than typical early-term drops and is driven largely by independents, whose disapproval has climbed sharply. Republican support remains steady. While specific causes aren’t isolated, the slide continued through major moves like sweeping tariffs and aggressive policy shifts on immigration, government, and higher education. Even polls that previously measured Trump support accurately now show net negative approval. Trump touts achievements on border crossings, investments, and upcoming trade deals, but public sentiment has trended downward.
Entities: New York Times, President Trump, approval rating, independents, Republicans • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
23-04-2025
Donald Trump’s second-term tariff surge has strained US relations with key allies, fracturing the Western alignment that tightened against China under Joe Biden. Europe, already hardening on China with EV tariffs and expanded NATO membership, is now disillusioned by Washington’s unilateral trade moves, with some leaders declaring the transatlantic alliance effectively broken. This discord could open space for Beijing to ease diplomatic isolation and exploit divisions, though deep-seated European and allied suspicions of China—over security, Russia ties, and economic coercion—limit how far it can advance.
Entities: Donald Trump, tariffs, United States allies, European Union, China • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: analyze
