Articles in this Cluster
30-07-2025
Donald Trump's successful trade negotiations with the EU may not be replicated with China, as recent talks between the two nations in Sweden ended without a breakthrough. Trump's team is expected to propose extending a pause on mutual tariff hikes, which would otherwise take effect on August 12, as a full-blown trade war would be disastrous for both sides. Unlike the EU, China is not constrained by its reliance on US security and is driven by economic, sovereignty, and political considerations that make it unlikely to capitulate to Trump's demands. China has powerful cards to play, including its dominance of rare earth elements used in US manufacturing, and its authoritarian system allows it to impose more pain on its people than Trump might risk inflicting on Americans. Trump's zeal for one-on-one dealmaking may also be at odds with China's more protocol-driven approach, and it's uncertain whether he can secure a favorable deal with Xi Jinping.
30-07-2025
US President Donald Trump has stated that India may face tariffs of up to 25% if a trade deal is not agreed upon by the 1 August deadline. Trump has been critical of India's high tariffs, calling it a "tariff king" and a "big abuser" of trade ties. Indian and US officials have been negotiating a trade deal for months, with agriculture and dairy being key sticking points. India has defended its farm protections, citing food security and the livelihoods of millions of small farmers. The US is seeking to reduce its $45bn trade deficit with India, and the two countries aim to double bilateral trade to $500bn.
30-07-2025
The new US-EU trade deal will significantly raise US tariffs on EU imports, with the average tariff surging from 1.2% to 17.5%, potentially reducing the EU's annual GDP by 0.2%. The deal is seen as asymmetric and unbalanced, favoring the US, as EU exports to the US face a 15% tariff while US exports to the EU will face no tariffs. The EU agreed to the deal to avoid a trade war escalation and has pledged to buy more US energy and invest $600 billion by 2028. While the deal is expected to boost US exports and manufacturing, it may also raise prices for consumers and lower corporate profits. The agreement is considered better than the alternative, as it avoids a 30% US tariff on EU imports and paves the way for future trade agreements with other countries.
30-07-2025
President Trump has given Russia a 10-day deadline to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine, warning that failure to comply may result in secondary sanctions. The deadline, which expires on August 8, is a significant reduction from the original 50-day timeframe Trump announced in July. Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, questioning whether he genuinely wants to end the conflict, and suggested that the US may impose tariffs on countries doing business with Russia if a deal is not reached.
30-07-2025
President Trump stated that the baseline tariff rate for most countries that don't reach individual trade deals with the US will be between 15% and 20%, a narrower range than the 15% to 50% he mentioned last week, as a deadline for other countries to reach trade deals with the US approaches.
30-07-2025
U.S.-China trade talks in Sweden concluded with no trade truce extension, putting tariffs set to revert to April levels on August 12. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that President Donald Trump must sign off on any deal, and while the meeting was deemed "very good," no extension was reached. Markets fell on the news, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closing lower. Other economic data and the Federal Reserve's policy meeting are on deck this week. Meanwhile, Chinese AI companies are finding demand and making money, and JPMorgan predicts Apple will launch a foldable iPhone in September 2026.
30-07-2025
US-China trade talks in Sweden ended without a tariff truce extension, with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stating that any deal would require President Donald Trump's approval. The current tariff truce is set to expire on August 12, and if not extended, tariffs on Chinese goods will revert to their April levels. The news led to a decline in markets, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closing lower. Meanwhile, corporations reported mixed earnings, with some companies like Boeing and Procter & Gamble beating expectations, while others like Spotify and UPS missed expectations.
30-07-2025
The European Union and the US reached a preliminary trade agreement on July 27th, 2025, averting a potential trade war sparked by President Donald Trump's "Liberation Day tariffs". The EU made concessions to keep Trump happy while limiting economic damage, choosing certain tariffs over risky retaliation.
30-07-2025
Foreign companies are currently bearing the brunt of Trump's tariffs, but it remains to be seen how long this will last. A recent trade deal between America and the European Union included a 15% tariff on most EU goods, illustrating the ongoing impact of Trump's trade policies.
30-07-2025
President Donald Trump warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that he has 10 days to agree to a peace deal in Ukraine or face sanctions, including 100% tariffs on Russian oil purchases and secondary tariffs on third-party nations that buy Russian oil, such as China and India. Trump's comments came as he returned from Scotland, where he met with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and reduced a previously given 50-day deadline to 10 days, citing disappointment in Putin's actions. The potential sanctions could impact Russia's $192 billion in foreign oil sales in 2024, and may affect ongoing trade negotiations with China.
30-07-2025
President Trump expressed uncertainty about the effectiveness of potential financial penalties on Russia over the war in Ukraine, stating they "may or may not" work, just a day after threatening to impose them. Trump had given Russia 10 to 12 days to end the war before imposing "sanctions and maybe tariffs, secondary tariffs." Experts say Trump's threat may not be enough to change Russian President Vladimir Putin's mind, as Russia has been preparing for Western sanctions and remains dependent on oil and gas exports. Trump's ultimatum has raised questions about the US's leverage with Moscow and whether he is willing to use it, with some experts suggesting he has other economic and military options, such as targeting Russia's banking system or increasing military assistance to Ukraine.
30-07-2025
The Trump administration has softened its stance on China amid high-stakes trade talks and a potential fall summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, including dissuading Taiwan's leader from US stopovers, postponing a meeting between Taipei's defense minister and Pentagon leaders, and pausing new export controls on China.
30-07-2025
China's Communist Party has scheduled a key meeting for October to discuss the country's next five-year plan for economic, political, and social goals amid ongoing tensions with the US. The fourth plenary session, attended by over 370 Central Committee members, is expected to take place in Beijing in mid-to-late October and last four days. The meeting will come before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Seoul, potentially paving the way for a meeting between President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump.
30-07-2025
China's Politburo has pledged to maintain and step up macroeconomic policy support for the rest of 2025 to navigate economic risks and plan for the next half-decade. The decision-making body, led by President Xi Jinping, aims to stabilize foreign trade and investment, support affected firms, and boost domestic demand through targeted actions to increase consumption and private investment.
30-07-2025
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has cancelled a planned trip to Latin America, with reports suggesting the US Trump administration opposed a stopover in New York, amid concerns it would anger China, which claims Taiwan as its territory. The Taiwanese government attributed the delay to domestic issues such as natural disasters and trade negotiations, but sources indicate the US had asked Taipei to alter its travel plans. The cancellation has sparked concerns that the White House is setting a bad precedent for US-China relations and accommodating China's demands.
