Trump’s tariffs challenged in court and deemed to be illegal

A U.S. federal court has ruled that former President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs were imposed illegally, dealing a significant blow to his economic policies. The Court of International Trade determined that Trump exceeded his authority by invoking emergency powers to justify tariffs on nearly every country. The ruling states that the U.S. Constitution grants Congress …

China’s industrial profit accelerates in April 2025 – despite Trump’s tariffs

Despite the heavy tariffs imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, China’s industrial sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience. In April 2025, industrial profits rose by 3%, marking the second consecutive month of growth. This increase was largely driven by Beijing’s strategic policy measures, which cushioned the impact of the tariffs and supported private enterprises. In …

Are we underestimating the impact of tariffs on S&P 500 earnings growth?

As global trade tensions escalate, many investors and analysts are questioning whether markets are too complacent about the long-term effects of tariffs on corporate earnings. While some argue that businesses have adapted to protectionist policies, others warn that the S&P 500’s earnings growth could face significant headwinds. Tariffs: A hidden threat to profit margins Tariffs …

No tariffs for Russia?

Russia’s exemption from recent U.S. tariffs has sparked curiosity and debate. While many nations face new trade duties, Russia remains notably absent from the list This decision stems from a combination of geopolitical, economic, and strategic factors. One key reason is the existing sanctions imposed on Russia by several countries, including the United States, following …

Trump announces 25% tariffs on car imports to U.S. and pledges pharma tariffs to come

Trump’s tariffs have been a cornerstone of his trade policy, aimed at protecting American industries and reducing trade deficits These measures include tariffs on steel, aluminum, and a wide range of goods from countries like China, Canada, and the European Union. While supporters argue that these tariffs have bolstered domestic manufacturing and created jobs, critics …

Fallout from Trump’s self-imposed tariffs and DOGE cuts is visibly damaging the U.S.

The economic impact of tariffs and budget cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is becoming increasingly evident Major corporations like Nike and Accenture, for example have recently reported significant challenges stemming from these policies. Nike has warned of a sharp decline in sales for the current quarter, attributing this to tariffs and weakened …

China’s exports miss forecasts as U.S. tariffs bite -imports record sharp decline

China’s exports in the January 2025 to February 2025 period rose 2.3% in U.S. dollar terms from a year earlier, significantly undershooting expectations of a 5% increase That marked the slowest growth since April 2024 last year when exports increased by just 1.5% on the year, according to recently released data. Imports surprised markets by …

Trumps tariffs impact – what a difference a day makes!

Trump pauses tariffs on Mexico and Canada amid China’s retaliatory measures In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump announced a 30-day pause on tariffs targeting Mexico and Canada, just as China introduced retaliatory tariffs on a range of U.S. goods. This move comes amidst escalating trade tensions and a looming threat of a …

Tariff Man – Trumps tariffs take affect – markets fall!

U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs have moved from threat to reality. U.S. President Donald Trump launched a series of tariffs on Saturday. U.S. imports from Mexico and Canada will face a 25% duty, while those from China will be subject to a 10% tariff. Energy resources from Canada will face a lower 10% tariff. Canada’s Prime Minister …

The EU imposes higher tariffs of up to 38% on Chinese EVs

In a significant development that may affect the electric vehicle (EV) market, the European Union (EU) has tentatively agreed to levy tariffs on Chinese EV manufacturers. This decision reportedly follows an inquiry into the surge of inexpensive, government-subsidized Chinese vehicles entering the EU market. From 4th July 2024, Chinese EV producers who participated in the …

U.S. holds interest rates steady – Trump isn’t happy!

U.S. Federal Reserve has kept its benchmark interest rate steady at 4.25% to 4.50% for the fourth consecutive meeting. This decision reflects a cautious stance amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding President Trump’s tariff policies and their potential impact on inflation and economic growth. The Fed still anticipates two rate cuts later in 2025, but officials are …

U.S. inflation up 0.1% in May – but less than expected

In May 2025, U.S. inflation rose by 0.1% from the previous month, bringing the annual inflation rate to 2.4%, slightly below economists’ predictions of 2.5%. Core U.S. inflation, which excludes food and energy, increased by 0.1% month-on-month, with a year-on-year rate of 2.8%. The modest rise was largely offset by falling energy prices, particularly a …

China suffers U.S. tariff driven falls in exports and increased deflation concerns

China’s economic landscape is facing mounting challenges as exports to the United States plummet and consumer prices decline, sparking fears of deflation. The latest trade data reveals that Chinese exports to the U.S. fell by 34.5% in May 2025, marking the sharpest drop in over five years. This decline comes despite a temporary trade truce …

Debt and trade issues weaken UK growth – so says the OECD

The latest OECD report presents a cautious outlook for the UK economy, predicting slower growth amidst global uncertainties and domestic fiscal challenges. The UK’s GDP is projected to grow by 1.3% in 2025 and 1% in 2026, reflecting a slight downward revision. According to the OECD, trade tensions, particularly U.S. tariffs, are disrupting global supply …

Eurozone inflation falls below ECB target of 2% – now what?

Inflation in the eurozone fell to 1.9% in May 2025, dropping below the European Central Bank’s (ECB) 2% target for the first time in months. This unexpected decline has sparked discussions about the potential consequences for the region’s economy. The latest data from Eurostat shows that core inflation, which excludes volatile items like energy and …

OECD cuts U.S. growth forecast amid Trump’s tariff chaos

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has sharply downgraded its U.S. growth forecast, citing economic uncertainty and the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. The OECD now expects the U.S. economy to expand by just 1.6% in 2025 and 1.5% in 2026, a significant cut from its previous estimate of 2.2% for …

China’s manufacturing sector experiences decline amid Tariff chaos

China’s manufacturing activity took an unexpected hit in May 2025, marking its steepest decline since September 2022. The Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing PMI fell to 48.3, signalling contraction for the first time in eight months. This downturn comes as U.S. tariffs begin to weigh heavily on Chinese exports, dampening global demand and disrupting supply chains. The …

Tesla’s European market meltdown – sales plunge 49% amid brand damage and fierce competition

Tesla’s vehicle sales in Europe plummeted by 49% in April 2025, marking the fourth consecutive month of decline. Despite an overall 27.8% rise in battery-electric vehicle sales, Tesla struggled to maintain its foothold in the region. The drop in sales has been attributed to increasing competition from Chinese automakers, a shift in consumer preferences towards …

BYD Surpasses Tesla in European EV sales for the first time in upset for Tesla

April 2025 marked a watershed moment in the European electric vehicle (EV) market as BYD outsold Tesla for the first time ever. According to JATO Dynamics, BYD registered 7,231 battery-electric vehicles, narrowly surpassing Tesla’s 7,165 registrations. This shift comes despite EU-imposed tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, which were expected to hinder BYD’s growth. However, the company’s …

Japan’s core inflation rises to 3.5% – higher than expected

Japan’s inflation figures for April 2025 have revealed a continued rise in consumer prices, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) climbing 3.6% year-on-year. This marks a sustained period of inflation above the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) target of 2%, prompting speculation about potential interest rate hikes later in the year. Core inflation, which excludes fresh …

UK first quarter GDP better than expected at 0.7%

The UK economy has defied expectations, recording a 0.7% increase in GDP in the first quarter of 2025 – better than the forecast of 0.6%. This surge places Britain ahead of economic heavyweights, including the United States, Canada, France, Italy, and Germany. A key driver of this growth has been the service sector, which demonstrated …

U.S. inflation rate at 2.3% in April 2025 – less than expected

April 2025 saw the U.S. inflation rate ease to 2.3%, marking its lowest level since February 2021. The consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.2% for the month, aligning with expectations but slightly below the forecasted 2.4% annual rate. Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, also increased 0.2%, maintaining a 2.8% year-on-year rate. …

Trump tariff roll-back – a win for China? U.S. markets rejoice the ‘deal’

The U.S. stock market surged as investors cheered a breakthrough in trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing. The rollback of tariffs, announced as part of a new trade agreement, sent the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite soaring. The deal, which slashes ‘reciprocal’ tariffs on both sides, is seen as a major …

U.S. and China agree 90-day ‘reciprocal’ tariff pause and reduction deal

In a surprising breakthrough, the United States and China have agreed to suspend most tariffs on each other’s goods for 90 days, marking a significant step toward easing trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Following high-stakes negotiations in Geneva, representatives from both nations announced that reciprocal tariffs would be slashed from 125% to …