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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

U.S. Federal Reserve holds interest rates at 4.25% – 4.50% and upsets Trump in the process

The Federal Reserve held its key interest rate steady at 4.25% – 4.50% on 7th May 2025, citing economic uncertainty and the potential impact of tariffs. Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasised that the central bank is in wait-and-see mode, monitoring inflation and employment risks. The decision follows concerns that Trump’s trade policies could lead to …

Signs of weakness in the U.S. economy – is a recession coming and is the United States causing harm to global economies?

The U.S. economy is showing cracks as multiple indicators suggest that growth may be slowing. With GDP shrinking by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, concerns about an impending recession have intensified among analysts and investors. A key driver of this economic downturn is the ongoing trade uncertainty, which has prompted businesses to stock …

U.S. Economy Contracts in Q1 2025 Amid Trade Policy Uncertainty

The U.S. economy shrank by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, marking the first contraction since early 2022. The decline was largely driven by a surge in imports, which soared 41.3%, as businesses rushed to stockpile goods ahead of President Donald Trump’s newly imposed tariffs. Imports subtract from GDP calculations, contributing to the negative …

Countries begin to turn away from the U.S. because of Trump’s tariff policies

Countries are increasingly pivoting away from the United States due to the ripple effects of former President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. His ‘America First’ ideology, which prioritised domestic interests over international collaboration, assumed that the world needed America more than America needed the world. While this may have held true in certain aspects, the global …

Stock markets see three-day recovery as U.S. tech boost offsets trade worries – but for how long?

Global markets have shown resilience in the past three days, rebounding from recent downturns as technology stocks rally amid cautious optimism. The boost in investor confidence follows strong earnings reports from major tech firms, highlighting their ability to weather economic uncertainty. However, lingering concerns about international trade tensions raise questions about how sustainable this recovery …

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 …

China to impose 34% retaliatory tariff on all goods imported from the U.S.

China has reportedly announced a significant escalation in its trade dispute with the United States, declaring a 34% retaliatory tariff on all U.S. goods. This move, set to take effect on 10th April 2025 and comes in response to the sweeping tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration earlier this week. The Chinese Ministry of …

U.S. so-called Liberation Day arrives – It’s tariff time baby! Do you like my chart?

Tariffs are terrific, according to Trump – it’s his most favourite word. Donald Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs have sent shockwaves through global trade, marking a dramatic escalation in his tariff trade war strategy. The day of economic independence. The President of the United States proudly showed off his tariff agenda neatly displayed on a chart …

Trump’s tariff gambit will most likely damage an already fragile looking U.S. economy

President Donald Trump is to begin the biggest gamble of his second term – ‘Liberation Day’ wagering that broad-based global hitting tariffs on imports will instigate a new era for the U.S. economy. The concern right now is no one outside the administration knows quite how those goals will be achieved, and what will be …

Core U.S. inflation in February hits 2.8% – higher than expected

The core personal consumption expenditures price index, a key Fed inflation measure was up 0.4% in February 2025, putting the 12-month inflation rate at 2.8% Consumer spending accelerated 0.4% for the month, below the 0.5% forecast, but personal income posted a 0.8% rise, against the estimate for 0.4%. If we were to combine these higher …

U.S. holds interest rate steady despite Trumps tariff threats – transitory inflation is back – remember that?

The Federal Reserve has opted to maintain its federal funds rate within the range of 4.25% to 4.5%, a decision that aligned with market expectations This comes amidst increasing uncertainty surrounding the economic landscape. While the Fed’s current stance is to hold interest rates steady, it has reiterated its intention to implement two rate cuts …

U.S. markets tumble as Trump and his administration dismiss stock slump and economic concern

The Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency claims to be streamlining the federal government’s spending But it has so far sown confusion, with the Trump administration attempting to rehire employees it had previously fired. DOGE presents a distorted reflection of the current state of the U.S. economy. U.S. President Trump has implemented a series of …