All articles tagged with #trade tariffs
EU states have approved a historic free trade agreement with Mercosur after 25 years of negotiations, aiming to offset US tariffs and reduce reliance on China, despite opposition from France and protests from farmers. The deal will require European Parliament approval and includes safeguards for farmers and environmental concerns.
U.S. auto sales reached their highest since 2019 in 2025, defying earlier expert predictions that Trump's trade policies would harm the industry. Major automakers reported record sales, and policies such as tariffs and regulatory changes are credited with boosting American vehicle manufacturing and saving consumers money.
The US has reaffirmed its criticism of Europe, framing its recent national security strategy as a warning rather than an insult, citing concerns over Europe's economic decline and advocating for reforms to reduce regulation and boost growth, amidst ongoing trade tensions and efforts to strengthen the transatlantic alliance.
The article reviews key market developments in 2025, highlighting US trade policy shifts, a weakened dollar, tech stock volatility, soaring gold and silver prices, increased European defense spending, energy market resilience, and Asia's dominance in solar energy, providing insights into the year's financial landscape and potential trends for 2026.
Despite strong economic growth with a 4.3% GDP increase in Q3 2025, American consumer confidence continues to decline, influenced by concerns over inflation, tariffs, and a weakening labor market, with perceptions of the economy at a five-year low even as spending persists.
China has imposed tariffs of up to 42.7% on EU dairy products, impacting trade relations and market dynamics.
India and New Zealand have reached a free trade agreement aimed at reducing tariffs, easing regulations, and expanding cooperation, with the goal of boosting bilateral trade and economic growth amid global uncertainties. The deal includes zero-duty exports for India to New Zealand and duty concessions for New Zealand, covering key sectors like textiles, horticulture, and marine products, and involves a $20 billion investment commitment from New Zealand over 15 years.
In 2025, Trump's return to the White House led to a significant increase in US tariffs, impacting global trade, but the economy showed resilience and global markets remained relatively stable. Key issues for 2026 include legal challenges to tariffs, ongoing US-China trade negotiations, and the future of trade agreements with Canada and Mexico, with uncertainties about the continuation of tariffs and trade policies.
Jim Beam will halt production at its Kentucky distillery for a year to invest in site improvements, amid industry challenges from trade tariffs and market uncertainties, while other operations continue as usual.
Kirsten Hillman, Canada's ambassador to the US, reflects on her experiences navigating the complex and often challenging Canada-US relationship during Trump's presidency, emphasizing the importance of understanding and empathy for Americans, and highlighting ongoing trade issues and her upcoming departure from the role.
Pinterest's recent AI initiatives, including the Pinterest Assistant, failed to impress investors due to weaker-than-expected guidance and concerns over softer ad spending linked to trade tariffs, leading to a 21% drop in shares despite user growth and advancements in visual search technology.
Super Micro Computer missed quarterly profit and revenue estimates due to delivery delays in AI deals and increased market competition, causing shares to fall over 9%. Despite this, the company raised its full-year revenue forecast to $36 billion, citing growth in data center demand and strategic collaborations with Nvidia.
China's state-owned COFCO purchased three U.S. soybean cargoes for December-January, marking its first U.S. harvest purchase in months amid ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. and a shift towards South American suppliers. Despite the purchase, overall demand for U.S. soybeans remains subdued, with China favoring Brazilian and Argentine soybeans due to higher protein content and recent large South American purchases. The move occurs ahead of a Trump-Xi meeting, with potential U.S. soybean imports for strategic reserves possibly reaching 8 million tons.
Steinway & Sons, a 150-year-old American piano manufacturer, exemplifies how high-quality, handcrafted products can thrive in the US despite economic challenges and tariffs, emphasizing the importance of skilled craftsmanship and domestic sourcing for maintaining manufacturing excellence. However, broader US manufacturing faces hurdles like job losses and skill shortages, partly due to automation and trade policies.
The Canadian government has threatened legal action against Stellantis over plans to move Jeep Compass production from Ontario to Illinois, citing a binding agreement to keep operations in Brampton. Stellantis announced a $13 billion investment in the US, which has raised concerns about its commitments to Canada, though the company also plans to expand in Windsor. The dispute highlights ongoing trade tensions and investment shifts between Canada and the US.