Latest
Lutnick says tariff pause on phones, computers is temporary
The US commerce secretary has already dampened what China had called a “small step” towards easing its trade fight with America.
‘Nobody is off the hook’: Trump says electronics exemption temporary
The reprieve exempting popular electronics from the 125 per cent tariffs on China is part of the longstanding plan to apply a different, specific levy to the sector.
‘Pretty damn fun’: Piastri earns serene Bahrain GP win
The Australian became the season’s first repeat winner in four races, while leading McLaren teammate Lando Norris had to settle for third at the desert circuit.
Trump floats possible exceptions to 10pc baseline tariff
The president’s comments capped a tumultuous week for equity and bond markets and threaten to inject more uncertainty for countries, investors and businesses.
Canadian funds pause US investments on Trump chaos
Canadian and Danish funds are rethinking their investments as tariffs and talk of territorial expansion stoke market instability and geopolitical tension.
Aussie tech exporter caught in Trump’s trade chaos
Australian high-tech headphone exporter Audeara is struggling with the uncertainty of Donald Trump’s tariffs against China, even as US tech giants get relief.
Opinion & Analysis
How Apple escaped its biggest crisis since COVID-19
After facing dramatic changes to its production and supply chains, the tech giant is breathing a sigh of relief after Trump’s tariff exemption on electronics.
Why Beijing thinks it can beat Trump
There is almost no chance the Trump administration will be able to wrangle any concessions from China that it could not have obtained on January 20. The escalation will be a monumental waste of time.
China’s $2trn market rescue is just the start as trade war intensifies
State-linked funds stepped in to rescue Chinese stocks this week as the battle with the US intensified. But it’s an expensive exercise.
North Asia correspondent
Hawke and Keating were wrong. There is a strong case for tariffs
The Hawke-Keating-Howard era got rid of tariffs. But in their place, they brought in a range of imposts that never existed before, or at least not to the same degree.
From the Financial Times
Canadian funds pause US investments on Trump chaos
Canadian and Danish funds are rethinking their investments as tariffs and talk of territorial expansion stoke market instability and geopolitical tension.
Nations try ‘banding together’ in new global trade era
Officials around the world are dashing to diversify their economies. But the fight between the US and China casts a long shadow.
EU warns of taxing US big tech if Trump trade talks fail
The European Commission president says she wants a “balanced” deal but could hit US services in retaliation.
Yesterday
How Apple escaped its biggest crisis since COVID-19
After facing dramatic changes to its production and supply chains, the tech giant is breathing a sigh of relief after Trump’s tariff exemption on electronics.
Why Beijing thinks it can beat Trump
There is almost no chance the Trump administration will be able to wrangle any concessions from China that it could not have obtained on January 20. The escalation will be a monumental waste of time.
Nations try ‘banding together’ in new global trade era
Officials around the world are dashing to diversify their economies. But the fight between the US and China casts a long shadow.
UK to seize control of Chinese-owned British Steel mill
Keir Starmer’s government accused the firm of trying to shut down the country’s last steel-making plant as Labour took a major step towards nationalising it.
Trump exempts smartphones from China tariffs in climbdown
The US administration’s move is the first sign of a softening of levies against China and provides a big boost for Apple and Nvidia.
This Month
Trump-Xi truce appears elusive as China digs in
The complaint from Beijing is that there’s no consistent set of demands from the Trump administration and so there’s nothing to negotiate yet.
US Treasuries slide with worst sell-off since 2019
Volatility continued to lash assets in the US markets with bonds extending a slide that could be the biggest in more than five years.
China hikes tariffs, says Trump’s trade war ‘has become a joke’
China’s commerce ministry said Donald Trump’s use of excessively high tariffs has become little more than a numbers game.
EU warns of taxing US big tech if Trump trade talks fail
The European Commission president says she wants a “balanced” deal but could hit US services in retaliation.
Xi to bolster regional alliances in Trump’s trade war
The Chinese president is under pressure to shore up relationships with South-East Asian allies who are trying to appease Donald Trump and escape his tariffs.
China’s $2trn market rescue is just the start as trade war intensifies
State-linked funds stepped in to rescue Chinese stocks this week as the battle with the US intensified. But it’s an expensive exercise.
Could China win a ‘fight to the end’ against Trump?
There is a real chance the two largest economies in the world decouple. If that happens, both will be competing to be the engine room, and the cornerstone, of global trade.
Hawke and Keating were wrong. There is a strong case for tariffs
The Hawke-Keating-Howard era got rid of tariffs. But in their place, they brought in a range of imposts that never existed before, or at least not to the same degree.
The bond market teaches Trump the art of the squeal
The US president is not easily humbled, but he’s learnt to respect a bond market that has grown far more powerful and consequential than ever.
The man who got Trump to do a ‘liberation day’ U-turn
Scott Bessent, described by the president “as one of the most brilliant men on Wall Street” helped change Trump’s tariff stance. His next moves will be crucial.
China cuts Hollywood films in latest trade salvo
The move signals that Chinese President Xi Jinping could now be targeting American services in the escalating trade war.
Helicopter crashes into Hudson River killing six
The chopper appeared to break apart in midair, according to video of the crash posted on social media.
Trump sees transition costs after confirming 145pc China tariffs
The levies have surged to a level far above what many economists have said could decimate trade between the world’s two biggest economies.
Europe could end up more like 1980s Qld than 1930s Germany
There’s a problem with being on the lookout for a rerun of the 1930s: you could miss what’s actually happening.
Versace’s ‘quiet luxury’ blunder opened door to Prada takeover
Fashion executive John Idol sold the high-end fashion house to its rival for $2.2 billion, amounting to a loss of about $1.1 billion.