Top World News
US stocks plummet in after-hours trading as experts warn Americans could see higher costs – as it happened
Apr 3, 2025 - World
This liveblog is now closed. For continued coverage on the tariffs, head to the live business blog.Donald Trump’s planned tariffs will be negative across the world, with the damage depending on how far they go, how long they last and whether they lead to successful negotiations, the European Central Bank head, Christine Lagarde, said on Wednesday.The Trump administration on Wednesday is set to announce “reciprocal tariffs” targeting nations that have duties on US goods. That move would come after it slapped new import levies on products from Mexico, China and Canada – the top US trading partners – as well as on goods including steel and autos.Wisconsin beat the billionaire.Wisconsin cannot be bought. Our democracy is not for sale. And when we fight, we win. Congratulations, @CrawfordForWI Continue reading...

Canada Trump tariff exemption ‘like dodging a bullet into the path of a tank’, says business leader
Apr 2, 2025 - World
Automotive industry and prime minister Mark Carney note that 25% tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and automobiles will still come into effect within hoursCanada’s exemption from Donald Trump’s global tariffs was “like dodging a bullet into the path of a tank”, say business leaders as other levies are poised to hit key industries that drive the country’s economy.In a theatrical unveiling of tariffs on countries with “unfair” practices on Wednesday afternoon, Canada was noticeably absent, alongside trade ally Mexico. Continue reading...
Trump goes full gameshow host to push his tariff plan – and nobody’s a winner
Apr 2, 2025 - World
There were charts and scores, as if The Price Is Right had come to Washington. The big prize? A global trade warIt was Jeopardy!, or The Price Is Right, come to Washington.On an unseasonably chilly day in the White House Rose Garden, Donald Trump stood with a giant chart listing which reciprocal tariffs he would impose on China, the European Union, the United Kingdom and other hapless contestants. Continue reading...

Reeves defends Labour’s £40bn tax rise as businesses prepare for NICs hike
Apr 2, 2025 - World
Chancellor says autumn budget enabled £25bn of extra investment into NHS and shorter waiting lists Rachel Reeves has defended the £40bn in tax increases in autumn’s budget as businesses brace for their impact, saying NHS waiting lists would now be higher if she had not taken action.Employers are set for a £25bn increase in national insurance contributions (NICs), which comes into force on 6 April, at the same time as consumers are being hit by a slew of increases in bills for everything from utilities to car tax. Continue reading...
Samoa suffering energy crisis after weeks of power outages
Apr 2, 2025 - World
Pacific country this week declared state of emergency over power cuts that have caused huge disruption to businesses and daily lifeSamoa is in the grip of an “energy crisis” prime minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said this week, as she declared a state of emergency over power outages that have swept the country for weeks, causing huge disruption to businesses and daily life.The government is scrambling to provide relief to affected businesses and households, with temporary power generation units due to arrive next week. Continue reading...