Initial jobless claims in the US surged by 27,000 from the previous week to 263,000 in the first week of September, the highest single-week figure since October 2021, and well above market consensus of 235,000 initial claims. This finding aligns with a series of downbeat labor market surveys released since the beginning of the month, adding to evidence of worsening employment conditions in the US. (alg) Source: Trading Economics
India defended its oil imports from Russia on Monday, calling U.S. and European Union criticism "unjustified and unreasonable" following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to raise tariffs on the country. "Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement. Jaiswal explained that India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict. He noted that the U.S. had "actively encouraged...
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil stated on Monday that the European Union's trade deal with the United States requires significant clarification, adding that the bloc had shown weakness during negotiations. Speaking in Washington before meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Klingbeil emphasized the need for a rapid resolution to the ongoing trade conflict between the European Union and the United States. "There is a lot to clarify about the European Union's trade deal with the United States," Klingbeil said during his Washington visit. The German finance minister also...
The European Union will suspend its two packages of countermeasures to U.S. tariffs for six months following a deal with U.S. President Donald Trump, a Commission spokesperson said on Monday. The EU-U.S. agreement leaves many questions open, including tariff rates on spirits, and Trump's executive order last week setting tariffs on most EU goods at 15% did not include carve-outs such as for cars and car parts. EU officials have said they expect more executive orders to follow soon. "The EU continues to work with the U.S. to finalise a Joint Statement, as agreed on 27 July," the...
Tensions and fears are running high in Switzerland, as the deadline to strike a trade agreement with the U.S. looms just days away. Without a deal, Switzerland faces 39% duties on its goods imported into the U.S., after it was hit with one of the highest new tariff rates under U.S. President Donald Trump's latest trade policy shift last week. The higher duty surprised many, as widespread reports had previously suggested a trade agreement was near, and was just missing Trump's signature. Over the weekend, reports emerged that the higher tariffs followed a disagreeable Thursday phone call...
White House economic advisers on Sunday defended President Donald Trump's firing of the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dismissing criticism that Trump's actions could undermine confidence in official U.S. economic data. On Sunday, Trump again criticized BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, without providing evidence of wrongdoing, and said he would appoint a new BLS commissioner in the next three or four days. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CBS that Trump has "real concerns" about the BLS data, while Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, said the...
China's official NBS Manufacturing PMI increased to 49.7 in June 2025 from May's 49.5, matching market expectations while marking the third consecutive month of contraction in factory activity.
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Both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 hovered around the flatline on Friday, as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of further developments in trade talks between US President Trump and Chinese...
Less than four months ago, President Donald Trump met with Qatar's leader, praised his magnificent palace, and signed a comprehensive defense agreement with the Gulf monarchy, a key ally that hosts...