United States

Friday, July 6th 2018 - 10:56 UTC
US tariffs on Chinese goods become effective: global trade war takes off?

US President Donald Trump fired the biggest shot yet in the global trade war by imposing tariffs on US$ 34 billion of Chinese imports. China immediately said it would be forced to retaliate. The duties on Chinese goods started at 12:01am Friday in Washington, just after midday in China.
Friday, July 6th 2018 - 08:41 UTC
Trump planned invading Venezuela

Associated Press (AP) revealed that last August, during a meeting in the Oval Office, US President Donald Trump asked a question that startled his advisors: given that the situation in Venezuela threatens regional security, why does the United States not invades the South American country?
Friday, July 6th 2018 - 08:24 UTC
US EPA chief steps down following numerous scandals and ethics violations

United States Embattled Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt has resigned after fighting numerous scandals and alleged ethics violations. “The unrelenting attacks on me personally, my family, are unprecedented and have taken a sizable toll on all of us,” Pruitt wrote in his resignation letter to President Donald Trump on Thursday.
Tuesday, July 3rd 2018 - 08:27 UTC
EU/US auto industry dispute intensifies and prepares for worst case scenario

European Union on Monday slammed the Trump administration for considering tariffs on auto imports, saying they could lead to global retaliation against some US$ 300 billion in U.S. goods amid signs of a brewing trade war.
Monday, July 2nd 2018 - 08:31 UTC
Leading world car makers urge US not to impose tariffs on auto imports

BMW and Hyundai Motor urged the U.S. not to impose tariffs on auto imports, joining General Motors Co. in pressing their case to the Commerce Department even as a top aide to President Donald Trump dismissed the concerns as “smoke and mirrors.”
Monday, July 2nd 2018 - 08:25 UTC
Saudi Arabia prepared to help with Trump's request “to pump more oil”, but gives no specifics

President Donald Trump said over the weekend that he had received assurances from King Salman of Saudi Arabia that the kingdom will increase oil production, “maybe up to 2,000,000 barrels” in response to turmoil in Iran and Venezuela. Saudi Arabia acknowledged the call took place, but mentioned no production targets.
Monday, July 2nd 2018 - 08:17 UTC
Canadian retaliatory tariffs of US$ 12.6bn on US goods became effective

Canada began imposing tariffs Sunday on US$12.6 billion in U.S. goods as retaliation for the Trump administration's new taxes on steel and aluminum imported to the United States. Some U.S. products, mostly steel and iron, face 25% tariffs, the same penalty the United States slapped on imported steel at the end of May.
Friday, June 29th 2018 - 09:09 UTC
Apple and Samsung finally settle seven-year-long patent dispute

Apple and Samsung have finally settled a seven-year-long patent dispute, bringing to an end the long-running battle over the design of their rival smartphones. The terms were not disclosed.
Wednesday, June 27th 2018 - 08:38 UTC
Pence in Brazil exposes US government's double standard on fleeing migrants

United States Vice-president Mike Pence thanked Brazil on Tuesday for welcoming Venezuelans fleeing their country’s collapse, while warning Central Americans running from violence in their homelands not to attempt to enter the United States illegally.
Wednesday, June 27th 2018 - 08:26 UTC
Brazilian shares recover cautiously; Central bank absent from the foreign exchange market

After trading lower for a good part of Tuesday's session, the Ibovespa closed higher for the third consecutive day (+0.64%), to 71,404.59 points, driven mainly by the shares of Petrobras and Vale. The improvement in the U.S. stock markets also helped to recover the benchmark stock index in Brazil, although concerns remain about a world trade war.