Stories for May 2019

Saturday, May 18th 2019 - 09:59 UTC
New North American trade pact closer as US lifts tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada and Mexico

The United States struck deals on Friday to lift tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico, the three governments said, removing a major obstacle to legislative approval of a new North American trade pact.
Saturday, May 18th 2019 - 09:58 UTC
Maduro thanks Norway for its efforts to build a dialogue with the opposition

The government of President Nicolas Maduro on Friday thanked Norway for its mediation efforts to build a “dialogue” with the Venezuelan opposition after both sides sent delegations to Oslo.
Saturday, May 18th 2019 - 09:57 UTC
Brazilian economy flirting with economy: “we are at the bottom of the well” says minister Guedes

Feeble growth forecasts and waning confidence in President Jair Bolsonaro sent Brazil's stocks and currency to their lowest level of the year this week, as analysts warned of further falls.
Saturday, May 18th 2019 - 09:48 UTC
Argentine oil and soybean industries exempt from latest taxes on imports

Argentina will exempt an import tax on goods that are used in the production of exports, such as soybeans and machinery to develop unconventional hydrocarbons in the Vaca Muerta shale play, Treasury Minister Nicolas Dujovne said in a radio interview on Friday.
Saturday, May 18th 2019 - 09:31 UTC
Argentina awards 18 offshore oil exploration areas; UK companies take 7 areas, some next to Falklands

Argentina awarded permits to begin hydrocarbon exploration in 18 areas off the coast of the Buenos Aires province, the Austral basin and the Malvinas West basin, which neighbors with the Falkland Islands, the insular territory claimed by Argentina.
Saturday, May 18th 2019 - 08:35 UTC
UK divided by Brexit: Labour leader says no agreement possible with PM May's crumbling government

Britain's withdrawal from the European Union was again in disarray on Friday after the opposition Labour Party declared last-ditch talks dead due to Prime Minister Theresa May's crumbling government.
Saturday, May 18th 2019 - 08:26 UTC
Beijing replies to the US via the official media: Washington has “fragile nerves”

The United States has “fabricated” accusations that China forces firms to hand over technology in exchange for market access, China's top Communist Party newspaper said on Saturday, the latest salvo in a bitter trade war.
Saturday, May 18th 2019 - 08:21 UTC
OPEC meeting in Jeddah: Saudi Arabia minister promises “we will be flexible”

Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Saturday that OPEC will be responsive to the oil market's needs, but that he was not sure there is an oil shortage with data, particularly from the United States, still showing inventories building.
Saturday, May 18th 2019 - 08:17 UTC
Peru wants China to help finance a railway to the heart of South America

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra told news agency Reuters on Friday that China could partner with Bolivia and Peru on a massive intercontinental railway project that Peru once dismissed as too costly when pitched by China nearly three years ago.
Saturday, May 18th 2019 - 08:07 UTC
Angry Venezuelans queue for hours because of gasoline shortage

Drivers queued for hours in towns across Venezuela on Friday as fuel shortages worsened in the country following a plunge in gasoline imports and a stoppage at the nation's second-largest oil refinery.