Economy

Saturday, April 6th 2019 - 09:46 UTC
US and China “making progress” towards ending the trade war

President Donald Trump on Friday said talks with Beijing were making progress toward ending the trade war between the world's two top economies, but he again stopped short of predicting success.
Saturday, April 6th 2019 - 09:43 UTC
Trump again puts pressure on the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates

United States president Donald Trump said on Friday the US Federal Reserve should lower interest rates and take other unconventional measures to ease pressure on an economy that he said they slowed down. “I think they should drop rates,” Trump told reporters. “I think they really slowed us down. There's no inflation.”
Saturday, April 6th 2019 - 09:33 UTC
IMF releases US$10.8 billion to Argentina and insists on fiscal prudence

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed on Friday the third review of Argentina’s economic performance under the 36-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) that was approved on June 20, 2018. The completion of the review allows the authorities to draw the equivalent of SDR 7.8 billion (about US$10.8 billion), bringing total purchases since June 2018 to SDR 28.01371 billion (about US$38.9 billion).
Saturday, April 6th 2019 - 09:02 UTC
French/Canadian consortium takes Petrobras major gas pipeline in north Brazil

A consortium led by France's Engie SA submitted the highest offer for a major gas pipeline unit owned by Petrobras, the state-run oil firm said on Friday, as the company's biggest divestment draws to a close.
Saturday, April 6th 2019 - 08:38 UTC
Labour says no advance in Brexit talks with Mrs. May; EU demands viable plan before postponing exit

Britain's opposition Labour Party said on Friday that talks with the government on a last-ditch Brexit deal had made no progress, as EU leaders said Prime Minister Theresa May had not convinced them that they should let Britain delay its departure next week.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 17:45 UTC
US Treasury official David Malpass elected as World Bank’s president

David Malpass has been chosen as the president of the World Bank Group (WBG) on Friday after being unanimously elected by the executive board of the organization with no other candidates.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 09:37 UTC
Brazilian markets react positively on hopes of progress on pension reform

Most Latin American stock markets and currencies rose on Thursday, with assets in Brazil gaining on hopes of smooth progress on pension reform. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro met fellow politicians in a bid to build support to pass his government's proposal to reform the country's bloated pension system, seen by investors as crucial to trim Brazil's wide fiscal deficit.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 09:33 UTC
Brazil automakers confident of domestic market despite collapse of exports to Argentina

Automobile production in Brazil fell 0.6% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period last year, the national automakers’ association said on Thursday, as an economic crisis in Argentina continued to weigh on output.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 09:04 UTC
EC proposal for a 12-month “flexible” extension to the Brexit date

European Council President Donald Tusk is proposing to offer the UK a 12-month “flexible” extension to its Brexit date, according to a senior EU source. His plan would allow the UK to leave sooner if Parliament ratifies a deal, but it would need to be agreed by EU leaders at a summit next week.
Friday, April 5th 2019 - 08:52 UTC
Ex Republican presidential hopeful, Trump’s candidate for the Fed

United States President Donald Trump has confirmed he recommended former Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain for a seat on the Federal Reserve Board. Mr Trump told reporters at the White House Mr Cain is undergoing background checks to join America's central bank.