Economy

• Thursday, October 18th 2018 - 17:44 UTC

  Brazil, China sugar trade scuffle brought before WTO

  

  Brazil has taken the case to the World Trade Organisation as Chinese authorities unilaterally decided to cut down their demand of sugar in a move to protect domestic production.

• Thursday, October 18th 2018 - 08:53 UTC

  Foreign Office Brexit spokesperson, next UK ambassador in Spain

  

  The British Government has appointed Hugh Elliott as its new Ambassador to Spain in succession of Simon Manley. According to a statement issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Mr Elliott will take up the role during the summer of 2019.

• Thursday, October 18th 2018 - 08:42 UTC

  US determined to a trade deal with the UK, “as soon as it is ready” after Brexit

  

  The United States administration has formally confirmed it intends to pursue a trade deal with the UK “as soon as it is ready” after leaving the EU. Donald Trump’s trade representative Robert Lighthizer notified Congress of plans to open negotiations with the UK, as well as with the EU and Japan.

• Thursday, October 18th 2018 - 08:24 UTC

  Despite grumblings, US refrains from labeling China a “currency manipulator”

  

  United States has refrained from labeling China a “currency manipulator” in a move which may help defuse escalating tension over trade between the two countries. President Trump has previously accused China of keeping its currency weak to make its exports more competitive.

• Thursday, October 18th 2018 - 07:36 UTC

  Argentina with a record 6.5% inflation in September, and 40.5% in twelve months

  

  Argentina says that consumer prices rose 6.5% in September bringing the twelve month inflation rate to 40.5%, one of the world's highest. The inflation rate published by the official statistics agency Indec, on Wednesday follows a sharp devaluation of Argentina's currency. The nine month rate reached 32.4%.

• Wednesday, October 17th 2018 - 17:56 UTC

  Uruguay's wind energy revolution highlighted in leading yearly report

  

  Uruguay ranks second in the world among eolic-energy producing countries with a 40.1% share and is the only non-European nation in a top position, according to a report by the SEG Ingeniería consultancy firm.

• Wednesday, October 17th 2018 - 09:16 UTC

  Argentine industrial activity contracts 4.1% in August year-to-year

  

  Industrial activity in Argentina dropped 4.1% in August compared to a year ago, completing a 0.8% contraction so far this year, according to a survey by the country's Industrial Union, UIA. However compared to last July industrial production was up 0.7%.

• Wednesday, October 17th 2018 - 08:52 UTC

  Another headache for the EU: Italy and its populist budget

  

  Italy's government on Tuesday pushed the country closer to a showdown with the European Union after submitting its latest budget for review. The budget proposes increases both Italy's overall government debt and its deficit in the short run pushing the deficit as high as 2.4% of GDP over the coming years. This means Italy will fall foul of a previously mandated maximum deficit level of 0.8% of GDP.

• Wednesday, October 17th 2018 - 08:34 UTC

  Ireland is getting Brexit-ready and has earmarked funds in next year's budget

  

  Ireland is stepping up preparations for physical infrastructure at ports and airports after Brexit, premier Leo Varadkar said. Irish ministers held detailed discussions in Dublin on Tuesday surrounding the hiring of customs officers and veterinary inspectors as well as the upgrading of IT systems.

• Wednesday, October 17th 2018 - 08:24 UTC

  Jamaican economist will oversee Argentina's compliance of IMF accord

  

  The International Monetary Fund has announced that Jamaican economist Trevor Alleyne will be the institution's representative in Argentina, after confirming it had decided to reopen an office in Buenos Aires, six years after leaving. The decision comes after Buenos Aires reached a deal with the IMF on the money supply, interest rates and an exchange rate framework.