Economy

• Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 10:00 UTC

  Trump speaks openly of a “trade war”; links tariffs on steel and aluminum to a redrafted Nafta

  

  U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday the U.S. is not backing down on its decision to impose 25% tariffs on steel imports and 10% tariffs on imported aluminum products. Before a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump suggested Mexico and Canada could be exempted from the planned tariffs if a new and “fair” North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is reached.

• Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 09:36 UTC

  Beijing anticipates 6.5% growth, steady rise in foreign trade and prudent and neutral monetary policy

  

  China aims to expand its economy by around 6.5% this year, the same as in 2017, while pressing ahead with its campaign to reduce risks in the financial system, Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday. The goal was kept unchanged even though the economy grew 6.9% last year and exceeded the government's target.

• Tuesday, March 6th 2018 - 09:00 UTC

  Falklands: Public Accounts Committee reviews commodity prices

  

  During its last constitutional review, which concluded in 2008, the Falkland Islands established a Public Accounts Committee (PAC). This was based on such committees elsewhere in the world and has now been in operation for a number of years. It has an independent Chair and community members, though two Members of the Legislative Assembly also sit on the Committee at any point in time.

• Monday, March 5th 2018 - 09:05 UTC

  Falklands second air link: Charter flights could make a second flight a non-issue

  

  The recent statement entitled ‘Progress made towards establishing a second commercial Falkland Islands air link’ released by the Falkland Islands Government and sponsored by the governments of UK and Argentina, has met with a mixed reception in the Islands. While some have expressed favor others have reservations and questions.

• Saturday, March 3rd 2018 - 10:43 UTC

  Brazil back on the growth path in 2017 after two years of contraction

  

  Brazil's economy grew by a percentage point in 2017 after two years of contraction, government figures showed Thursday, confirming the South American giant's recovery from one of the worst recessions in its history. The agro-industrial sector led the way with 13% growth last year, trailed by the service sector, which showed 0.3% growth. Industrial output remained stable.

• Saturday, March 3rd 2018 - 10:15 UTC

  Falklands second flight: interest from Brazil, Chile and Uruguay airlines

  

  The Argentine foreign ministry said on Thursday that several airlines from Brazil, Chile and Uruguay have expressed an interest in making proposals for scheduled flights to the Falkland/Malvinas Islands with stops in Argentine territory.

• Thursday, March 1st 2018 - 09:53 UTC

  UK car industry “thousands of jobs” at risk if UK fails to reach a Brexit deal

  

  Failing to strike a Brexit deal would put “hundreds of thousands” of jobs in the car industry at risk, MPs have said. The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee said continued close alignment with the EU would ensure the industry's survival. And it warned the introduction of trade barriers would leave the sector unable to compete with its European rivals.

• Wednesday, February 28th 2018 - 09:53 UTC

  Fed chairman Powell anticipates gradual interest rate increases despite larger government spending

  

  Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, pledging to “strike a balance” between the risk of an overheating economy and the need to keep growth on track, told U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday that the central bank would stick with gradual interest rate increases despite the added stimulus of tax cuts and government spending.

• Wednesday, February 28th 2018 - 09:37 UTC

  Prolonged drought wrecking soybean and corn crops, threatens Argentina's growth

  

  A prolonged drought wreaking havoc on Argentina's soybean and corn crops could threaten the country's economic performance in 2018, an official said, as the country seeks to grow for a second straight year after several years of biting recession.

• Wednesday, February 28th 2018 - 09:20 UTC

  Pemex loss of US$ 18bn in fourth quarter; blames weaker Peso and declining oil fields

  

  Mexican state-owned oil company Pemex reported a nearly US$18 billion fourth-quarter loss on Monday after both crude output and processing slid, though the company said refining levels should rebound as major maintenance plans are completed. The company posted a 352.3bn (US$17.9bn) peso loss for the last quarter of 2017, blaming a weaker peso exchange rate and higher financing costs for its performance, according to a filing with the Mexican stock exchange.