United States

Friday, February 1st 2019 - 09:56 UTC
Summit with Xi, “soon”, should seal “the biggest deal ever made” forecasts Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping soon to try to seal a comprehensive trade deal as Trump and his top trade negotiator both cited substantial progress in two days of high-level talks.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:38 UTC
US private payrolls increased in January, but the housing market is down

United States private payrolls increased solidly in January, pointing to sustained labor market strength despite a recent easing in consumer and business confidence that has suggested a loss of momentum in the economy. The strong hiring shown in the ADP National Employment Report on Wednesday also suggested there had been minimal impact on the labor market from the just-ended 35-day partial shutdown of the federal government.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:25 UTC
Washington warns traders not to deal with gold or oil “stolen from the Venezuelan people”

The White House warned traders on Wednesday not to deal in Venezuelan gold or oil following its imposition of stiff sanctions aimed at forcing socialist President Nicolas Maduro from power.
Thursday, January 31st 2019 - 09:15 UTC
Federal Reserve adopts “wait and see” policy. Economy facing contradictory picture of crosscurrents, says Powell

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday signaled its three-year-drive to tighten monetary policy may be at an end amid a suddenly cloudy outlook for the U.S. economy due to global headwinds and impasses over trade and government budget negotiations.
Wednesday, January 30th 2019 - 09:56 UTC
US farm lobbies want a post-Brexit UK food quality standard lowered

United States lobby groups for agriculture and pharmaceutical firms want UK standards changed to be closer to those of the US in a post-Brexit trade deal. The meat lobby wants the sale of growth hormone-fed beef, currently banned in the UK and EU, to be allowed in the UK.
Wednesday, January 30th 2019 - 09:46 UTC
Russia and China criticize US sanctions on Venezuela: “they undermine confidence in the international financial system”

Russia and China strongly criticized U.S. sanctions placed on Venezuela, with the former pledging to support the beleaguered President Nicolas Maduro. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday the sanctions completely undermined confidence in an international financial system that is dominated by the U.S., Russian news agency Interfax reported.
Tuesday, January 29th 2019 - 14:28 UTC
Guaidó on military option in Venezuela: All options are on the table

Consulted on possible military option in Venezuela, the declared interim President of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó, told the CNN channel that all the options are on the table “to achieve the cessation of the usurpation”.
Tuesday, January 29th 2019 - 09:25 UTC
Rough times ahead: US Justice files several criminal charges against Huawei and the owner's daughter

The United States Justice Department has filed a host of criminal charges against Chinese telecoms giant Huawei and its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou. The charges against the world's second largest smart-phone maker include accusations of bank fraud, obstruction of justice and theft of technology.
Tuesday, January 29th 2019 - 09:03 UTC
US tightening the noose: Venezuelan oil proceeds will be withheld from Maduro's government

The US has imposed sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil firm PDVSA and urged the country's military to accept a peaceful transfer of power. National Security Adviser John Bolton said President Nicolás Maduro and his allies could “no longer loot the assets of the Venezuelan people”. Efforts by the opposition to unseat Mr Maduro have increased in recent days.
Monday, January 28th 2019 - 09:21 UTC
Maduro rejects elections but gives US diplomats 30 days to leave; Guaidó calls for protests on Wednesday and Saturday

The US has warned Venezuela that any threats against American diplomats or opposition leader Juan Guaidó will be met with “a significant response”. National Security Adviser John Bolton said any such “intimidation” would be “a grave assault on the rule of law”.