When Donald Trump launched a trade war on April 2, he produced enormous volatility in stock markets around the world, but since then upheaval in the bond market has forced him to row back
The two blast furnaces at British Steel's Scunthorpe plant are the last of their kind in the UK. Baxter Media/ShutterstockThe two blast furnaces at British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant in England are the last of their kind in the UK. The UK steel industry was once a world leader, powering the industrial revolution. But these days it is in crisis.
Countries can target products that they can produce themselves or source from other partners. darksoul72/ShutterstockAmid Donald Trump’s escalating tariff war with China, the world has been left in no doubt. Consistent with his campaign messaging, and going against the overwhelming majority of economists’ advice, it’s clear that the US president still loves tariffs. He is ready to use them as a bargaining tool – and also to change them on a whim.
shutterstock PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/ShutterstockFor many people in the UK work is changing: how we work, what we do and where we do it. The change is faster for some than it is for others – and it’s not always changing for the better.
pxl.store/ShutterstockMillions of UK households are facing what’s been dubbed “awful April” after rising council tax, water bills and broadband costs coincided with the new tax year. It could all start to hurt quite quickly.
Bond markets don’t often make front-page news but the recent sharp sell-off in US Treasuries appears to have been enough to prompt US president Donald Trump to pause his plans for new tariffs.
Traditionally, US Treasuries are seen as one of the world’s safest assets for investors. The United States government has long been regarded as a reliable and responsible borrower. That reputation has allowed the US to borrow at low costs for decades.
William Barton/Shutterstock“Iron-clad” and “non-negotiable” is how UK prime minister Keir Starmer recently described the country’s fiscal rules. The government has been coming under pressure to relax the rules and cut itself some financial slack.
Scharfsinn/ShutterstockIf you have a long-term health condition or you’re a disabled person in the UK, you might be able to claim a benefit called personal independence payment (Pip). As the name suggests, Pip is designed to help with the additional costs of disability – regardless of employment status.
The US has decided – again – to upend the global trading system. With the latest raft of tariffs just beginning to kick in, and after a week in which markets worldwide fell precipitously, the Trump administration announced that it would be suspending high tariffs on nearly 60 countries for 90 days.
Press freedom is widely considered to be a cornerstone of democracy. It brings accountability, transparency and access to reliable information.
But beyond its democratic role, press freedom is also a vital part of a stable economy. Research has shown that it acts as a kind of financial watchdog, ensuring balance and accuracy.
