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US to end shipping loophole for Chinese goods Friday
US to end shipping loophole for Chinese goods Friday
by  AFP

The United States is set to end tariff exemptions on Friday for goods shipped from China worth less than $800, a move which could have significant ramifications on consumers' purchasing habits. The move announced last month means that goods shipped commercially will soon be subject to new tariffs of 145 percent -- the current level of levies imposed on goods coming from China.

With minerals deal, Ukraine finds way to secure Trump support
With minerals deal, Ukraine finds way to secure Trump support
by  AFP

In signing a minerals deal, Ukraine has found a new way to tie the United States to its future, but it remains to be seen if it can guarantee long-term support from mercurial President Donald Trump. But he said that from an economic perspective it can only be read as "something positive, in terms of giving the United States a long-term stake in Ukraine."

McDonald's profits hit by weakness in US market
McDonald's profits hit by weakness in US market
by  AFP

Fast food giant McDonald's reported a drop in first-quarter profits Thursday as US traffic from low- and medium-income customers diminished amid economic anxiety in the wake of President Donald Trump's trade wars. Shares of McDonald's fell 1.3 percent in afternoon trading. jmb/aha

US-Ukraine minerals deal: what we know
US-Ukraine minerals deal: what we know
by  AFP

Washington and Kyiv have signed a new minerals deal that will see the United States invest in Ukraine's rare earth and other deposits as it seeks to reduce military aid to the war-torn country. Kyiv says "rare earth metals are known to exist in six deposits" and an investment of $300 million would be needed to develop a deposit at Novopoltavske, which it claimed was one of the world's largest.

GM cuts 2025 outlook, projects up to $5 bn hit from tariffs
GM cuts 2025 outlook, projects up to $5 bn hit from tariffs
by  AFP

General Motors pledged Thursday to take additional steps to boost its US supply chain after projecting a $4-5 billion hit to the US auto giant's 2025 earnings from President Donald Trump's tariffs. GM postponed its earnings conference call until Thursday after Trump's tariffs move.

IKEA opens new London city centre store
IKEA opens new London city centre store
by  AFP

Swedish furniture giant IKEA on Thursday opened a new store in the heart of London's shopping district, with a flurry of balloons, flags -- and giant meatballs. Some shoppers held Swedish and UK flags as they posed for photos with a giant meatball, as others browsed the store, which it is hoped will help regenerate Oxford Street after the closure of several big-name outlets.