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French economy returns to thin growth in first quarter
French economy returns to thin growth in first quarter
by  AFP

France's economy returned to growth in the first three months of the year but the expansion was modest, held back by sluggish household consumption and stagnant investment, official data showed Wednesday.

Japan tariff envoy departs for round two of US talks
Japan tariff envoy departs for round two of US talks
by  AFP

Tokyo's tariffs envoy departed Wednesday for a second round of negotiations in Washington, where Japan could offer concessions such as tweaking vehicle import procedures to secure relief from Donald Trump's trade levies. The yen has risen significantly since Trump's tariffs were announced -- it was trading at 142 for a dollar on Wednesday, compared with 158 in mid-January. kh-hih-kaf/dan

Samsung Electronics posts 22% jump in Q1 net profit
Samsung Electronics posts 22% jump in Q1 net profit
by  AFP

South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics reported a better-than-expected 21.7 percent rise in first-quarter net profit on Wednesday as consumers rushed to buy smartphones under the looming threat of US tariffs. The world's largest memory chipmaker reported net profit of 8.22 trillion won ($5.75 billion) for the January–March quarter, up 21.7 percent on-year.

Financial markets may be the last guardrail on Trump
Financial markets may be the last guardrail on Trump
by  AFP

Since returning to the White House, Donald Trump has ushered in sweeping changes to international geopolitics and US government administration with little regard for norms that have constrained predecessors. The White House quickly shifted its tone on China and Trump reassured the public that he won't fire Powell.

BRICS members blast rise of 'trade protectionism'
BRICS members blast rise of 'trade protectionism'
by  AFP

China, Brazil and other members of the BRICS grouping on Tuesday slammed the "resurgence of trade protectionism" at a meeting in Rio de Janeiro dominated by US President Donald Trump's tariffs blitz. Some BRICS members have, however, escaped the worst of Trump's trade ire.