Economy

Economy Latest News

US trade gap narrows in February ahead of bulk of Trump tariffs
US trade gap narrows in February ahead of bulk of Trump tariffs
by  AFP

The US trade deficit narrowed in February, according to government data released Thursday that was collected before President Donald Trump launched his most recent salvo of punishing worldwide tariffs. In February, the contraction of the US trade deficit came as exports rose and imports were flat, government data showed.

Trump says US to emerge 'stronger' as markets tumble over tariffs
Trump says US to emerge 'stronger' as markets tumble over tariffs
by  AFP

President Donald Trump acknowledged the shock brought by his tariffs onslaught Thursday, but said the US economy would emerge "far stronger," even as world markets tumbled. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also tried to reassure US markets, telling CNN: "To anyone on Wall Street this morning, I would say, 'Trust in President Trump.'

Iconic Paris hotel Lutetia taken over by Mandarin Oriental
Iconic Paris hotel Lutetia taken over by Mandarin Oriental
by  AFP

The historic Lutetia hotel in Paris, occupied by the Nazis during World War II and after liberation serving as a welcome centre for concentration camp survivors, was on Thursday taken over by luxury hotel group Mandarin Oriental. Originally baptised with the Roman name for Paris, the hotel will be renamed Mandarin Oriental Lutetia from Thursday.

'Shocking': US tariffs worse than feared for Vietnamese exporters
'Shocking': US tariffs worse than feared for Vietnamese exporters
by  AFP

At a garment factory in Ho Chi Minh City that exports T-shirts and underwear to the United States, staff were alarmed by "shocking" trade tariffs imposed on Vietnam that could severely impact their business. "It's truly shocking," said Tran Nhu Tung, board chair at Thanh Cong, a factory in Ho Chi Minh City that makes clothes for DKNY and Walmart, among others.

Tesla sales fall again in Germany amid Musk backlash
Tesla sales fall again in Germany amid Musk backlash
by  AFP

Tesla sales plunged again in Germany last month even as the broader electric car market rebounded, data showed Thursday, the latest sign of a growing backlash against billionaire owner Elon Musk. Overall in March, the number of new vehicle registrations in Germany fell to 253,497, down 3.9 percent from a year earlier, the latest sign of weakness in the market.

India eyes opportunity despite Trump tariffs hit
India eyes opportunity despite Trump tariffs hit
by  AFP

India reacted cautiously on Thursday to US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, with the government saying it was examining both "implications" and "opportunities" from the duty hikes. India's Department of Commerce said on Thursday it is "carefully examining the implications of the various measures".