Economy

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

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

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

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

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.