China tariffs on the table, Trump’s ex-Treasury chief says

China tariffs on the table, Trump’s ex-Treasury chief says

US President-elect Donald Trump is likely to return to the issue of tariffs in negotiations with China, as well as consider tax cuts and new sanctions, his former Treasury Secretary said in an interview on Thursday. “I think that tariffs do need to be used to get counterparties back to the table, especially China, which … Read more

IMF’s end-of-inflation party sobered by debt, war … and a US election – POLITICO

IMF’s end-of-inflation party sobered by debt, war … and a US election – POLITICO

But in her next breath she warned that now isn’t the time for victory laps.  Ever-rising debt levels and the splintering of global trade under the pressure of geopolitical rivalries have cast a long shadow over the meetings, which begin in earnest Tuesday. The uncertainty is only fueled by the wars raging in both Eastern … Read more

UK inflation unchanged in August, cooling rate cut hopes – POLITICO

UK inflation unchanged in August, cooling rate cut hopes – POLITICO

The headline rate of inflation in the U.K. stuck at 2.2 percent in August, all but ruling out a second straight interest rate cut from the Bank of England on Thursday. Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that the underlying trend had — at least in the short term — stopped improving, owing … Read more

Von der Leyen set to reward France with bigger EU top job after Breton’s exit, French officials say – POLITICO

Von der Leyen set to reward France with bigger EU top job after Breton’s exit, French officials say – POLITICO

“I cannot say it because it’s a sort of open secret but yes, it became clear at some point that the name [of Thierry Breton] was part of the negotiation,” a French official with knowledge of the talks said on condition they remain anonymous. The rumor that Macron would eventually drop Breton circulated for weeks, … Read more

UK inflation rose in July but underlying picture improves – POLITICO

UK inflation rose in July but underlying picture improves – POLITICO

Financial markets took the hint and pushed the pound lower against the dollar and euro in response, while interest rate futures rose to reflect expectations that the bank will cut its key interest rate twice more by year end. The benchmark FTSE 100 stock index, meanwhile, rose 0.5 percent to its highest in nearly two … Read more

Hungary facing fuel crisis as Ukraine turns up heat on Russian oil supplies – POLITICO

Hungary facing fuel crisis as Ukraine turns up heat on Russian oil supplies – POLITICO

With Moscow making $180 billion from its oil exports last year, “it’s actually absurd to allow them to make this money by transporting this oil through Ukrainian territory, if the money is then being used to kill us,” Sovsun added. But Sovsun also hinted at a secondary aim for the ban: To overturn Hungary’s opposition … Read more

Von der Leyen threads the climate needle to keep her job – POLITICO

Von der Leyen threads the climate needle to keep her job – POLITICO

Not everyone was buying von der Leyen’s sphinx-like approach. The French Greens, for example, broke with their group to oppose von der Leyen, denouncing her for not detailing a “proactive pursuit of the Green Deal,” among other shortcomings. Green NGOs were similarly skeptical. Von der Leyen’s offerings “show there is no going back on climate,” … Read more

What the China-Russia alliance means for the West – POLITICO

What the China-Russia alliance means for the West – POLITICO

In view of such interests, one shouldn’t take China’s calls for peace seriously. For over a decade now, Beijing has been manifestly violating its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) by supporting Russia. Largely forgotten, China proclaimed its respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and borders both in 1994, with Ukraine’s accession to the NPT, and in … Read more

Europe’s impossible trinity – POLITICO

Europe’s impossible trinity – POLITICO

We in Poland are also beginning to be impacted by all this, and the examples are multiplying. For example, the GE Power subsidiary has decided to close its foundry in Elbląg, Poland and will cease operations by 2025. All this calls into question the viability of the welfare state model. Europeans remember well the heavy … Read more

Zelenskyy accuses China of helping Russia sabotage peace summit – POLITICO

Zelenskyy accuses China of helping Russia sabotage peace summit – POLITICO

Zelenskyy said he was “disappointed some world leaders have not yet confirmed their participation” at the Swiss summit. U.S. President Joe Biden, who is facing an election in November, has not confirmed his attendance, though he will be present at the G7 summit in Italy which takes place just before the Swiss gathering. Zelenskyy held … Read more