Tag - tariffs

 
 

TARIFFS

Exports fell 2.6% in value in July from a year earlier, posting the biggest downturn since February 2021, led by cars, auto parts and steel.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 20, 2025
Japan’s exports tumble most in four years as U.S. tariff pain intensifies
Exports fell 2.6% in value from a year earlier, sliding more than the median forecast of a 2.1% decline, the Finance Ministry has reported.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on June 5. Soruces say Lutnick has been pushing the idea of the federal government taking equity stakes in computer chip manufacturers that receive CHIPS Act funding, and that Trump likes the idea.
BUSINESS / Tech
Aug 20, 2025
Washington eyeing government stakes in chipmakers given CHIPS Act funds: sources
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is said to be exploring how the U.S. can receive equity stakes in firms such as Micron, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and Samsung.
Tokyo stocks moved higher on Tuesday morning in uninspired trading.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 19, 2025
Tokyo stocks hit a fourth all-time high in six trading days
Nikkei 225 ekes out another record and then falls back to end the day down.
The Bank of Japan maintains a wait-and-see approach as calls grow for it to raise rates.
BUSINESS / Economy / FOCUS
Aug 19, 2025
Bank of Japan encouraged to increase rates soon, before it’s too late
Business and political leaders argue that inflation is too high and must be brought under control soon.
The BTP port terminal at Port of Santos in Santos, Brazil, in 2021. Brasilia stressed the U.S. has consistently run a trade surplus with Brazil and that American firms already enjoy broad access to its market.
BUSINESS
Aug 19, 2025
Brazil pushes back against U.S. probe into its trade practices
The investigation is seen as an attempt to justify the 50% tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on all Brazilian exports to the U.S., excluding some 700 items.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a signing ceremony at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China, in 2018.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Aug 19, 2025
Modi hails ‘friend’ Putin and boosts China ties in tilt from U.S.
The move is another sign the South Asian nation is tilting away from the U.S. in the face of Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
Russian and Chinese naval officers take part in a ceremony marking the start of joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan, following the arrival of Chinese military vessels in Vladivostok, Russia, on July 31.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 18, 2025
Trump’s transactional policies threaten global stability
In Trump’s second term, economic protectionism now overrides strategic consistency, and trade wars are being used as tools of geopolitical leverage.
Beijing imposed a ban on imports of Japanese fisheries products in August 2023.
JAPAN
Aug 18, 2025
JETRO struggles to expand scallop supply chain in U.S.
Steep tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump left prospects for the project uncertain, apparently making businesses reluctant to invest in it.
Stocks are hitting new highs on a daily basis as quiet market optimism takes hold.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 18, 2025
Tokyo stocks hit record highs for the third time in a week
A general sense of optimism has taken hold despite the lack of specific market-boosting news.  
U.K. Prime Miniter Keir Starmer speaks at the Jaguar Land Rover automobile manufacturing plant in Solihull, U.K. Starmer declared in May that his trade deal with U.S. President Donald Trump included a cut in U.S. tariffs on British steel to zero.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 18, 2025
Trade partners grow restless waiting for Trump’s tariff breaks
While deals have been cut, the lower tariff rates agreed have yet to kick in.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Independence Day ceremony in New Delhi on Friday
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 18, 2025
Modi bolsters India’s economy with tax cuts ahead of U.S. tariffs
Officials in New Delhi said the proposed changes to the goods and services tax would benefit a broad range of sectors, including consumers and small businesses.
Toyota Motor Land Cruisers are parked, bound for shipment, at the Port of Nagoya in Tokai, Aichi Prefecture, in April.
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 16, 2025
Listed Japan firms log 11% quarterly profit drop
The decreases comes as tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump weighed heavily on automakers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during an Indian Independence Day ceremony in New Delhi on Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 15, 2025
Modi slams ‘economic selfishness’ in defiance of U.S. tariffs
In the last few weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump hit India with a 50% tariff rate — much higher than its regional peers.
A screen displays share prices inside the Kabuto One building in Tokyo. The Nikkei 225 closed at a record high of 43,378.31 on Friday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 15, 2025
Tokyo stocks hit closing-price record as GDP surprises
The Japanese economy grew much faster than expected in the second quarter.
GDP grew at an annualized pace of 1% in the three months through June from the prior period, surpassing economists’ forecast of a 0.4% gain, according to the Cabinet Office.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 15, 2025
Japan growth beats forecasts, boosting rate-hike case for BOJ
Better-than-expected economic growth has given Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba some good news as he fends off calls to resign after July's election setback.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent believes Japan's rates are too low.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 14, 2025
Tokyo’s record-beating stock rally ends as Bessent jawbones Japan on rates
The U.S. treasury secretary argues that Japan has an inflation problem.
Employees work at the apparel manufacturing unit at Bhiwandi in the Thane district of India's Maharashtra state on July 30.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 14, 2025
Trump’s 50% tariff threatens India’s manufacturing ambitions
The U.S. is now India’s biggest export market and one of its top sources of foreign investment.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks during the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing. Nvidia, along with Advanced Micro Devices, has agreed to pay 15% of revenues from Chinese artificial intelligence chip sales to the U.S. government.
BUSINESS / Tech
Aug 14, 2025
Trump’s deal with Nvidia offers path forward in global trade war
The deal provides U.S. firms a path to enter the Chinese market despite various trade barriers.
A worker operates a sheepsfoot roller in the Subang Smartpolitan area in Subang, West Java Province, Indonesia, on June 13.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 14, 2025
Chinese investors eyeing Indonesia to avoid tariffs and tap local market
Indonesia, Southeast Asia's biggest economy and the world's fourth most populous country, has an edge over its neighbors — the potential of its vast consumer market.
Indian Ambassador to Japan Sibi George speaks during an interview on Aug. 1 in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward.
JAPAN
Aug 14, 2025
Indian ambassador to Japan underscores Quad ties
Japan and India have designated 2025 as an exchange year in the fields of science and technology and innovation.

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