European carmakers slam on the brakes after Trump tariff shock Motoring Volkswagen reveals €4bn hit even before Washington threats to tear up the Turnberry Deal’s pledge on car import tax Shares in European carmakers were stuck in reverse on Monday, after the sector became the latest to be caught up in threats into the weekend from US President Donald Trump. The White House announced fresh plans [...]
Trump threatens UK tariffs over digital tax row Tech Donald Trump has warned he could slap fresh tariffs on the UK if it refuses to scrap its digital services tax, escalating tensions between London and Washington. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said the US could “very easily” respond to the levy by targeting British exports. “We’ve been looking at it and we can [...]
Trump, tariffs and turmoil: ‘Liberation Day’ one year on Opinion On the first anniversary of ‘Liberation Day’, Tim Hames reflects on the economic impact of Donald Trump’s tariffs A year ago today, Donald Trump declared “Liberation Day” as he launched his new initiative on tariffs. He did so on the White House lawn to enormous fanfare, in front of an adoring crowd and with the [...]
Inchcape shares slide amid Asia market ‘challenges’ March 3, 2026 Shares in Inchcape tumbled on Tuesday after the car distribution business warned of challenges in Asian markets. The London-listed firm was the worst performer on the FTSE 250 index amid a wider stock sell-off, with its shares sliding almost 9 per cent to 793p – though the stock remains up by 3 per cent since [...]
Bank to business lending growth to halve amid global tensions February 23, 2026 UK bank to businesses lending growth is forecast to halve this year as firms feel the pinch of challenging conditions amid global tensions. Net growth in the value of lending from the banking sector to businesses is tipped to slow to 3.5 per cent this year, standing at nearly half of the 6.9 per cent [...]
‘Drastic’ Dave to serve up new vision for Guinness maker Diageo February 22, 2026 It’s been a rocky 12 months for drinks titan Diageo and Sir Dave Lewis will be looking to cure the firm’s long-running hangover when he serves up his future vision next week. Diageo’s stock has tumbled over 15 per cent in the last 12 months with a notable drop in November after operating profit growth [...]
UK and Trump in new tariff discussions as businesses sound alarm February 22, 2026 The UK is in discussions with the US over President Trump’s latest tariff salvo, a cabinet minister has confirmed, as businesses sound the alarm about the increased rate. President Donald Trump raised his base global tariff rate to 15 per cent on Saturday after the US Supreme Court struck down the authority he used to [...]
FTSE 100 and Wall St sink as EU and Trump war of words heats up January 20, 2026 The war of words between the Trump administration and Europe ramped up on Tuesday as world leaders headed for a showdown in Davos whilst global markets sunk into the red. Ursula Von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said the tariffs imposed on European nations due to their staunch defence of Greenland’s sovereignty [...]
Starmer slams Trump’s UK tariff threat over Greenland January 18, 2026 Keir Starmer has joined European leaders in condemning Donald Trump’s plan to impose sweeping tariffs on the UK and several Nato allies. The prime minister has warned the move risks damaging transatlantic trade and collective security. The US president said goods exported from the UK to the US would face a 10 per cent tariff [...]
Six of the top business books of 2025 December 15, 2025 Yes, dear reader, it’s that time of year again. What to buy for that special high-flying City exec in your life? I’ve read nearly 50 books this year – most of them new, and most about business. Some were good, others have since found their way to Oxfam. Here are a few of my favourites. [...]