Goods

• Canada has announced 50% retaliatory tariffs on hundreds of U.S. goods following a trade escalation with the United States. • The decision follows public criticism from President Trump, who described Canada as the "most difficult" nation he currently deals with. • This move marks a significant intensification of the trade war, threatening economic stability and bilateral relations between the two North American neighbors.

• Economist Levious Chaukura has warned that a surge of counterfeit products flooding Zimbabwe's informal market poses a direct threat to the national economy. • The influx of fake goods is stifling the growth of locally produced products and undermining domestic industries. • Chaukura emphasizes that this issue extends beyond economic crime, endangering consumer safety, national development, and existing jobs.

Turmoil likely as Trump officials say Canada unfairly discriminated against US autos, alcohol and dairy productsDonald Trump is imposing 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods, White House officials said on Monday, declaring Canada has unfairly discriminated against American autos, alcohol and dairy products.The move could unleash a new wave of economic chaos, with risks of higher inflation and further fraying of relations between two nations that had been closely woven together before Trump’s return to the White House. Continue reading...

Chinese retail platform handed penalty over listings for items such as counterfeit products and unsafe toysBusiness live – latest updatesAliExpress, the Chinese online retail platform, has been fined a record €550m (£470m) by the EU over its failure to stop illegal goods including harmful clothing, cosmetics and kitchen gadgets being sold through its site.The European Commission fine is the biggest yet exacted by the bloc under the Digital Services Act (DSA), legislation that came into force in 2024, to protect consumers from illegal goods, deceptive or addictive marketing techniques. Continue reading...

• The U.S. trade deficit widened significantly in May, primarily driven by a sharp increase in the import of capital goods. • Bradly Saunders, North America Economist at Capital Economics, noted that while the expansion is severe, its direct implication for GDP is slightly mitigated. • This trend is significant because net trade is expected to act as a substantial drag on U.S. economic growth during the second quarter.

• The U.S. trade deficit reached its highest level in over a year in May, driven by record-high imports of foreign goods, specifically pharmaceuticals and data center equipment. • In response, the Trump administration is preparing two major trade investigations under Section 301 to address unfair factory subsidies and restrictions on forced labor goods. • These investigations are expected to restore tariff rates to levels seen prior to a recent Supreme Court decision, signaling a more aggressive approach to trade imbalances.

• EU-US goods trade reached a record €875 billion ($1.00 trillion) last year, with EU exports rising 7.7% to €580 billion and US exports increasing 2.2% to €295 billion. • This growth resulted in a significant EU goods trade surplus of nearly €285 billion, though the German Economic Institute (IW) warns these figures mask underlying economic strain. • The surge was partly driven by "front-loading" shipments to avoid tariff increases that took effect in April, creating a misleading impression of trade strength.

• HTF Market Intelligence has released a comprehensive study on the Asia Pacific Personal Luxury Goods Market, forecasting trends from 2025 to 2032. • The report highlights a shift toward data-driven strategies, noting that industry giants like LVMH and Kering SA can no longer rely solely on historical sales data to maintain competitiveness. • This evolution matters as the luxury sector becomes increasingly competitive, requiring brands to leverage real-time insights to capture the booming Asia Pacific consumer base.

• The U.S. advance goods trade balance reported a deficit of $105.8 billion, significantly wider than the $85.0 billion deficit analysts had expected. • Published by the Census Bureau, this monthly report provides an early estimate of exports, imports, and the overall goods deficit before the full FT-900 figures are released. • The larger-than-expected deficit matters as it serves as a key indicator of domestic consumption and global trade health, potentially influencing market sentiment and economic forecasts.

Trade minister says Australia has ‘robust, comprehensive and world-leading legislation addressing forced labour and modern slavery’Australia is among dozens of countries facing a 12.5% trade tariff from the Trump administration for allegedly failing to prevent imports of goods made by slave labour.The US trade representative, Jamieson Greer, listed Australia among 54 economies that “failed to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor” following an investigation into their practices. Continue reading...

• Senator Marco Rubio recently highlighted India's commitment to purchase $500 billion in goods from the United States. • Experts suggest this purchase intent may no longer be relevant due to the collapse of the reciprocal tariff framework following an unfavorable US Supreme Court verdict. • The shift in legal and trade frameworks has reportedly undermined the economic logic of the India–US bilateral trade agreement (BTA).

• U.S. Senator Marco Rubio announced that India has committed to purchasing $500 billion in American goods over the next five years. • The procurement will primarily focus on three key sectors: energy, technology, and agriculture. • This commitment follows a framework for an Interim Agreement reached between the United States and India in February of this year.

• India has pledged to purchase $500 billion worth of U.S. goods over the next five years, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. • The agreement focuses on critical sectors including energy, technology, and agriculture to strengthen bilateral trade. • This strategic move aims to reduce the U.S. trade deficit while providing India with the essential infrastructure and tech needed to fuel economic growth.

Exclusive: Top official presented idea in Brussels, but sources say EU rebuffed itThe UK government pitched the creation of a single market for goods with the EU as the cornerstone of an ambitious attempt to reintegrate British trade back into Europe, the Guardian can reveal.During recent visits to Brussels, the Cabinet Office’s top official on EU relations, Michael Ellam, presented the idea to deepen the UK’s economic relationship with the bloc. Continue reading...

• The Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand increased 1.4 percent in April 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with prices rising 6.0 percent over the 12-month period. • Final demand services advanced 1.2 percent while final demand goods increased 2.0 percent, showing divergence in price pressures across economic sectors. • The April PPI data signals persistent inflationary pressures in producer-level pricing, which often precedes consumer price increases and informs Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions.

Commons committee heard from residents of Yorkshire town with the highest levels of ‘forever chemicals’ in UKOn 15 January, members of the House of Commons environmental audit committee (EAC) visited Bentham, the North Yorkshire town that has the highest levels of Pfas contamination in the UK.Colloquially known as “forever chemicals”, Pfas (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) do not naturally degrade or decompose. This persistence gives them special properties with useful applications in both industrial and consumer products. Continue reading...

Christopher Joell-Deshields was suspended last year, with £7,125 found to have been spent on luxury itemsThe boss of Pride in London, one of the world’s largest LGBTQ+ events, has been sacked after he was accused of buying luxury goods for personal use with vouchers intended for volunteers’ food and drink.Christopher Joell-Deshields, who had been chief executive of Pride in London since 2021, was put under investigation last September and suspended the following month in response to claims of misconduct. Continue reading...

Philip Morris International stock advanced 1.8% on March 13, 2026, as consumer goods joined financials and health care in outperforming during afternoon trading. With 61% of S&P 500 stocks rising, staples provided stability. This trend highlights shift to defensives amid uncertainty. Earnings season will test sector durability.