Articles about Trade

New measures will protect Tata and British Steel but allow foreign pre-made parts into the UK, say industry bossesSteel bosses have warned ministers that a “back door” in new trade rules could hit British manufacturers and lead to job cuts and factory closures by allowing a vast array of foreign products to still enter the UK tax-free.The loophole means pre-made steel parts ranging from bridge sections, columns and door frames, all the way to smaller rods and tubes used in buildings, will escape recently announced import tariffs, the Guardian understands. Continue reading...

• Oregon Health & Science University researchers revealed a previously unknown system of directed fluid flows within cells that rapidly transport essential proteins to the cell's leading edge, published today in Nature Communications. • The breakthrough emerged from an accidental observation during a neurobiology course when scientists used lasers to track protein movement and discovered an unexpected wave of soluble actin being pushed forward rather than drifting randomly through the cell. • The discovery fundamentally reshapes understanding of cell migration, cancer metastasis, and wound healing by revealing that cells use active internal mechanisms rather than passive diffusion to position critical proteins.

CMA also looks into Pasta Evangelists, funeral operator Dignity and review company Feefo in latest crackdownThe UK competition watchdog has launched investigations into five companies including Autotrader and Just Eat over concerns they have not done enough to tackle fake and misleading online reviews.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which has previously investigated the tech companies Amazon and Google, said its latest crackdown includes the funeral services operator Dignity, the review company Feefo and the restaurant chain Pasta Evangelists. Continue reading...

EU lawmakers are expected to back a deal but will want to implement safeguardsSenior German MEP Bernd Lange, who led the work on the trade deal at earlier stages, told lawmakers earlier that the additional safeguards were needed as the original agreement, as signed in Scotland last year, was merely an outline of what would normally be included in a trade deal.He also warned that the deal was “relatively one-sided,” but “maybe if we can improve it, we can live with it.” Continue reading...

UN calls for reparatory justice as landmark resolution aims for ‘political recognition at the highest level’The United Nations has voted to describe the transatlantic chattel slave trade as the “gravest crime against humanity” and called for reparations as “a concrete step towards remedying historical wrongs”.The landmark resolution passed on Wednesday was backed by the African Union (AU) and the Caribbean Community (Caricom), and proposed by Ghana’s president, John Dramani Mahama, who said: “Let it be recorded that when history beckoned, we did what was right for the memory of millions who suffered the indignity of slavery.” Continue reading...

Australian manufacturers can call their wares parmesan and kransky, but terms like feta, romano and gruyere will be eventually phased outFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastEuropean food, wine, cars and fashion goods will become cheaper for Australian buyers under a long-awaited trade deal, but farmers are furious about meagre quotas for meat exports.After almost a decade of negotiations, Australia and the European Union have struck an agreement that will lead to both sides slashing tariffs and expanding trade across a range of areas. Continue reading...

• On March 18, 2026, the CDC released a notice finding insufficient evidence to add Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane (Anti-GBM) Glomerulonephritis to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions after receiving a petition from the WTC Health Program Administrator. • The decision highlights ongoing evaluations of conditions potentially linked to 9/11 exposures for covered responders and survivors. • This ruling impacts thousands of WTC Health Program participants seeking coverage for emerging renal diseases.

Government emphasises need to ‘get off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets’ in response to Offshore Energies UKThe UK government has dismissed a warning from an energy trade body that failing to produce more homegrown North Sea oil and gas will leave the UK increasingly reliant on imports at a time of rising global instability.The industry group, Offshore Energies UK, has said the UK “urgently” needs a greater supply of domestically produced energy or consumers will be left “more exposed to global volatility and higher emissions”. Continue reading...

• The tech-heavy Nasdaq and Dow Jones are on the brink of correction territory, defined as a 10% decline from recent peaks, with investors growing concerned the Iran conflict may cause lasting market damage beyond typical episodes. • All three major stock indexes closed Friday with their fourth consecutive weekly loss: the Dow fell 2.1%, Nasdaq dropped 2.1%, and the S&P 500 tumbled 1.9%, according to FactSet data. • The "TACO trade" (Trump Always Chickens Out), where investors bet Trump will reverse course during market selloffs, is looking increasingly suspect as the conflict deepens, with analysts warning that longer-term resolution becomes harder the deeper the conflict progresses.

Exclusive: Chris Bryant says policy agreements are being done in bits and pieces but a greater vision is needed by both sidesIt was all smiles and warm handshakes when the two men in charge of renegotiating the UK’s relationship with the EU met in Brussels this week.Maroš Šefčovič and the UK minister for EU relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds, sharing a stage on the third floor of the vast European parliament building, were at pains to show the cross-Channel relationship was in a good place after years of rancour. Continue reading...

• U.S. stock markets closed higher on Monday, rebounding from 2026 lows as crude oil prices fell, easing inflation concerns and spurring gains across all three major indexes. • The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.8% or 387.94 points to 46,946.41, the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.2% or 268.82 points to 22,374.18, and the S&P 500 rose 1% to 6,699.38; technology stocks led gains amid AI trade recovery. • The CBOE Volatility Index declined 13.5% to 23.51, signaling reduced market anxiety, with 25 of 30 Dow components ending in positive territory.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to meet Chinese officials next week for a new round of trade negotiations, as US markets grapple with oil disruptions from Middle East conflicts. The talks aim to address tariffs and supply chain issues exacerbated by the Strait of Hormuz blockage. President Trump's energy team monitors surging prices, with industry leaders consulted on naval escort options. Economists predict outcomes could influence global commodity stability and US inflation rates.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to meet Chinese officials next week for a new round of trade negotiations, as announced on March 14, 2026. The talks come amid surging oil prices and Middle East disruptions affecting global supply chains. U.S. officials aim to address tariffs and technology export restrictions, with Bessent stating 'we seek fair competition without escalation.' Industry leaders warn that outcomes could impact American consumers facing higher costs from ongoing conflicts.

The US Commerce Department withdrew a planned rule on artificial-intelligence chip exports on Friday, marking the latest policy reversal by the Trump administration regarding technology trade controls. The withdrawal represents a significant shift in the administration's approach to regulating AI semiconductor exports, which had been a contentious issue affecting companies like Nvidia and other chipmakers. This decision follows earlier statements from administration officials indicating a more flexible stance on AI chip distribution policies compared to previous regulatory frameworks. The reversal signals potential changes in how the US will manage competition with foreign nations in advanced semiconductor and AI technology sectors.

Nokia shares increased 1.4% on March 13, 2026, supported by robust trading volume as investors sought defensive plays amid S&P 500 and Nasdaq declines. The gain highlights telecom resilience in a session dominated by AI and crypto volatility. With VIX at 26.49, such stocks provide stability during consolidation. Future trading may hinge on 5G infrastructure spending news.