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With tariff war, Trump also reshapes how US treats allies

Japan and Taiwan promised billions in investment. Britain offered an invitation from the king. In the end, even US allies failed to dissuade President Donald Trump from hitting them with tariffs, which threaten to remake not just the global economy but the foundations of US foreign policy.

Penguin memes take flight after Trump tariffs remote island

Donald Trump's tariffs have become a black and white issue on social media, where penguin memes have gone viral after he targeted an island inhabited by the flightless birds, but no people.

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Trump tariffs threaten Latin American steel industry

Chile's largest steel plant shut down last year, yielding to cheaper production in China.

'Tariff man': Trump's long history with trade wars

Donald Trump loves few things more than talking about his affinity for tariffs, but it's nothing new: he's been saying the same thing for decades.

Tariffs: Economic 'liberation' or straitjacket?

US President Donald Trump has made tariffs a cornerstone of his trade policy, insisting that they will revive American manufacturing while swelling government coffers.

Safely back on Earth, once-stranded US astronauts ready to fly again

After spending more than nine months stranded in space, two American astronauts confirmed Monday that they're ready to blast off again aboard a Boeing Starliner, the very spacecraft that could not return them to Earth.

US regulators tell 23andMe to protect genetic data

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Monday warned genetic testing firm 23andMe to honor its promise to protect people's personal information as it navigates bankruptcy.

Falling inflation drives down poverty in Argentina: statistics agency

Argentina's poverty levels fell sharply in the second half of 2024 after leaping during the first months of Javier Milei's presidency, official figures showed Monday.

'Noble work' of Buddhist cremations after Myanmar quake

The baby was born in the aftermath of Myanmar's earthquake and given to the flames of Buddhist funeral rites two days later, too young to have been named.

Pentagon chief orders gender-neutral fitness standards for combat troops

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has previously expressed opposition to women serving in combat, has ordered the military to develop gender-neutral physical fitness standards for frontline troops, a memo released Monday said.

Trump confident in finding TikTok buyer before deadline

President Donald Trump again downplayed risks that TikTok is in danger of being banned in the United States, saying he remains confident of finding a buyer for the app's US business by a Friday deadline.

Slashed US funding threatens millions of children: charity chief

A halt to US funding for Gavi, an organisation that vaccinates children in the worlds poorest countries, will leave a dangerous gap threatening the lives of millions, its chief warned on Monday.

China property giant Vanke reports annual loss of $6.8 bn

Debt-laden Chinese property giant Vanke reported annual losses of 49.5 billion yuan ($6.8 billion) on Monday, citing falling sales and shrinking profit margins despite Beijing's attempts to revive the housing market.

Renault and Nissan shift gears on alliance

Renault and Nissan said Monday they had revised their partnership to allow for a reduction in their cross-shareholdings and other measures that would help the financially troubled Japanese carmaker.

Primark boss resigns after inappropriate behaviour allegation

Primark chief executive Paul Marchant has resigned following a company investigation into his behaviour toward a woman "in a social environment", the budget fashion chain's owner Associated British Foods (ABF) announced Monday.

Aston Martin to sell stake in Formula One team

Luxury carmaker Aston Martin Lagonda said Monday it planned to sell its minority stake in the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One team to help turn around its loss-making core business.

Ingebrigtsen Sr, on trial for abusing Olympic champion, says he was 'overly protective'

On trial for abusing his son, athletics star Jakob Ingebrigtsen, and his daughter, Gjert Ingebrigtsen on Monday told a Norwegian court he was an "overly protective" father.

Trump says confident of TikTok deal before deadline

President Donald Trump said Sunday he was confident of reaching a deal on TikTok ahead of the April 5 deadline for its Chinese owner ByteDance to sell the popular short video app or see it banned in the United States.

Japan's Nikkei leads hefty market losses, gold hits record

Tokyo led another plunge across Asian and European markets on Monday while gold hit a record high as investors steel themselves for a wave of US tariffs this week that has fuelled recession fears.

Japan's Nikkei leads hefty equity market losses; gold hits record

Tokyo led another plunge across Asian markets on Monday while gold hit a record high as investors steel themselves for a wave of US tariffs this week that has fuelled recession fears.

Trump says US tariffs to hit 'all countries'

President Donald Trump said Sunday the tariffs he plans to impose in the coming days would include "all countries", not just those with the largest trade imbalances with the United States.

Clock ticks on Trump's reciprocal tariffs as countries seek reprieve

The clock is ticking down to Donald Trump's "Liberation Day" when the US president has threatened to unleash a wide range of tariffs against countries running persistent trade imbalances with the United States.

China manufacturing activity grows at highest rate in a year

China's manufacturing activity grew in March for the highest rate in a year, official data showed Monday, a rare bright spot as the world's second-largest economy struggles to climb out of a prolonged slump.

Japan's Nikkei leads big losses in Asian markets as gold hits record

Tokyo led another plunge across Asian markets Monday while gold hit a record high as investors steel themselves for a wave of US tariffs this week that has fuelled recession fears.

'Working Man' tops N.America box office as 'Snow White' ticket sales melt

MGM's new thriller "A Working Man," with Jason Statham, emerged atop a flock of new films this weekend in North America, earning an estimated $15.2 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

Prince Harry charity rift blows up as chair makes fresh allegations

A bitter boardroom row at an African charity Prince Harry founded and then quit escalated Sunday after its chairperson accused the prince of "bullying" and being involved in a "cover up".

Iran police disperse pro-hijab protesters outside parliament

Iranian police have dispersed a weeks-long sit-in by demonstrators supporting the mandatory head covering for women, state media reported, after authorities deemed the gathering illegal.

Pentagon chief says US will ensure 'deterrence' across Taiwan Strait

The United States will ensure "robust, ready and credible deterrence" in the Indo Pacific, including across the Taiwan Strait, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Sunday, calling Chinese actions "aggressive and coercive".

Hudson's Bay Company: from fur trade to department store downfall

From the 17th century fur trade that birthed a nation to the last major department store in Canada, The Hudson's Bay Company has left an indelible mark, but its storied 354 years are crashing to an end.

China, South Korea and Japan agree to strengthen free trade

China, South Korea and Japan agreed Sunday to strengthen free trade, according to a joint statement from their top officials meeting in Seoul.

US, China raise the stakes in Panama Canal ports row

China's fury at the sale of Panama Canal ports to a US-led consortium reflects how container hubs have become prized currency as Beijing and Washington vie for global influence, analysts say.

Australian black market tobacco sparks firebombings, budget hole

Sky-high tobacco prices in Australia have created a lucrative black market, analysts say, sparking a violent "tobacco war" and syphoning away billions in potential tax revenue.

Charity chair accuses Prince Harry of 'bullying' as row escalates

The chair of a charity Prince Harry founded 20 years ago and then quit amid an increasingly public and vicious row accused him of "harassment and bullying" in an interview clip released Saturday.

WHO must cut budget by fifth after US pullout: email

The World Health Organization has proposed slashing a fifth of its budget following the US decision to withdraw, and must now reduce its reach and workforce, its chief said in an internal email seen by AFP on Saturday.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)