Trump announces 25% tariffs on cars from the EU

Donald Trump has reignited trade tensions with the European Union by announcing a 25% tariff on cars and trucks from EU countries, citing non-compliance with a previously agreed trade deal. The move, which targets key industries like German automakers, follows a year-long impasse over steel and aluminium trade details, with the EU maintaining it has fulfilled its commitments through democratic processes. European officials, including EU Trade Commissioner Olof Gill and German MEP Bernd Lange, dismissed the tariffs as politically motivated retaliation, particularly targeting Germany amid diplomatic friction over comments on the Iran war. While the US Supreme Court previously ruled the prior 15% tariff illegal, it remains in place under separate regulations. In response, the EU has signaled it will keep its options open but will not act hastily, emphasizing the need for predictability in transatlantic trade. Meanwhile, China has announced tariff-free trade for nearly all African nations, a move welcomed as a major boost to Africa’s industrial ambitions and value-added exports. On other global fronts, over 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Persian Gulf due to ongoing conflict, facing dire conditions including food shortages and isolation. In Mali, despite escalating violence and a reported blockade on Bamako, gold mining continues to fuel the economy, with both state and militant groups profiting from artisanal and industrial extraction. Lastly, France’s controversial policy shift on May 1st, International Labour Day, left bakeries confused after allowing only family members to work—then reversing the decision—sparking frustration among staff and tourists alike.