Bubbly Under Threat: Champagne Faces Tariff Peril in Its Vital US Market

Champagne houses across northeastern France are bracing for significant disruption as prospective 30% U.S. tariffs on European goods threaten to siphon off demand in America, the sector’s single largest export destination. With roughly 60 million bottles shipped annually to the United States—accounting for 10% of global volume and 15% of export value—the imposition of heavy duties…

U.S. TikTok Hangs in the Balance as Trump Lines Up Wealthy Buyers

Since President Donald Trump’s announcement that a cadre of “very wealthy people” stands ready to purchase TikTok’s U.S. operations, the app’s future in America has taken on fresh urgency and uncertainty. Facing a September divestiture deadline under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), ByteDance—the Beijing‑based parent company—must navigate complex regulatory reviews,…

US Consumers Face Steady Price Hikes as Tariffs and Supply Pressures Bite

Across America, shoppers are noticing sticker prices creeping upward on an expanding array of everyday goods. From sneakers to sofas, apparel to automobiles, companies are recalibrating prices to offset rising input costs, leaner inventories and broader trade barriers. As the economy grapples with the legacy of pandemic disruptions, new tariff measures and shifting consumer demand,…

Trump’s Trade Posturing Drives Dollar Strength Amid Market Uncertainty

The U.S. dollar rebounded sharply on Friday after President Donald Trump announced the immediate suspension of trade negotiations with Canada and revived threats of military action against Iran. Financial markets, which had been buoyed by expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts, suddenly shifted into risk‑off mode as investors sought the relative safety of the dollar.…

EU and U.S. Poised to Lock In Swift Trade Outline as Deadline Looms

Brussels and Washington have drawn up a concise trade proposal aimed at averting a potentially crippling surge in tariffs on everything from cars and steel to pharmaceuticals and machinery. Presented in outline form during late-June talks in Brussels, the U.S. document lays out reciprocal tariff relief, streamlined regulatory cooperation, and a joint dispute-resolution framework. With…

Trump Organization Has Not Used ‘Made in USA’ Claim for T1 Smartphone Amid Production Realities

When the Trump Organization unveiled its gold-hued T1 smartphone this month, it boasted of a “MADE IN THE USA” badge front and center on its website. But within days of the launch, that claim quietly vanished, replaced by vague references to “American-Proud Design” and devices “brought to life right here in the USA.” The retreat…

Local Chinese governments promote ‘automated exports,’ inflating car sales and growth figures

Local authorities across China have increasingly turned to “zero-mileage” car exports as a shortcut to bolster auto sales figures and inflate regional growth statistics. By registering brand-new vehicles as used and shipping them overseas, municipal and provincial governments are helping prop up domestic production numbers while meeting ambitious economic targets set by Beijing. This strategy…

Precision Eludes Power: The Daunting Challenge of Striking Iran’s Nuclear Sites

Decimating Iran’s nuclear infrastructure demands far more than a wave of fighter jets or a few bunker-busting bombs. From subterranean fortresses shielded by mountains of rock to intricate air-defense networks and the looming specter of regional escalation, any attempt to neutralize Tehran’s uranium enrichment facilities presents an operational labyrinth. Even the world’s most powerful militaries…

High Hopes, Hard Truths: Experts Doubt Feasibility of a U.S.‑Made $499 “Gold” Trump Smartphone

As the Trump Organization prepares to launch its inaugural smartphone this August, priced at $499 and offered in a distinctive gold finish, industry observers are raising serious doubts about the likelihood that the device can truly be manufactured in the United States. The company’s claims of domestic production clash with the realities of global smartphone…