Economy - Daily Politics

China has announced provisional import duties on certain dairy products from the European Union, following the conclusion of a domestic investigation into pricing practices and market impact.

The measures include tariffs of up to 43% on selected European dairy goods and are intended to safeguard China’s agricultural sector from what authorities describe as unfair competition. Officials said the investigation found evidence that low-priced imports had put sustained pressure on domestic dairy producers.

Chinese authorities emphasised that the action is consistent with international trade rules and reflects China’s right to defend its industries through lawful trade remedies. The duties are provisional and will ...

China’s trade surplus has surged to a record high, intensifying global debate over trade imbalances and raising fears of renewed protectionist measures from major economies.

According to recent data, China’s exports have continued to outpace imports by a wide margin, driven by strong manufacturing output, weak domestic demand, and a competitive currency. Analysts warn that the widening surplus could provoke political backlash, particularly in the United States and Europe.

Economists say China’s reliance on exports has been reinforced by sluggish consumer spending at home, pushing manufacturers to seek overseas markets. This dynamic has contributed to tensions over alleged dumping, state subsidies, and ...

Gold prices have climbed to a fresh record, driven by growing expectations that the Federal Reserve will begin cutting interest rates and by heightened geopolitical risks that are boosting demand for safe-haven assets.

Spot gold rose sharply in early trading, extending a rally that has gathered momentum in recent weeks as investors reassess the outlook for inflation, economic growth, and monetary policy in the United States. Lower interest rates tend to support gold by reducing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets.

Analysts say renewed tensions in several regions, combined with uncertainty over global economic growth, have reinforced gold’s appeal as a ...

Efforts by the European Union and the United States to seize frozen Russian state assets have run into significant legal and political obstacles, raising doubts about whether the funds can be used to support Ukraine.

Since the start of the Ukraine conflict, Western governments have frozen hundreds of billions of dollars in assets linked to the Russian central bank and sanctioned individuals. While some policymakers have pushed for outright confiscation, critics argue such a move could violate international law and undermine confidence in Western financial systems.

Officials in several EU member states have expressed concern that setting a precedent for seizing sovereign ...

UK inflation cooled faster than expected in November, adding momentum to market expectations that the Bank of England will cut interest rates at its next decision on 18 December 2025.

The Office for National Statistics data showed CPI inflation fell to 3.2% in November from 3.6% in October, undershooting both economists’ forecasts and the Bank’s own projection. The drop was driven by easing food price rises and discounting effects around Black Friday, alongside softer prices in categories including clothing and some grocery staples.

Financial markets reacted swiftly: sterling weakened and government bond yields fell as traders moved to price in ...

The UK economy contracted by 0.1% in October 2025, surprising economists who had forecast modest growth and intensifying pressure on policymakers and markets. Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show this marks the second consecutive month of decline following a similar 0.1% drop in September and no growth in August.

ONS data revealed that the downturn was broad-based, with the services sector — which accounts for the majority of UK economic activity — stagnating, construction output falling, and production only modestly up. Analysts pointed to businesses and consumers holding back spending ahead of November’s Budget announcement, dampening demand ...