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  Tesla’s stock price took a sharp hit this week as tensions between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump erupted into a very public feud. The clash, which first surfaced on social media and was quickly amplified by global news outlets, has raised investor fears over potential political risks for the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer. According to market data, Tesla shares slid by more than 7% in intraday trading, erasing billions from the company’s market capitalization. Analysts say that investors are concerned the fallout could affect Tesla’s standing with U.S. regulatory bodies and the future of federal EV incentives — particularly if Trump regains political power in the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election. What Sparked the Feud? The dispute began earlier this week when Trump criticized Musk in a public interview, questioning Tesla’s reliance on government subsidies and mocking Musk’s ambitions around artificial intelligence and space exploratio...

Federal Appeals Court Temporarily Reinstates Trump’s Tariffs After Lower Court Block

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 Source: Al Jazeera Federal Appeals Court Temporarily Reinstates Trump’s Tariffs After Lower Court Block Washington, D.C.  – In a significant development in President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade agenda, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has temporarily reinstated a series of sweeping tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. This decision comes just a day after the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that the tariffs, enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), exceeded the president’s authority and ordered their immediate suspension. The appeals court’s administrative stay, issued on Thursday, May 29, 2025, allows the tariffs to remain in effect while legal proceedings continue, providing a temporary reprieve for the administration’s controversial trade policy. Background of the Tariff Dispute On April 2, 2025, dubbed “Liberation Day” by the White House, President Trump announced a 10% tariff on imports from nearly all U.S. t...

Trump Proposes 50% Tariff on European Union Imports Starting June 1, 2025

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Source: NBC10Philadelphia  Trump Proposes 50% Tariff on European Union Imports Starting June 1, 2025 Introduction President Donald Trump announced a recommendation for a 50% tariff on all European Union imports, effective June 1, 2025. The proposal, shared via Truth Social, cites stalled trade negotiations and accuses the EU of exploiting the U.S. economically. This move has sparked significant market reactions and raised concerns about a potential trade war. Background Trump’s announcement follows frustrations with EU trade policies, particularly around agricultural subsidies and digital taxes. He stated, “The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with.” The tariff would exempt products manufactured in the U.S., aligning with Trump’s “America First” agenda. Economic Implications The proposal led to immediate market turmoil, with U.S. stock futures declining and European markets dr...

Tencent Bets on 1.4 Billion-User WeChat Empire to Get Ahead in China’s AI Race

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Tencent Bets on 1.4 Billion-User WeChat Empire to Get Ahead in China’s AI Race In China’s escalating artificial intelligence (AI) arms race, tech giant Tencent is placing a bold bet on its most valuable digital asset — WeChat. With over 1.4 billion users, WeChat, often dubbed China’s “everything app,” has become the centerpiece of Tencent’s strategy to dominate the country’s AI landscape. From messaging and payments to e-commerce and public services, WeChat’s immense data ecosystem is now being harnessed to fuel the next generation of AI tools and applications. Tencent recently unveiled a series of AI-powered upgrades to WeChat, including smart customer service bots, AI-generated content features, and personalized digital assistants. These enhancements, backed by Tencent’s proprietary large language model “Hunyuan,” are aimed at embedding AI more deeply into the daily habits of China’s digital population. “WeChat is not just a social app — it’s an infrastructure,” said Tencent Presiden...
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lobal Economic Outlook Shows Modest Growth in 2025 — Economic stability faces headwinds from geopolitical tensions and trade realignments The World Bank and major financial institutions have forecast a modest global GDP growth rate of 2.4% in 2025 , with a slight uptick to 2.7% in 2026 , reflecting cautious optimism amid a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics. While some advanced economies such as the United States and European Union are showing resilience, growth remains uneven due to inflationary pressures, volatile energy markets, and ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Emerging markets are expected to contribute significantly to global expansion, particularly in sectors such as fintech, manufacturing, and green energy. However, challenges such as rising debt, supply chain fragmentation, and regulatory unpredictability continue to cloud the outlook. Meanwhile, U.S.–China trade talks are set to resume in Switzerland lat...
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Global Factories Struggle Under Weight of Trump Tariffs and Trade Uncertainty Manufacturing industries around the world are grappling with growing disruption and economic pressure following the reintroduction of sweeping tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump. The tariffs, which include duties as high as 145% on Chinese imports and new levies on Mexican and Canadian goods, have shaken global supply chains and cast a shadow of uncertainty over the international trade environment. Factories in Asia, particularly in China, reported a sharp decline in output. The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for Chinese manufacturing dropped faster than anticipated in April, while neighboring economies from Vietnam to South Korea are seeing reduced demand for exports. Meanwhile, U.S. manufacturers are facing increased costs for essential components and machinery, with many industries reporting delays and production slowdowns. In response to the tariffs, China and other countries have imposed retalia...
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  Conflicting US-China Trade Statements Deepen Global Economic Uncertainty April 26, 2025 — Conflicting statements from Washington and Beijing over the status of trade talks have heightened confusion in global markets, intensifying fears of economic instability. Earlier this week, U.S. officials, including former President Donald Trump, claimed that trade discussions with China were actively progressing, suggesting that Chinese President Xi Jinping had initiated contact. However, Chinese authorities have firmly denied these assertions. Officials from both the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Commerce Ministry labeled the U.S. statements as "fake news," stating that no new consultations are currently underway. The sharp discrepancy between the two narratives comes amid escalating tariff measures. The United States has imposed tariffs of up to 145% on a wide range of Chinese goods, while China has retaliated with tariffs as high as 125% on American products. These moves have se...