Business

Trump Signals Possible Temporary Tariff Relief for Auto Industry Amid Supply Chain Pressures

Published

4 weeks ago

April 15, 2025

RTX

Former President Donald Trump hinted on Monday at a potential temporary exemption from tariffs on the auto industry, aimed at giving U.S. carmakers more time to realign their supply chains. The suggestion comes as part of a series of tariff adjustments and reversals that have fueled market volatility and raised economic concerns.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said automakers need more time to shift production back to the United States from countries like Canada and Mexico. “They’re going to make them here, but they need a little bit of time,” Trump told reporters. “So I’m talking about things like that.”

The auto industry has been grappling with Trump’s 25% auto tariffs, announced on March 27 as “permanent.” However, the latest comments indicate a softening stance, potentially aimed at minimizing the economic impact of his trade policies ahead of ongoing negotiations with trade partners.

Matt Blunt, president of the American Automotive Policy Council, which represents Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, welcomed Trump’s consideration. “There is increasing awareness that broad tariffs on parts could undermine our shared goal of building a thriving and growing American auto industry,” he said, noting that supply chain shifts take time.

Trump’s shifting tariff strategy has become a hallmark of his trade approach. Just last week, following a bond market sell-off and rising interest rates, Trump announced a 90-day reduction of broader tariffs to 10% to allow for negotiation windows. Simultaneously, tariffs on Chinese imports surged to 145%, before certain electronics were granted temporary relief at a reduced 20% rate.

“I don’t change my mind, but I’m flexible,” Trump remarked Monday, emphasizing his willingness to adjust course as needed.

This flexibility, however, has heightened market uncertainty. While the S&P 500 rose 0.8% on Monday, it remains down nearly 8% for the year. Interest rates on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes hovered at 4.4%. “The whiplash has been so great I might need a neck brace,” quipped Carl Tannenbaum, chief economist at Northern Trust, warning that the ongoing confusion could lead to lasting damage to consumer and business confidence.

Meanwhile, the European Union continues its efforts to reach a trade agreement. European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said he held talks with U.S. officials and reiterated the EU’s commitment to a “0-for-0” industrial tariff deal and reducing non-tariff barriers.

Technology giant Apple also found itself caught in the tariff back-and-forth. Trump claimed he recently helped CEO Tim Cook navigate the trade tensions. Although Apple declined to comment, the company’s stock rose 2% Monday following the electronics exemption. Analysts say the relief may be short-lived, as uncertainty still looms over future tariff decisions.

Apple is reportedly considering shifting more of its production to India — a move it began during Trump’s first term — to mitigate risks from the ongoing trade war.

Meanwhile, China is countering U.S. pressure by deepening regional ties. President Xi Jinping met with Vietnam’s Communist Party leader To Lam on Monday, warning that trade wars yield no winners. Trump, however, accused the two countries of colluding to “screw the United States of America.”

As Trump’s tariff strategy evolves, industries and investors are left trying to navigate the shifting landscape of U.S. trade policy.

Business

Sixt Shares Dip After Mixed Q1 Results Despite Revenue Growth Abroad

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2025

Web Reporter

Shares in German car rental and mobility firm Sixt fell nearly 4% by midday Tuesday following the release of a mixed first-quarter earnings report that highlighted stagnating revenue in its home market.

The company reported total revenue of €858.1 million for the first quarter of 2025, reflecting a 10% year-on-year increase. While overall figures showed improvement, revenue in Germany remained flat at €243.3 million, raising concerns among investors. In contrast, the company’s performance in the broader European market was stronger, with revenue climbing 13.8% to €296.5 million compared to the same period last year.

Despite narrowing losses, Sixt remains in the red. Earnings before taxes (EBT) stood at -€17.6 million, an improvement from the -€27.5 million reported in the first quarter of 2024. Net income after taxes also showed progress, coming in at -€12.6 million, compared to -€23.1 million a year earlier.

In its earnings statement, the company reaffirmed its long-term strategy focused on international growth and financial turnaround. “Sixt is maintaining its expansion course for all regional segments, with profitable growth remaining the top priority,” the report stated.

Looking ahead, the company remains optimistic about demand for its mobility services throughout the year. Sixt confirmed its full-year guidance for 2025, projecting revenue growth between 5% and 10% and targeting a significantly improved EBT margin of around 10%, compared to last year.

Sixt’s results come as the company continues to navigate a challenging economic environment, marked by shifting travel patterns and inflationary pressures in its core markets. Analysts suggest that while the international momentum is encouraging, the flat performance in Germany may continue to weigh on investor sentiment if not addressed in the coming quarters.

Business

Saudi Aramco Profits Dip Amid Falling Oil Prices as Kingdom Commits Massive US Investments

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2025

Web Reporter

Saudi Arabia’s oil giant Aramco reported a 4.6% drop in first-quarter profits on Sunday, amid declining global oil prices and growing financial pressure to meet the kingdom’s ambitious development goals, including massive investments in the United States.

Aramco, the world’s largest oil producer, posted a net income of $26 billion (€23.4 billion) for the first quarter of 2025, down from $27.2 billion (€24.5 billion) during the same period last year. Quarterly revenues came in at $108.1 billion (€97.4 billion), slightly up from $107.2 billion (€96.5 billion) a year earlier, according to a filing on the Tadawul stock exchange in Riyadh.

The dip in earnings comes as global energy markets remain volatile. Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, recently traded at just over $63 (€56.7) a barrel—down from peaks of over $80 (€72) last year. Aramco’s stock, which once traded at highs near $8 (€7.2), has also slipped in recent months, closing Sunday at just over $6 (€5.4) per share.

Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser acknowledged the challenges in a statement, saying “global trade dynamics affected energy markets in the first quarter of 2025, with economic uncertainty impacting oil prices.”

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has pledged to invest $600 billion (€540.2 billion) in the United States during President Donald Trump’s second term. Trump, expected to arrive in Riyadh on Tuesday for his first official overseas trip since returning to office, has publicly called for that figure to reach $1 trillion (€900 billion).

The investment pledge coincides with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious domestic agenda. Central to those plans is Neom—a $500 billion (€450.1 billion) futuristic megacity being developed along the Red Sea—and preparations for hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which will require tens of billions of dollars in infrastructure spending.

To help fund these initiatives, Saudi Arabia may have to dip into its sovereign reserves or increase borrowing, especially as oil revenues come under pressure. The recent decision by the OPEC+ alliance to increase oil production by 411,000 barrels per day next month is expected to complicate efforts to stabilize prices.

Aramco remains one of the world’s most valuable companies, with a market capitalization exceeding $1.6 trillion (€1.4 trillion), trailing only a handful of U.S. tech giants. While a portion of its shares trade publicly, the majority is held by the Saudi government, providing a crucial financial pillar for state-led development and the royal family’s wealth.

Would you like a version of this article tailored for an international business audience?

Business

Eastern Europe Leads in Real Wage Growth in 2024, Turkey Tops the Chart

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2025

Web Reporter

Real wages rose sharply across much of Europe in 2024, with Eastern European nations recording the strongest growth, according to the latest OECD Taxing Wages 2025 report and Eurostat data. Out of 32 European countries analyzed, only four experienced a drop in real wages after adjusting for inflation.

Turkey posted the most significant gains, with nominal gross wages surging by 82.9% year-on-year—driven largely by the country’s sky-high inflation rate of 58.3%. Despite the inflation, Turkey recorded the highest real wage growth in Europe at 15.5%. However, the figure has drawn scrutiny, with opposition figures and former officials from the Turkish Statistical Institute questioning the accuracy of official inflation data.

Romania and Bulgaria followed Turkey in the real wage growth rankings. Romania saw a 20.9% increase in nominal wages, translating to a 14.3% real wage gain thanks to a comparatively low inflation rate of 5.8%. Bulgaria reported a 9.2% rise in real wages, with nominal wages up 12% and inflation held to 2.6%.

Eight European countries reported real wage growth above 7%. Besides Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria, this group includes Malta (9%), Hungary (8.9%), Latvia (8.4%), Poland (7.8%), and Lithuania (7.2%).

In Southern Europe, wage growth was more modest but still positive. Italy led the region with a 2.7% increase in real wages, followed by Cyprus (2.1%), Spain (1.9%), and Greece (1.7%).

Among Europe’s five largest economies, Italy also recorded the highest real wage growth. Germany followed at 2.2%, ahead of Spain (1.9%), the UK (1.6%), and France, which reported the lowest increase at just 0.7%.

Only four countries saw real wage declines in 2024: Belgium (-1%), Finland (-0.9%), Iceland (-0.7%), and Luxembourg (-0.4%). Finland was the sole country where nominal wages slightly declined, falling by €14 compared to the previous year. However, with inflation under 1%, the resulting drop in real wages was relatively small.

The figures cover gross wages before taxes and social contributions and reflect the average earnings of a single worker without children. While 2024 brought a strong rebound in wage growth for many European workers after years of stagnation, wide regional disparities persist—underscoring the uneven impact of inflation and wage policy across the continent.