More 25% Tariffs, DOGE Cuts, Russia Sanctions & HSBC Overhaul

Your morning briefing, the business news you need in just 15 minutes.

On today's podcast:

(1) President Donald Trump said he would likely impose tariffs on automobile, semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports of around 25%, with an announcement coming as soon as April 2 in a move that would represent a dramatic widening of the president’s trade war.

(2) US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said US taxpayers don’t need to worry about the security of their private data while Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency team seeks to make the federal government more efficient. The DOGE team has identified an estimated $50 billion in savings so far, Bessent said Tuesday during a Fox News interview. “So that’s a very good start.”

(3) Secretary of State Marco Rubio told European allies that the US will keep sanctions on Russia in place at least until a deal to end the Ukraine conflict is reached, even as his boss, President Donald Trump, said he’ll probably meet Vladimir Putin to discuss a settlement before the end of February.

(4) Top officials from the US and Russia met for a first round of talks over the war in Ukraine and raised the possibility of broader cooperation, signaling President Donald Trump desire to reboot a battered relationship.

(5) HSBC will incur $1.8 billion in costs over the next two years as it embarks on a global restructuring program that has seen the lender shutter some of its businesses and slash management ranks.
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