Trump Enacts Metal Tariffs, EU Retaliation, Ukraine Talks & Mental Health Costs

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

On today's podcast:

(1) President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports came into force Wednesday, triggering a reprisal from the European Union as the global trade war enters a new and risky phase.

(2) The latest US tariffs — which were applied without exemptions — kicked in after a tumultuous day at the White House, when Trump threatened to double the metals tariffs on Canada to 50%, only to back off when Ontario agreed to drop plans to impose a surcharge on electricity sent to the US — all while downplaying the risk of a tariff-led recession that has sent US markets plunging.

(3) Goldman Sachs has lowered its target for the US equity benchmark in a further sign of growing skepticism on the outlook of the world’s largest economy.The bank’s strategists cut the year-end target for the S&P 500 Index to 6,200 from 6,500, implying an 11% gain from Tuesday’s close. The reduction was also in view of declines in the “Magnificent 7” stocks.

(4) Less than two weeks after Donald Trump lambasted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in an Oval Office confrontation, the US president put the pressure on Russia to accept a ceasefire agreement hammered out with Zelenskiy’s advisers.

(5) Half a million more people in England and Wales are claiming disability benefits for mental-health problems than before the pandemic, according to research that may add to concerns over government plans to squeeze welfare spending.

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