U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would increase the tariff charged on imports from India from the current rate of 25% "very substantially" over the next 24 hours, in view of New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian oil. He also said a "zero tariff" offer for imports of U.S. goods into India was not good enough, alleging that India was "fuelling the war" in Ukraine. Trump's threat to India over its purchases of Russian oil started on July 31, when he announced a 25% tariff for Indian goods, along with an unspecified penalty.
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A private gauge of China’s services sector showed activity expanded at the fastest pace in more than a year in July, as demand improved during the summer travel rush, the Wall Street Journal reported. The S&P Global China general services purchasing managers index rose to 52.6 last month from June’s 50.6, according to data released Tuesday by S&P Global. A reading above 50 suggests an expansion in activity, while a reading below suggests contraction.
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Australian household spending rose modestly in June as a rush for cars and electronics was offset by a slump in services, showing lower borrowing costs and higher real incomes are only slowly flowing into the broader economy, Reuters reported. Tuesday's data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed its monthly household spending indicator (MHSI) rose 0.5% in June, just half of the gain seen in May. Analysts had looked for an increase of around 0.8%.
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The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has partially allowed the application filed by the suspended promoters of Hotel Horizon, directing the exclusion of asset reconstruction company Phoenix ARC’s claim from the ongoing corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP), citing it as barred by limitation, the Economic Times of India reported. Hotel Horizon’s key asset is a prime 1.85-acre land parcel in Mumbai’s plush Juhu area, overlooking the Arabian Sea.
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Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Monday he will not hesitate to hold talks with President Donald Trump to ensure an agreed cut to U.S. automobile tariffs is implemented soon, Reuters reported. In a parliament session on Monday, Ishiba drew criticism from some opposition lawmakers for not having signed an official document with the U.S. in clinching a trade deal last month. "Creating a document could have delayed the timing of tariff cuts. That was our biggest fear," Ishiba said, defending Japan's decision to agree on a deal without creating an official document with the U.S.
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A subsidiary of a Hong Kong conglomerate entangled in U.S.-China tensions appealed on Friday for legal protection for businesses in Panama after the company's contract over its Panama Canal port assets has been faced with lawsuits in the Central American country, the Associated Press reported. Respect for the rule of law is essential to assure businesses that Panama is a safe place to invest in, Panama Ports Company, under Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings, said in a statement.
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Ever since President Trump began raising tariffs on goods from China during his first term, Chinese companies have raced to set up warehouses and factories in Southeast Asia, Mexico and elsewhere to bypass U.S. tariffs with indirect shipments to the American market via other countries, the New York Times reported. But on Thursday, Mr. Trump took aim at all indirect American imports, which he blames for part of the $1.2 trillion U.S. trade deficit. The president imposed 40 percent tariffs on so-called transshipments, which will take effect in a week.
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It was 96 degrees in the shade with high humidity and not a breath of wind on Tuesday afternoon in a factory district in Guangzhou, the home base of China’s garment manufacturing, the New York Times reported. The sewing workshops that were operating in one neighborhood were sweltering. But roughly half of the hundreds of factories were dark, with their doors closed and none of their usual bustle. Around the area, bright red signs on walls and poles indicated industrial buildings were available for sale or rent.

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The Bank of Japan left policy settings unchanged Thursday but raised its price outlook, fueling expectations for an interest-rate increase as a trade agreement with the U.S. helped clear some uncertainties, the Wall Street Journal reported. The central bank held its policy rate steady at 0.5%, where it has remained since its last hike in January. It also raised its price projections and maintained its view that inflation will stay near its 2% target in the coming years.
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