China has taken steps to restrict local companies from investing in the U.S. in a move that could give Beijing more leverage for potential trade negotiations with the Trump administration, Bloomberg News reported. Several branches of China’s top economic planning agency, the National Development and Reform Commission, have been instructed in recent weeks to hold off on registration and approval for firms that are looking to invest in the US, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing sensitive issues.

U.S. President Donald Trump's planned tariffs will be negative across the world, with the damage depending on how far they go, how long they last and whether they lead to successful negotiations, European Central Bank head Christine Lagarde said on Wednesday, Reuters reported. The Trump administration on Wednesday is set to announce "reciprocal tariffs" targeting nations that have duties on U.S. goods. That move would come after it slapped new import levies on products from Mexico, China and Canada - the top U.S. trading partners - as well as on goods including steel and autos.

The largest aquatic theme park operator in Latin America, The Dolphin Company, has filed bankruptcy in the US to restructure its debt and address what it described as financial challenges, Bloomberg News reported. The Cancun, Mexico-based company, whose properties include Dolphin Discovery habitats and the Selva Magica theme park in Guadalajara, Mexico, sought court protection on Monday in Delaware, listing assets and liabilities each of more than $100 million.

U.S. President Donald Trump's push for sweeping tariffs is creating great uncertainty and denting confidence but is not likely to trigger a near-term recession, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Monday, Reuters. Georgieva, in her first major interview since Trump took office, underscored the challenges facing a global economy that is still posting underwhelming growth after scarring from the COVID pandemic, but cautioned against being overly alarmed.

Thames Water, the financially stricken utility which has been teetering on the edge of insolvency, is set to be taken over by KKR, the American private equity group, The Times reported. KKR has been selected as a preferred bidder by the Thames Water board for its offer to take control of the shares of the utility in return for what was an original offer of a £4 billion cash injection. The offer envisages creditors taking significant writedowns in their exposure to Thames near-£20 billion of gross debt.

Bankrupt battery maker Northvolt AB will continue to operate in Sweden with a staff of 1,700 while its remaining employees will be laid off, Bloomberg News reported. “Despite significant reductions, it is positive that the business can continue to some extent, which is likely crucial to enabling a full or partial sale of the business,” Northvolt’s bankruptcy trustee, Mikael Kubu, said in an emailed statement.

Japan, South Korea and China agreed on Sunday to continue trilateral economic and trade cooperation to address “emerging challenges,” a partnership that has become more crucial than ever as the U.S. trade war shatters the global order. Trade minister Yoji Muto, his South Korean counterpart, Ahn Duk-geun, and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met in Seoul for the first trilateral meeting among the three countries’ trade ministers in over five years, the Japan Times reported.

The U.S. State Department said on Friday it was "not surprised" that China would be upset by Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison's deal to sell its two port operations near the Panama Canal to a BlackRock-led group, after China's market regulator said it would conduct an antitrust review of the deal, Reuters reported. "We are aware of the comments made by China.

India has offered tariff cuts on imports of U.S. farm products like almonds and cranberries as a further concession to the United States, two government sources said, hoping to avert President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs set for next week, Reuters reported. Unlike China, Canada and the European Union, India is actively seeking to appease the Trump administration and is open to cutting tariffs on over half of U.S. imports worth $23 billion, Reuters reported earlier this week. In a series of meeting in New Delhi with Brendan Lynch, the assistant U.S.

European carmakers are trying to work out how much their prices might have to rise in response to looming U.S. import tariffs, industry sources said, fearing any first-movers could risk a backlash from U.S. President Donald Trump, Reuters reported. The United States late on Wednesday announced 25% duties on imports of finished cars and certain components from April 3, dashing hopes for lower rates or exemptions after several short-term policy changes suggested there might be wiggle room.