South Africa

HALLIGAN: Trump's tariffs are either madness or genius – it could go either way

Liam Halligan in London April 4, 2025

Donald Trump has referred to tariffs as “the most beautiful word in the dictionary”. And now the US President has unleashed the most aggressive surge in American trade protectionism in almost a century.

Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs will accelerate BRICS bloc trade cooperation

bne IntelliNews April 4, 2025

BRICS avowedly seeks to challenge Western-dominated institutions of global economic governance, as well as to displace the US dollar from its entrenched role in the world economy. Its job just got easier thanks to Trump.

Where the world is charging most tariffs - Statista

Katharina Buchholz for Statista April 3, 2025

The Trump administration's recent move to impose tariffs on Chinese, Mexican and Canadian goods as well as steel and aluminium imports in general is once again breaking with long-standing US trade policy, Statista reports.

Trump and Carthage: The end of history revisited

Ben Aris in Berlin March 28, 2025

What has gone wrong with the world? Protests and wars have broken out across the globe. Analysts are warning that weak countries could face problems but the strong ones are suffering from a deeper long term rot that will change the world order.

Indonesia joins BRICS' new development bank

bno - Jakarta bureau March 27, 2025

Indonesia has formally decided to become a member of the BRICS-affiliated New Development Bank, just months after fully integrating into the China-led economic alliance

Global energy demand doubled in 2024 driven by extreme temperatures, but renewables covered 80% of the increase, says IEA

bne IntelliNews March 24, 2025

Global energy demand growth surged in 2024 to almost twice its recent average, driven by rapidly rising electricity use, the International Energy Agency said in its global energy review 2025 report on March 23.

Welcome to the new transactional world order

Ben Aris in Berlin March 21, 2025

Welcome to the new world order. Values and liberal democracy is giving way to a world run on the basis of deals.

Global cereal production grows faster than populations, says OWID

bne Gulf bureau March 20, 2025

The world's population has more than doubled over the last 60 years, but global food production has managed to keep up, Our World in Data (OWID) reports.

US-South Africa relations sink to new low with ambassador who “hates America” expelled amid racism allegations

Brian Kenety March 17, 2025

US-South Africa relations have tanked since Donald Trump took office. In the latest salvo, Washington has expelled South Africa’s ambassador, whom Marco Rubio called a “race-baiting politician” who “hates America” and Trump.

Brazil hosts first BRICS Sherpas meeting with expanded membership

bnl Sao Paulo bureau February 27, 2025

Brasilia hosted the first BRICS Sherpas meeting under the Brazilian Presidency on February 24-25, bringing together representatives from all 11 member countries at the Itamaraty Palace.

Foreign agricultural workers flock to South Africa as sector expands

bne IntelliNews February 25, 2025

Foreign farmers and agricultural workers are increasingly migrating to South Africa from neighbouring countries, attracted by higher wages and better opportunities.

Brazil to host expanded BRICS summit in July amid US dollar tensions

bne IntelliNews February 17, 2025

Brazil will host leaders from the BRICS nations and their new members in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7, as the burgeoning bloc faces growing pressure from the US over plans to reduce dollar dependence in trade.

Brazil drops BRICS currency plan in favour of local payment push

bne intellinews February 14, 2025

Brazil will not pursue a common BRICS currency during its presidency of the bloc this year, focusing instead on facilitating trade in local currencies despite warnings from US President Donald Trump about challenging dollar dominance.

Global coal trade approaches its peak

bno - Taipei Office January 14, 2025

Preliminary data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicates that global coal imports rose by 2.4% in 2024, reaching 1.5bn tonnes for the year.

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