US and China agree to slash tariffs as trade war eases – BBC

US and China agree to slash tariffs as trade war eases – BBC

Share markets jumped on Monday after President Trump said weekend talks had resulted in a "total reset" in trade terms between the US and China, a move which goes some way to defuse the high stakes stand-off between the two countries.
The talks in Switzerland resulted in significant cuts to the tit-for-tat tariffs that had been stacked up since January on both sides.
The US will lower those tariffs from 145% to 30%, while China's retaliatory tariffs on US goods will drop to 10% from 125%.
President Trump told reporters, that, as some of the levies have been suspended rather than cancelled altogether, they might rise again in three months time, if no further progress was made.
However, he said he did not expect them to return to the previous 145% peak.
"We're not looking to hurt China," Trump said after the agreement was announced, adding that China was "being hurt very badly".
"They were closing up factories. They were having a lot of unrest, and they were very happy to be able to do something with us."
He said he expected to speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping "maybe at the end of the week".
Investors welcomed the de-escalation. The S&P 500 index jumped more than 3.2% after the announcement, while the Dow climbed 2.8% and the Nasdaq had surged 4.3% by the end of the day.
The gains left the indexes roughly where they started the year, fully recovered from the losses they sustained in the aftermath of the 2 April tariffs announcement, dubbed "Liberation Day" by the Trump administration.
Framed as a campaign to give Americans a fairer deal from international trade, the US announced a universal baseline tariff on all imports to the US.
Around 60 trading partners, which the White House described as the "worst offenders", were subjected to higher rates than others, and this included China.
Beijing retaliated with tariffs of its own, which led to levies being ratcheted up on both sides, sending shares sharply lower.

Under the new agreement, the US is reducing the "reciprocal" tariff on Chinese goods that it announced on "Liberation day" to 10%. But it said the higher levy rate was being suspended for 90 days, rather than removed permanently.
The US is also keeping in place the extra 20% tariff aimed at putting pressure on Beijing to do more to curb the illegal trade in fentanyl, a powerful opioid drug.
For its part, China is also reducing to 10% the retaliation tariffs they put in place in response to Trump's "Liberation day" announcement, again suspended for three months.
China has also agreed to "suspend or remove" all non-tariff measures against the US.
Pre-existing tariffs, including higher sector-specific tariffs on things like steel and cars, remain in place.
However, additional retaliatory tariffs, that were added subsequently, have been cancelled altogether on both sides.
The retreat comes as the first impacts from the tariff-war were beginning to show, with US ports reporting a sharp drop in the number of ships scheduled to arrive from China.
Factory output has slowed in China, and there are reports of firms laying off workers, as US orders dried up.
China's commerce ministry said the agreement was an important step to "resolve differences" which would help to "deepen co-operation".
Tat Kei, a Chinese exporter of personal care appliances to the US, whose factory employs 200 people in Shenzhen, welcomed the announcement, but said he still feared what else might be to come.
"President Trump is going to be here for the next three-and-a-half years. I don't think this is going to be the end of it… not by a long shot," he told the BBC.
Elaine Li, head of Greater China at Atlas Ways, which offers services for Chinese enterprises' global development, also said she believed many Chinese firms would treat the reprieve as temporary.
"For businesses, the best they can do is build a moat around their company before the next round of tariffs arrives," she said.
On Wall Street Target, Home Depot and Nike were among companies that saw their share price rise sharply on the news. Tech firms including Nvidia, Amazon, Apple and Facebook-owner Meta also moved sharply higher.
European stocks rose on Monday, and earlier Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index had ended the day up 3%.
The deal has boosted shares in shipping companies, with Denmark's Maersk up more than 12% and Germany's Hapag-Lloyd jumping 14%.
Maersk told the BBC the US-China agreement was "a step in the right direction" and that it now hoped for "a permanent deal that can create the long-term predictability our customers need."
In the US, the National Retail Federation (NRF) said it was encouraged by the "constructive" negotiations.
"This temporary pause is a critical first step to provide some short-term relief for retailers and other businesses that are in the midst of ordering merchandise for the winter holiday season," said NRF president Matthew Shay.
The International Chamber of Commerce said the deal sent a clear signal that the US and China both wanted to avoid a "hard decoupling".
"Ultimately, we hope this weekend's agreement lays the foundation to lift the cloud of trade policy uncertainty that continues to weigh on investment, hiring, and demand across the world," said deputy secretary-general, Andrew Wilson.
The gold price – which has benefited from its safe-haven status in recent weeks given the disruption caused by the tariffs – fell 3.1% to $3,223.57 an ounce.
The news raises questions, but the impact on UK-US trade could be minimal
The president's signature import taxes win a legal reprieve, as the White House rails against "activist judges".
China is chipping away at the US's dominant position in the Asia-Pacific
Tariffs are a key part of the US president's political vision but economists fear a global trade war.
The souring relationship between the nations has already caused issues for students at home and in the US.
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Trump might claim China tariff victory – but this is Capitulation Day | Heather Stewart – The Guardian

Trump might claim China tariff victory – but this is Capitulation Day | Heather Stewart – The Guardian

The president’s retreat suggests he might negotiate elsewhere, but leaves corrosive uncertainty in its wake

Donald Trump will inevitably claim Monday’s temporary truce in the US-China trade war as a victory, but financial markets seem to have read it for what it is – a capitulation.
Stocks were up and bond yields were higher after the US treasury secretary Scott Bessent’s early morning press conference in Geneva, where he has been holding talks with China.
As with the UK “trade deal” last week, the US is not reverting to the status quo before Trump arrived in the White House.
Instead, tariffs on Chinese goods will be cut from 145% to 30% – initially for a 90-day period. In return, China has cut its own tariffs on US imports to 10%, from the 125% it had imposed in retaliation against the White House.
That still marks a big shift in the terms of trade between the two countries since before Trump came to power, but falls far short of what was in effect a trade embargo.
The two sides have pledged to keep talking, but there was no reference in the statement put out by the White House to other gripes it has previously raised about China, including the weakness of the yuan.
Instead, the statement hailed “the importance of a sustainable, long-term and mutually beneficial economic and trade relationship”. The language was rather different to Trump’s Liberation Day speech, about the US being “looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far”.
In other words, the president has caved. He may have been swayed by market wobbles but it seems more plausible that dire warnings from retailers about empty shelves – backed up by data showing shipments into US ports collapsing – may have strengthened the hands of trade moderates in the administration.
Confronted with warnings of a shortage of toys, Trump told reporters that children should be happy with “two dolls instead of 30 dolls”, and they might “cost a couple bucks more” than usual. But it is difficult to imagine even this most bullish of presidents withstanding the attacks that would come his way if he began to be seen as responsible for Covid-style shortages of key goods in the world’s largest economy.
Instead, the White House seems to have opted for tactical retreat. The China-US conflict was always the hottest theatre of confrontation in Trump’s trade war, with a longer history and deeper public support than his quixotic attacks on Mexico and Canada.
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If Trump is indeed ready to give in even with Beijing, it sends a signal that some of the other aggressive aspects of his trade policy may be negotiable.
What Bessent and his Chinese counterparts have not erased, however, is the corrosive uncertainty that has gripped investors across the global economy since Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcement.
China tariffs have only been slashed temporarily, for now and many other countries are still awaiting negotiations on where their tariff levels will end up, after that other 90-day pause, on Trump’s “reciprocal” levies, due to end in July.
Meanwhile, companies throughout the global trading system are left wondering which particular iteration of the policy is likely to stick, and may well be tempted to continue working around the US, where possible.
And with 30% tariffs remaining on Chinese exports to the US, the bigger picture remains of two great economic powers pulling apart.

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Fitness Goals! Dwayne Johnson, Kylie Jenner and More Celebrities Who Stay in Peak Form – okmagazine.com

Fitness Goals! Dwayne Johnson, Kylie Jenner and More Celebrities Who Stay in Peak Form – okmagazine.com

Busy schedules never stop these stars from staying in top shape.
May 31 2025, Published 3:11 p.m. ET
Blake Lively shares four children with Ryan Reynolds.
Blake Lively always has time to train.
Before giving birth to her and Ryan Reynoldsfourth child, Olin, the It Ends With Us actress joked her workout routine was ineffective, as she shared playful before-and-after photos of her baby bump.
“been doing @donsaladino’s workout program for months now. Something isn’t working,” Lively, who was wearing black gym clothes in both snaps, captioned the January 2023 collage.
Chris Hemsworth discovered he has a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease after undergoing genetic testing on National Geographic's 'Limitless.'
In a July 2022 photoset, Chris Hemsworth displayed his abs while talking about Centr.
“@centrfit has everything you need for your fitness journey. What it doesn’t have is advice on what to do with your hands in photos. I’m hoping this helps everyone out there,” he said of the fitness app and wellness programs website he founded.
Colton Underwood previously revealed he gained 12 pounds while filming 'Bachelor in Paradise.'
To achieve more goals this year, Colton Underwood created “a mood board for spring” in April that showed the “joys of life.” In one snap, he tightened his sculpted shoulders, arms and back in a blue tank top while using a Hammer Strength Shoulder Press machine.
Dave Bautista teased a possible MCU return after he previously ruled out playing Drax again in the franchise.
Dave Bautista ensured he was in top shape before promoting Avengers: Infinity War in 2018.
He added in the caption, “Its not at all a shameless gratuitous ab shot! 😳…. 😖ok ok!! It is! It’s a cheap, shameless, douchey, pointless, gratuitous ab shot!! I admit it! But in my defense 1-I rarely and I mean rarely post shots like this. And 2-at my age, how much longer am I going to have abs?! So cut me some freaking slack people!”
As the photo also showed his tattoos, Bautista told his haters to “save your s—– comments!”
“Have a nice day😊…and remember to get your tickets for @avengers #infinitywar #Drax #dcpride,” he concluded.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson underwent an intense transformation for his role in 'The Smashing Machine.'
What can fans say except Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson literally rocks?
The Jumanji actor highlighted his ironclad muscles while posing for a photo at his home gym, which he calls West Coast Iron Paradise, in January 2017. Wearing an Under Armour gym tank top, Johnson let his ripped build steal the spotlight.
He shared in the post, “We’re doin’ that 4am anchor thing again to close out the week strong. Shooting one big final additional scene for Hobbs and Fast & Furious today. Bad a– Hobbs scene, so it’ll be fun. I’ll wrap that out this afternoon then switch gears, energy, tempo and definitely wardrobe;), to shoot Ballers tonight.”
“It’s kinda crazy but in order for me to operate at a highly efficient/effective level, I need that 4am wake up to train like an beast,” he told his followers. “It’s one of my anchors. Even at this ‘what the f— are you thinking at this stupid hour of 4am’. Buuuuut remember it’s the fun crazy ones that dent the universe. Find your anchor. Get crazy. Dent it.”
Hugh Jackman wowed MCU fans with his incredible physique in 'Deadpool & Wolverine.'
Hugh Jackman showed off his muscular arms while lifting weights in February 2023.
The Deadpool & Wolverine actor shared in the caption, “He’s only 46. I’m older. But it’s not a competition.”
Jessica Alba created an ab challenge for her fans.
Jessica Alba wore a black sports bra and matching leggings as she performed a workout routine for her #UnoDosTres TikTok challenge in June 2020.
Khloé Kardashian lost 40 pounds following her divorce from Lamar Odom.
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“I saw this sleek @Hydrow Rower at my mom’s and had to learn more! I’m always looking for new ways to stay fit and once I found out that I could get a total body workout done in just 20 minutes I was sold!” Khloé Kardashian wrote in an October 2022 post.
She powered through a session on a Hydrow rowing machine wearing a black sports bra and leggings. She also styled her hair in loose waves, amping up her gym look.
The Keeping Up With the Kardashians alum urged her fans to try her routine, adding, “Efficiency is key for me in this crazy life and I’m obsessed with my new Hydrow. Not to mention, the classes are beautifully shot outside, on the water, all over the world, not trapped in a studio, giving me an amazing mood boost right from home. Come row with me guys!!!”
Kylie Jenner lost weight after her second pregnancy.
Kylie Jenner made waves wearing Alo Yoga gym workout set, flaunting her slim physique in a November 2023 update.
“mornings in @alo,” she captioned the post.
Mark Wahlberg wakes up early to go to the gym.
Mark Wahlberg unveiled the fruits of his dedication in photos he shared in August 2022. In one snap, he flexed his gym-honed back, shoulders, triceps and biceps in front of a full-length mirror.
Sam Asghari is the owner of Asghari Fitness.
In an August 2021 post on Asghari Fitness’ official Instagram page, Sam Asghari let his shredded physique shine while holding dumbbells in both hands.
“Do you prefer home workouts or at the gym?” he asked his followers.
Sylvester Stallone has shown unmatched dedication to fitness for decades.
Sylvester Stallone‘s physique still looks Rocky even when he is now in his late 70s.
In a June 2021 post, he flexed his biceps after grinding through a gym session.
“Went to d— the gym today when I didn’t want to. But, Doing things when you do NOT want to , I found an extremely important key to success. Plus, I have to get ready to start doing some old school ACTION! @gunnarfitness,” Stallone reminded his followers.
In April, Teddi Mellencamp revealed her cancer is now stage 4.
Months before she was diagnosed with melanoma in October 2022, Teddi Mellencamp hit the gym and used her favorite workout machine, the CLMBR.
Tom Ellis and Meaghan Oppenheimer got married in 2019.
To mark his and Meaghan Oppenheimer‘s wedding anniversary in 2023, Tom Ellis uploaded a photoset, including a sweet snap of them at a gym.
“You lift me up on a daily basis so I’m training to do the same to you. I love you my baby ❤️,” the Lucifer actor added in the caption.
Zac Efron shocked fans when he debuted his ripped physique for 'The Iron Claw.'
Zac Efron‘s incredible physique was defined and visible in a July 2016 snap, which showed him working out at a gym using a kettlebell.
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UnitedHealthcare’s CEO kept a low public profile before he was killed in New York attack – PBS

UnitedHealthcare’s CEO kept a low public profile before he was killed in New York attack – PBS

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NEW YORK (AP) — Even though Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S., he was largely unknown to the millions of people affected by his decision-making.
Wednesday’s fatal shooting of the United Healthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk — which police call a targeted killing — thrust the executive and his business into the spotlight.
Thompson, who was 50, had run the insurance arm of health care giant UnitedHealth Group Inc. since 2021 and had worked at the company for 20 years.
Security camera still images showing the shooter reportedly involved in the killing of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, in Midtown Manhattan are displayed on the day of the NYPD press conference, in New York City, US, December 4, 2024. Photo by Mike Segar/REUTERS
WATCH: UnitedHealthcare CEO shot and killed in ‘brazen, targeted attack,’ New York City police say
As CEO, Thompson led a business that provides health coverage for more than 49 million Americans. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs.
The portfolio Thompson managed generated $74 billion in revenue in the most recent quarter, making it the largest subsidiary of Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual compensation package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company’s highest-paid executives.
The University of Iowa graduate who began his career as a certified public accountant had little name recognition beyond the industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the public face of the parent company belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress.
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Left: This undated photo provided by UnitedHealth Group shows UnitedHealthcare chief executive officer Brian Thompson. (AP Photo/UnitedHealth Group via AP)
By Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press
By Associated Press
By Jack Jeffery, Associated Press

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Health survey launched for Van Buren County residents – WSJM

Health survey launched for Van Buren County residents – WSJM

The Van Buren Cass District Health Department is inviting all Van Buren County residents to fill out a new Community Health Needs Assessment survey.
The department says it’s conducting a review to better understand the health strengths, challenges, and needs of Van Buren County residents. It’s hoping the information gathered from the survey will help it guide future health priorities, programming, and resource decisions.
The new survey is now live online. It asks respondents about things like their greatest concerns, the availability of resources, and how each respondent struggles.
The Van Buren Cass District Health Department says this is a “valuable opportunity for residents to have their voices heard and to help shape the future of public health in Van Buren County,” so it’s hoping people will help out.
The survey is anonymous, takes less than 10 minutes to complete, and is available in English and Spanish.


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