G7 trade talks target critical minerals as US-EU tariff rift strains unity

May 6, 2026 4:24 PM

G7 trade talks target critical minerals as US-EU tariff rift strains unity

Group of Seven trade ministers meeting in Paris on Wednesday sought common ground on securing critical mineral supplies that are dominated by China, but fresh U.S. tariff threats against European Union-made cars risked straining unity. France wants critical minerals supplies to be among the most concrete deliverables during its G7 presidency as ministers prepare for a leaders' summit in mid-June, Foreign Trade Minister Nicolas Forissier said as he arrived for talks. "I believe we will make ver...

IMF sees steady global growth in 2026 as AI boom offsets trade headwinds

January 19, 2026 3:14 PM

IMF sees steady global growth in 2026 as AI boom offsets trade headwinds

The International Monetary Fund again edged its 2026 global growth forecast higher on Monday as businesses and economies adapt to U.S. tariffs that have eased in recent months and a continued AI investment boom that has fueled asset wealth and expectations of productivity gains. The IMF in its World Economic Outlook update forecast global GDP growth at 3.3% in 2026, up 0.2 percentage point from its last estimate in October. That's even with 3.3% growth in 2025, which will also beat the October ...