Keeping coal clunkers alive risks power price surge
Throwing aging coal generators a lifeline risks power supply shortfalls and price spikes that are largely going unrecognised.
economy, business and finance
Trump plays critical minerals card in tariff trade war
A national security review of critical minerals imports has been ordered by President Donald Trump in an escalation of his dispute with global trading partners.
Meta’s landmark trial could dismantle huge tech empire
Meta faces a historic antitrust trial which may force it to break off Instagram and WhatsApp, startups it bought that have become social media powerhouses.
Tariff turmoil triggers Reserve Bank inflation fears
Uncertainty over US tariffs and a brewing global trade war cast a shadow over the Reserve Bank of Australia as it deliberated on cutting interest rates.
Big bite on spending swallows up hospitality businesses
A record-high 9.4 per cent of food service and hospitality businesses shut their doors in the year to March as cost pressures weighed heavily on households.
US begins probes into pharmaceuticals, chip imports
The US is preparing to impose tariffs on pharmaceuticals, as drug makers argue that could increase the chance of shortages and reduce access for patients.
Mark Zuckerberg takes the stand in historic Meta trial
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has faced questions about his intentions in acquiring Instagram on the first day of a historic antitrust trial.
Australia, Indonesia strengthen ties amid tariff hikes
Global trade concerns are a key topic of conversation between Australia and Indonesia as US trade tariffs wreak uncertainty among governments and markets.
Us excludes smartphones and computers from tariffs
The big tech industry can breathe a huge sigh of relief after President Donald Trump's administration exempted smartphones and computers from tariffs.
Trump tariff trouble to cast shadow on domestic market
While fresh insight into the Reserve Bank's rate decision is set to be revealed, all economic eyes will continue to be on the fallout from US-imposed tariffs.
US tariffs on imported semiconductor chips coming soon
Donald Trump has flagged new tariffs on smartphones, computers and some other electronics as the trade war saga sparks the most volatile markets in five years.
China’s Xi boosts Asian trade ties amid US tariff spat
President Xi Jinping has warned there are no winners in trade wars as he begins an Asian tour aimed at consolidating relations with China's neighbours.
China retaliates again in Trump’s escalating trade war
The White House says Donald Trump's trade advisors are aiming to strike trade deals during a 90-day tariff pause, as the global trade war continues.
Uncertainty the only sure-thing as market chaos reigns
Equities and commodities have whipsawed at the whims of erratic US trade policy but worrying signs are emerging in the plumbing that holds markets together.
EU puts countermeasures on hold after US tariff pause
US President Donald Trump abruptly backed down on his tariffs for most nations for 90 days, but has doubled-down on his tax rates for Chinese imports.
China raises tariffs on US goods to 125 per cent
China is raising tariffs on US goods from 84 per cent to 125 per cent as the trade war unleashed by US President Donald Trump continues to escalate.
China vows to ‘fight to the end’ over US tariffs threat
"The US ... threat to escalate tariffs against China is a mistake on top of a mistake ... again exposing the American side's blackmailing nature," China says.
Greens pushing Labor to scrap property tax breaks
Federal Labor has ruled out changes to property tax handouts, but the Greens will try to force the party to act on the issue if there's a hung parliament.
Australia looks to Asia, Europe amid US tariff turmoil
The prime minister has talked up regional opportunities as his government seeks to dispel fears of a recession following a tariff-induced market meltdown.
Workers win big as US giant grants Star casino’s wish
An international gaming giant has ventured across the world to save the flailing Star casinos after the company came close to entering administration.
Work on TikTok deal in a good place: US vice president
US Vice President JD Vance says a deal for non-Chinese ownership of TikTok will emerge before a weekend deadline.
China retaliates in global trade war with tariffs on US
Beijing is slapping levies on all US products in retaliation to President Donald Trump as his tariffs rock world markets and fuel fears of a global downturn.
US trade war may force all-out assault with rate cuts
An escalating trade war has slashed the odds of interest rate cuts for Australian mortgage-holders, including a potential mega cut weeks after the election.
US stocks savaged as China hits back in trade war
Markets have tumbled in Wall Street's worst crisis since the COVID-19 pandemic as investors fled after China retaliated against US tariffs.
Port becomes political football but is ‘not for sale’
A major port leased to a Chinese company is in the sights of a takeover as the coalition and Labor flag plans for it to be brought back into Australian hands.
Tariff risks US market crash for humble Aussie wines
Wine industry figures say the new US tariffs will increase costs throughout the supply chain and risk bulk American wine replacing affordable Australian drops.
China hit brakes on TikTok deal after Trump’s tariffs
US President Donald Trump says he is signing an executive order to keep TikTok running in the United States for another 75 days.
US tariffs start as Trump hails ‘economic revolution’
A baseline 10 per cent levy announced by US President Donald Trump has begun being collected at ports of entry across the United States.
Eat the problem: sea urchin pest-to-plate funding urged
Harvesting sea urchins from ocean beds they are grazing to oblivion has been hailed as a success yet more needs to be done to keep populations in check.
US tariff ‘medicine’ causes turmoil in global markets
As global financial markets plunge, sparking fears of a global trade war and recession, Donald Trump has doubled down on administering US tariff "medicine".
Asia stocks plunge, HK suffers steepest fall since 1997
Asian and European shares have plunged as US tariffs and China's backlash send world markets into meltdowns.