US ‘not going to rush’ trade deals ahead of deadline
With the threat of US tariffs looming, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says his government is more focused on the quality of trade deals, not their timing.
economy, business and finance
Trump touts deal with Indonesia, flags pharma tariffs
President Donald Trump says he has agreed to a tariff deal on goods entering the US from Indonesia.
PM retraces predecessor’s steps on China’s Great Wall
Anthony Albanese has used a visit to the Great Wall of China to emphasise Australia's wish to engage on ways to build regional security and stability.
Rising cost to build a wake-up call on housing dream
Australians looking to build their own homes are facing a reality check as construction costs rise, with the increase likely to also weigh on inflation.
Change to be forced on ‘violent, misogynist’ CFMEU
An administrator has vowed to sack more CFMEU members to initiate a culture change after a report exposed the union's aggressive intimidation tactics.
Indigenous product makers taking home the chocolates
Demand for Indigenous products across the Asia-Pacific region is strong, as the founder of this chocolate manufacturing business well knows.
Trump slaps big tariff on Canada, eyes hikes for others
In the latest salvo of US President Donald Trump's trade war, he wants to hit Canada with 35 per cent tariffs and other nations with levies up to 20 per cent.
Fire ants in coal mine sound agriculture alarm
Biosecurity authorities are on alert after destructive fire ants were found at a coal mine 800 kilometres from the previous infestation zone.
EU waits as Trump keeps world guessing on tariff plans
European Union officials believe they may receive a letter from US President Donald Trump outlining tariff levels for the bloc.
Fears heritage-listed rock art at risk from gas project
A vast collection of rock art has been recognised as a World Heritage site but advocates warn the engravings are under threat from industrial expansion.
PM to walk diplomatic tightrope in crucial China visit
Business opportunities will rub up against security and ideological tensions as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese leads an Australian delegation to China.
Trump intensifies trade war with threat of new tariffs
In an escalation of the global trade wars, US President Donald Trump has slapped the EU and Mexico with 30 per cent tariffs.
Clouds of war shroud PM’s sunny China tourism pitch
The prime minister has called on an ex-Socceroo and a Chinese film star to promote Sino-Australian ties while facing an untimely reminder of regional tension.
All signs point to jobs market holding firm in new data
Forward indicators suggest Australia's unusually low unemployment rate will stay steady in fresh data set to be released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Political tensions muddy PM’s Chinese green steel push
Efforts to end Chinese ownership of an Australian port highlight challenges to the prime minister's ambition to grow business ties between the two nations.
SKorea trade envoy hoping for deal with US by deadline
South Korea is racing to reach a compromise trade pact in the hope of avoiding a 25 per cent tariff slapped on exports by US President Donald Trump.
China hails PM’s ‘personal efforts’ to restore ties
China's premier has applauded Anthony Albanese's efforts to restore Chinese-Australian relations after they had reached "a low point" in recent years.
Consumer win in card surcharge cut as business bristles
Scrapping surcharges could save Australians about $1.2 billion, but small businesses think they will have to foot the bill.
Affordability ‘tipping point’ nudges renters into units
A slowdown in rental growth even with still-low vacancy rates suggests renters have maxed out on what they can afford.
Trump sends more tariff letters after spat with Brazil
US President Donald Trump has issued a round of tariff letters to eight countries: the Philippines, Brunei, Moldova, Algeria, Iraq, Libya, Sri Lanka and Brazil.
Trump threatens Aussie medicines with bitter tax pill
One of Australia's biggest US exports has been threatened with hefty tariffs, but many doubt whether Donald Trump will actually impose the measure.
Trump vows steep copper tariffs, broadens trade war
US President Donald Trump announced a 50 per cent tariff on copper and warned off a 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals in his latest trade announcements.
Direct route for scammers as Qantas hack scale revealed
Almost six million Qantas customers could experience phishing scams for months to come as they learn what personal data has been exposed in a cyber attack.
Qantas’s two-day hack delay fuels customer scam fears
Australia's biggest airline could face a repeat of the hack that exposed millions of customer details, one expert says.
PM puts lid on GST hikes, pledges boost for business
Clearing red tape for businesses will be a key part of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's productivity push, but raising the GST is unlikely to be on his agenda.
Green hydrogen powers back up with major funding
The federal energy minister is not giving up on Australia's green hydrogen dream despite setbacks, with a new project in line for government incentives.
Tariff letters to 12 countries going out Monday: Trump
The US is about to send "take it or leave it" offers to a dozen countries telling them what tariffs they'll face within weeks, President Donald Trump says.
Back-to-back rate cuts tipped when Reserve Bank meets
The Reserve Bank of Australia's interest rate meeting is set to take top billing as markets expect the board to hand down another cut.
Trade deal-making ramps up ahead of US tariff deadline
Several trade deals are close to being struck, US President Donald Trump says as the deadline approaches for higher tariffs on imports to America.
‘Get on with it’: next move key with rate cut baked in
With markets all but assured the Reserve Bank board will cut interest rates at its upcoming meeting, the bigger question for traders is what they say next.
Israeli air strikes on Yemen ports target Houthi rebels
Ports and other facilities in Yemen have been hit by Israeli air strikes before missile fire from Houthi rebels, who are suspected of attacking another ship.