By using American banks as a cudgel against Russia, Joe Biden has shown his willingness to weaponise the US financial system against foes, continuing a tactic honed during the Obama years and dramatically ramped up under Donald Trump. Biden’s decision this week to ban US financial institutions from buying new …
Read More »TSMC faces pressure to choose a side in US-China tech war
The world’s largest contract chipmaker is under pressure to pick a side in the US-China rivalry for technological supremacy, posing a dilemma for a company that has become crucial to the global supply chain. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, which has been thrust into the spotlight in the midst of a …
Read More »Bid to forge ‘Global Britain’ can’t ignore Cairn’s India debt
The prime minister is headed to India, keen for an accord in support of “Global Britain”. It’s a shame the government isn’t as eager to defend past agreements on behalf of UK plc. While Britain tries to lay down foundations for a stronger economic partnership and further its strategic “tilt” …
Read More »Chinese economy grows by a record 18.3% in the first quarter
China’s economy expanded 18.3 per cent in the first three months of 2021, its fastest year-on-year rate for any quarter on record, highlighting the extent to which the country has rebounded from the coronavirus pandemic. Gross domestic product growth, which was marginally below expectations, was so unusually high because it …
Read More »FirstFT: Today’s top stories
How well did you keep up with the news this week? Take our quiz. US president Joe Biden has imposed sweeping new sanctions against Russia including long-feared measures targeting its government debt in a sharp escalation of Washington’s confrontation with Moscow. The first anti-Russian measures from the Biden administration also …
Read More »Sefcovic walks fine line in search for Northern Ireland breakthrough
Welcome back. Do you work in an industry that has been affected by the UK’s departure from the EU single market and customs union? If so, how is the change hurting — or even benefiting — you and your business? Please keep your feedback coming to brexitbrief@ft.com. Brussels thought high-level Brexit negotiation dinners …
Read More »Turkey’s new central bank chief leaves interest rate unchanged
Turkey’s central bank has left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at its first rate-setting meeting since a new governor was installed, but signalled that it could loosen policy if inflation showed signs of slowing. The monetary policy committee, chaired by Sahap Kavcioglu since his surprise appointment last month, kept the …
Read More »EU will struggle to shift euro clearing from London
FT premium subscribers can click here to receive Trade Secrets by email Hello from London, where relaxing lockdown rules means we can enjoy a pint in the pub and contemplate the biggest post-Brexit battle in financial services. It’s a high stakes game of poker for billions of dollars of capital …
Read More »MEPs set to endorse Brexit trade deal despite Northern Ireland tension
The European Parliament’s ratification of the EU’s trade deal with the UK is set to move a step closer on Thursday with lawmakers poised to endorse the agreement, despite tensions over new trading arrangements for Northern Ireland. European Parliament committees are to vote on the UK-EU deal, which has been …
Read More »EU fund gives ‘Greece 2.0’ chance to reset economic model
After more than a decade marked by economic and financial crises, Greece is looking to rebuild its economy with a plan to spend billions of euros from the EU’s post-pandemic recovery fund, and in the process to transform its industrial model, attract foreign investment and mend public finances. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greece’s …
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