North America

The plan of convenience store giants Couche-Tard & Seven & i to sell thousands of stores in North America, to reduce regulatory concerns before a possible merger, is being tested by rival bidders. According to several antitrust experts and people who are familiar with the situation, it is likely that the two store operators will struggle to attract offers from other convenience stores chains. They may be wary about their own antitrust risks from a potential deal. Seven & i is the owner of the 7-Eleven chain, which operates more than 12,000 convenience stores in the U.S. Sources said that...

The head of a government funded fund warned that Japan would risk damaging its reputation if it refused to accept a foreign bid worth $47 billion for Seven & i Holdings, a retailer. This was based on the grounds of economic security. Keisuke Yokoo, the head of Japan Investment Company (JIC), said in an interview that his fund is also focused on improving JSR's performance after it bought out JSR last year for $6 billion. JIC was not involved in the Seven & i transaction, but Yokoo’s comments demonstrate that Japan’s business establishment may not be as protectionist as is...

These are the most popular stories from the Wall Street Journal. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. Chevron agreed to sell 70% of its East Texas Gas assets to TG Natural Resources for $525 Million as part its strategy to optimize the portfolio. Meta executives have asked U.S. officials in charge of trade to take action against a fine that is expected from the European Union and a cease-and-desist letter. SoftBank Group agreed to fund a for profit subsidiary of OpenAI with up to 40 billion dollars, which values the ChatGPT maker to $300...

Sources familiar with the plant's operations on Monday said that a fluidic catalytic cracked (FCC) in Motiva Enterprises refinery Port Arthur, Texas is expected to be closed for at least two weeks following a second failed restart attempt last weekend. On January 21, the unit called FCC3 and an alkylation was shut down for a planned two-month overhaul. FCCs transform gas oil into unfinished fuel, while alkylation systems convert refinery byproducts into components that are typically added to gasoline. Motiva didn't immediately respond to a comment request. Sources said that the second attempt to restart FCC3, which is capable of...

Lawrence Stroll, the team owner of the Silverstone-based outfit, said that the Aston Martin brand would be present in Formula One for many decades to come. Aston Martin has announced that it will raise more than 125 millions pounds ($161.9million) from Stroll, the company's chairman, as well as the sale of the stake in its F1 team, which is controlled and owned by the Canadian. The billionaire stated in a press release that "these moves demonstrate Aston Martin's position on the Formula One Grid is as secure and ever." Aston Martin and its British racing-green colours will continue to compete...

Analysts and traders claim that gold stocks in Comex storage facilities are likely to reach new records within the next few days, due to the possibility of tariffs preventing shipments from other countries to the United States. According to the latest data from Comex (part of CME group), gold in US warehouses has reached a record high of 43.3 millions troy ounces, worth $135 billion, compared with 17.1 in November, when Donald Trump became U.S. president. On Monday, spot gold prices soared to new highs of $3,100 an ounce. Bullion prices are up 19% this year, after a 27% increase...

The "Buy Canadian' movement has sent new waves of concern to the U.S. consumer companies who had hoped to sell their products in Canadian retail stores. Jessica Hung, CEO of California-based Parasol Co, said that the company has been working with a distributor since January to increase sales to new retailers, including convenience shops, in Canada. Hung said that the distributor, whom she declined to identify, had stopped working on the deal in early March due to the growing anti-American sentiment? Canada. Hung, referring the distributor, said that "they were instructed by a retail to pause any American-brand launch." They...

The oil markets shrugged Monday off the threat of U.S. president Donald Trump to impose tariffs on Russian oil buyers as the shock factor of the White House's barrage of threats begins to wear out with jaded traders. Analysts and traders have questioned the seriousness of Trump's proposal. Warren Patterson, ING's director of commodities strategy, said that the U.S. government's announcements on tariffs and other sanctions have a tired feel. He said that the market would not overreact until he could provide more concrete information. The price of oil fell on Monday. Brent crude futures, the most active, were down...

These are the most popular stories from the Financial Times. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. Headlines Volvo Cars brings former boss back to provide a'steady' hand Trump threatens to impose secondary tariffs on Russian Oil if there is no agreement on Ukraine Isar declares launch of rocket a success, despite first-time failure to reach orbit Task force urges to eliminate oil and gas windfall taxes before 2030 View the full article Volvo Cars has appointed Hakan Samuelsson as its new chief executive after warning last month of a potentially challenging 2025. Donald Trump,...

Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that if he felt Moscow was blocking his efforts in ending the war in Ukraine he would impose secondary tariffs ranging from 25% to 50%. These could begin within a month of no ceasefire. NBC reported that Trump told NBC News he felt angry and "pissed" when Russian president Vladimir Putin criticized Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president's leadership. Trump told NBC News on the phone that he plans to meet with Putin this coming week. Trump repeatedly promised to end the "ridiculous war" in Ukraine during his presidential campaign of 2024. He has been...

Donald Trump, the U.S. president, threatened Iran on Sunday with bombings and secondary duties if Tehran failed to reach an agreement with Washington regarding its nuclear program. In a phone interview with NBC News Trump stated that U.S. officials and Iranian officials are talking, but did not provide any further details. Trump warned that if they do not make a deal there would be bombing. "But if they do not make a deal I may impose secondary tariffs like I did in 2004." Trump, in his first term 2017-21, rescinded the U.S.'s participation in a 2015 agreement between Iran and...

The Trump administration ordered French companies that have contracts with the U.S. federal government to comply with its executive order prohibiting diversity, equity and inclusion programs. This highlights the extraterritorial impact of U.S. policy and their possible impact on European corporate practice. Companies have been asked to fill out a form entitled "Certification regarding compliance with applicable federal anti-discrimination law." The questionnaire has been seen. The move comes amid increasing economic and political tensions in the United States and Europe after Donald Trump's election, which was based on a "America First" platform. The differences in approaches between France and the...

London copper prices rose Tuesday, recovering from a 2-week-low hit the day before, as positive Chinese data overshadowed concerns about a possible global trade war caused by Trump's impending tariffs. The Caixin/S&P Global Manufacturing PMI rose to 51.2 from 50.8 in Feburary, driven by strong export orders and increased demand, reflecting manufacturing growth despite the potential threats of an escalating U.S. Trade War. As of 0711 GMT the benchmark three-month price for copper on London Metal Exchange (LME), had increased 0.7% to $9781.5 per metric tonne, recovering from Monday's 2-week low. Trump announced on Sunday that he will introduce reciprocal...

Elon Musk’s electric car brand's first quarter sales in France have been the lowest since 2021, according to data released on Tuesday. Tesla's sales have been in decline ahead of its much-anticipated Model Y midsize SUV launch. The billionaire CEO is a close ally to U.S. president Donald Trump and has courted far-right parties across Europe. Data from the French auto body PFA revealed that Tesla sold 3,157 cars in France in March, a drop of 36.83% from last year. This equates to 6,693 registrations for the first quarter. The PFA's share of the country's market dropped to 1.63% for...

The gold price reached a new record high on Tuesday as investors sought safe havens amid fears that President Donald Trump’s tariffs could fuel inflationary pressures or impede the economy. As of 0310 GMT spot gold was up 0.6% to $3,142.83 per ounce after reaching an all-time session high of $3145.38. U.S. Gold Futures increased 0.7% to $3171.80. The previous session saw bullion record its strongest quarter in precious metals' history, with one of the biggest upswings ever. "The anticipation of April 2 U.S. mutual tariffs has led the market participants to take a defensive stance. Some de-risk and turn...

Since returning to office in January, Donald Trump has issued numerous tariff threats. These range from a duty on all imports to a targeted tariff on certain sectors or countries. Trump's threats changed over time. This left other nations and business unclear as to what was next. It also created uncertainty for consumers and triggered a recent stock-market selloff. Here's a summary of Trump’s threats and actions in relation to trade. BROAD TARIFFS Trump's vision is based on a gradual roll-out of tariffs that will apply to all U.S. imported goods. Last month, Trump asked his team of economists to...

Gold prices have soared above $3,100 an ounce, marking the largest rally in precious metal history. Psychological levels were swept away by a cocktail factors, including concern about the fallout of impending U.S. Tariffs. On Monday, spot gold reached a new record price of $3128.06 an ounce. Gold prices rose due to uncertainty surrounding U.S. president Donald Trump's tariffs, as well as strong demand from central bankers, the expectation of an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve and geopolitical unrest in the Middle East and Europe. Bullion will record its largest quarterly increase since September 1986. It has already...

The CEO of Czech chemicals manufacturer Draslovka, Pavel Bruzek Jr., said that the company expects to earn more than a quarter of its total gross income in five years due to a growing demand for sodium-ion battery. In recent years, the company has grown and derived most of its revenue from U.S. operations. It has partnered with Natron Energy this month to supply Prussian Blue material for their batteries. Prussian Blue is made by Draslovka from sodium cyanide. It's a product that it produces in both the United States and Czech Republic. Bruzek said late on Friday that a Czech...

Six sources involved in the pricing discussions said that the premium for aluminium shipped to Japanese buyers from April to June is $182 per metric ton. This is a 20% drop compared to the current quarter as domestic demand remains weak. This is a lower figure than the $228 paid per ton in January-March and marks the first quarterly decrease in five quarters. However, it is still below the initial offers made by global producers of $245-$260 per ton. Japan is the largest Asian importer for premiums and light metals For primary metal shipments, it agrees to each quarter pay...

Gold prices soared to record levels on Monday, surpassing $3,100 an ounce, amid fears of inflation caused by U.S. Tariffs. The safe-haven investment is set to have its best quarter since 1986. Bullion has continued to rise, with the metal up 18% this year. Gold spot rose 1.1%, to $3,117.43 an ounce, at 0935 GMT. It had earlier reached a record of $3,128.06. U.S. Gold Futures rose 1.1% to $3149.60. Bullion prices rose by more than 27% in the past year, as several factors, such as a favorable monetary policy and robust central bank purchases, combined to encourage investors to...

Copper prices fell on Monday, their lowest in over two weeks. Worries about new U.S. Tariffs are due this week cushioned the losses by strong factory data coming from China's top metals consumer. The benchmark three-month copper price on the London Metal Exchange fell 0.7% at 9730.50 per metric tonne by 1000 GMT to its lowest level since March 13. The stock market and other financial markets were sent into a tailspin after U.S. president Donald Trump announced that he would introduce reciprocal tariffs to all countries this week. Data released on Monday revealed that China's manufacturing sector expanded at...

The rand of South Africa strengthened on Monday as the gold price reached a new high and the optimism about a budget agreement between the country's two largest partners grew. At 0728 GMT the rand was trading at 18,2375 per dollar, up 1.1% from its previous close. The rand's value fluctuated last week due to deadlock in budget negotiations, and concerns over U.S. president Donald Trump's proposed tariffs. The gold price reached a record high on Monday, as investors worried about a trade war around the globe and slowed economic growth in the world's largest economy turned to the safe...

These are the most popular stories from the New York Times' business pages. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. If he believes that Moscow is blocking the efforts of President Donald Trump to end the conflict in Ukraine, he will impose secondary duties of 25 to 50 percent on Russian oil buyers. Nearly 40 countries, including China and Russia, have voiced their opposition to the plan of The Metals Company, a Canadian miner, to begin seabed mining on the Pacific Ocean. The company applied for exploration permits and permits to the U.S. Department of...

Gold, the safe-haven asset, hit a new record high Friday. An index of global stocks fell as investors worried about a trade war that could be triggered by Trump's tariff decisions. The latest inflation figures were a source of frustration for U.S. traders, but Trump's 25% auto import tariff and his plans to impose a much wider levies on next week continued to be a cause for concern. All three major Wall Street indexes finished lower, and recorded their third consecutive loss. Communication services, consumer discretionary and technology stocks were the biggest losers. Utilities stocks finished higher. The Dow Jones...