Archive for April 2025

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has said that the European Union needs “to be careful about what we put on the table” in tariff negotiations with the United States. Speaking RTÉ’s This Week, Mr Chambers said lowering tariffs between countries has been the basis of prosperity built over decades. “We want to preserve the…

The US government has granted tariff exclusions for smartphones, computers and other electronics imported largely from China, sparing them from President Donald Trump’s steep 125% reciprocal duties. In a notice to shippers, the US Customs and Border Protection agency published a list of tariff codes that will be excluded from the duties. The exclusions are…

New research from Ibec shows that flexible or hybrid working arrangements remain a critical factor for employee workplace wellness. The survey of more than 1,000 people found that 68% of employees highlighted hybrid or flexible work as key to their wellbeing, with 35% saying they would be willing to leave a high-paying job for one…

New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the country’s inflation rate rose to 2% on an annual basis in March compared to 1.8% a month earlier. This marked the first time that inflation has been at, or above, 2% since July 2024 when the rate of inflation was 2.2%. The CSO said that…

Oil prices rose today after settling more than $2 a barrel lower in the previous session, but were set to drop for a second week in a row on concerns over a prolonged trade war between the US and China. Brent futures rose 90 cents, or 1.4%, to $64.23 a barrel this morning, while US…

A new survey of homeowners, renters and prospective buyers reveals a big jump in younger age groups saying they are considering applying for social housing in response to housing affordability concerns. PTSB’s latest Reflecting Ireland research shows that 46% of people who are in the market to buy a home are now considering applying for…

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said any supports to help businesses affected by US tariffs needs to be “financially sustainable” in the medium and long-term. He was responding to calls for the introduction of a wage subsidy scheme in response to the tariffs. During Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil, Labour leader Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach…

European and Asian stocks extended a slide on Wall Street this morning as President Donald Trump pressed ahead with whopping 104% tariffs on Chinese goods, pummelling oil prices to four-year lows as global recession fears gripped financial markets. London’s FTSE index had dropped 2.2% in opening trade, while the Paris CAC was down 2.8% and…

Oil prices fell for a fifth day to their lowest since February 2021 today on looming demand concerns fuelled by an escalating tariff war between the US and China, the world’s two biggest economies, and a rising supply outlook. Brent futures dropped $1.39, or 2.21%, to $61.43 a barrel early this morning. US West Texas…

New figures today show that take-home grocery sales in Ireland increased by 3.4% over the four weeks to March 23 compared to the same time last year. Kantar said this marks the slowest market growth rate since November 2022, despite St Patrick’s Day celebrations and Pancake Tuesday falling during the period under review. Kantar also…