Euro Surge: When Tanks Boost the Currency
Christiane Tager 11/04 20:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Since the beginning of March, the euro has enjoyed a notable resurgence on the markets. After a somewhat sluggish start to the year, the single currency has regained strength, trading around 1.14 US dollars on Friday — a rise of over 5%. An explainable performance that intrigues some, reassures others, and worries a few. Who would have thought ...
Donald Trump Strikes Again
Christiane Tager 10/04 21:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Donald Trump Europe United States China Tarifs
After 15 hours of market instability, US President Donald Trump put the brakes on his tariff measures. But China remains firmly in the crosshairs of the US president, now facing increased tariffs. Why such a rapid backpedal? Here’s a breakdown of this "pause on tariffs that lasted barely the blink of an eye." On Wednesday morning, global ...
Customs Duties: When China Gets Hit with a Tax — and We Get a Shock at the Checkout!
Christiane Tager 10/04 11:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Lebanon China Donald Trump Tarifs
American president Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he would suspend his “reciprocal” customs surtaxes for 90 days. However, this decision does not apply to China. With the new American customs duties taking effect — reaching an impressive 104% for certain Chinese products — many American companies that have long relied on China to ...
Diamonds: Precious Stones Under Siege
Christiane Tager 08/04 22:40 - Reading : less than a minute
Donald Trump USA India economy Tariffs
Over 80% of the world’s rough diamonds are polished in India, cementing the country’s status as the global epicenter of brilliance. Yet, the sparkle of this thriving industry is under threat. A 27% US tariff, introduced by Donald Trump, casts a long shadow over India’s diamond trade, while retaliatory measures from India add fuel to the ...
Black Monday: A Global Stock Market Rollercoaster
Christiane Tager 07/04 22:50 - Reading : 6 minute(s)
Donald Trump global markets stock exchange dollars
The rollout of new tariffs under Donald Trump's leadership has been enough to trigger what many are now calling an economic apocalypse. Global financial markets began tumbling as early as Friday, and it has only deepened this Monday. The Paris stock exchange has already wiped out all its gains for the year, opening down 6.46%, while London’s ...
Will China Overcome Trump’s Tariffs?
Christiane Tager 05/04 08:55 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
United States China Trade war Tariffs
The global stage is in full turmoil. Donald Trump, acting as the grand conductor, has introduced new tariffs that have shaken stock markets and spread panic across the world economy. But the curtain hasn’t dropped yet. China, a major player, is preparing its counterattack and will, as of April 10, impose a 34% tax on American products. The game ...
Trump's New Tariffs: A Storm Brewing in Troubled Waters
Christiane Tager 04/04 09:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
Donald Trump European Union Banks Europe Turkey
President Donald Trump's recent decision to impose historic tariffs on 185 countries and territories, announced on Thursday, has reverberated across the global economy. The repercussions of these tariffs will be felt worldwide, with Arab countries being especially impacted. Among the hardest-hit nations are Syria, Iraq, Libya, Algeria and Tunisia, ...
Eid Celebrations: Joy Amid Conflict’s Shadow
Christiane Tager 02/04 10:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
UN Security Council Dahyeh Europe Israel United Nations
Despite the psychological impact of the airstrikes, Ramzi Salman, the President of the Lebanese Guesthouses Syndicate, told This is Beirut on Tuesday that the Eid al-Fitr weekend saw a significant influx of visitors. According to Salman, guesthouses experienced relatively strong bookings, highlighting the sector’s resilience amid the ongoing ...
Trump’s Customs Tariffs: Aperitivo in Peril!
Christiane Tager 27/03 20:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Donald Trump Europe Wine Whiskey Taxes
Donald Trump’s economic formula is now well known: an explosive cocktail of customs tariffs! A threat that makes European winemakers and liquor producers shudder – with up to 200% in taxes on wine and spirits. As they might say in Scotland, “That’s a bit more sour than a good whisky without ice!” US President Donald Trump, who never ...
Alice Walton: The New Queen of Billions
Christiane Tager 27/03 15:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Alice Walton Walmart Bettencourt Arts
With an estimated net worth of $107.5 billion as of March — up from $95.8 billion in September 2024 — Alice Walton has overtaken France’s Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, daughter of the legendary L’Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt. At 74, Alice Walton is not a media darling—at least not in the way that her billionaire peers like Elon ...
Istanbul Mayor Arrested: An Economic Shock for Turkey
Christiane Tager 24/03 20:55 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Ekrem Imamoglu, mayor of Istanbul since 2019 and member of the Republican People's Party (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi or CHP in Turkish), the main opposition party, was incarcerated after being convicted of “public insults” against government officials. This development comes at a particularly difficult time for the Turkish economy, already ...
Historic Drought: Ecological and Economic Disasters
Christiane Tager 22/03 13:26 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
This year, Lebanon has experienced an exceptionally dry winter, with rainfall dropping by 70% compared to previous years. This prolonged drought is having devastating effects on multiple key sectors. Agriculture, water supply, energy, and even public health are all under threat due to the lack of precipitation. The consequences of this drought are ...
Eggflation: When Eggs Turn into a Pricey Luxury!
Christiane Tager 21/03 14:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Over the course of just one year, the price of eggs in the US has surged, jumping from under $2.52 in February 2024 to $8 per dozen in February 2025—a staggering increase of more than 65%. So, what’s behind this sudden price spike? The avian flu epidemic is a major factor. The outbreak has devastated millions of egg-laying hens in the US, with ...
The Healthcare Crisis: A Standoff Between Hospitals and Insurance Companies
Christiane Tager 20/03 14:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Hospitals Insurance medical health
The conflict between the hospital owners' syndicate and insurance companies remains unresolved. Hospitals say they are grappling with soaring inflation and steadily rising operating costs, prompting them to demand a 15% increase in hospital fees. According to hospital executives, this adjustment is essential to offset the rising costs of ...
Gas: Tender for Blocks 8 and 10 Extended Until March 31
Christiane Tager 18/03 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Lebanon was also expected to advance its offshore energy resources by announcing the results of the third bidding round for gas exploration in Blocks 8 and 10 on March 17. These strategically important blocks are expected to attract major international oil and gas companies. Securing strong bids would bolster investor confidence and mark a key ...
Saudi Arabia: Peace Mediator or Economic Strategist?
Christiane Tager 15/03 12:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
By hosting talks between the United States and Ukraine, Saudi Arabia seeks to establish itself as an essential mediator in global affairs. Traditionally recognized as a key player in the energy sector due to its vast oil reserves, the kingdom now aspires to expand its influence beyond energy. By facilitating peace negotiations, it demonstrates its ...
Engines Revving: A Cautious Rebound for Auto Loans in Lebanon
Christiane Tager 13/03 21:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
After years of economic hardship, Lebanese citizens are finally beginning to see the possibility of replacing their vehicle or purchasing one for the first time. Auto loans, previously halted due to the devaluation of the Lebanese pound, banking restrictions and the financial crisis, are now being offered again, though in a very limited capacity ...
BDH: $100,000 to Support Aspiring Lebanese Homeowners
Christiane Tager 12/03 09:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
The Housing Bank (BDH) is set to dramatically increase its loans, raising the amount from $50,000 to $100,000 with support from the Qatari Development Fund. BDH President Antoine Habib confirmed to This is Beirut that “the bank will soon offer $100,000 housing loans to low and middle-income individuals, as well as those with special needs, with ...
China's Counterattack: Punitive Tariffs in Retaliation to Trump
Christiane Tager 07/03 11:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
Shortly after taking office, US President Donald Trump imposed a 10% tariff increase on Chinese goods, raising the total duties on imports from China to 20%. Trump criticized China for not doing enough “to curb the flow of fentanyl, a potent opioid, into the US,” as stated by the White House on X. In retaliation, the Chinese government ...
Global Markets Shaken by Trump’s Tariff Policies
Christiane Tager 05/03 12:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Shortly after assuming office, US President Donald Trump announced in February the imposition of a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, along with an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods, bringing the total to 20%. He criticized Beijing, Ottawa and Mexico for not doing enough to “combat the flow of fentanyl (a potent opioid) into the ...
The Anticipated Return of Lebanese-Saudi Relations
Christiane Tager 04/03 10:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Trade relations between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia have long been prosperous, with Lebanese exports reaching over $800 million per year and Saudi imports totaling $1.3 billion. However, political tensions have severely affected these exchanges, reducing their volume by more than half and causing a considerable loss of revenue for Lebanon. Could the ...
Food Products and Prices: Ramadan Marked by Abundance and Stability
Christiane Tager 28/02 22:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
During Ramadan, families devote extra care to their meals, increasing food expenses by 18.2%, according to a 2024 survey. More of their budget goes toward iftars and suhoors, with a preference for traditional products and Ramadan-specific dishes. However, after years of crises and conflicts, many Lebanese are worried about product availability and ...
Hello… Hello, Everything Is Falling Apart!
Christiane Tager 28/02 11:10 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Lebanon Telecommunication Alpha Touch
Everything is falling apart! It's nearly impossible to normally connect to the web or make a phone call without constant interruptions. To make matters worse, outages and technical failures continue to spread across the country, even though the price hikes needed to sustain the sector have already been enforced. It’s long overdue for urgent ...
From Drought to Frost: A Disrupted Winter for Agriculture
Christiane Tager 26/02 11:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)
After an unusually dry and warm start to winter, a severe cold wave and snowfall have hit Lebanon, causing major disruptions in the agricultural sector, particularly affecting sensitive crops. Farmers are facing a delicate situation as exceptionally low temperatures challenge the resilience of their plantations. Agriculture is grappling with ...
Caroline Fattal Ranks 6th in Forbes Middle East’s 10 Most Influential Businesswomen
Christiane Tager 25/02 21:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Lebanon Forbes Caroline Fattal
Caroline Fattal, president of the eponymous group, has secured the sixth spot in Forbes Middle East’s ranking of the 10 most influential businesswomen leading family businesses in the Middle East. She thus establishes herself as a key figure in family business in the region. President of the Fattal Group since 2022, Caroline Fattal became the ...
Potential Increase in Hospital Fees and Insurance Premiums
Christiane Tager 25/02 10:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Tensions persist between the Lebanese Hospital Owners' Syndicate and the Association of Insurance Companies. The conflict stems from a decision by the former, chaired by Sleiman Haroun, to increase hospital fees contracted with insurance companies by 15%, citing the need to “continue providing quality services to insured patients.” After ...
14 Billion Dollars: The Devastating Losses of the Hezbollah-Israel Conflict
Christiane Tager 21/02 22:05 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Hezbollah Israel European Union Gulf Damage War
$14 billion! That is the historic and no less colossal amount of damage caused by the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. This sum includes both material damage and economic losses. The reconstruction costs are estimated at around $12 billion. For Nassib Ghobril, chief economist at Byblos Bank, economic losses amount to at least $3 ...
After the Withdrawal Limit Increase: What About BDL Reserves?
Christiane Tager 20/02 22:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)
Lebanon Economy Banks Central Bank
In a highly anticipated move, Lebanon’s Central Bank (BDL) announced on Wednesday an increase in the withdrawal limits for Circulars 158 and 166, raising them to $500 and $250 per month, respectively, effective March 1. While the decision was welcomed by depositors, it has sparked concerns over its cost and potential impact on BDL’s reserves ...
End of the Road for the Bidding Process on Exploration of Blocks 8 and 10
Christiane Tager 19/02 20:50 - Reading : 4 minute(s)
Lebanon will close, on March 17, the third round of bidding for gas exploration in blocks 8 and 10 of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), located off its coast. This project could be a major breakthrough for the country in terms of energy security and economic development. These bids are seen as an opportunity to attract foreign investment and tap ...
Electricity: Why Is Lebanon on the Brink of a Blackout?
Christiane Tager 18/02 16:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)
The country is now facing yet another major energy crisis. According to sources at Electricité du Liban (EDL), the available fuel will last only about eight more days, threatening a complete blackout by February 25. This fuel shortage comes amid significant delays in shipments, sparked by contested tests on the fuel. “Shady dealings” ...