Economy

Trump Threatens 200% Tariff on Wine, Champagne from France, other EU countries

This is Beirut 13/03 15:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump European Union United States France Tariffs

US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to impose 200-percent tariffs on wine, champagne and other alcoholic products from France and other European Union countries in retaliation against the bloc's planned levies on US-produced whiskey. "If this tariff is not removed immediately, the U.S. will shortly place a 200% Tariff on all wines, ...

Trade War Threatens Oil Demand Growth

This is Beirut 13/03 14:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Donald Trump USA IEA

Global oil demand growth is set to accelerate this year but the escalating trade war launched by US President Donald Trump threatens to disrupt the market, the International Energy Agency said Thursday. The IEA noted that crude prices dropped in February and early March as concerns grew about the impact of trade tensions on the global economy and ...

Behind the ScenesKulluna Irada: A Law-Breaking Association – Should Its License Be Revoked?

This is Beirut 13/03 09:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Lebanon Economy Banks

Kulluna Irada is an organization that claims to uphold the law, pursue corrupt individuals, and fight corruption in the name of good governance and reform. However, in practice, the activities of Kulluna Irada violate both the law and the objectives for which the organization was granted official recognition by the Ministry of Interior and ...

ExplainerOfficial Start of Negotiations with IMF, Jaber Confirms: No Write-Off of Deposits

This is Beirut 12/03 20:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Economy IMF Lebanon BDL

Lebanese authorities announced the resumption of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reach a final agreement that would grant the country loans while advancing its reform agenda. Talks between the Lebanese government and the IMF began on Wednesday, aiming for a staff-level agreement as a step toward broader negotiations to ...

Stocks advance on US inflation slowing, Ukraine ceasefire plan

This is Beirut 12/03 19:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Ukraine USA Donald Trump European Union Banks

Stock markets mostly rose on Wednesday on both sides of the Atlantic as investors shrugged off the latest US tariff moves to focus on cooling US inflation and a Ukraine ceasefire plan. Global markets have endured severe swings this month as US President Donald Trump looks to ramp up pressure on global partners by imposing or threatening ...

BDH: $100,000 to Support Aspiring Lebanese Homeowners

Christiane Tager 12/03 09:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Banks

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 ...

Trump Doubles Down on Canada Trade War

This is Beirut 11/03 17:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump Republicans United Arab Emirates United States USA

US President Donald Trump announced massive new tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum Tuesday, while threatening to "shut down" its auto industry and saying the best way to end the trade war was for Washington's ally to be absorbed into the United States. Trump's shock new threats came hours before a midnight deadline for ramping up the ...

83% of USAID programs to be scrapped, according to Rubio

This is Beirut 10/03 17:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

US Secretary of State USA Marco Rubio USAID

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday the United States was cancelling 83 percent of programs at USAID, as the Trump administration guts spending not aligned with its "America First" agenda. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) distributes humanitarian aid around the world, with health and emergency programs in around 120 ...

Stock Markets Slump on US, China Economic Fears

This is Beirut 10/03 16:50 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

USA Donald Trump European Union Stock markets China

Stock markets slipped on Monday as investors fretted over the impact of President Donald Trump's trade policy on the economic growth of the United States and China, the world's biggest economies. Wall Street's three main indexes opened in the red, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq falling two percent, after Trump himself declined to rule out the risk of ...

Figure of the weekNew Car Sales in 2024: A 25% Increase, But Still Below Pre-2018 Levels

Liliane Mokbel 08/03 22:05 - Reading : less than a minute

lebanon cars sales

In 2024, a total of 8,226 new cars were sold, representing a 25.05% increase compared to the 6,578 units sold in 2023, according to the International Chamber of Navigation of Beirut. However, despite this growth, the market for new car imports remains significantly below pre-2018 levels. By comparison, 21,991 vehicles were sold in 2019, 33,012 ...

Global Stocks Mixed As Trump Shifts on Tariffs Weighs on Sentiment

This is Beirut 08/03 09:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump Europe New York USA

Global stocks were mixed Friday as President Donald Trump's unpredictable tariff tinkering weighed down sentiment even as Wall Street stocks shot higher following reassuring comments from the head of the Federal Reserve. After a down day in Europe, US stocks looked poised for another rocky round following mixed employment data. Briefing.com ...

Trump's Tariff Rollback Brings Limited Respite As New Levies Loom

This is Beirut 08/03 09:40 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump USA Washington White House

US President Donald Trump imposed vast tariffs this week on key partners Canada and Mexico, roiling cross-border ties before offering temporary relief to manufacturers—but with more levies kicking in next week, the respite may be fleeting. US companies faced a series of duties starting Monday, with Trump doubling an additional levy on ...