U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday his intention to impose a 25% tariff on automobile imports, along with similar duties on semiconductor chips and pharmaceutical products. These measures add to an escalating series of trade actions that could significantly disrupt international trade…

Iron ore futures surged on Thursday as strong steel consumption data from China, the world’s top consumer, boosted sentiment and triggered a wave of short covering. The most-traded May iron ore contract on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) ended daytime trade up 2.26% at 837 yuan ($115.15) per metric ton, having earlier touched…

The European Union is considering investing in liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects abroad as part of a broader effort to lower energy prices and secure reliable supplies. The European Commission plans to “immediately engage” with dependable LNG suppliers to identify cost-competitive imports from both existing and future export projects…

U.S. oil giant Exxon Mobil is planning a meeting with Chilean officials to explore lithium investment opportunities, reflecting a growing trend among fossil fuel companies seeking to enter the critical minerals sector. Exxon is evaluating lithium projects in Chile, the world’s second-largest producer of the metal used in electric vehicle batteries…

China has launched a public consultation on new regulations aimed at tightening control over its rare earth industry, a sector where Beijing has previously used export restrictions as a strategic tool. The draft regulations, released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, propose stricter quotas for mining, smelting, and separation…

Toyota has stepped in to support LG Energy Solution’s EV battery plant in Michigan with a $1.5 billion order after General Motors backed out of the project. GM had originally planned the Lansing, Michigan facility as part of its Ultium Cells joint venture but decided to sell its stake in December. The transaction, which involves LG acquiring GM’s portion…

Rheinmetall has secured a deal with Germany’s armed forces to provide logistical support for troop redeployments both domestically and abroad. The framework agreement with the Bundeswehr, valued at up to 260 million euros ($271 million), will last for three years and can be extended until the end of 2029. As Europe’s largest ammunition…

Denmark will increase its military budget by 50 billion crowns ($6.99 billion) over the next two years to address urgent deficiencies, particularly in surface-to-air missile defense systems, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced on Wednesday. Following decades of defense cuts, Denmark had already pledged an additional 190 billion…