Dutch consumer groups prepare legal action against Booking.com, alleging inflated hotel prices
The Consumer Competition Claims Foundation (CCC) and the Consumers' Association said in a statement that Booking.com had allegedly been charging consumers too much for hotel rooms for years, leading to "hundreds of millions of euros in damage to Dutch consumers".
"We have done research and it shows that Booking has been violating competition rules and consumer law since January 2013," CCC Chairman Bert Heikens said.
Booking.com did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
In 2024, the EU's top court ruled that Booking.com's restrictions against hotels offering lower rates on their websites or on rival sites were unnecessary and could reduce competition, but also that such clauses were not anti-competitive under EU laws.
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New York Post
3 minutes ago
- New York Post
Trump's Aug. 1 tariff deadline is set in stone, Lutnik says: ‘No extensions, no more grace periods'
President Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs — set to kick in Friday — are set in stone this time and will not be delayed again, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Sunday. 'No extensions, no more grace periods. Aug. 1, the tariffs are set; they'll go into place. Customs will start collecting the money, and off we go,' Lutnick said on 'Fox News Sunday.' 'Obviously, after Aug. 1, people can still talk to President Trump. I mean, he's always willing to listen, and between now and then, I think the president is going to talk to a lot of people. Whether they can make him happy is another question.' Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff rate on all imports to the US and announced a set of customs rates against virtually every country on the planet during his April 2 'Liberation Day' push. The customized tariff rates were slated to take effect on April 9, but then got delayed 90 days and then postponed again until Aug. 1. 3 Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said there won't be a grace period for the Aug. 1 tariff deadline. Fox News 3 President Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs are set to kick in on Aug. 1 for countries that didn't cut a deal with him. Getty Images In the time since, Trump has announced preliminary trade deals with the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines. Additionally, the Trump administration reached a tariff truce with China and set an Aug. 12 deadline to cut a broader deal. Lutnick stressed that Trump is prioritizing the 'big economies' right now. That includes the European Union. Trump met with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday during his four-day trip to the United Kingdom. 'We set the table. The team sets the table. But Donald Trump does his negotiations by himself,' he emphasized. The EU is a bloc of 27 countries that, taken together, is one of America's largest sources of trade. Negotiations with the EU have proven to be lengthy and tricky for Trump. Trump has a variety of tariffs in place now, such as a 25% rate on automobiles, aluminum, and steel, as well as 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico that don't comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. He's also recently mused about jacking up tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Lutnick touted the revenue gains from those tariffs. 3 President Trump has endeavored to overhaul US trade relations during his second term. AP 'What's going to happen is very few products are actually going to move in price,' he predicted. 'And basically $700 billion, $800 billion, maybe it's possible we get near a trillion dollars of revenue, will come into the United States of America, reducing our deficit.' 'What do you think is paying for no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security, right?' he added. 'I think if you take a look at the whole thing, it's going to be fantastic.' Trump has also flexed tariffs in the geopolitical realm. On Saturday, he spoke with the leaders and Cambodia and Thailand, informing them that US trade negotiations will stop unless they cease fighting over a long-contested section of the border. On July 15, the president also threatened Russia with 100% secondary tariffs on Russian oil if it fails to make a deal with neighboring Ukraine. That threat could complicate US trade relations with China and India in particular, which have been taking advantage of cheap Russian oil due to the sanctions on Moscow.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The US is nearing a trade deal with Europe. Will Trump stand in the way?
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is flying to Scotland to meet directly with President Donald Trump on Sunday, in a sign that a trade deal with America's largest trading partner is within sight. But European diplomats aren't counting on a deal until it is officially rolled out, after being burned before by Trump's penchant for last-minute reversals. That's because the president's modus operandi when it comes to trade deals is clear: He wants to deal one-on-one with foreign leaders, applying an arm twist at the highest level to try and eke out final concessions. That doesn't work as well with the European Union, the 27-nation bloc that makes decisions, literally, by committee. That fundamental issue has turned the talks between the EU and the Trump administration into a series of stops and starts, as negotiators painstakingly piece together compromises, only for them to be slapped down when presented to Trump or European countries. And it's why, even as the von der Leyen-Trump meeting raises hopes of reaching a deal to avoid a stiff U.S. tariff increase Aug. 1, they are not counting on it. 'Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed,' said one EU diplomat. 'I guess everyone is quite tense,' said another. Trump himself underscored the uncertainty Friday after touching down in Scotland for what initially was billed as a weekend golf getaway. "I will be meeting with the EU on Sunday and we will be working on a deal. ... Ursula will be here. A highly respected woman. So, we look forward to that. That will be good," he told reporters, adding, "I think we have a good 50-50 chance. That's a lot." Asked about what issues are still under discussion, he replied, "I don't want to tell you what the sticking points are. But the sticking points are having to do with maybe 20 different things. You don't want to listen to all of them." Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration about dealing with the EU, a bloc that he claims was created to 'screw' the U.S. One senior White House official said Trump still holds out hope, however improbable, of cutting deals with individual EU member countries, particularly Germany, whose influential auto sector has been pummeled by Trump's 25 percent tariff on cars and car parts. Per EU rules, however, only the European Commission can negotiate trade deals for member countries, with input from the European Parliament and the heads of state for each nation. 'Yes, it's complicated with the EU,' said the official, who was granted anonymity to describe the president's thinking on the matter. 'But if some of these countries had the opportunity to do a deal with us on their own, they would jump at the chance.' It's true that, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has observed on several occasions, the EU 'has a collective action problem,' with leading economies like Germany and France pushing different priorities and negotiating strategies. Germany's conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz has lobbied hard for an accord that would offer some relief to the country's powerful auto industry, while French President Emmanuel Macron has led calls to tough things out with Trump by backing retaliatory tariffs and calling to activate the EU's so-called trade bazooka — the Anti-Coercion Instrument — an all-purpose weapon that would only need supermajority support to hit back against the U.S. But Merz and Macron met in Berlin on Wednesday and pledged to present a united front on trade issues during a series of meetings seeking to bolster a flailing Franco-German relationship. And EU countries on Thursday approved plans to retaliate with tariffs on approximately $109 billion worth of U.S. goods, if no deal materializes and the U.S. ratchets up its duties. More problematic at this point: Trump's penchant for adding his own last-minute spin to the trade agreements his negotiators have spent months hashing out, sometimes to the point where he has sent countries back to the negotiating table. With each of the preliminary deals the administration has reached this summer, Trump has held a final call with the country's leader, using the opportunity to demand additional concessions or alter key terms in his government's favor. That may not work with von der Leyen, who acts on behalf of the bloc's members and doesn't have the discretion to accept last-minute changes. 'I might anticipate that there would be some latitude from the Commission,' said Daniel Mullaney, a former assistant U.S. trade representative who negotiated with Europe. 'But yeah, if something comes in at the last minute which is outside of the realm of what was consulted on with the member states, it could be challenging.' The EU is currently rallying around a deal that would apply a 15 percent tariff on goods from its member states — higher than the current 10 percent rate that Trump imposed on all countries in early April but half the 30 percent rate the president threatened in a July 12 letter. According to four diplomats, who were granted anonymity to discuss the confidential negotiations, the deal would largely mirror an accord the U.S. clinched with Japan earlier this week. Cars and car parts would also see their tariff reduced from the 25 percent duty Trump set on all auto imports in May to 15 percent. Other sectors that got hit by U.S. tariffs, like steel and aluminum, are still under discussion. According to one EU official, the 50 percent tariff Trump has imposed on steel and aluminum remains a key sticking point, as well as other sector-specific tariffs the White House is threatening on industries like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and aerospace. 'There is total uncertainty on that, what we can get on that,' said the official, who was granted anonymity to discuss the private conversations. Trump on Friday played down the chances of lowering his steel tariffs, telling reporters he did not have much wiggle room to provide more generous terms because 'if I do it for one, I have to do it for all.' The EU has already been close to a deal once before but has been confounded by what they see as Trump's unpredictable behavior. Members said that they had an agreement waiting for Trump's approval earlier this month but that the president rejected it because it was too bureaucratic, according to two EU officials who were briefed on the discussions, granted anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks. One official said Trump "smacked it down for the lack of enough 'wins.'' A White House official, granted anonymity to discuss private conversations, said no agreement was reached earlier this month; instead, the EU had sent an offer, and the administration did not find it suitable. The official agreed that any final deal with the EU will be decided by Trump. "He's ultimately the one who makes the deal," the official said. Other world leaders have confronted similar problems — and concluded that the only way to address the issue is to hold one-on-one meetings with Trump, as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is doing this weekend in Scotland. While Starmer and Trump reached a preliminary trade deal in May to lower some U.S. duties on British goods, they have yet to come to hash out the terms for a promised 'alternative arrangement' for steel and aluminum tariffs, a top priority for the British government. The golfing visit is "an opportunity for the PM to build personal rapport with Trump,' said one U.K. government adviser, granted anonymity to speak candidly about the visit. 'They have a good relationship, but this is where Starmer will need to shine in an informal setting." Trump has recently insisted that any trade deal will require other countries to open their markets. The president has claimed that Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam will drop all tariffs on U.S. goods as part of their trade agreements. Officials from those countries, however, have either not substantiated or have publicly challenged those claims. On Tuesday, he announced a deal with Japan in which the country has pledged to lower tariff barriers on U.S.-made cars and import more agricultural goods, like rice. Trump told reporters Friday morning that while he wasn't overly confident about reaching a deal with the EU, he was still more optimistic than he had been about coming to terms with Japan in the days before that agreement was finalized. 'I would have said we have a 25 percent chance with Japan. And they kept coming back, and we made a deal,' he said. Dan Bloom and Andrew McDonald contributed to this story from London. Koen Verhelst contributed from Brussels. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump tariffs live updates: China truce extension reported, Lutnick discusses EU deal potential
The South China Morning Post reported on Sunday that "Beijing and Washington are expected to extend their tariff truce by another three months at trade talks in Stockholm beginning on Monday." Also on Sunday, with President Trump in Scotland for negotiations with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that the EU has to open its markets for US exports if it wants to convince Trump to reduce the 30% tariff he's threatened to put in place August 1. "The question is, do they offer President Trump a good enough deal that is worth it for him to step off of the 30% tariffs that he set," Lutnick told Fox News, adding that Trump was looking to increase access for U.S. firms. On Friday, Trump put the odds of a trade deal with the European Union at "50-50," even as negotiators from both sides have expressed optimism about reaching a deal before the Aug. 1 deadline. Trump also said that letters dictating tariff rates for over 200 countries would go out soon while his administration works to clinch deals with larger trade partners, including the EU, India, and Canada. Trump said the US hasn't had a "lot of luck" with Canada and suggested he may impose threatened 35% levies on goods not covered by the US-Canada-Mexico trade agreement. President Trump last week touted a $550 billion investment in the US that Japan made as part of trade negotiations that set a 15% tariff on goods imported into the US from Japan. On Saturday, Japanese trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa suggested the money could be used to help finance a Taiwanese chipmaker building plants in the US. Akazawa did not name a specific Taiwanese company, but in March, Taiwan's TSMC announced a $100 billion investment in the US, on top of plans to build three plants in Arizona, one of which is already operating. "For example, if a Taiwanese chipmaker builds a plant in the U.S. and uses Japanese components or tailors its products to meet Japanese needs, that's fine too," he said. In any case, the Japan trade deal may have set a precedent for Trump's new baseline tariff rate. As the US finalized the deal with Japan and advanced talks with the EU, Trump said tariffs would range from 15% to 50%, with tougher partners facing higher rates. Trump's April "Liberation Day" tariffs had set a baseline rate of 10% on all US trading partners. Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet Here are the latest updates as the policy reverberates around the world. Lutnick: EU has to offer Trump 'a good enough deal' to avoid 30% tariffs As President Trump prepares for a planned meeting about tariffs with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Sunday that the European Union has to open its markets for US exports if it wants to convince Trump to reduce the 30% tariff he's threatened to put in place August 1. Reuters reports Lutnick said the EU appeared to want to make a deal: On Friday, Trump said the odds of a trade deal with the EU were about "50-50," even as negotiators from both sides expressed optimism. Read more here. LG says consumers rushed to buy appliances ahead of tariffs Tariffs remain a key concern for South Korean appliance maker LG Electronics ( The company said that if President Trump's blanket tariffs take effect on Aug. 1, it will adjust prices and move some production to its plants in Mexico and the US. LG produces its products worldwide, particularly in South Korea, China, and Vietnam. On Aug. 1, imports from South Korea face a 25% tariff, while those from Vietnam face a 20% tariff. Imports from China are estimated to face tariffs of roughly 50%, though that could change after US and Chinese officials meet in Sweden for the next round of trade talks. According to LG, consumers rushed to purchase items in the first half of the year to avoid tariffs. Still, the company's net profit fell 3.1% in Q2 as operating costs increased. "Some consumers have been rushing to make purchases before the tariffs take effect," an executive said on the earnings call. "In the first half of 2025, we achieved approximately 3% growth year over year, higher than the market demand with new product launches and efficient sales operations, continuing to strengthen our market presence." But that pull-forward in demand could signal weakness ahead in the months to come if trade tensions escalate again. "A rise in product costs driven by the 50% tariff on steel and reciprocal tariffs that are set to be applied in the latter half of the year could translate into greater uncertainties for the market price," the executive said. "Additionally, shifts in the US government's trade policies and weakening consumer sentiment cast doubt on the demand outlook for home appliances." This isn't the first time LG has grappled with US protectionist policies. In 2018, during Trump's first term, washing machine prices rose when Trump targeted the industry with tariffs. Japan says $550 billion investment could finance Taiwanese chipmaker in US The $550 billion President Trump said Japan gave to the US "to lower their tariffs a little bit," could be used to help finance a Taiwanese chipmaker building plants in the US, the Associated Press reported Saturday. Trump on Thursday called the $550 billion "seed money" and that 90% of profits from the money invested would go to the US. "It's not a loan or anything, it's a signing bonus," Trump said. Read more here. More cracks form in the US-Japan trade agreement We detailed earlier (keep scrolling) some initial, if gentle, pushback from the Japanese side on the US portrayal of the countries' trade deal. The Financial Times has a good, detailed look at some of the "cracks" forming: Read more here (subscription required). EU head to meet with Trump this weekend in bid to clinch deal Bloomberg reports that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet with President Trump this weekend as he travels to his golf club in Scotland in a bid to secure a trade deal. The meeting will come as the two sides race to secure a deal ahead of next Friday — Trump's self-imposed deadline for 30% tariffs on EU goods to kick in. On Friday, Trump put the odds of a deal at "50-50." From the report: Trump: 'We haven't really had a lot of luck with Canada' President Trump on Friday expressed pessimism on US trade negotiations with Canada, suggesting he may simply impose threatened 35% tariffs on Canadian goods not covered by the existing US-Canada-Mexico trade agreement. "We haven't really had a lot of luck with Canada. I think Canada could be one where there's just a tariff, not really a negotiation," he said. More from Reuters: Boston Beer Company says strong profits helped brewer absorb tariff costs The Boston Beer Company (SAM) continues to feel the effects of President Trump's tariffs, but a strong quarter of sales and profit is helping the Samuel Adams brewer absorb some of those cost increases. Boston Beer expects tariffs to add about $15 million to $20 million in costs for the full year. Previously, it modeled tariff costs of $20 million to $30 million. Expect the company to raise prices by 1% to 2% to offset some of the costs as well, executives said. Boston Beer did see tariffs negatively affect its gross margin toward the end of the second quarter, but it benefited from improved brewery efficiencies. For the second quarter, the company reported profits of $5.45 per share on revenue of $625 million, versus estimates for earnings of $4.00 per share on $588 million, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. "Right now, I think we're very happy with the performance," Boston Beer CEO Michael Spillane said on the earnings call. "Not only that, but that's allowed us to offset some of the tariffs that we've seen so far." Some headlines from Trump on tariffs this morning Via Bloomberg: Trump: US will sell 'so much' beef to Australia President Trump said on Thursday that the US will sell "so much" beef to Australia, following Canberra relaxing import restrictions. Trump added that other countries who had refused US beef products were on notice. Reuters reports: Read more here. World's No. 3 automaker Kia takes $570M tariff hit in Q2 Reuters reports: Read more here. Puma shares dive after warning of full-year loss, US tariff impact Puma ( shares fell 17% on Friday after the sportswear brand said that it now expects an annual loss due to a decline in sales and US tariffs denting profit. Reuters reports: Read more here. LG Energy Solution warns of slowing EV battery demand due to U.S. tariffs, policy headwinds Reuters reports: South Korean battery firm LG Energy ( Solution warned on Friday of a further slowdown in demand by early next year due to U.S. tariffs and policy uncertainties after it posted a quarterly profit jump. Its major customers Tesla (TSLA) and General Motors (GM) warned of fallout from U.S. tariffs and legislation that will end federal subsidies for EV purchases on September 30. "US tariffs and an early end to EV subsidies will put a burden on automakers, potentially leading to vehicle price increases and a slowdown in EV growth in North America," CFO Lee Chang-sil said during a conference call. Read more here. Japan, US differ on how trade-deal profits will be split Japan said Friday that profits from the $550 billion investment deal with the US will be shared based on how much each side contributes. A government official suggested the US will also put in significant funds, but details of the scheme remain unclear. The White House had announced earlier in the week that the US would retain 90% of the profits from the $550 billion US-bound investment and loans that Japan would exchange in return for reduced tariffs on auto and other exports to the US. This would mean that returns would be split 10% for Japan and 90% for the US, according to the White House official, and that it would be "based on the respective levels of contribution and risk borne by each side." Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. US business activity rises; tariffs fuel inflation concerns US business activity rose in July, but companies increased the prices for goods and services, supporting the view from economists that inflation will accelerate in the second half of 2025 and it will mainly be due to tariffs on imports. Reuters reports: Read more here. It sounds like Trump now has a new minimum tariff rate: 15% President Trump set a new rhetorical floor for tariffs on Wednesday night in comments in a shift that raises the president's baseline rate from 10%. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul writes: Read more here. Keurig Dr. Pepper brewer sales volume drops 22%, CEO says tariff impacts 'will become prominent' Keurig Dr. Pepper CEO Tim Cofer said that tariffs are putting additional pressure on the company in an earnings call Thursday, especially when it comes to its coffee business, which KDP expects to be "subdued" for the remainder of the year. "Commodity inflation will build as we roll into the back half and we roll into our higher cost hedges on green coffee," Cofer said. "The tariff impacts will become prominent. And we all know that tariff situation is a bit fluid." Keurig is one of the biggest coffee importers in the US, along with Starbucks (SBUX) and Nestle (NSRGY). The US sources most of its coffee from Brazil, which is set to face 50% tariffs on its products on Aug. 1, and Colombia, which faces a tariff rate of 10%. In Keurig's coffee business, appliance volume decreased 22.6% during the quarter, reflecting impacts of retailer inventory management, and K-Cup pod volume decreased 3.7%, reflecting category elasticity in response to price increases, the company reported. "Our retail partners will likely continue to manage their inventory levels tightly, in particular on brewers," Cofer commented. "And then finally, you know we did a round of pricing at the beginning of the year. We've announced another round of pricing that will take effect next month, and we'll need to closely monitor how that elasticity evolves." Read more about Keurig earnings here. The EU's Trump insurance As my colleague detailed below, EU member states voted to impose tariffs on over $100 billion of US goods from Aug. 7. The Financial Times reported that this move that allows the bloc to impose the levies quickly at any point in the future should its trade relationship with the US take a turn for the worse. From the report: Read more here (subscription required). Europe approves $100B-plus tariff backup plan A report in the Wall Street Journal on Thursday said that the European Union has now approved its retaliatory tariff package on US goods that could start in August if no trade agreement is reached. The EU announced on Wednesday that it will hit the US with 30% tariffs on over $100 billion worth of goods in the event that no deal is made and if President Trump decides to follow through with his threat to impose that rate on most of the bloc's exports after Aug. 1. The US exports, which would include goods such as Boeing (BA) aircraft, US-made cars and bourbon whiskey would all face heavy tariffs that match Trump's 30% threat. The approval of the package comes despite the growing optimism that the US and EU will reach a deal that would put baseline tariffs on the bloc at 15%, matching the level the US applied to Japan. The EU is keen to reach a deal with the US but as a cautionary measure has approved 30% tariffs if a deal is not made. Trump tariffs wreaking havoc in Brazil's citrus belt Reuters reports: Read more here. South Korea weighs US investment pledge to trim auto tariff Trade discussions between the US and South Korea have led both sides to investigate the idea of creating a fund to invest in American projects. A report said this possible deal would be similar to the agreement Japan struck Tuesday with President Trump. The details of the plan are still not clear, but the US has been seeking pledges totaling hundreds of billions of dollars. However, further talks on a deal between the two sides may have to wait as a trade meeting between the US and South Korea has been postponed after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent became unavailable due to a scheduling conflict, South Korea's Finance Ministry said Thursday. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Lutnick: EU has to offer Trump 'a good enough deal' to avoid 30% tariffs As President Trump prepares for a planned meeting about tariffs with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Sunday that the European Union has to open its markets for US exports if it wants to convince Trump to reduce the 30% tariff he's threatened to put in place August 1. Reuters reports Lutnick said the EU appeared to want to make a deal: On Friday, Trump said the odds of a trade deal with the EU were about "50-50," even as negotiators from both sides expressed optimism. Read more here. As President Trump prepares for a planned meeting about tariffs with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Sunday that the European Union has to open its markets for US exports if it wants to convince Trump to reduce the 30% tariff he's threatened to put in place August 1. Reuters reports Lutnick said the EU appeared to want to make a deal: On Friday, Trump said the odds of a trade deal with the EU were about "50-50," even as negotiators from both sides expressed optimism. Read more here. LG says consumers rushed to buy appliances ahead of tariffs Tariffs remain a key concern for South Korean appliance maker LG Electronics ( The company said that if President Trump's blanket tariffs take effect on Aug. 1, it will adjust prices and move some production to its plants in Mexico and the US. LG produces its products worldwide, particularly in South Korea, China, and Vietnam. On Aug. 1, imports from South Korea face a 25% tariff, while those from Vietnam face a 20% tariff. Imports from China are estimated to face tariffs of roughly 50%, though that could change after US and Chinese officials meet in Sweden for the next round of trade talks. According to LG, consumers rushed to purchase items in the first half of the year to avoid tariffs. Still, the company's net profit fell 3.1% in Q2 as operating costs increased. "Some consumers have been rushing to make purchases before the tariffs take effect," an executive said on the earnings call. "In the first half of 2025, we achieved approximately 3% growth year over year, higher than the market demand with new product launches and efficient sales operations, continuing to strengthen our market presence." But that pull-forward in demand could signal weakness ahead in the months to come if trade tensions escalate again. "A rise in product costs driven by the 50% tariff on steel and reciprocal tariffs that are set to be applied in the latter half of the year could translate into greater uncertainties for the market price," the executive said. "Additionally, shifts in the US government's trade policies and weakening consumer sentiment cast doubt on the demand outlook for home appliances." This isn't the first time LG has grappled with US protectionist policies. In 2018, during Trump's first term, washing machine prices rose when Trump targeted the industry with tariffs. Tariffs remain a key concern for South Korean appliance maker LG Electronics ( The company said that if President Trump's blanket tariffs take effect on Aug. 1, it will adjust prices and move some production to its plants in Mexico and the US. LG produces its products worldwide, particularly in South Korea, China, and Vietnam. On Aug. 1, imports from South Korea face a 25% tariff, while those from Vietnam face a 20% tariff. Imports from China are estimated to face tariffs of roughly 50%, though that could change after US and Chinese officials meet in Sweden for the next round of trade talks. According to LG, consumers rushed to purchase items in the first half of the year to avoid tariffs. Still, the company's net profit fell 3.1% in Q2 as operating costs increased. "Some consumers have been rushing to make purchases before the tariffs take effect," an executive said on the earnings call. "In the first half of 2025, we achieved approximately 3% growth year over year, higher than the market demand with new product launches and efficient sales operations, continuing to strengthen our market presence." But that pull-forward in demand could signal weakness ahead in the months to come if trade tensions escalate again. "A rise in product costs driven by the 50% tariff on steel and reciprocal tariffs that are set to be applied in the latter half of the year could translate into greater uncertainties for the market price," the executive said. "Additionally, shifts in the US government's trade policies and weakening consumer sentiment cast doubt on the demand outlook for home appliances." This isn't the first time LG has grappled with US protectionist policies. In 2018, during Trump's first term, washing machine prices rose when Trump targeted the industry with tariffs. Japan says $550 billion investment could finance Taiwanese chipmaker in US The $550 billion President Trump said Japan gave to the US "to lower their tariffs a little bit," could be used to help finance a Taiwanese chipmaker building plants in the US, the Associated Press reported Saturday. Trump on Thursday called the $550 billion "seed money" and that 90% of profits from the money invested would go to the US. "It's not a loan or anything, it's a signing bonus," Trump said. Read more here. The $550 billion President Trump said Japan gave to the US "to lower their tariffs a little bit," could be used to help finance a Taiwanese chipmaker building plants in the US, the Associated Press reported Saturday. Trump on Thursday called the $550 billion "seed money" and that 90% of profits from the money invested would go to the US. "It's not a loan or anything, it's a signing bonus," Trump said. Read more here. More cracks form in the US-Japan trade agreement We detailed earlier (keep scrolling) some initial, if gentle, pushback from the Japanese side on the US portrayal of the countries' trade deal. The Financial Times has a good, detailed look at some of the "cracks" forming: Read more here (subscription required). We detailed earlier (keep scrolling) some initial, if gentle, pushback from the Japanese side on the US portrayal of the countries' trade deal. The Financial Times has a good, detailed look at some of the "cracks" forming: Read more here (subscription required). EU head to meet with Trump this weekend in bid to clinch deal Bloomberg reports that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet with President Trump this weekend as he travels to his golf club in Scotland in a bid to secure a trade deal. The meeting will come as the two sides race to secure a deal ahead of next Friday — Trump's self-imposed deadline for 30% tariffs on EU goods to kick in. On Friday, Trump put the odds of a deal at "50-50." From the report: Bloomberg reports that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet with President Trump this weekend as he travels to his golf club in Scotland in a bid to secure a trade deal. The meeting will come as the two sides race to secure a deal ahead of next Friday — Trump's self-imposed deadline for 30% tariffs on EU goods to kick in. On Friday, Trump put the odds of a deal at "50-50." From the report: Trump: 'We haven't really had a lot of luck with Canada' President Trump on Friday expressed pessimism on US trade negotiations with Canada, suggesting he may simply impose threatened 35% tariffs on Canadian goods not covered by the existing US-Canada-Mexico trade agreement. "We haven't really had a lot of luck with Canada. I think Canada could be one where there's just a tariff, not really a negotiation," he said. More from Reuters: President Trump on Friday expressed pessimism on US trade negotiations with Canada, suggesting he may simply impose threatened 35% tariffs on Canadian goods not covered by the existing US-Canada-Mexico trade agreement. "We haven't really had a lot of luck with Canada. I think Canada could be one where there's just a tariff, not really a negotiation," he said. More from Reuters: Boston Beer Company says strong profits helped brewer absorb tariff costs The Boston Beer Company (SAM) continues to feel the effects of President Trump's tariffs, but a strong quarter of sales and profit is helping the Samuel Adams brewer absorb some of those cost increases. Boston Beer expects tariffs to add about $15 million to $20 million in costs for the full year. Previously, it modeled tariff costs of $20 million to $30 million. Expect the company to raise prices by 1% to 2% to offset some of the costs as well, executives said. Boston Beer did see tariffs negatively affect its gross margin toward the end of the second quarter, but it benefited from improved brewery efficiencies. For the second quarter, the company reported profits of $5.45 per share on revenue of $625 million, versus estimates for earnings of $4.00 per share on $588 million, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. "Right now, I think we're very happy with the performance," Boston Beer CEO Michael Spillane said on the earnings call. "Not only that, but that's allowed us to offset some of the tariffs that we've seen so far." The Boston Beer Company (SAM) continues to feel the effects of President Trump's tariffs, but a strong quarter of sales and profit is helping the Samuel Adams brewer absorb some of those cost increases. Boston Beer expects tariffs to add about $15 million to $20 million in costs for the full year. Previously, it modeled tariff costs of $20 million to $30 million. Expect the company to raise prices by 1% to 2% to offset some of the costs as well, executives said. Boston Beer did see tariffs negatively affect its gross margin toward the end of the second quarter, but it benefited from improved brewery efficiencies. For the second quarter, the company reported profits of $5.45 per share on revenue of $625 million, versus estimates for earnings of $4.00 per share on $588 million, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. "Right now, I think we're very happy with the performance," Boston Beer CEO Michael Spillane said on the earnings call. "Not only that, but that's allowed us to offset some of the tariffs that we've seen so far." Some headlines from Trump on tariffs this morning Via Bloomberg: Via Bloomberg: Trump: US will sell 'so much' beef to Australia President Trump said on Thursday that the US will sell "so much" beef to Australia, following Canberra relaxing import restrictions. Trump added that other countries who had refused US beef products were on notice. Reuters reports: Read more here. President Trump said on Thursday that the US will sell "so much" beef to Australia, following Canberra relaxing import restrictions. Trump added that other countries who had refused US beef products were on notice. Reuters reports: Read more here. World's No. 3 automaker Kia takes $570M tariff hit in Q2 Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. Puma shares dive after warning of full-year loss, US tariff impact Puma ( shares fell 17% on Friday after the sportswear brand said that it now expects an annual loss due to a decline in sales and US tariffs denting profit. Reuters reports: Read more here. Puma ( shares fell 17% on Friday after the sportswear brand said that it now expects an annual loss due to a decline in sales and US tariffs denting profit. Reuters reports: Read more here. LG Energy Solution warns of slowing EV battery demand due to U.S. tariffs, policy headwinds Reuters reports: South Korean battery firm LG Energy ( Solution warned on Friday of a further slowdown in demand by early next year due to U.S. tariffs and policy uncertainties after it posted a quarterly profit jump. Its major customers Tesla (TSLA) and General Motors (GM) warned of fallout from U.S. tariffs and legislation that will end federal subsidies for EV purchases on September 30. "US tariffs and an early end to EV subsidies will put a burden on automakers, potentially leading to vehicle price increases and a slowdown in EV growth in North America," CFO Lee Chang-sil said during a conference call. Read more here. Reuters reports: South Korean battery firm LG Energy ( Solution warned on Friday of a further slowdown in demand by early next year due to U.S. tariffs and policy uncertainties after it posted a quarterly profit jump. Its major customers Tesla (TSLA) and General Motors (GM) warned of fallout from U.S. tariffs and legislation that will end federal subsidies for EV purchases on September 30. "US tariffs and an early end to EV subsidies will put a burden on automakers, potentially leading to vehicle price increases and a slowdown in EV growth in North America," CFO Lee Chang-sil said during a conference call. Read more here. Japan, US differ on how trade-deal profits will be split Japan said Friday that profits from the $550 billion investment deal with the US will be shared based on how much each side contributes. A government official suggested the US will also put in significant funds, but details of the scheme remain unclear. The White House had announced earlier in the week that the US would retain 90% of the profits from the $550 billion US-bound investment and loans that Japan would exchange in return for reduced tariffs on auto and other exports to the US. This would mean that returns would be split 10% for Japan and 90% for the US, according to the White House official, and that it would be "based on the respective levels of contribution and risk borne by each side." Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Japan said Friday that profits from the $550 billion investment deal with the US will be shared based on how much each side contributes. A government official suggested the US will also put in significant funds, but details of the scheme remain unclear. The White House had announced earlier in the week that the US would retain 90% of the profits from the $550 billion US-bound investment and loans that Japan would exchange in return for reduced tariffs on auto and other exports to the US. This would mean that returns would be split 10% for Japan and 90% for the US, according to the White House official, and that it would be "based on the respective levels of contribution and risk borne by each side." Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. US business activity rises; tariffs fuel inflation concerns US business activity rose in July, but companies increased the prices for goods and services, supporting the view from economists that inflation will accelerate in the second half of 2025 and it will mainly be due to tariffs on imports. Reuters reports: Read more here. US business activity rose in July, but companies increased the prices for goods and services, supporting the view from economists that inflation will accelerate in the second half of 2025 and it will mainly be due to tariffs on imports. Reuters reports: Read more here. It sounds like Trump now has a new minimum tariff rate: 15% President Trump set a new rhetorical floor for tariffs on Wednesday night in comments in a shift that raises the president's baseline rate from 10%. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul writes: Read more here. President Trump set a new rhetorical floor for tariffs on Wednesday night in comments in a shift that raises the president's baseline rate from 10%. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul writes: Read more here. Keurig Dr. Pepper brewer sales volume drops 22%, CEO says tariff impacts 'will become prominent' Keurig Dr. Pepper CEO Tim Cofer said that tariffs are putting additional pressure on the company in an earnings call Thursday, especially when it comes to its coffee business, which KDP expects to be "subdued" for the remainder of the year. "Commodity inflation will build as we roll into the back half and we roll into our higher cost hedges on green coffee," Cofer said. "The tariff impacts will become prominent. And we all know that tariff situation is a bit fluid." Keurig is one of the biggest coffee importers in the US, along with Starbucks (SBUX) and Nestle (NSRGY). The US sources most of its coffee from Brazil, which is set to face 50% tariffs on its products on Aug. 1, and Colombia, which faces a tariff rate of 10%. In Keurig's coffee business, appliance volume decreased 22.6% during the quarter, reflecting impacts of retailer inventory management, and K-Cup pod volume decreased 3.7%, reflecting category elasticity in response to price increases, the company reported. "Our retail partners will likely continue to manage their inventory levels tightly, in particular on brewers," Cofer commented. "And then finally, you know we did a round of pricing at the beginning of the year. We've announced another round of pricing that will take effect next month, and we'll need to closely monitor how that elasticity evolves." Read more about Keurig earnings here. Keurig Dr. Pepper CEO Tim Cofer said that tariffs are putting additional pressure on the company in an earnings call Thursday, especially when it comes to its coffee business, which KDP expects to be "subdued" for the remainder of the year. "Commodity inflation will build as we roll into the back half and we roll into our higher cost hedges on green coffee," Cofer said. "The tariff impacts will become prominent. And we all know that tariff situation is a bit fluid." Keurig is one of the biggest coffee importers in the US, along with Starbucks (SBUX) and Nestle (NSRGY). The US sources most of its coffee from Brazil, which is set to face 50% tariffs on its products on Aug. 1, and Colombia, which faces a tariff rate of 10%. In Keurig's coffee business, appliance volume decreased 22.6% during the quarter, reflecting impacts of retailer inventory management, and K-Cup pod volume decreased 3.7%, reflecting category elasticity in response to price increases, the company reported. "Our retail partners will likely continue to manage their inventory levels tightly, in particular on brewers," Cofer commented. "And then finally, you know we did a round of pricing at the beginning of the year. We've announced another round of pricing that will take effect next month, and we'll need to closely monitor how that elasticity evolves." Read more about Keurig earnings here. The EU's Trump insurance As my colleague detailed below, EU member states voted to impose tariffs on over $100 billion of US goods from Aug. 7. The Financial Times reported that this move that allows the bloc to impose the levies quickly at any point in the future should its trade relationship with the US take a turn for the worse. From the report: Read more here (subscription required). As my colleague detailed below, EU member states voted to impose tariffs on over $100 billion of US goods from Aug. 7. The Financial Times reported that this move that allows the bloc to impose the levies quickly at any point in the future should its trade relationship with the US take a turn for the worse. From the report: Read more here (subscription required). Europe approves $100B-plus tariff backup plan A report in the Wall Street Journal on Thursday said that the European Union has now approved its retaliatory tariff package on US goods that could start in August if no trade agreement is reached. The EU announced on Wednesday that it will hit the US with 30% tariffs on over $100 billion worth of goods in the event that no deal is made and if President Trump decides to follow through with his threat to impose that rate on most of the bloc's exports after Aug. 1. The US exports, which would include goods such as Boeing (BA) aircraft, US-made cars and bourbon whiskey would all face heavy tariffs that match Trump's 30% threat. The approval of the package comes despite the growing optimism that the US and EU will reach a deal that would put baseline tariffs on the bloc at 15%, matching the level the US applied to Japan. The EU is keen to reach a deal with the US but as a cautionary measure has approved 30% tariffs if a deal is not made. A report in the Wall Street Journal on Thursday said that the European Union has now approved its retaliatory tariff package on US goods that could start in August if no trade agreement is reached. The EU announced on Wednesday that it will hit the US with 30% tariffs on over $100 billion worth of goods in the event that no deal is made and if President Trump decides to follow through with his threat to impose that rate on most of the bloc's exports after Aug. 1. The US exports, which would include goods such as Boeing (BA) aircraft, US-made cars and bourbon whiskey would all face heavy tariffs that match Trump's 30% threat. The approval of the package comes despite the growing optimism that the US and EU will reach a deal that would put baseline tariffs on the bloc at 15%, matching the level the US applied to Japan. The EU is keen to reach a deal with the US but as a cautionary measure has approved 30% tariffs if a deal is not made. Trump tariffs wreaking havoc in Brazil's citrus belt Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. South Korea weighs US investment pledge to trim auto tariff Trade discussions between the US and South Korea have led both sides to investigate the idea of creating a fund to invest in American projects. A report said this possible deal would be similar to the agreement Japan struck Tuesday with President Trump. The details of the plan are still not clear, but the US has been seeking pledges totaling hundreds of billions of dollars. However, further talks on a deal between the two sides may have to wait as a trade meeting between the US and South Korea has been postponed after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent became unavailable due to a scheduling conflict, South Korea's Finance Ministry said Thursday. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Trade discussions between the US and South Korea have led both sides to investigate the idea of creating a fund to invest in American projects. A report said this possible deal would be similar to the agreement Japan struck Tuesday with President Trump. The details of the plan are still not clear, but the US has been seeking pledges totaling hundreds of billions of dollars. However, further talks on a deal between the two sides may have to wait as a trade meeting between the US and South Korea has been postponed after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent became unavailable due to a scheduling conflict, South Korea's Finance Ministry said Thursday. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. 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