FirstFT: Canada publicizes steep tariffs on Chinese language EVs and metal

Good morning. Immediately we’re masking:

• Terror assaults in Pakistan

• The US astronauts stranded in area

• Narendra Modi’s coverage U-turns

However first, Canada introduced yesterday it will impose 100 per cent tariffs on imports of Chinese language electrical autos and 25 per cent levies on Chinese language metal and aluminium, in a transfer replicating current US measures.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned Ottawa was introducing the EV tariffs as a result of China was “not playing by the same rules”. It marks the newest instance of the US and its allies taking actions to counter what they are saying are unfair financial practices.

The announcement got here sooner or later after US nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan met the Canadian prime minister in Canada and urged Ottawa to observe Washington in imposing tariffs. Sullivan mentioned a “united front” would profit the US and its companions.

The Canadian authorities can also be launching a 30-day session to find out the place else Ottawa must take motion. Listed here are the sectors it’s going to study.

And right here’s what I’m conserving tabs on as we speak:

• Financial knowledge: China stories July industrial revenue figures and the Financial institution of Japan publishes its providers producer value index.

• US-China relations: Jake Sullivan arrives in Beijing for talks with Chinese language overseas minister Wang Yi. Don’t miss our current Massive Learn on their secret backchannel that has performed an important function in cooling tensions.

• Outcomes: BHP stories full 12 months 2024 outcomes and Woodside stories interim earnings.

Thanks for studying FirstFT. Do you may have questions on as we speak’s tales or concerning the publication itself? E-mail us at firstft@ft.com and we’ll reply as many as doable in a particular weekend version. Please keep in mind to incorporate your title and the place you’re writing from.

5 extra high tales

1. Armed insurgents in Pakistan’s south-western Balochistan province killed no less than 23 individuals in a spate of assaults on Sunday night time and yesterday morning. The Baloch Liberation Military, an armed separatist group within the mineral-rich province, claimed duty for the assaults.

2. American tech group IBM is closing down nearly all of its analysis and growth efforts in China, turning into the newest US firm to drag again from the nation amid growing tensions between Washington and Beijing. An government from the corporate cited more durable competitors when he knowledgeable employees of the cuts in a digital assembly yesterday.

• Chinese language tech giants splurge on AI: Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu have doubled their mixed capital spending this 12 months to purchase synthetic intelligence infrastructure, regardless of US sanctions designed to restrict the nation’s progress within the essential know-how.

3. Emmanuel Macron has hit again at accusations that the arrest of Telegram chief government Pavel Durov in France is politically motivated, after the shock transfer raised tensions with Moscow and escalated a world debate over free speech. The arrest of the Russian-born billionaire, who’s now a French-Emirati citizen, marks the most drastic nationwide motion towards a social media chief up to now.

4. Rising geopolitical tensions have led to report ranges of money for the world’s largest aerospace and defence firms. The main 15 defence contractors are forecast to log free money movement of $52bn in 2026, based on evaluation by Vertical Analysis Companions for the FT — virtually double their mixed money movement on the finish of 2021. 

• Warfare in Ukraine: Central Kyiv was rocked by explosions yesterday as Ukrainian air defences intercepted incoming Russian missiles and drones throughout a large aerial bombardment of targets throughout the nation.

5. ExxonMobil has mentioned international oil demand will stay just about unchanged by 2050 and warned that any transfer to curtail funding in fossil fuels would set off a brand new vitality value shock. The bullish forecast from the US supermajor contrasts sharply with predictions of a fast transition from fossil fuels.

Explainer

The return to Earth of two US astronauts stranded on the Worldwide House Station might be delayed till February, extending their deliberate eight-day mission to eight months. Michael Peel and Sylvia Pfeifer clarify what went flawed and the way Nasa plans to convey them house.

We’re additionally studying . . . 

Chart of the day

An rising market revival has begun, writes Ruchir Sharma, however traders have but to take heed of the dramatic international implications.

Take a break from the information

Abu Dhabi is encouraging toned-down weddings amid long-simmering anxieties concerning the ballooning extravagance of the ceremonies. The modesty initiative affords a uncommon perception into the tensions between custom and modernity that permeate Emirati society, writes Chloe Cornish.

Further contributions from Tee Zhuo and Sarah Ebner