Trump delays tariffs as world 'plays hardball'

Hello. In April, after announcing a pause on a flurry of tariffs - which has since been extended - the Trump administration promised "90 deals in 90 days". Economics editor Faisal Islam looks at what has been achieved in that timeframe. From Moscow, Russia editor Steve Rosenberg reports on reactions to a minister's apparent suicide. And finally, a groundsman in the UK expresses his creativity with a lawn mower.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Lack of deals shows in tariffs extension

The value of the dollar has declined 10% this year against a number of currencies. Credit: Getty Images

The end of a 90-day pause in tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump in April was due to fall on 9 July. Since then, the administration has been tasked with negotiating trade deals with partners around the world. But earlier this week, the tariffs pause was extended to 1 August, with a possibility of further delays to come. And as the White House sends out letters to trading partners, detailing tariffs similar to those first revealed in April, Faisal Islam writes that the real takeaway is the administration’s failure to strike deals. “The White House may be playing hardball, but so are most other nations,” he notes.

WORLD HEADLINES

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Russian minister's death sends a warning

Several Russian newspapers linked what happened to Starovoit to events in the Kursk region that borders Ukraine. Credit: EPA

On Monday, Russia's transport minister Roman Starovoit was found dead in an apparent suicide hours after being fired by President Vladimir Putin. Steve Rosenberg reports on the reaction to the news, and what it tells us about modern-day Russia.