Global trade: latest events

Story so far

1. 22 Oct 2026 ■ Steady

   Trump walks back Bombardier ban threat as Canada trade talks stall

   On Wednesday, reports said Trump had walked back a threat to ban Bombardier plane sales in the United States, following a tariff increase last month that escalated the trade war. On Tuesday, a new lawsuit argued the White House exceeded its authority in imposing the latest tariffs on Canada. Sources told CBC News that hope of a Canada-U.S. trade deal before the American midterm elections has faded, leaving the trade war set to continue for the foreseeable future.

2. 21 Oct 2026 ■ Steady

   Trump drops Bombardier ban threat as a new lawsuit targets Canada tariffs

   On Wednesday, Trump was reported to have walked back a threat to ban Bombardier plane sales in the United States, after tariffs rose in an escalation of the trade war last month. On Tuesday, a lawsuit argued the White House exceeded its authority with the latest Canadian tariffs. CBC News sources say hope of a Canada-U.S. deal before the American midterms has faded.

   Trump backs down on threat to ban Bombardier sales in the US

3. 20 Oct 2026 ■ Steady

   Trump sued over Canadian tariffs as hopes of a deal before US midterms fade

   On Tuesday a new lawsuit argued the White House exceeded its authority in imposing the latest tariffs on Canada and caused immediate harm to American businesses. Sources told CBC News that hope of a Canada-U.S. trade deal before the American midterm elections has faded, leaving the trade war set to continue for the foreseeable future. Separately, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited India as Washington seeks a trade deal.

   Trump sued over Canadian tariffs in new legal challenge · No Canada-U.S. trade deal expected before American midterms, sources… · Rubio visits India to boost economic ties as Washington seeks trade…

4. 19 Oct 2026 ■ Steady

   North Sea rig workers plan 24-hour strike that Unite says could disrupt UK fuel supplies

   Unite says more than 160 offshore rig workers will strike for 24 hours from Wednesday, which it warns could severely disrupt UK fuel supplies. Data shows Russia's oil exports through the Northern Sea Route in 2026 have already exceeded last year's total by nearly 50 per cent, amid a world freight crisis. Separately, steel producers in the UK and Ukraine report cost and tariff pressures.

   North Sea rig workers plan 24-hour strike that could disrupt UK fuel… · Russian oil exports via Arctic route jump nearly 50% above last…

5. 18 Oct 2026 ■ Steady

   UK steelmakers' power cost gap with EU rivals hits three-year high

   On Sunday, UK Steel reported that the electricity premium paid by British steelmakers over French counterparts has risen to almost £30 a megawatt hour, a three-year high. The report links the gap to a surge in global gas prices after the US-Israeli war on Iran. Earlier in the week, the UK left open the possibility of tariffs on Chinese EVs if it joins the EU's Made in Europe scheme, and new data showed a steep fall in UK food exports to the EU.

   UK steelmakers' electricity cost gap with EU rivals hits three-year…

6. 17 Oct 2026 ■ Steady

   France and Germany back looser EU car emissions rules and UK inclusion in 'made in Europe' scheme

   France and Germany reached a provisional deal on Thursday backing looser EU emissions rules for carmakers and agreed to include Britain in a 'made in Europe' scheme. On Friday, No 10 said it would welcome UK inclusion in the Industrial Accelerator Act and left open tariffs on Chinese EVs. Beijing warned that such tariffs would be 'discriminatory'.

7. 16 Oct 2026 ■ Steady

   UK open to Chinese EV tariffs if it joins EU Made in Europe scheme

   On Friday, No 10 said it would welcome UK inclusion in the EU's Industrial Accelerator Act after France dropped its opposition, and left open the prospect of tariffs on Chinese EVs. Beijing warned that such tariffs would be "discriminatory". On Thursday, France and Germany reached a provisional deal backing looser EU emissions rules for carmakers and agreed to include Britain in a "made in Europe" scheme.

   UK leaves open Chinese EV tariffs if it joins EU Made in Europe scheme · UK food and drink exports to EU down more than a third since Brexit

Written by Claude from the reports on this page and on the map. Check the linked sources for full details.