First Thing: Trump imposes fresh tariffs on UK, EU and dozens of other trading partners

Measures replace 10% global duty and come after supreme court declared many of the earlier tariffs illegal. Plus, how secondhand fashion got so expensive

Good morning.

Donald Trump has imposed a fresh round of tariffs on more than 80 countries to replace a 10% global duty that was due to expire, provoking a wave of criticism and protests from US allies and trading partners.

What is Trump’s justification for the tariffs? The newest tariffs, announced late last night by the US trade representative, Jamieson Greer, would fall under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, aimed against countries that engage in forced labor. Trump had said his administration would investigate unfair trading practices to impose permanent tariffs as soon as the February supreme court decision was announced.

How have the affected countries reacted to the news? The ‘forced labour’ rationale for Trump tariffs has been met with bewilderment, with some saying their labor laws are stronger than those in the US.

How are the authorities responding? Last week, Bill Essayli, an assistant US attorney, asked the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate the cluster to determine if there is an environmental cause.

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Mass job cuts loom at VW as profits fall steeply on China sales slump

Carmaker expects to sell 3% fewer vehicles this year as it pushes through a programme that could eliminate 100,000 roles

Volkswagen has reported a steep fall in profits and cut its revenue forecast amid a sales slump in China, as the German carmaker pushes through a brutal cost-cutting programme that includes axeing up to 100,000 jobs.

VW said it expects sales to fall by up to 3% this year, a reversal of a previous forecast for a 3% increase on last year’s €321.9bn (£275.3bn), because of a sales slump in the highly competitive Chinese market.

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Trump to speak at White House press dinner rescheduled after shooting

Journalists urge attenders to confront president over media attacks, while Melanie Trump and JD Vance to be absent

Donald Trump will address a rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association (WCHA) dinner on Friday three months after the original event was abruptly halted after an armed assailant tried to storm it, with the alleged aim of assassinating him.

The rearranged dinner has been condemned as “hypocritical” by retired journalists and press freedom groups, who are urging the association to use it to confront Trump over his administration’s intensified attacks on the media.

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Record heat sends online retail sales to five-year high in Great Britain

Soaring temperatures fuel demand for air conditioners and outdoor goods, helping retailers beat expectations in June

Online sales reached their highest share of retail spending in five years last month as record heat fuelled demand for air conditioners, outdoor products and clothing.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the volume of retail sales in Great Britain rose 1% month on month in June, beating analysts’ expectations of a 0.3% decline, helped by hot weather and World Cup spending.

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Things were looking up for Trump and Republicans on the high cost of living. Then he suddenly upended it all. – The Boston Globe

  1. Things were looking up for Trump and Republicans on the high cost of living. Then he suddenly upended it all.  The Boston Globe
  2. Senate GOP expresses concern over Iran endgame after Hegseth hearing  The Hill
  3. Trump’s split screen: War and campaigning  Politico
  4. Trump faces a catch-22 on Iran because of midterms, says his former commerce secretary: Face inflation furor or withdraw and look weak  Fortune
  5. Trump’s war on Iran is unpopular and expensive. He’s perfectly OK with that  The Guardian
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Four Palestinians and one Israeli killed during West Bank settler attack – The Guardian

  1. Four Palestinians and one Israeli killed during West Bank settler attack  The Guardian
  2. LIVE: Israeli settlers attack West Bank’s Nablus, shooting leaves six dead  Al Jazeera
  3. Northern West Bank in lockdown as clashes rock villages and Israel deploys troops in Nablus  PBS
  4. 5 Killed in West Bank Shooting, Officials Say, Among the Deadliest in Months  The New York Times
  5. Tensions Rise After Deadly Clash Near Palestinian Village in West Bank  WSJ
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University courses covering Israel-Palestine should be audited, Julian Leeser tells royal commission

Inquiry’s focus this week is on security for the Jewish community, with the MP telling the commissioner his son is afraid to attend synagogues and events

The shadow education minister, Julian Leeser, has called for universities to undertake an audit of any classes that teach about the Jewish community, Israel or Palestine.

Appearing before the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion on Friday, Leeser said he had been “very concerned” about antisemitism on university campuses and was not satisfied with how vice-chancellors had addressed the issue after the 7 October 2023 Hamas terrorist attack.

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From crypto bans to shadow fleet seizures, EU gets creative with Russia sanctions – The Kyiv Independent

  1. From crypto bans to shadow fleet seizures, EU gets creative with Russia sanctions  The Kyiv Independent
  2. EU agrees on new round of sanctions against Russia  DW.com
  3. 21st package of sanctions: EU hits Russian energy, financial services and crypto hard  consilium.europa.eu
  4. Crypto exchange HTX included in EU's Russia sanctions  Reuters
  5. E.U. imposes more sanctions on Russia, in compromise deal  The Washington Post
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France sends boats to evacuate tourist hotspot Cap Ferret as wildfires rage – CNN

  1. France sends boats to evacuate tourist hotspot Cap Ferret as wildfires rage  CNN
  2. Tens of thousands evacuated from France's Cap Ferret peninsula as wildfires spread  BBC
  3. Europe wildfires: Many flee by boat as fires spread, merge  DW.com
  4. Wildfire in France forces 40,000 people to evacuate as crews battle record blazes across Western Europe  CBS News
  5. Tens of thousands flee wildfires in France and Spain  Los Angeles Times
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Donald Trump hits Australian exports to US with new higher trade tariff over claims of ‘forced labour’

Australia’s trade minister, Don Farrell, says tariff regime is unjustified and inconsistent with free trade agreement with US

Donald Trump has hit Australian exports with new trade tariffs, claiming the country is not doing enough to combat forced labour, but the Albanese government has demanded he remove them immediately.

The United States announced on Friday morning (AEST) that many Australian exports now attract a new 12.5% tariff as part of a broader regime affecting dozens of countries. However the Albanese government says Australia’s three largest export categories – including beef and gold – will avoid the tariff hit.

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Mykhailo Drapatyi: Can new Ukraine army chief alter Russia war’s direction? – Al Jazeera

  1. Mykhailo Drapatyi: Can new Ukraine army chief alter Russia war’s direction?  Al Jazeera
  2. Inside the Feud Over Ukraine’s Drone Success  The Atlantic
  3. Ukraine beheads its military as its performance begins to soar  Al Jazeera
  4. Zelensky’s Dizzying U-Turn Is the Latest Zigzag in a Presidency Full of Them  The New York Times
  5. Why is Zelensky firing top leaders as Ukraine’s outlook improves?  The Washington Post
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Trump considers military strikes in Mali — the 8th country in his sights this term – The Independent

  1. Trump considers military strikes in Mali — the 8th country in his sights this term  The Independent
  2. Could this African nation become Trump's next terror target as jihadists close in on power?  Fox News
  3. Trump administration weighing military options in Mali, officials say  The Washington Post
  4. Is the 'no wars' president about to start another one?  Sky News
  5. Trump mulling military strikes on Mali militant group: Report  The Hill
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