We don’t support this browser anymore.
This means our website may not look and work as you would expect. Read more about browsers and how to update them here.

Tuesday newspaper round-up: Tariffs, Elon Musk, public sector wage

Tue 04 March 2025 07:25 | A A A

No recommendation

No news or research item is a personal recommendation to deal. Hargreaves Lansdown may not share ShareCast's (powered by Digital Look) views.

(Sharecast News) - China and Canada unveiled retaliatory measures against the US after Donald Trump imposed his sweeping tariffs plan at midnight US time, despite warnings it could spark an escalating trade war. US tariffs have come into force of 25% against goods from Canada and Mexico, the US's two biggest trading partners, and 20% tariffs against China - doubling the levy on China from last month. - Guardian

Elon Musk's fellowship of the Royal Society remains intact after a meeting of the scientific body, the Guardian has learned, but questions remain about whether further action will be taken. Musk, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO who also owns the social media platform X, was elected a fellow of the UK's national academy of sciences in 2018, apparently in recognition of his work in the space and electric vehicle industries. - Guardian

US nuclear weapons could be set to return to British soil almost two decades after Washington removed its last warheads, satellite images have revealed. The images, published in a report from the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), indicate that 22 previously mothballed nuclear bunkers at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk have undergone extensive upgrade work. - Telegraph

Taxpayers will foot 24.2bn to cover the billowing public sector wage bill incurred from "Storm Rachel" over the next five years, Telegraph analysis shows. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will hike National Insurance contributions - paid for by employers - from 13.8pc to 15pc from next month, while the threshold at which businesses start to pay will also be dropped. - Telegraph

The cost to consumers of dealing with cabling bottlenecks on Britain's electricity network has risen by 60 per cent to more than 250 million in the first two months of the year as wind farms were paid to switch off and gas plants paid to replace them. The rapid expansion of offshore wind farms to tackle climate change has resulted in turbines being built before Britain's transmission networks have been upgraded to carry all the power that they generate on windy days. - The Times

    Daily market update emails

    • FTSE 100 riser and faller updates
    • Breaking market news, plus the latest share research, tips and broker comments

    Register now for free market updates

    The value of investments can go down in value as well as up, so you could get back less than you invest. It is therefore important that you understand the risks and commitments. This website is not personal advice based on your circumstances. So you can make informed decisions for yourself we aim to provide you with the best information, best service and best prices. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment please contact us for advice.