Operations
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UK and India vow trade growth, but delivery will test the deal
Starmer meets Modi in India’s capital to push delivery. The UK Prime Minister used his largest-ever trade mission to emphasise implementation, pledging £1.3 billion in new investment and promising faster progress on the UK–India trade deal signed in July. Businesses on both sides welcomed the ambition but warned delivery will define success.
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JLR shutdown exposes supply chain to personal risk
Jaguar Land Rover’s production pause has disrupted the UK automotive supply chain. Directors seeking emergency funding are being urged to check their exposure to personal guarantees, as rising finance pressures put smaller suppliers at risk.
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EU tariffs pose major threat to UK steel
UK steel sector faces unprecedented crisis amid EU tariff hike. The European Union’s decision to double tariffs on steel imports threatens the UK steel industry, which exported 78% of its steel to the EU last year. Industry leaders warn of severe impacts on domestic production.
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Delays stall US–UAE Nvidia chip deal, raising tensions
Nearly five months after its unveiling, the US–UAE AI chip pact remains stalled. Nvidia’s CEO and some officials see the delays as emblematic of deeper tensions around export controls, foreign investment, and the geopolitics of advanced technology.
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Leadership on trial: the new reality of independent workplace investigations
Independent workplace investigations are now central to leadership accountability. Daniel Stander, an international employment lawyer in the London office of Vedder Price LLP, explains why UK employers must prepare for NDA reforms and ensure credible, well-scoped probes to safeguard reputation, culture, and compliance when allegations arise.
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Tariffs weigh on U.S. manufacturing in September
U.S. manufacturing edged higher in September but remained in contraction. Activity improved modestly with output rising, yet new orders, exports, and hiring continued to decline. Tariff costs and supply chain pressures weighed heavily on companies, while private payrolls fell sharply, raising further concerns over the health of the sector.
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US Supreme Court to weigh Trump’s sweeping global tariffs
The Supreme Court will decide if Trump overreached on tariffs. The justices will hear the fast-tracked case in November, with up to $1 trillion in duties at stake. The ruling could redefine trade powers and reshape the balance between Congress and the presidency.
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Firms overcomplicate Consumer Duty rules, FCA says
FCA warns firms against excessive compliance with Consumer Duty rules. The financial watchdog aims to simplify compliance, addressing concerns about regulatory burden and cost. The FCA seeks to clarify expectations and improve flexibility, ensuring businesses do not overinterpret requirements.
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Peter Kyle jets to Beijing after US trade talks
Peter Kyle launches dual-front trade push with Washington, then Beijing. New Business Secretary Peter Kyle has opened his tenure with back-to-back international trade missions, beginning with US tech talks and continuing in China for the UK’s first JETCO meeting since 2019 — a symbolic reset in Labour’s global economic strategy.
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Trump signs order cutting tariffs on Japanese cars to 15%
U.S. President Trump has signed an executive order cutting tariffs. The measure reduces duties on Japanese cars and auto parts to 15%, down from 27.5%, and is tied to a $550 billion Japanese investment pledge. The order implements a July trade agreement and carries retroactive effect.