Brazil AG Wants Probe of Possible Insider Trading on US Tariffs
The request follows local media reports of significant foreign exchange transactions before and after the official tariffs announcement, 'suggesting possible use of privileged information (insider trading) by individuals or legal entities,' according to a statement from the Brazilian attorney general's office.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
State of play in Trump's tariffs, threats and delays
Dozens of economies including India, Canada and Mexico face threats of higher tariffs Friday if they fail to strike deals with Washington. Here is a summary of duties President Donald Trump has introduced in his second term as he pressures allies and competitors alike to reshape US trade relationships. - Global tariffs - US "reciprocal" tariffs -- imposed under legally contentious emergency powers -- are due to jump from 10 percent to various steeper levels for a list of dozens of economies come August 1, including South Korea, India and Taiwan. The hikes were to take effect July 9 but Trump postponed them days before imposition, marking a second delay since their shock unveiling in April. A 10 percent "baseline" levy on most partners, which Trump imposed in April, remains in place. He has also issued letters dictating tariff rates above 10 percent for individual countries, including Brazil, which has a trade deficit with the United States and was not on the initial list of higher "reciprocal" rates. Several economies -- the European Union, Britain, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines -- have struck initial tariff deals with Washington, while China managed to temporarily lower tit-for-tat duties. Certain products like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber are excluded from Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs, but may face separate action under different authorities. This has been the case for steel, aluminum, and soon copper. Gold and silver, alongside energy commodities, are also exempted. Excluded too are Mexico and Canada, hit with a different set of tariffs, and countries like Russia and North Korea as they already face sanctions. - Canada, Mexico - Canadian and Mexican products were hit by 25 percent US tariffs shortly after Trump returned to office, with a lower rate for Canadian energy. Trump targeted both neighbors over illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking, also invoking emergency powers. But trade negotiations have been bumpy. This month, Trump said Canadian goods will face a higher 35 percent duty from August 1, and Mexican goods will see a 30 percent level. Products entering the United States under the USMCA North American free trade pact, covering large swaths of goods, are expected to remain exempt -- with Canadian energy resources and potash, used as fertilizer, to still face lower rates. - China focus - Trump has also taken special aim at China. The world's two biggest economies engaged in an escalating tariffs war this year before their temporary pullback. The countries imposed triple-digit duties on each other at one point, a level described as a trade embargo. After high level talks, Washington lowered its levies on Chinese goods to 30 percent and Beijing slashed its own to 10 percent. This pause is set to expire August 12, and officials will meet for further talks on Monday and Tuesday in the Swedish capital Stockholm. The US level is higher as it includes a 20 percent tariff over China's alleged role in the global fentanyl trade. Beyond expansive tariffs on Chinese products, Trump ordered the closure of a duty-free exemption for low-value parcels from the country. This adds to the cost of importing items like clothing and small electronics. - Autos, metals - Trump has targeted individual business sectors too, under more conventional national security grounds, imposing a 25 percent levy on steel and aluminum imports which he later doubled to 50 percent. The president has unveiled plans for a 50 percent tariff on copper imports starting August 1 as well and rolled out a 25 percent tariff on imported autos, although those entering under the USMCA can qualify for a lower rate. Trump's auto tariffs impact vehicle parts too, but new rules ensure automakers paying vehicle tariffs will not also be charged for certain other duties. He has ongoing investigations into imports of lumber, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and critical minerals that could trigger further duties. - Legal challenges - Several legal challenges have been filed against the tariffs Trump invoked citing emergencies. The US Court of International Trade ruled in May that the president had overstepped his authority, but a federal appeals court has allowed the duties to remain while it considers the case. If these tariffs are ultimately ruled illegal, companies could possibly seek reimbursements. bys/des/mlm Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Stocks cheer the art of Trump's trade deals after EU agreement
By Ankur Banerjee SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Global stocks rose and the euro firmed on Monday after a trade agreement between the United States and the EU lifted sentiment and provided clarity in a pivotal week headlined by the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan policy meetings. The U.S. struck a framework trade agreement with the European Union, imposing a 15% import tariff on most EU goods - half the threatened rate, a week after agreeing to a trade deal with Japan that lowered tariffs on auto imports. Countries are scrambling to finalise trade deals ahead of the August 1 deadline, with talks between the U.S. and China set for Monday in Stockholm amid expectation of another 90-day extension to the truce between the top two economies. "A 15% tariff on European goods, forced purchases of U.S. energy and military equipment and zero tariff retaliation by Europe, that's not negotiation, that's the art of the deal," said Prashant Newnaha, senior Asia-Pacific rates strategist at TD Securities. "A big win for the U.S." S&P 500 futures rose 0.4% and the Nasdaq futures gained 0.5% while the euro firmed across the board, rising against the dollar, sterling and yen. European futures surged nearly 1%. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei slipped after touching a one-year high last week while MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.27%, just shy of the almost four-year high it touched last week. While the baseline 15% tariff will still be seen by many in Europe as too high, compared with Europe's initial hopes to secure a zero-for-zero tariff deal, it is better than the threatened 30% rate. The deal with the EU provides clarity to companies and averts a bigger trade war between the two allies that account for almost a third of global trade. "Putting it all together, what we've seen with Japan, with the EU, with the talks which are due to be held in Stockholm between the U.S. and China, it really does negate the risk of a prolonged trade war," said Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG. "The importance of the August tariff deadline has significantly been diffused." The Australian dollar, often seen as a proxy for risk sentiment, was 0.12% higher at $0.65725 in early trading, hovering around the near eight-month peak scaled last week. FED, BOJ AWAIT In an action-packed week, investors will watch out for the monetary policy meetings from the Fed and the BOJ as well as the monthly U.S. employment report and earnings reports from megacap companies Apple, Microsoft and Amazon. While the Fed and the BOJ are expected to stand pat on rates, comments from the officials will be crucial for investors to gauge the interest rate path. The trade deal with Japan has opened the door for the BOJ to raise rates again this year. Meanwhile, the Fed is likely to be cautious on any rate cuts as officials seek more data to determine if tariffs are worsening inflation before they ease rates further. But tensions between the White House and the central bank over monetary policy have heightened, with Trump repeatedly denouncing Fed Chair Jerome Powell for not cutting rates. Two of the Fed Board's Trump appointees have articulated reasons for supporting a rate cut this month. ING economists expect December to be the likely starting point for rate cuts, but it "may be a 50 basis point cut, if the evidence on weaker jobs and GDP growth becomes more apparent as we anticipate." "This would be a similar playbook to the Federal Reserve's actions in 2024, where it waited until it was completely comfortable to commit to a lower interest rate environment," they said in a note. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Galan Lithium Limited: Incentive Regime for HMW Project in Argentina
PERTH, Australia, July 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Galan Lithium Limited (ASX: GLN) ("Galan" or "the Company") is pleased to advise that the Comite Evaluador de Proyectos RIGI, responsible for awarding the Argentine Government's Régimen de Incentivo para Grandes Inversiones (the incentive regime for large-scale investments referred to as the "RIGI"), has approved the RIGI for Galan's flagship Hombre Muerto West ("HMW") Project in Catamarca Province, Argentina. Galan now expects to receive official approvals relating to the RIGI in due course. The RIGI is a landmark investment framework introduced as part of the Government of Argentina's new economic reform agenda, aimed at encouraging large-scale investment in key sectors, including mining. The RIGI provides long-term certainty on tax and foreign exchange regulations, as well as streamlined permitting, both critical enablers for project financing, efficient construction and operation of the HMW Project over its multi-decade life. HMW will be only the sixth project to receive the RIGI approval in Argentina and the second in the mining sector, following the recent award to Rio Tinto's Rincon project. Managing Director, Juan Pablo ("JP") Vargas de la Vega, commented: "This is a major milestone for Galan that will further strengthen HMW's global competitive position as a future low-cost producer. The RIGI will provide a strategic advantage to Galan and will unlock meaningful long-term value for the people of Catamarca and our shareholders. The RIGI delivers fiscal stability and operational certainty over the long-term, key requirements for major project financing and execution. It also signals strong alignment between Galan and the Argentine government's broader vision of accelerating lithium production and economic development. Galan sincerely thanks the Government of Argentina and the Province of Catamarca for endorsing HMW for official approvals under the RIGI which further substantiates HMW as a significant project in Argentina and globally." Key Benefits of the RIGI for the HMW project: Reduced Corporate Income Tax: a significant 10% reduction in corporate income tax rate to 25%. Fiscal Stability: Certainty around income tax, royalties, and export duties for 30 years. Foreign Exchange: Preferential access to currency markets for imports and dividend repatriation. Customs & Tariff Exemptions: Reduced barriers for importing critical equipment and materials. Accelerated Depreciation: Improved cash flow through tax-effective project development. About Hombre Muerto West HMW is a multi-decade, lithium brine project in Argentina with compelling economics. Phase 1 provides for a 4ktpa LCE operation, producing a 6% LiCl concentrate product over a projected 40-year life (1). Galan expects first Phase 1 production in H1 2026 and has secured an offtake agreement for 45,000 t LCE of production. Beyond Phase 1, the Company will undertake a phased scaling approach, eventually ramping up to 60ktpa at the conclusion of Phase 4. This approach mitigates funding and execution risk and will allow for continuous process improvement. With a world class resource and a cost profile within the first quartile globally, HMW is a clear demonstration of the benefits of a high-quality lithium brine asset. These benefits are allowing Galan to progress through development and into production with a lower capital intensity and lower risk profile when compared to hard rock lithium (spodumene) projects. As importantly, lithium chloride is a key component for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which have become the dominant battery product globally. With the ability to be cost effectively converted into a lithium dihydrogen phosphate or lithium carbonate, lithium chloride, as will be produced at HMW, is an ideal source for LFP batteries. The Galan Board has authorised this release. Please refer to the Mineral Resource Statement for Galan's Total Resources of 9.5Mt LCE. (1) Please refer to the announcement dated 3 July 2023 (ASX: Phase 1 of Hombre Muerto West (DFS Delivers Compelling Economic Results for Accelerated Production)). The Company confirms that all material assumptions underpinning the production target continue to apply and have not materially changed. For further information contact: COMPANY MEDIA Juan Pablo ("JP") Vargas de la Vega Matt Worner Managing Director VECTOR Advisors jp@ mworner@ + 61 8 9214 2150 +61 429 522 924 About Galan Galan Lithium Limited (ASX: GLN) is an ASX-listed lithium exploration and development business. Galan's flagship assets comprise two world-class lithium brine projects, HMW and Candelas, located on the Hombre Muerto Salar in Argentina, within South America's 'lithium triangle'. Hombre Muerto is proven to host lithium brine deposition of the highest grade and lowest impurity levels within Argentina. It is home to the established El Fenix lithium operation, Sal de Vida (both projects are owned by Rio Tinto following its successful acquisition of Arcadium Lithium). Galan also has exploration licences at Greenbushes South in Western Australia, just south of the Tier 1 Greenbushes Lithium Mine. View original content: SOURCE Galan Lithium Limited Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
