International

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed optimism about the growing collaboration between the United States, Japan and Australia as the three nations continue to strengthen their military capabilities. Speaking during a joint observation of the military exercises on Wednesday, Austin highlighted the importance of this enhanced cooperation in addressing growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. Austin's visit to Japan underlined Washington's commitment to its alliances in the region and its dedication to maintaining stability. Observing the Yama Sakura 87 exercises at Japan's Asaka camp, just outside Tokyo, Austin stressed the critical importance of readiness. “Having the right equipment, ammunition and personnel is what ensures success should we face challenges on the battlefield,” h...

Just a week after Donald Trump secured victory in the US presidential election, Elon Musk hinted at his increasingly important role in shaping the political landscape. The billionaire businessman made headlines by suggesting that his political involvement would serve as “a significant obstacle in the primaries,” signaling his willingness to challenge Republican lawmakers who deviate from Trump's agenda. Musk's intentions became clearer shortly thereafter, when he took to X (formerly known as Twitter), the social media platform he owns, to respond to a suggestion that he might financially support challengers to Republican members of the Congress who opposed Trump's policies. Musk's response: “What other way? No other way,” underlined his willingness to use his wealth and influence to streng...

South Korea has found itself in the global spotlight after a stunning series of political events this week, raising concerns about the future of Asia's fourth-largest economy. President Yoon Suk Yeol's sudden announcement of emergency martial law on Tuesday evening, followed by a swift reversal a few hours later, has injected new uncertainty into the country's economic and political landscape. Analysts warn that the fallout could worsen South Korea's already difficult economic outlook, but some believe the turmoil could pave the way for brighter prospects if deeper instability can be avoided. President Yoon initially justified the declaration of martial law as a necessary step to protect South Korea from “communist forces” present in North Korea and to deal with so-called “anti-state force...

On October 3, 2024, the Federal Reserve building in Washington was the backdrop for the latest developments in US economic indicators. This report is part of CNBC's Daily Open, designed to inform investors around the world about major market updates. To stay informed you can sign up to the newsletter. Highlights American inflation trend upwardsIn October, the overall inflation rate in the United States reached 2.6%, in line with market expectations. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy price volatility, remained stable at 3.3%. This overall figure exceeds the Federal Reserve's target, potentially complicating its monetary policy easing plans. Mixed market responses following inflation dataFollowing the inflation report, US markets traded largely within tight ranges. The S&P 500 a...

Carlos Tavares, the esteemed CEO of Stellantis, unexpectedly resigned, citing "increasingly different opinions" between him and the automaker's board of directors. The announcement, made Sunday, marks the end of Tavares' tenure with immediate effect, leaving the world's fourth-largest automaker searching for a new leader during a difficult period. In a statement, Stellantis confirmed that the board of directors accepted Tavares' resignation and that the search for a new CEO is already underway. The trial is expected to conclude in the first half of next year. Meanwhile, an interim executive committee will be established under the leadership of President John Elkann to oversee the company's operations. Henri de Castries, senior independent director at Stellantis, explained the circumstances...

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Kevin Hassett to lead the National Economic Council (NEC), placing the veteran economist at the forefront of the administration's decision-making on trade, taxes and deregulation. The announcement, made by Trump on his social media platform Truth Social, marks a significant step in finalizing his economic team ahead of Inauguration Day on Jan. 20. Hassett, who previously served as chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) during Trump's first term, is no stranger to the administration's economic agenda. During his tenure at CEA, Hassett played a critical role in supporting the 2017 Republican tax cuts and defending the administration's aggressive tariff policies, which targeted key trading partners such as China, Mexico and Ca...

As President-elect Donald Trump renews his calls for high tariffs on imports from China, Canada and Mexico, the global auto industry braces for potential supply chain disruptions and rising costs. However, Ferrari, the iconic Italian luxury automaker, appears uniquely positioned to weather the storm, even as other manufacturers face growing challenges. Trump's proposed measures include a 10% tariff on all goods entering the United States from China and a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, triggering concerns across industries that rely heavily on global trade. While European automakers have yet to be directly targeted, analysts suggest it may only be a matter of time before the spotlight falls on the European Union's auto sector. Despite the growing uncertainty, Ferrari appears ...