WORLD
Trump likely to defer most tariffs on Canada, Mexico: Commerce Secretary Lutnick
Trump will decide Thursday on the scope of a one-month exemption on 25% tariffs imposed this month, Lutnick said in an interview with CNBC. “I think it’s likely it will cover all USMCA-compliant goods and services,” he said.
BUSINESS
Google tests new AI Mode to handle more complicated queries
AI Mode comes almost a year after the company introduced generative AI to its main search engine with a product known as AI Overviews, which uses AI to answer users’ questions directly for some queries, above Google’s usual list of links.
INDIA
India sees US relations at ‘best’ despite looming tariff threat
India’s trade minister is holding conversations with his US counterparts, the minister said
BUSINESS
Blackstone taps Citigroup to raise $200 million for Kolkata's South City Mall
Blackstone, which has deployed $20 billion in office space and hotels in India, is nearing a deal to acquire South City Mall for as much as $400 million.
WORLD
Republicans warn Elon Musk DOGE cuts at risk without US Congress
Several Republicans have expressed frustrations that Musk, a special government employee, isn’t communicating with Congress on his team’s plans.
WORLD
China’s fuel production cuts could undermine global oil demand
The country’s top economic planner wants the industry to cut production of refined petroleum products and increase output of chemicals
MARKETS
Indian bonds overlook global debt selloff as RBI opens cash tap
The Reserve Bank of India will buy Rs 1 trillion ($11.5 billion) of bonds in two equal tranches on March 12 and 18
WORLD
Trump weighs agriculture carveouts to Canada, Mexico tariffs
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told Bloomberg News that “everything is on the table” and she is “hopeful” that the administration could decide on providing relief for the agricultural sector
WORLD
Tesla’s sales fall 76% in Germany amid Musk’s electioneering
Tesla’s showing was in stark contrast with overall electric vehicle registrations, which jumped 31% in February
WORLD
Trump set to meet with technology leaders early next week
A group including the chief executive officers of HP Inc., Intel Corp., International Business Machines Corp. and Qualcomm Inc. has discussed meeting with the administration on Monday
INDIA
India's rising music star Diljit is breaking the Bollywood mold
Diljit Dosanjh, a 41-year-old musician, actor and producer from Punjab, is rewriting the formula for success in the world's fastest-growing music market
WORLD
Global bond selloff ramps up in Asia as Japan yields rise
Shares in Japan and South Korea rose while Chinese stocks fluctuated in opening trade
BUSINESS
US weighs one-month delay of auto tariffs on Canada, Mexico
Administration officials met Tuesday to discuss the matter with the heads of Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co. and Stellantis NV, according to some of the people, who weren’t authorized to discuss details publicly. Another meeting on possible tariff relief is set for Wednesday at the White House, people familiar said.
BUSINESS
Saudi Aramco weighs bid for BP’s Castrol lubricant assets
Aramco is particularly interested in Castrol’s operations in fast-growing markets like India, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. Its Mumbai-listed subsidiary Castrol India Ltd. has a market value of about $2.5 billion.
BUSINESS
Traders Watch for Trump Put After Lutnick Hints at Relief
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed confidence in President Trump’s expansive plans to tariff foreign nations despite the stock market.
WORLD
Taiwan is ‘praying’ for stronger US ties after Ukraine fallout
President Lai Ching-te announced in February that Taiwan will raise its defense spending to 3% of gross domestic product.
WORLD
Fact-checked: What Trump said about the US Economy
Here are the president’s key economic statements from the address, fact-checked and contextualized
BUSINESS
Traders wonder if Trump put is in as Lutnick hints at relief
Lutnick’s comments coming on the heels of another market selloff underscore the idea that Wall Street strategists expect Trump to be attuned to the mood on America’s financial markets, and potentially adjust policy accordingly.
WORLD
Behind BlackRock play for Panama Canal, a direct line to Trump
The deal, which will hand the seller $19 billion, reflects an extraordinary confluence of Trump’s America First vision and Wall Street’s globe-spanning quest for profit
WORLD
Trump warns of tariff ‘disturbance’ as he touts trade plans
Trump used the address to defend his use of tariffs and unveil new projects.
WORLD
China to mandate steel output cuts to ease glut, restore profits
Authorities will promote industry restructuring to reduce production, the nation’s economic planning agency said at the National People’s Congress in Beijing on Wednesday
BUSINESS
Carlyle Group hunts for wealth assets in India alongside rivals
The New-York based firm that counts PNB Housing Finance Ltd. and Yes Bank Ltd. in its India portfolio, is keen to acquire wealth and asset management companies as local households move their savings toward financial assets.
BUSINESS
Adani’s new $2.1 billion Mumbai airport draws low-cost carriers
IndiGo will shift part of its operations to the new airport, according to people familiar with the matter. Tata Group’s low-cost carrier Air India Express and smaller rivals SpiceJet and Akasa are also in discussions to eventually relocate all of their operations.
WORLD
China sets GDP target at about 5% despite US tariffs
Premier Li Qiang is expected to officially announce the target Wednesday morning as he delivers his report to the national parliament in Beijing
