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US, China agree to slash tariffs in trade war de-escalation

The United States and China announced on Monday an agreement to drastically reduce tit-for-tat tariffs for 90 days, de-escalating a trade war that has roiled financial markets and raised fears of a global economic downturn. After their first talks since US President Donald Trump launched his trade war, the world’s two biggest economies agreed in a joint statement to bring their triple-digit tar

Oil prices climb 2pc

Oil prices climbed about two per cent to a two-week high on Monday after the US and China agreed to temporarily slash tariffs, raising hopes of an end to the trade war between the world’s two biggest economies. Brent crude futures rose $1.35, or 2.1pc, to $65.26 a barrel by 11:39am EDT (1539 GMT), while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $1.40, or 2.3pc, to $62.42. The US and Chin

Commercial imports of used vehicles sought

As the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is pushing the government for rationalisation of tariffs on the auto industry, the All Pakistan Car Dealers and Importers Association (APCDIA) has urged the government to allow the import of used vehicles with certain conditions through banking channels in the budget FY26. This step will eliminate the outflow of foreign exchange through the kerb market a

Textile industry demands cheaper power

The Pak­i­s­tan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA) has urged the government to rectify anomalies in the indu­strial electricity tariff, which will penalise large industries investing in high-voltage infrastructure. The demand came from the association when the country’s textile exports have slowed down in the past few months owing to structural changes and the high cost of energy. In a sta

Govt, banks to work on low-cost housing

The government is finalising a plan to introduce a subsidised housing scheme for the lower-income class and mortgage facilities for the middle class with the involvement of commercial banks, starting with government-sponsored 200,000 low-cost housing units. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to formally announce the scheme to revive the housing and construction sector, which is passing t