Economy
12,500 job cuts at Nissan as global restructuring of auto industry continues
By Jerry White, 26 July 2019
The Japan-based automaker says it will cut 6,400 jobs in Japan, the US, Mexico, Britain, Spain, India and Indonesia by the end of March 2020.
European Central Bank signals return to monetary stimulus
By Nick Beams, 26 July 2019
In response to a question at his press conference following the European Central Bank meeting, President Mario Draghi said the outlook for European manufacturing was getting “worse and worse.”
Amid growing signs of global slowdown
US-China trade talks to resume next week
By Nick Beams, 25 July 2019
The conflict has become more fraught since the US Commerce Department decided to place Huawei on its entity list, effectively banning it from supplies of US components for its operations.
Democrats reach deal with Trump on budget and debt ceiling
By Patrick Martin, 24 July 2019
The plan will boost military spending to record levels and reassure Wall Street.
Senator Warren warns of US economic “crash”
By Nick Beams, 24 July 2019
The bogus character of the agenda advanced by Warren, who has described herself as “capitalist to the bone,” is underscored by the measures she advances to meet the signs of a deepening crisis.
US coal giant Blackjewel, LLC and affiliates declare bankruptcy
By Zachary Thorton, 23 July 2019
Another coal giant has declared bankruptcy, leaving devastation in its wake as hundreds of workers are out of work and owed thousands of dollars in unpaid wages.
The Bretton Woods Agreement 75 years on
By Nick Beams, 22 July 2019
The participants at the conference were acutely conscious of the fact that what was at stake in their deliberations to establish a new world economic order was nothing less than the survival of their rule.
Mixed signals on rate cut prompts Trump to demand the Fed enlist in US trade war against rivals
By Nick Beams, 20 July 2019
Trump is demanding that the Fed drop all pretence of “independence” and openly serve as an instrument of Washington’s economic war against its global competitors.
As US senators deepen attack on Huawei
Trump’s trade war against China hits Asian economies
By Nick Beams, 18 July 2019
Because it functions as a transhipment hub for final destinations in the rest of Asia, a sharp decline in exports from Singapore last month points to an economic slowdown across the region.
China’s growth slows to lowest level since 1992
By Nick Beams, 17 July 2019
While the growth figure is still within the official target range, there are clearly growing concerns in Beijing that it could go lower in the months ahead.
Jeff Bezos flaunts obscene wealth with $80 million Manhattan penthouse purchase
By Clare Hurley, 16 July 2019
Bezos’ $137 billion combined wealth could pay the annual median rent for all 250,000 Amazon workers in the US for 100 years.
US-China trade negotiations at virtual standstill
By Nick Beams, 15 July 2019
While Beijing continues to maintain that it is open to discussions, the evidence indicates it has all but given up on any prospect of reaching an agreement.
Fed signals it will bow to Wall Street’s demands
By Nick Beams, 11 July 2019
Fed Chairman Powell’s testimony to Congress yesterday was warmly welcomed by the financial markets, with Wall Street’s S&P 500 index at one point surpassing 3,000, a new record.
As industry analyst calls UAW-automaker negotiations “Kabuki theatre”
Autoworkers demand substantial improvement in wages and conditions on eve of contract talks
By Jerry White, 9 July 2019
With negotiations set to begin on July 15, workers are determined to overturn decades of givebacks accepted by the United Auto Workers.
Australian retail giant to cut jobs, wages
By Eric Ludlow, 9 July 2019
Woolworths, one of Australia’s two major supermarket chains, last month announced a restructure that endangers thousands of jobs across the country.
Germany: Riva steelworkers in Trier and Horath on strike for four weeks
By Marianne Arens, 9 July 2019
Workers are fighting against the wage dumping of parent company Riva Stahl, which is trying to pit them against the rest of the workforce to force down wages.
Britain: Gang convicted of running “extensive and prolific” modern slavery network
By Richard Tyler, 9 July 2019
According to the International Labour Office, there are 40.3 million people in conditions of modern slavery across the world, including 10 million children .
Costa Rican public health workers strike over pay cut, government policies; truckers block highways
Workers Struggles: the Americas
9 July 2019
Three Costa Rican public health unions began strike action July 4 against government policies while Costa Rican truckers blockaded highways over imposition of a value added tax.
As economic conflicts intensify
One year since the start of US trade war against China
By Nick Beams, 8 July 2019
Under conditions of its relative economic decline, the US regards China's industrial and technological development as intolerable, and will use all methods necessary to prevent it.
International Labour Organization report documents growing assault on wages
By Nick Beams, 5 July 2019
In a “key finding,” the report states that “increases in top labour incomes are associated with losses for everyone else, with both middle class and lower-income workers seeing their share of income decline.”
Bank of England chief issues warnings on global economy
By Nick Beams, 4 July 2019
In a major speech, Mark Carney pointed to a “sea change,” defined as a “profound transformation,” in the global economy, with “worrying” portents.
Australian prime minister lines up with Trump at the G20
By Peter Symonds, 3 July 2019
Trump made clear that he expected Morrison and the Australian government to back the US in its confrontations on all fronts—in particular against Iran and China.
Mass protests resume against Sudan’s junta
By Jean Shaoul, 2 July 2019
Protesters were met Sunday with tear gas, stun grenades and live ammunition that killed at least seven people and injured 181 more.
Amazon’s meat grinder in the Dallas, Texas suburbs
By Tom Carter, 2 July 2019
Over a two-year period, 567 workers were injured at Amazon’s DFW7 fulfillment center in Fort Worth, Texas.
Human rights imperialism, social media censorship and the fraud of Facebook’s “Oversight Board”
By Kevin Reed, 2 July 2019
Behind the recent report on the creation of an Oversight Board to oversee “content decisions” at Facebook is a plan for social media censorship in defense of the global capitalist system.
2,000 workers to lose jobs as Philadelphia refinery shuts down
By Samuel Davidson, 2 July 2019
Blaming high costs from fire damage, Philadelphia Energy Solutions announced the closure of the largest oil refinery on the US East Coast.
Platitudes at the G20 can’t mask a world on the brink of war
By Nick Beams, 1 July 2019
Trump’s theatrical overtures of peace toward North Korea after the G20 summit were belied by the Senate’s passage of the biggest military budget in American history.
The G20 Summit in Osaka: The war of all against all
By Andre Damon, 29 June 2019
World leaders gathered in Osaka, Japan for the G20 summit amid the relentless promotion of trade war, protectionism and militarism.
Ford announces 12,000 layoffs, five plant closures across Europe
By Will Morrow, 28 June 2019
A global restructuring is underway, with all the automakers relying on the trade unions to seek to suppress the seething and growing opposition of autoworkers.
All eyes at G20 summit on Trump-Xi meeting
By Nick Beams, 28 June 2019
The sideline meeting is widely viewed as the last chance to restart trade negotiations that broke down in early May.
Union works to sabotage unity of Minnesota nurses’ struggle
By Matt Rigel, 28 June 2019
The Minnesota Nurses Association is working to sell out nurses in Minneapolis-St. Paul metro region by negotiating contracts at some hospitals while others remain unsettled.
Greek dockers plan 24-hour strike; Irish health workers strike; sit-in strike at South African chrome mine
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
28 June 2019
Greek dock workers have announced a 24-hour strike on Wednesday July 3, which is expected to heavily impact ferry services in the busy tourist season.
Sharp downturn in Sri Lankan economic growth
By Dilruwan Vithanage, 27 June 2019
International credit rating agency Moody’s revised down its prediction for this year from 3.4 percent to 2.6 percent.
The significance of Trump’s awarding of the Freedom Medal to Arthur Laffer
By Nick Beams, 25 June 2019
The fact that Laffer’s theories were exposed as economic nonsense from the outset did not in any way lessen their influence because they encapsulated the unrelenting drive for increased wealth that has dominated the ruling elite over the past four decades.
As Trump ramps up trade war, US Steel to idle three blast furnaces in the US and Europe
By Jessica Goldstein, 22 June 2019
Because of the furnace shutdowns, hundreds or even thousands of workers could eventually lose their jobs worldwide.
As contract talks set to begin
GM throws down gauntlet to autoworkers
By Jerry White, 21 June 2019
The industry publication Automotive News says the automaker will demand the hiring of more low paid temps and cuts to existing health care benefits.
US names Taiwan a “country,” stoking tensions with China
By Robert Campion, 21 June 2019
Washington deepens ties with Taipei in preparation for war against mainland China.
“Sully” Sullenberger testifies that the 737 Max 8 was “fatally flawed”
By Bryan Dyne, 21 June 2019
The airline captain’s statement to Congress exposed the negligence of Boeing and questioned the relationship between the company and regulatory agencies.
Italian and French dockers refuse to load ship to protest Saudi Arabia war in the Yemen; UK Bridgend Ford workers strike vote against closure
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
21 June 2019
Protests against the Saudi war in Yemen continued by French and Italian dockworkers, while Ford workers in Britain voted 83 percent for strike action against threats to shutter the facility.
999 US Steel idiling plants
21 June 2019
US Federal Reserve signals readiness for interest rate cut
By Nick Beams, 20 June 2019
Fed chairman Jerome Powell gave a clear indication that rate cuts were on the table, pointing to “significant changes” in the statement of its policy-making body.
Canada rules out overture to China, vows to extradite Huawei CFO to US
By Roger Jordan, 19 June 2019
The Trudeau government has curtly dismissed the suggestion of former Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chrétien that Ottawa use its legal prerogative to block Meng’s extradition.
On eve of auto contract talks, VW workers in Tennessee reject UAW again
By Jerry White, 17 June 2019
Workers in Chattanooga were correct to reject, for the second time, “representation” by the United Auto Workers, a corrupt agent of corporate management.
Fed under pressure to indicate cut in interest rates
By Nick Beams, 17 June 2019
The push for an interest rate cut has increased, after Morgan Stanley’s Business Conditions Index revealed a record decline for June, falling to its lowest level since the financial crisis in December 2008.
Trump threatens immediate imposition of China tariffs if Xi does not attend G20
By Nick Beams, 11 June 2019
In an interview with CNBC, Trump attacked opponents of his tariff measures within US business groups and renewed his offensive against the Federal Reserve on interest rates and monetary policy.
Market surge continues on prospect of Fed rate cut
By Nick Beams, 10 June 2019
One financial analyst told the Wall Street Journal the markets were a “slave to liquidity, and when the Fed is accommodative, it’s a good sign for the markets.”
US job growth down sharply, wages stagnate
By Jerry White, 10 June 2019
US workers have seen a mere 1.1 percent increase in real wages over the last year.
IMF warns of growing trade war
By Nick Beams, 7 June 2019
Trump’s threat to use tariffs against Mexico over immigration has sent a shock wave through the international trading system because it makes clear the US is prepared to use economic and trade warfare measures to pursue all of its policy objectives.
US coal producer Cloud Peak Energy files for bankruptcy
By Zachary Thorton, 7 June 2019
Over 1,200 miners face a precarious future after the third-largest US coal producer declared bankruptcy.
US stocks surge as Fed signals rate cut
By Barry Grey, 5 June 2019
US stock prices shot up Tuesday, reversing weeks of declines, after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell signaled that he was prepared to slash interest rates.
Three reports expose extreme inequalities in Britain
By Steve James, 4 June 2019
Three recent reports and surveys have exposed intensifying levels of mass poverty, alongside the grotesque accumulation of wealth by a few.
The US and China on a collision course
By Andre Damon, 3 June 2019
The “cold war” between the United States and China took a major step toward becoming a “hot” war over the weekend at the annual Shangri-La defense summit in Singapore.
US defense secretary issues military threat against China
By Nick Beams, 3 June 2019
US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan delivered a 40-minute blast against China accusing it of seeking “Indo-Pacific hegemony in the near-term and, ultimately, global pre-eminence in the long-term.”
Trump’s Mexican tariff threat hits global markets
By Nick Beams, 1 June 2019
In pursuit of his political agenda, Trump has made clear he is prepared to resort to the unprecedented use of economic measures, with far-reaching international ramifications.
China considering “rare earths” retaliation in conflict with the US
By Nick Beams, 30 May 2019
An editorial published in the state-owned People’s Daily warned that the US should not underestimate China’s ability to fight a trade war.
Rumored deal between Fiat-Chrysler and Renault foreshadows mass layoffs
By Tom Hall, 27 May 2019
The proposed deal with the French automaker will be used to eliminate “redundancies,” particularly in FCA’s unprofitable European operations.
Dressbarn to close all its stores as US “retail apocalypse” exceeds 2018 closures
By Anthony Bertolt, 27 May 2019
The liquidation of the clothing retailer will throw approximately 6,800 workers out of their jobs with little, if any, support.
Former Trump adviser lays out plan for all-out economic war against China
By Nick Beams, 25 May 2019
Steve Bannon has called for Huawei, the Chinese telecoms firm, to be driven out of US and Europe, declaring this is ten times more important than any trade deal.
25 May 2019
Markets fall on trade war and global growth fears
By Nick Beams, 24 May 2019
The Financial Times cited one fund manager who said it was “panic mode” and “people are realising that the economy could be a lot slower than we thought.”
Macron’s Labor Law in France: Unions organize 3,000 layoffs at Carrefour supermarket chain
By Anthony Torres, 23 May 2019
The unions and company are using a procedure for so-called voluntary redundancies introduced in the Labor Law initiated by the Socialist Party and imposed by Macron.
The Huawei shock
By Nick Beams, 23 May 2019
The actions by the Trump administration against the Chinese telecoms giant Huawei have sent shock waves through the global economy and the international trading system.
White House and Google launch technology war against China
By Andre Damon, 21 May 2019
Google and other companies have announced measures that would effectively destroy Huawei, the second-largest global smartphone maker and the world’s largest maker of telecommunications equipment.
Trump manoeuvres in economic war against China
By Nick Beams, 20 May 2019
US intelligence chiefs have held meetings with major American companies, providing them with classified information to warn of the dangers of doing business in China.
Police escort workers out of closed plant in Central Pennsylvania
By Samuel Davidson, 20 May 2019
Police were called to stand by as nearly 1,000 workers were abruptly thrown out of their jobs at this Central Pennsylvania factory
Democrats back trade war with China
By Patrick Martin, 18 May 2019
The main criticism of Trump’s trade policy by congressional Democrats and most presidential candidates is that the president should focus exclusively on China and enlist Canada, Mexico and the European Union in an anti-China coalition.
In another escalation of trade war against China
Trump issues executive order directed at Huawei
By Nick Beams, 16 May 2019
The latest US action is an escalation in what could be described as a drive to “weaponise” all arms of the state in the economic confrontation against China.
A new stage in the US-China trade war
By Nick Beams, 14 May 2019
The fundamental and irresolvable contradiction of world capitalism, between world economy and the nation-state system, lies at the root of the accelerating US-China trade war.
“Act now” on trade or it will get worse, Trump threatens China
By Nick Beams, 13 May 2019
The increasingly belligerent US rhetoric is being matched by action expected to target another $300 billion worth of Chinese goods with tariffs of 25 percent.
No agreement at US-China trade talks as positions harden
By Nick Beams, 11 May 2019
A week ago, a deal had been expected, but that scenario was blown up when the Trump administration accused Beijing of backtracking on its commitments.
The Uber IPO: Billions for investors, increased exploitation for workers
By Shannon Jones, 11 May 2019
The global strikes and protests by Uber and Lyft drivers amid an orgy of stockholder enrichment underscore the need for workers to adopt an international socialist strategy.
US tariff hike against China goes ahead
By Nick Beams, 10 May 2019
Trump said talks with Chinese representatives would proceed, but “I have no idea what’s going to happen.”
China to hit back if new US tariff threat goes ahead
By Nick Beams, 9 May 2019
The US is demanding China submit an inventory of laws and regulations it will enact to guarantee compliance with any trade deal—in effect dictating economic policy to Beijing.
Financial parasitism and the stock market surge
By Nick Beams, 9 May 2019
In its maniacal drive for higher profits, increasingly generated by the parasitic inflation of stock prices, finance capital and its mouthpieces in politics and the media demand that more cheap money be made available through the slashing of interest rates.
On eve of trade talks in Washington
Trump threatens new tariffs against China
By Nick Beams, 6 May 2019
Trump’s threats, aimed at putting intense pressure on Chinese negotiators when they sit down with their US counterparts on Wednesday, could have the effect of blowing up the talks.
US-China trade talks enter final phase
By Nick Beams, 4 May 2019
One of the main sticking points is agreement on the procedure by which US tariffs imposed on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods would be lifted if a trade agreement is reached.
US threatens UK over Huawei involvement in 5G network
By Robert Stevens, 1 May 2019
After it was leaked that Huawei could help build the British 5G network, the Trump administration is threatening to shut Britain out of “Five Eyes” intelligence sharing.
Preparing for World War Three
Global military spending tops $1.8 trillion, highest on record
By Niles Niemuth, 30 April 2019
Nearly three decades after the end of the Cold War, the world’s capitalist elite, led by the United States, are preparing for a devastating conflict of global proportions.
Amazon posts record $3.6 billion profit in first three months of 2019
By Niles Niemuth, 27 April 2019
Amazon plans to increase the exploitation of workers in the US and internationally by implementing free one day shipping for Prime subscribers to ensure ever-bigger profits.
Fed “pivot” promotes stock market surge
By Nick Beams, 26 April 2019
While share prices soar, the global economic outlook has worsened, with growing signs of a downturn.
UK: May unable to stem Tory crisis over Brexit, but still propped up by Corbyn
By Robert Stevens, 26 April 2019
For Corbyn’s faction, the political function of these talks over Brexit is to side-line a discussion on the political crisis facing the government that could precipitate a general election.
Ontario Tory government intensifies assault on workers’ rights
By Penny Smith, 26 April 2019
Ford’s thinly veiled threat to criminalize teachers’ strikes must be taken as a serious warning: emboldened by the unions’ complicity, the Tories are escalating their class-war assault.
The fraud of “progressive capitalism”
By Nick Beams, 26 April 2019
Calls for “reform” of the capitalist economy advanced by billionaire CEOs in the US and supported by “left” economists are motivated by deep fears of the implications of the shift to the left in broad sections of the American population.
Miners’ union sells out five-month long strike at Sibanye Stillwater in South Africa
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
26 April 2019
The South African Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union agreed to a deal ending the five-month strike by gold miners on the same terms as the “slave labour” agreement signed with three other unions.
OECD report: Growth of social inequality fuels global political and economic crisis
By Jessica Goldstein, 23 April 2019
The findings of the report showed that among OECD countries, a growing number of middle-income earners perceive “that the current socioeconomic system is unfair.”
Major Indian airline grounded, threatening 23,000 jobs
By Deepal Jayasekera, 23 April 2019
The crisis facing Jet Airways, and which has caused it to ground all its aircraft, is part of a global crisis of the aviation industry.
Empty buildings, empty promises: Foxconn con job continues in Wisconsin
By Jacob Crosse, 22 April 2019
An estimated $300 million has already been siphoned from public coffers to provide transportation access for a nonexistent factory complex.
New round of US-China trade talks
By Nick Beams, 19 April 2019
Among the most contentious issues that remain unresolved are which US tariffs would continue force and the establishment of an enforcement mechanism.
Trump, the Fed and the New York Times
By Nick Beams, 17 April 2019
Trump has repeatedly attacked the Fed after Wall Street last year experienced its worst December result since the depths of the Great Depression in 1931.
US Tax Day 2019: Sixty giant corporations pay zero income tax
By Patrick Martin, 16 April 2019
As a consequence of Trump’s 2017 tax cut for the wealthy, the number of Fortune 500 companies paying no federal income taxes has doubled.
240 Trump and Fed
16 April 2019
Two giant German banks plan merger
By Gustav Kemper and Peter Schwarz, 12 April 2019
The German government is pushing for the combination of Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank to establish a financial behemoth capable of competing with the US and China.
As trade tensions increase, IMF lowers forecasts for global growth
By Nick Beams, 11 April 2019
The IMF reported that industrial production and investment remained weak in many advanced and developing economies, and world trade had yet to recover.
Trump calls for more cheap money for financial markets
By Nick Beams, 8 April 2019
Proposals by Trump to fill two vacancies on the Fed’s board of governors have brought denunciations of political stacking.
US-China trade deal pushed back
By Nick Beams, 6 April 2019
Trump emerged from a meeting with chief Chinese trade negotiator Liu He to say it would take at least four weeks to reach an agreement as he declined to set a date for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Investigation shows that a malfunctioning Boeing sensor caused Ethiopian Airlines crash
By Kevin Reed, 5 April 2019
The preliminary report by the Ethiopian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau shows that a faulty angle-of-attack sensor was behind the crash on March 10 that killed 157 passengers and crew.
UK local councils sell off billions of pounds in public assets due to austerity
By Joe Mount, 5 April 2019
Since 2014, over 12,000 publicly-owned assets with a total value of over £9.1 billion have been sold off, including libraries, health clinics, youth centres and public spaces.
Amid auto layoffs and warnings of manufacturing “bloodbath”
IMF chief points to global growth deceleration
By Nick Beams, 4 April 2019
IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde noted that while two years ago 75 percent of the global economy was experiencing an upswing, today 70 percent is in a slowdown.
Sears abruptly slashes life insurance coverage for 90,000 retirees
By Jacob Crosse, 3 April 2019
Retirees have been given two options—either convert all or a portion of the previously held policy into a new plan, and begin making payments, or watch it evaporate.
Lyft IPO: Wall Street rakes in billions from the growth of casualized labor
By Dan Conway, 1 April 2019
A small layer of investors and company employees have become multimillionaires and billionaires, while hundreds of thousands of drivers struggle to make ends meet on poverty level wages.
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