Bloomberg The world’s political and corporate elite gathered in the Swiss ski resort of Davos delivered a robust defense of globalisation as US President Donald Trump slapped tariffs on imported solar panels and washing machines in his first major trade action. The push-back also came as a group of 11 countries, including Japan and Canada, agreed to move forward on …

Bloomberg The influential Koch political network is urging President Donald Trump to reject a proposal made by the US Chamber of Commerce to increase the federal gas tax to help modernise American roads, bridges and other infrastructure. Last week, the chamber called on Congress and the Trump administration to raise federal fuel taxes by 25 cents a gallon, pass initiatives …

Bloomberg The International Monetary Fund has raised its economic growth forecasts for Saudi Arabia as oil prices rise, though the pace of expansion remains below government estimates. Gross domestic product will likely grow 1.6 percent this year, the IMF said, compared with an earlier forecast of 1.1 percent. The Washington-based lender also revised its 2019 economic growth forecast to 2.2 …