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Leigh Thomas
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (left) speaks with Roland Lescure, France's economy, finances and industry minister, prior to a meeting of G7 finance ministers and central bank governors, in Paris on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
May 20, 2026
G7 finance ministers urge action on economic imbalances; some point to China
G7 finance ministers and central bank governors have met in Paris to discuss the fallout from the Iran war and volatility on ​global markets but were light on concrete measures.
A truck transports a Maersk container at APM Terminals at the Port of Los Angeles on March 4.
WORLD / Politics
May 18, 2026
G7 finance chiefs seek to tackle imbalances as trade strains unity
The two-day meeting follows a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing that yielded few concrete economic breakthroughs.
A logistics center near Tianjin Port, in northern China. The country's economy is expected to grow 4.9% this year before slowing to 4.4% in 2026.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 23, 2025
Full impact of U.S. tariff shock yet to come as growth holds up, OECD says
In its latest Economic Outlook Interim Report, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said the full impact of U.S. tariff hikes was still unfolding.
Sebastien Lecornu became France's fifth prime minister last week.
WORLD / Politics
Sep 18, 2025
Tax the rich or fall: French prime minister faces budget ultimatum
Sebastien Lecornu, who last week became France’s fifth prime minister, is racing to draft a budget that is due to be sent to lawmakers by Oct. 7.
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou during a news conference to present a major public finance recovery plan in Paris on Tuesday
WORLD / Politics
Jul 16, 2025
France’s PM wants to scrap two public holidays to help fix government finances
“Everyone will have to contribute to the effort,” Francois Bayrou said in a two-hour news conference, warning that public debt was a “mortal danger” for France.
Veterans in France. For over a dozen NATO members, pensions make up a large — and largely overlooked — chunk of their defense budgets.
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
May 8, 2025
Europe’s costly military pensions complicate defense buildup
For over a dozen NATO members, pensions make up a large — and largely overlooked — chunk of their defense budgets.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Oct 9, 2021
Global tax deal seeks to end havens but criticized for ‘no teeth’
Many developing countries have said their interests have been ignored and that wealthy nations were likely to continue dividing up the spoils of foreign direct investment.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 30, 2021
In post-Merkel EU, Macron can’t exert leadership without allies
Macron’s abrasive style and willingness to go it alone indicate he’ll struggle to fill Merkel’s EU shoes, say senior diplomats.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 6, 2021
What is a global minimum tax and what will it mean?
The deal aims to end what U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has called a ‘30-year race to the bottom on corporate tax rates’ as countries compete to lure multinationals.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 30, 2016
Fillon’s economic shock therapy for France risks side effects
On paper, French presidential favorite Francois Fillon’s free market plans to cut business taxes, relax labor laws and shrink the public sector should give corporate France a shot in the arm and boost economic growth.

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The Terasaka Rice Terraces are seen with Mount Buko in the background.
What Yokoze can teach Japan about rural revival