Expect significant new tariffs on Chinese imports and moderate levies on goods from other nations , as President-elect Donald Trump rolls out his protectionist agenda. However, with his preference for chaotic policymaking and sudden shifts , there’s uncertainty on how soon these import taxes will actually hit. Dubbed “ Tariff Man ,” Trump aims to use tariffs both strategically and tactically . He’s mentioned taxing all Chinese goods up to 60% and potentially setting 10%-20% tariffs on imports globally , but details on these plans remain vague . Key players within Trump’s team are divided: Robert Lighthizer , a staunch tariff advocate, sees permanent duties as crucial to balance US trade , while others, like billionaires John Paulson and Scott Bessent , view tariffs as temporary leverage. Trump’s previous administration had mixed feelings, especially on national security-related trade limits , which he sometimes dismissed, favoring an “open for business” approach. High-profile busin
On Monday, Britain will become the first G7 country to end coal-fired power production, marking a significant milestone in the nation's journey toward climate targets. The closure of Uniper’s Ratcliffe-on-Soar plant in England’s Midlands signals the end of over 140 years of coal power in the UK.
Back in 2015, Britain set a goal to phase out coal plants within a decade, when nearly 30% of its electricity came from coal. By last year, this figure had dropped to just over 1%.
“The UK has proven that it is possible to phase out coal power at unprecedented speed,” said Julia Skorupska, Head of the Powering Past Coal Alliance, which includes around 60 national governments working to eliminate coal power. This phase-out has significantly contributed to the halving of Britain's greenhouse gas emissions since 1990.
Britain aims for net zero emissions by 2050 and plans to decarbonize its electricity sector by 2030, relying heavily on renewable sources such as wind and solar power.
"The era of coal might be ending, but a new age of good energy jobs for our country is just beginning," said energy minister Michael Shanks.
In contrast, coal power still constitutes over 25% of Germany’s electricity and more than 30% of Japan’s power, showing the significant challenge other nations face in reaching the same target. The G7 nations agreed in April to scrap coal power by the mid-2030s, though some countries heavily reliant on coal have been granted more flexibility, drawing criticism from environmental groups.
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