International - Financial Times - Credit Squeeze

Democratic Republic of Congo’s three-month suspension on exports is unlikely to reverse pounding the commodity has taken

Tax exemption that provides crucial lifeline to thousands of businesses set to disappear

Move raises fear that commodity will be next to be targeted for tariffs after levies on steel and aluminium

S&P 500 rises 1.6% to trim February’s losses

Figures suggest companies are stockpiling goods ahead of levies promised by Donald Trump

The mood in markets has darkened and the central narrative around trades based on the president’s policies has soured

US shares in Valeo and Forvia fall sharply amid uncertainty over protectionist measures

Donald Trump has raised the prospect of a deal that could help Britain avoid tariffs

Data shows growth rate reached 6.2% but still well below levels needed to hit PM’s long-term goals

Warehouses have become buffers against political volatility

Also in today’s newsletter, Citi sends client $81tn in ‘near miss’ and Mexico extradites prisoners to the US

Agreement reached despite rising geopolitical tensions and US cuts to climate programmes

Some consumers will pay almost 50% more from April as confusion mounts over price rises

Ursula von der Leyen pledges ‘full commitment’ to realising long-awaited pact under shadow of Trump tariffs

Pound is on course for best month against dollar since September as Trump trades unwind

Deputy governor Dave Ramsden says interest rate cuts must be gradual

Donald Trump says duties on biggest trading partners to take effect on March 4

Putting odds on the economy

Also in this newsletter: why the EU shouldn’t let itself be bullied on tech regulation

One of my cardinal rules for investing is to ignore politics — I’m not breaking it yet