Wednesday’s headlines continue to be dominated by Donald Trump’s widespread tariffs amid an escalation between the world’s two biggest economies: the United States and China. Trump’s retaliatory tariffs against China’s retaliatory tariffs sees the US tariffs on Chinese goods now at a rate of 104%. China has said it won’t back down and will continue to fight ‘until the end’ – the battle between the two has raised fears of a global recession.
Elsewhere, Prince Harry is back in Britain to attend a two-day hearing over the decision to cut back his security following his move to the United States. The royal has argued that the country isn’t safe enough for him to bring his wife and children and that his security team in the US does not have access to the level of information needed to ensure his family is safe. Harry has said the UK is always his home and is central to his children’s heritage.
A Universal Studio theme park is set to be built in the UK which could bring an extra £50 billion to the economy, creating 28,000 jobs. The resort would be the first in Europe under the brand behind blockbusters such as Wicked, Harry Potter, Shrek and The Minions movie franchise – and joins six others around the world.
Last night’s football action dominates many UK headlines as English club Arsenal battered Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of the quarter finals. England’s Lionesses suffered a 3-2 loss to Belgium in the Women’s Nations League after winning the reverse fixture 5-0 at home only a few days earlier.
On the international front, there is coverage of claims that Chinese soldiers have been captured by Ukraine while fighting for Russia.
Tariff war escalates as 104% tariff on China to start
The latest escalation in the tariff war dominates the UK news – all eyes will be on the stock markets today as 104% tariffs on China are set to come into effect at midnight in the US. European stocks open at 8 am, whilst the US stock markets open at 14:30 GMT.
- The Guardian reports on Trump’s tariff turbulence, saying China and the US are on a “collision course for all-out trade war” as tariffs set to come into effect at midnight in the US.
- The Financial Times says Trump is “poised to ignite global trade war with steepest tariffs in a century”. As the clock ticks closer to the reciprocal tariffs, Trump is facing backlash from businesses.
- The i says if China is hit with a 104% tariff, it will mark a “major trade war escalation” as Beijing has already said it won’t back down and will “fight to the end.”
- The Daily Telegraph leads with a public row between Elon Musk and Trump’s trade adviser, Peter Navarro. Musk has branded Navarro a “moron” and “dumber than a stack of bricks” while Navarro has told Musk to “stay in his Doge lane,” the paper adds.
Prince Harry home for security case
Prince Harry is back in Britain for a two-day court case regarding his security in the UK. The prince’s desire to get better security for himself and his family suggests the Sussexes might be looking to spend more time in the UK as the children get older.
- Metro says Harry’s appearance in court challenging a Home Office decision to set the level of his personal security while he is in Britain on a “case by case” basis has left him feeling “sidelined.” The paper touts a “deep royal split”, noting that Harry’s father, Charles, flew to Rome without seeing Harry “even though he landed in Britain a whole day before.”
- The Daily Mail reports that Harry’s wife, Meghan, released her first episode of her new podcast series, Confessions Of A Female Founder, on the same day Harry was in court. The paper says in the first episode Meghan opens up about suffering an episode of “scary” poor health after childbirth.
- The Sun says “moan alone” as it pictures Harry outside court and Charles in Italy. The paper says the royals have been “estranged for 14 months.”
- The Guardian highlights Harry’s comments that he feels “singled out for inferior treatment” over his security arrangements.
Arsenal batter Real Madrid – Lionesses lose in Belgium
Declan Rice scored two incredible free kicks in last night’s Champions League match against Real Madrid, followed by a superb goal from Mikel Merino to give the North London club a 3-0 advantage going into the second leg of the quarter-finals.
The Lionesses lost 3-2 last night to Belgium, seeing them sink to second place in their Nations League table. They must beat Spain in June to top the table.
- The Guardian says, “Declan Rice topples Real Madrid with black swans and silver bullets,” adding the midfielder had never scored a free-kick before nailing two in 12 minutes to sink European champions.
- GOAL reports that English and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham said Madrid were lucky to escape only 3-0 down, noting Arsenal could have easily had several more goals.
- The Sun says, “bend it like Declan” – a play on the famous “bend it like Beckham” saying both free kicks were from 25 yards out, and both ‘mugged off’ Thibaut Courtois – one of the ‘finest’ goalkeepers in the world.
- The Independent says Arsenal ‘obliterated helpless’ Real Madrid to finally rise to the highest level of club football, in a match that wrote the most epic story in Emirates Stadium history.
- The Independent reports the injury-hit Lionesses were torn apart in the first half in Leuven to slip to a damaging Women’s Nations League defeat that could cost them at Euro 2025.
- The Guardian says England’s puzzling form continued with a defeat in Belgium but Sarina Wiegman insisted she is unconcerned and believes the result will help her side in the long run.
