Economy

The tariff crisis The US-China relationship
Beijing introduces additional tariffs on meat from several countries

From the turn of the year, China will introduce additional tariffs of up to 55 percent on beef products that exceed established quotas, writes Reuters.

The measure includes Brazil, Argentina, the United States and New Zealand, among others.

The quota for 2026 is set at 2.7 million tons and will be gradually increased.

Platinum soars – has its best year ever

The platinum price has surged 33 percent in December and is thus on track for its best month since 1986. This is shown by data from LSEG, according to Reuters.

The EU's U-turn in December on the issue of the 2035 internal combustion engine ban, low supply and increased demand for precious metals are behind the rush for both platinum and palladium.

Earlier this week, platinum reached a new record high of $2,478.50 per ounce, and thus looks set to have its best year ever with a rise of 146 percent.

Mitsubishi analysts call the EU's move a "steroid injection" that extends the use of platinum metals in car catalytic converters.

-The extension is not only indefinite - the EU will also demand continued stricter emission levels, which in the long run means higher use of platinum group metals, analysts say.

The big test for platinum metals will likely only await when there is clarity on US tariffs, analysts at Macquarie write in a comment.

The price of platinum takes a hit on New Year's Eve and plummets by more than 10 percent. This after the CME raised margin requirements for futures contracts in precious metals for the second time in a week. At 08.45 Swedish time, the precious metal is trading at $ 1981 per ounce.