Aux Etats-Unis, des chiffres du chômage sous haute surveillance

Les chiffres mensuels sur l’emploi aux Etats-Unis feront l’objet d’une attention particulière vendredi, le précédent rapport ayant été jugé “bidonné” en sa défaveur par le président Donald Trump qui a renvoyé la directrice du service statistiques.Le mois dernier, la publication de ce rapport officiel avait créé deux ondes de choc.La première, parce qu’il comportait de fortes révisions du nombre d’emplois créés par la première économie mondiale les mois précédents – montrant que le marché du travail est plus fragile que ce qui avait été jusque-là imaginé.La seconde, parce que le président américain avait décidé dans la foulée de renvoyer Erika McEntarfer, la responsable du service à l’origine du rapport (BLS). Il a affirmé, sans apporter de preuves, que les chiffres avaient été “bidonnés” à des fins politiques.L’initiative avait stupéfait économistes comme opposants politiques, ces derniers l’accusant d’essayer de tuer le messager plutôt que de faire face aux conséquences de sa politique économique, notamment ses droits de douane massifs qui bousculent les chaînes de production.M. Trump compte nommer à la tête du BLS EJ Antoni, un économiste d’un centre de réflexion conservateur qui soutient sans réserve sa politique. La nomination n’a pas encore été confirmée par le Sénat à majorité républicaine, le camp présidentiel.- “Les plus fiables au monde” -Vendredi, les analystes s’attendent à voir une légère hausse du chômage en août, à 4,3%, et moins de créations d’emplois qu’à l’accoutumée (autour de 75.000), selon le consensus publié par MarketWatch.Ces éléments pourraient achever de convaincre la banque centrale des Etats-Unis (Fed) de baisser ses taux pour soutenir l’économie, à l’issue de sa prochaine réunion le 17 septembre.La question de la fiabilité des chiffres reste posée.Sans croire à une manipulation politique, les économistes interrogés par l’AFP estiment que les fortes révisions des données du BLS découlent du fait que les entreprises sondées répondent de plus en plus tardivement, rendant les estimations initiales moins précises.”Je ne pense pas que les chiffres soient influencés politiquement. Je considère en revanche qu’il y a des marges d’amélioration dans la collecte des données”, dit la cheffe économiste de Nationwide, Kathy Bostjancic, estimant que les publications des agences officielles américaines restent “les plus fiables au monde”.Dan North, économiste chez Allianz Trade North America, espère que le thermomètre “le plus important” de la santé de l’économie n’est pas cassé: “Les gens lambda s’en fichent de savoir si la croissance est de 2,1% ou 2,3%, ce qui leur importe, c’est s’ils ont un travail ou si leur voisin en a un.”- “Comme paralysées” -Les chiffres rendent par ailleurs imparfaitement compte des évolutions en cours, relèvent séparément Kathy Bostjancic et Gregory Daco, économiste chez EY.Selon eux, le taux de chômage s’est jusqu’ici maintenu au niveau du plein-emploi (dans une fourchette entre 4% et 4,2%) seulement parce que la population active – catégorie rassemblant les personnes travaillant et celles cherchant du travail – s’est rétrécie, ce qui n’est pas forcément bon signe.”Des personnes sortent de la population active. Elles n’ont pas d’emploi mais ne sont pas non plus au chômage. Cela maintient le taux de chômage bas mais cela ne crée pas de revenus”, note Kathy Bostjancic. Elle souligne que ces personnes ont pu être découragées par le manque d’opportunités alors que les entreprises sont “comme paralysées” face à l’ampleur et aux répercussions mouvantes de l’offensive protectionniste de Donald Trump.Cette baisse de la population active est aussi “liée en grande partie à la politique d’immigration très restrictive” du gouvernement, remarque Gregory Daco.”De plus en plus de gens, estime-t-il, hésitent à chercher du travail parce qu’ils savent qu’ils prennent ainsi le risque d’être arrêtés et expulsés.”

Trump signs order to lower US tariffs on Japan autos to 15%

US President Donald Trump signed an order Thursday to lower tariffs on Japanese autos, as Washington moves to implement a trade pact negotiated with Tokyo.Japanese autos will face a 15 percent tariff instead of the current 27.5 percent, while the level for many other goods will similarly be capped at 15 percent, according to the text of the executive order published by the White House.The outcome marks a win for Japan, after Tokyo’s tariff envoy headed to Washington on Thursday to press Trump to sign the document for the changes — weeks after both sides announced their agreement.Top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said Japan welcomed the executive order, which marked “the steadfast implementation” of the deal.While the two countries had initially unveiled a trade pact in late July, they appeared to diverge in its details.When Trump in early August implemented higher tariffs on Japan — as part of a flurry targeting dozens of economies — its 15 percent rate stacked on existing levels for many products.Japan’s tariffs envoy Ryosei Akazawa had earlier told reporters that Washington was expected to revise the rule.According to the new order, the 15 percent cap for many products will apply retroactively to goods shipped from August 7 — the date that the higher duties on dozens of economies took effect.The modifications are to be made within seven days of the rule being published on the Federal Register.- ‘Still cause damage’-Apart from Washington’s country-specific tariff levels, Trump has also imposed separate sector-specific tariff rates, including a 25 percent duty on autos and parts.This, coupled with an existing 2.5 percent tariff the Japanese auto industry faced, took the overall level to 27.5 percent.The hefty duties had marked a heavy blow to Japan and its crucial auto sector, which accounts for around eight percent of the country’s jobs.Japan’s deal wins it a similar reprieve to the European Union, which also has a 15 percent maximum tariff on many products.But speaking in Washington, Akazawa told Japanese media Friday that the 15 percent tariff would “still cause damage to our nation’s industries”.”The Japanese government will take swift and necessary measures, like financing assistance,” he added.Akazawa was also expected to engage in further discussions during his US trip about Trump’s assertion that Japan would make investments worth $550 billion in the United States.According to Trump’s order, the investments “will be selected by the United States Government,” but the document did not go into detail.Ishiba said Friday that Tokyo had sent a letter to Washington saying “we would like to build a golden age for Japan and the United States together with President Trump, and that we would like to invite him to Japan”.Trump has said the United States will keep 90 percent of the profits from the investments, which Japan has said will mostly consist of loans and loan guarantees.Akazawa had cancelled an earlier visit after Washington said that it was considering including a reduction in Japanese tariffs on agricultural products in the presidential order, the Nikkei business daily reported.Trump has long pressed Japan to import more American rice.burs-aph/fox

Trump signs order to lower US tariffs on Japan autos to 15%

US President Donald Trump signed an order Thursday to lower tariffs on Japanese autos, as Washington moves to implement a trade pact negotiated with Tokyo.Japanese autos will face a 15 percent tariff instead of the current 27.5 percent, while the level for many other goods will similarly be capped at 15 percent, according to the text of the executive order published by the White House.The outcome marks a win for Japan, after Tokyo’s tariff envoy headed to Washington on Thursday to press Trump to sign the document for the changes — weeks after both sides announced their agreement.Top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said Japan welcomed the executive order, which marked “the steadfast implementation” of the deal.While the two countries had initially unveiled a trade pact in late July, they appeared to diverge in its details.When Trump in early August implemented higher tariffs on Japan — as part of a flurry targeting dozens of economies — its 15 percent rate stacked on existing levels for many products.Japan’s tariffs envoy Ryosei Akazawa had earlier told reporters that Washington was expected to revise the rule.According to the new order, the 15 percent cap for many products will apply retroactively to goods shipped from August 7 — the date that the higher duties on dozens of economies took effect.The modifications are to be made within seven days of the rule being published on the Federal Register.- ‘Still cause damage’-Apart from Washington’s country-specific tariff levels, Trump has also imposed separate sector-specific tariff rates, including a 25 percent duty on autos and parts.This, coupled with an existing 2.5 percent tariff the Japanese auto industry faced, took the overall level to 27.5 percent.The hefty duties had marked a heavy blow to Japan and its crucial auto sector, which accounts for around eight percent of the country’s jobs.Japan’s deal wins it a similar reprieve to the European Union, which also has a 15 percent maximum tariff on many products.But speaking in Washington, Akazawa told Japanese media Friday that the 15 percent tariff would “still cause damage to our nation’s industries”.”The Japanese government will take swift and necessary measures, like financing assistance,” he added.Akazawa was also expected to engage in further discussions during his US trip about Trump’s assertion that Japan would make investments worth $550 billion in the United States.According to Trump’s order, the investments “will be selected by the United States Government,” but the document did not go into detail.Ishiba said Friday that Tokyo had sent a letter to Washington saying “we would like to build a golden age for Japan and the United States together with President Trump, and that we would like to invite him to Japan”.Trump has said the United States will keep 90 percent of the profits from the investments, which Japan has said will mostly consist of loans and loan guarantees.Akazawa had cancelled an earlier visit after Washington said that it was considering including a reduction in Japanese tariffs on agricultural products in the presidential order, the Nikkei business daily reported.Trump has long pressed Japan to import more American rice.burs-aph/fox

US tech titans pay hommage to Trump at White House dinner

Tech world executives showered Donald Trump with praise Thursday during a rare dinner that saw the US president host some of the most important players in AI at the White House.”This is quite a group to get together,” said Meta chief and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, who was seated at Trump’s right side.At the table were heads of major tech companies including Google-parent Alphabet, Apple, Microsoft and artificial intelligence star OpenAI.Some of those at the dinner had attended Trump’s inauguration, signalling they were ready to fall in line with the 79-year-old president’s world view — or at least seek to avoid his ire.Notably absent from the dinner was multi-billionaire tech tycoon Elon Musk, a former Trump ally who had a spectacular falling out with the president.The chief of Tesla and SpaceX put out word in a post on his X social network that he had been invited to the dinner but couldn’t attend, sending someone to represent him.Companies at the dinner were making huge investments in US data centers and infrastructure to “power the next wave of innovation”, Zuckerberg said.Apple chief executive Tim Cook voiced thanks for Trump “setting the tone” for the companies to make major investments in US manufacturing.Trump recently threatened trade sanctions against countries that apply regulations to US tech companies, aiming particularly at the European Union.”Thank you for being such a pro-business, pro-innovation president,” said OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman.”It’s a refreshing change.”  Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, seated next to First Lady Melania Trump, was less effusive, calling for artificial intelligence to be used to promote international development.”It’s great we all get together and talk about how the United States could lead in this key area and apply it even to the poorest outside the US, as well as to our great citizens,” said the Microsoft legend turned philanthropist.Gates cited Operation Warp Speed, Trump’s first term initiative which saw the rapid development of Covid-19 vaccines, as an example of America’s capacity for innovation.Since taking office in January, Trump has cut international aid and ended investments in the kinds of vaccines deployed during the Covid-19 pandemic.Silicon Valley leaders who did not support Trump during his first term in office changed course with his return to office.Many have visited the White House to promise heavy investment in the United States, and some have been quick to follow the US president’s lead in ending diversity promotion programs and initiatives to combat online misinformation.

Foot: la milieu du PSG Grace Geyoro signe à London City pour un montant record

La milieu française du PSG Grace Geyoro, sous contrat avec Paris jusqu’en 2028, a signé à London City Lionesses pour un montant record de 1,65 million d’euros, a appris l’AFP d’une source proche des négociations.Après avoir vécu une dernière saison compliquée avec le PSG, l’ancienne capitaine parisienne a fait le choix de l’étranger et du club anglais de la femme d’affaire américaine Michele Kang, également présidente de l’Olympique lyonnais.Contacté par l’AFP, le club parisien qui perd une nouvelle cadre de son équipe après le départ de l’attaquante Marie-Antoinette Katoto à l’OL Lyonnes cet été, n’avait pas réagi dans l’immédiat.La joueuse de 28 ans a signé un contrat de quatre ans, a indiqué la source, précisant que les deux clubs sont parvenus à un accord jeudi pour un montant record de 1,65 million d’euros.En janvier dernier, la défenseuse américaine Naomi Girma avait rejoint Chelsea après un transfert estimé à plus d’un million d’euros selon la presse, ce qui constituait un nouveau record pour le football féminin.Capitaine pendant plusieurs années et joueuse emblématique du PSG où elle est arrivée avec les équipes jeunes en 2012 à l’âge de 15 ans, l’internationale française a perdu le brassard la saison dernière au moment de l’arrivée du coach Fabrice Abriel. Elle a entretenu des relations tendues avec lui tout au long de la saison au point d’être écartée du groupe à plusieurs reprises.La milieu a donc choisi l’étranger et le championnat anglais en pleine expansion comme d’autres joueuses françaises du PSG avant elle: l’attaquante Sandy Baltimore et la milieu Oriane Jean-François qui ont signé l’été dernier à Chelsea. Geyoro va retrouver à London City Lionnesses Jocelyn Prêcheur, son ancien entraineur au PSG (2023-2024), qui coach depuis la saison dernière et qui a permis la montée du club londonnien en Women’s Super League (WSL).Depuis son arrivée à la tête du club, Michele Kang a mis les moyens cet été pour renforcer l’effectif du promu: plus d’une douzaine de recrutements ont été opérés, ce qui inclut notamment les expérimentées Nikita Parris et Danielle van de Donk (ex-OL Lyonnes).

Trump defends RFK Jr, after heated Congress grilling

US President Donald Trump on Thursday threw his support behind his controversial health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., after he was grilled in Congress over decisions to fire scientists and overhaul the nation’s vaccine policies.”He’s a very good person, and he means very well, and he’s got some little different ideas,” Trump said at a White House dinner with tech industry executives.The three-hour grilling, which often erupted into shouting matches, came a week after the Trump administration’s ousting of Sue Monarez, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which plunged the nation’s premier public health agency into turmoil.In his opening remarks, Kennedy tore into the CDC’s actions during the Covid pandemic, accusing it of failing “miserably” with “disastrous and nonsensical” policies including masking guidance, social distancing and school closures. “We need bold, competent and creative new leadership at CDC, people able and willing to chart a new course,” he said, touting the health department’s new focus on chronic disease.Monarez, the CDC director whom Kennedy previously endorsed, accused the secretary of a “deliberate effort to weaken America’s public-health system and vaccine protections” in a Wall Street Journal op-ed Thursday.Kennedy’s explanation for her firing — as he told senators during the hearing — was simply: “I asked her, ‘Are you a trustworthy person?’ And she said, ‘No.'””Secretary Kennedy’s claims are false, and at times, patently ridiculous,” Monarez’s lawyers said in a statement sent to AFP, adding she would be willing to testify under oath.- Bitter exchanges -Once a respected environmental lawyer, Kennedy emerged in the mid-2000s as a leading anti-vaccine activist, spending two decades spreading voluminous misinformation before being tapped by President Donald Trump as health secretary.Since taking office, Kennedy has restricted who can receive Covid-19 shots, cut off federal research grants for the mRNA technology credited with saving millions of lives, and announced new research on debunked claims about autism.Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee leading the hearing, set the tone by demanding Kennedy be sworn in under oath — accusing him of lying in prior testimony when he pledged not to limit vaccine access. The demand was later shot down.”It is in the country’s best interest that Robert Kennedy step down, and if he doesn’t, Donald Trump should fire him before more people are hurt,” Wyden thundered. Trump, however, stood by Kennedy, saying at a White House event Thursday evening that he “did very well today, but it’s not your standard talk… I like the fact that he’s different.”During the heated hearing, Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell branded Kennedy a “charlatan” over his attacks on mRNA research, while Kennedy accused Senator Maggie Hassan of “crazy talk” and “making things up to scare people” when she said parents were already struggling to get Covid vaccines for their children.Vaccines have become a flashpoint in an ever-deepening partisan battle.Conservative-leaning Florida on Wednesday announced it would end all immunization requirements, including at schools, while a West Coast alliance of California, Washington and Oregon announced they would make their own vaccine recommendation body to counter Kennedy’s influence at the national level.- Republican dissent -Republicans mostly closed ranks around Kennedy, though there was some notable dissent. Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician whose support was key to Kennedy’s confirmation, criticized his cancellation of mRNA grants. He was joined by fellow Republican doctor Senator John Barrasso and Senator Thom Tillis.Cassidy pressed Kennedy on whether President Trump deserved a Nobel Prize for Operation Warp Speed, the program that sped Covid vaccines to market.Kennedy agreed Trump should have received the prize — but in nearly the same breath, praised hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, drugs championed by conspiracy theorists that have been proven ineffective against Covid-19.

Conviés à dîner par Trump, les grands noms de la tech lui rendent hommage

Les patrons des géants américains de la tech, qui se sont tous ou presque ralliés à Donald Trump, n’ont pas tari d’éloges sur le président américain jeudi, pendant un dîner donné à la Maison Blanche.”Ce n’est pas rien de rassembler un tel groupe”, a commencé Mark Zuckerberg, patron de Meta, assis à la droite de Donald Trump.Autour d’eux, les chefs des plus grandes entreprises du secteur (OpenAI, Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet), dont certains s’étaient déjà réunis en janvier pour l’investiture du républicain de 79 ans.Le multimilliardaire Elon Musk, ancien allié du président américain avec lequel il s’est brouillé de manière spectaculaire, manquait toutefois à l’appel.”J’étais invité mais malheureusement je ne pouvais pas y assister”, a indiqué le patron de Tesla et SpaceX sur son réseau social, X, en précisant avoir envoyé quelqu’un pour le représenter.Toutes ces entreprises “font d’énormes investissements dans le pays pour construire des centres de données et l’infrastructure qui portera la prochaine vague d’innovation”, a encore commenté Mark Zuckerberg.”Je veux vous remercier pour l’aide que vous apportez aux entreprises américaines à travers le monde”, a déclaré pour sa part Tim Cook, le patron d’Apple.Donald Trump a récemment menacé de sanctions commerciales les pays ou organisations régulant les entreprises technologiques américaines, une menace visant particulièrement l’Union européenne.”Merci d’être un président qui soutient autant les entreprises et l’innovation. C’est un changement vraiment appréciable”, a renchéri Sam Altman, patron d’Open AI.Le cofondateur de Microsoft Bill Gates, assis à côté de la Première dame Melania Trump, a lui adopté un ton un peu différent, en appelant à mettre l’intelligence artificielle au service du développement international.”C’est formidable que nous soyons réunis et que nous parlions de la manière dont les Etats-Unis peuvent dominer ce secteur stratégique et l’appliquer autant aux plus pauvres hors des Etats-Unis qu’à nos concitoyens”, a lancé l’ancien patron reconverti en philanthrope.Bill Gates a, pour illustrer la capacité d’innovation américaine, mentionné l’opération “Warp Speed” qui avait permis de développer et distribuer en un temps record des vaccins contre le Covid-19.Depuis son arrivée au pouvoir, Donald Trump a taillé dans l’aide internationale et mis fin à des investissements dans les vaccins à ARN messager, la technologie déployée face à la pandémie de Covid-19.Plutôt en froid avec le monde de la tech pendant son premier mandat, le républicain de 79 ans a vu les grands noms du secteur se rallier massivement à lui à son retour au pouvoir. Beaucoup ont défilé à la Maison Blanche pour promettre de lourds investissements aux Etats-Unis, et certains se sont empressés, suivant l’impulsion donnée par le président américain, de mettre fin à des programmes de promotion de la diversité ainsi qu’à des initiatives de lutte contre la désinformation en ligne.