UK exports were already facing 10% duties, plus Most Favored Nation (MFN) rates, under Trump\u2019s earlier \u201cLiberation Day\u201d tariffs. The decision provides continuity and avoids further disruption for British businesses. EU exports had previously faced either a 15% tariff or the MFN rate, whichever was higher. The European Parliament froze ratification of the EU-U.S. trade deal amid concerns that Trump\u2019s latest tariff move may breach last summer\u2019s transatlantic agreement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The new tariffs are imposed for 150 days under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act. During that period, the administration may investigate further sectoral tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. After 150 days, Congress could vote to extend the tariffs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Further reading: Trump spares EU and UK from higher tariff rates for now<\/a><\/p>\n Featured ESG Tool of the Week: U.S. Supreme Court to hear oil companies\u2019 appeal in Boulder climate lawsuit The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal by oil companies ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy, asking the court to dismiss a climate change lawsuit filed by officials in Boulder, Colorado. Boulder\u2019s 2018 lawsuit accuses the companies of violating state law by contributing to climate change and misleading the public about their products\u2019 roles, and seeks compensation for costs the city and county have incurred in addressing climate impacts. The companies argue that Boulder\u2019s lawsuit would illegally interfere with the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Supreme Court took up the appeal after a lower court allowed the case to proceed and the Colorado Supreme Court denied the companies\u2019 earlier effort to dismiss it. The Trump administration backed the oil companies\u2019 appeal.\u00a0<\/p>\n *** Related Articles<\/p>\n Here is a list of articles selected by our Editorial Board that have gained significant interest from the public:<\/p>\n Sam Altman defends AI energy use Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, defended the energy consumption of AI<\/a> systems and the data centers that power them. In an effort to ease concerns, he compared the energy required to power AI to the energy needed for human development. He said that to \u201ctrain a human,\u201d there\u2019s a need for roughly 20 years of life, as well as all the food that they would consume, before becoming smart.\u00a0<\/p>\n Altman acknowledged that concerns about total AI energy use are \u201cfair\u201d and stressed the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as nuclear, wind, and solar. He also dismissed claims about excessive water use at AI facilities as exaggerated. Data centers consumed about 1.5% of global electricity in 2024, and, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), usage is projected to grow 15% annually through 2030. In December, more than 230 U.S. environmental groups called for a moratorium on the construction of data centers in the U.S.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Further reading: Sam Altman defends AI\u2019s energy toll by saying it also takes a lot to \u2018train a human\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Endesa unveils \u20ac10.6\u202fbillion plan to strengthen Spain\u2019s power grids Endesa, Spain\u2019s largest power utility, announced a new three-year investment plan totalling \u20ac10.6\u202fbillion to strengthen and upgrade the country\u2019s electricity networks. \u20ac5.5\u202fbillion will go into power grids, which is 40% higher compared to its previous three-year strategy, in an effort to reinforce infrastructure, especially after a major blackout<\/a> hit Spain and Portugal in 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n To fund the increased grid spending, Endesa plans to reduce investment in renewables by about 20% to around 3 billion euros, with a more selective focus on wind and energy storage projects. The company expects its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) to grow by 2028 compared with 2025. The target is between \u20ac6.2\u20136.5\u202fbillion, up from \u20ac5.8\u202fbillion in 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Further reading: Spain\u2019s Endesa increases focus on grid investment under new three-year plan<\/a><\/p>\n
Klimado<\/a>\u2013 Navigate climate complexity with a user-friendly platform that tracks global and local environmental changes for ESG-conscious decision-making. Perfect for investors, companies, and policy makers seeking actionable insights on sustainability trends.<\/p>\n
\n![\"ESG](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/224-Bolder-Climate-Lawsuit-300x200.jpg\")
ExxonMobil and Suncor face the Supreme Court over Boulder\u2019s climate lawsuit. Photo Credit: LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR<\/a><\/p>\n
Further reading: US Supreme Court to hear bid by oil companies to toss climate suits<\/a><\/p>\n
\n![\"ESG](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/224-Sam-Altman-OpenAI-300x200.jpg\")
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman defends AI energy use, highlighting the need for renewable-powered data centers amid environmental concerns. Photo Credit: TechCrunch<\/a><\/p>\n
\n![\"ESG](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/224-Endesa-Grid-Investment-300x178.jpg\")
Endesa invests heavily in electricity networks, aiming to strengthen Spain\u2019s power infrastructure after the 2025 blackout. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n