💼 BUSINESS NEWS
- Kiara Panjwani
- Jul 9
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 12
12th July 2025
1. Oil Prices Surge on Tighter Market Outlook
What’s happening: Global oil prices jumped over 2% today, with Brent crude rising 3% for the week.
Why now: The International Energy Agency (IEA) warned that the oil market is tightening. Strong summer demand, worries about new U.S. tariffs, and potential extra sanctions on Russia (which could reduce oil supply) are pushing prices up.
Kid-friendly take: More expensive oil could mean higher costs for gas, flights, and even plastic toys—so it's affecting what we pay for travel and fun!
2. Tesla to Open First Store in Mumbai
What’s happening: Tesla is launching its very first retail store in India, set to open on July 15 in Mumbai, the financial & entertainment capital of India.
Why it matters: This marks a major step: Tesla is entering the world’s fifth-largest economy. The store will showcase electric cars, let people test drive them, and boost India’s push toward clean energy and electric vehicles (EVs).
Kid-friendly take: Electric cars use no gasoline and help keep the air cleaner—just imagine seeing Teslas cruising the streets of Mumbai!
3. U.S. Invests $400M in Rare-Earth Mine to Rival China
What’s happening: The U.S. Department of Defense gave $400 million to MP Materials, which runs the only rare-earth mine in the U.S.
Why it matters: Rare-earth minerals are essential for smartphones, electric cars, and even high-tech defense equipment. Right now, China controls most of this market—so the U.S. wants to make more at home to be stronger and more independent.
Kid-friendly take: These metals are behind your gadgets—so digging them here means we can make more cool tech right here instead of importing everything!
11th July 2025
1. Global Tariffs Could Reach 20%+: Major Trade Shift
Imagine having to pay 20% more for your favorite toy or gadget just because it was made in another country! That’s what could happen soon. A leading business group has warned that U.S. tariffs (extra taxes on imported goods) may rise to over 20% on average, which would be the highest level in over 100 years—since before World War I!
This comes as former President Donald Trump, now a major political figure again, has promised to raise tariffs if re-elected. For example, he's already proposed:
50% tariffs on Brazilian goods
35% on Canadian products
And 15–20% on imports from countries like China and Mexico
This could cause prices of clothes, electronics, food, and even school supplies to go up in many countries, not just the U.S. It might also make it harder for small businesses to trade globally because they’ll face higher costs and slower shipments. The world’s economy could be affected as countries scramble to respond and protect their own businesses.
📦 Why It Matters to Kids: Prices of everyday things could go up, and jobs in factories or stores may be affected depending on what’s being imported or exported.
2. Oil Market in a Tight Spot, Says IEA
The International Energy Agency (IEA) just released a new report that says the global oil market is under pressure, even though refineries are working non-stop to meet the high summer demand for travel (think planes, cars, cruise ships!).
Here’s what’s happening:
Oil demand is still growing but much slower than expected—in fact, 2025 is set to see the smallest increase in demand since 2009, except during the pandemic.
Countries like China and India are using less oil than usual, partly because of energy-saving measures and cleaner technologies.
If even a small disruption (like war, storms, or equipment failure) affects oil supply, prices could rise very fast.
That means fuel for vehicles, airplane tickets, and even plastic-based items (like packaging and toys) could get more expensive.
💡 Why It Matters to Kids: If oil prices go up, so does the cost of travel, deliveries, and even your favorite snacks that come from far away!
3. Nippon Steel Builds New Mill in the U.S.
Big news in the steel world! Nippon Steel, Japan’s largest steel-making company, is teaming up with U.S. Steel to build a brand-new state-of-the-art steel mill in the United States.
Here’s why it’s a big deal:
The goal is to strengthen America’s local manufacturing and reduce dependence on Chinese steel, which currently dominates the market.
This mill is expected to bring thousands of new jobs and help industries like automobiles, construction, and energy.
It also marks one of the biggest international business partnerships in the metal industry this year.
This comes at a time when countries are trying to produce more things within their own borders—a trend called reshoring—so they’re not affected too much by global disruptions like pandemics or wars.
🔩 Why It Matters to Kids: Steel is used in everything from buildings to bicycles. If your city is growing fast, chances are it needs more steel—and this new factory might help make that happen!
10th July 2025
1. Nvidia Tops $4 Trillion Value—Thanks to AI Boom!
Nvidia, the company that makes super powerful computer chips used in AI (like for ChatGPT and robots), briefly reached a massive $4 trillion value, making it the most valuable tech company in the world. This happened after its stock price jumped by 40% since May, thanks to skyrocketing demand for AI chips in everything from self-driving cars to smart computers. Experts say Nvidia could earn nearly $200 billion this year alone. It’s the first company in history to ever hit this number—showing just how big and fast the world of artificial intelligence is growing.
2. U.S. Sets 50% Tariffs on Brazil and Copper — Sparks Global Shakeup
President Trump has announced a 50% tax (called a tariff) on all goods coming from Brazil, plus all imports of copper starting August 1. He says the reason is Brazil’s “political attacks” on a former U.S. ally. In response, Brazil’s leaders say they’ll fight back and make their own rules. This surprise decision shook global money markets: Brazil’s currency dropped about 2%, and prices for things like coffee and orange juice (which Brazil exports a lot of) went up. It’s a reminder of how fast one country’s choice can affect the entire world economy.
3. Nutella’s Parent Company Buys Kellogg’s Cereal Biz for $3.1 Billion
Ferrero, the company famous for Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, and Kinder, is buying the U.S. cereal brand WK Kellogg for about $3.1 billion. That means it will now own some of the most popular breakfast cereals found in American homes. This big move helps Ferrero grow even bigger in North America and reach more kids and families with both snacks and cereals. The deal shows how companies are teaming up to offer more products and compete better in grocery stores around the world.
9th July 2025
1. U.S. Delays Tariffs — Businesses Breathe a Sigh!
The U.S. government was planning big taxes (called tariffs) on things like copper and medicines from other countries. But then President Trump said, "Let's wait until August 1 before putting them into action." This surprised many—some countries like Japan and South Korea cheered because they get more time to talk with the U.S. first. But smaller countries such as South Africa and Malaysia felt unsure about what will happen. Some businesses, like Germany’s Lapp Holdings, are worried because they don’t know what prices will be at the store, and that makes planning hard. It shows how trade rules can make companies and people feel nervous when they change quickly.
2. China’s Electric Cars Zoom Into Europe
Chinese car companies, especially those making electric vehicles (EVs), are selling more cars in Europe than ever before. Brands like BYD, Chery, Geely, and Nio are all building EV factories or sending new cars to places like Hungary, the UK, and Spain. They can sell cars at lower prices and sometimes with cooler tech than older famous brands like Volkswagen or Tesla. The European Union is even thinking about adding a few tariffs to balance things out. This shows how China is becoming a big player in the fastest-growing part of the car market.
3. China’s Economy Hits $19.5 Trillion Milestone
China’s economy just crossed 140 trillion yuan, which is about $19.5 trillion—making it one of the largest in the whole world. That’s a lot of money and shows how much China makes and sells every year. Even though China is dealing with a slow drop in prices (called deflation) and some fights over trade with the U.S., it's still growing. The country has focused on building technology, switching to green energy, and improving people’s lives. These big efforts and big numbers matter because they help shape the world’s economy.
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