German premium carmaker BMW warned Friday of continued challenges in 2025 from trade tensions and weak demand in China after reporting a plunge in profits last year. The Munich-headquartered group joins other German automakers in reporting sharply lower profits amid a choppy transition to electric vehicles and slowing demand in key market China.

The world's largest retailer is clashing with China over the company's efforts to reduce the impact of President Trump's increased tariffs. Why it matters: Walmart — whose brand is inextricably linked to low prices — is trying to leverage its monumental size to mitigate its own costs from the billowing international trade war.

Chinese officials gave Walmart a dressing-down this week and warned of legal consequences after the retailer reportedly pressured China-based suppliers to bear the cost of tariffs, according to a report.