Sam Fleming

Downgrade comes ahead of Spring Statement, when official forecasts are expected to show much weaker GDP outlook

Concerns about weakening expansion come after US served as key driver behind global growth in recent years

Data fuels fears economy is losing momentum as tariffs loom

Governments are discussing how to boost investment in Europe’s arms industry

Officials from US, China, Japan, India and Brazil among those who will not attend this week’s meetings in Cape Town

Quarter-point reduction forecast even as short-term inflation pressures are set to increase

ECB president defends continent’s strengths and insists it is ‘not a basket case’

Teresa Ribera says European Commission weighing up measure demanded by Germany

Taking drive for deregulation too far could push the US on to a ‘dangerous boom-bust path’, fund cautions

Data drives gilts rally on hopes of rate cuts and provides some relief for chancellor Rachel Reeves