2026-02-03
3 分钟The Economist Hello, you're listening to the free edition of The World in Brief from The Economist.
As a reminder, if you subscribe to The Economist,
you'll get access to a deeper look at the day ahead, updated three times a day.
If you're already an Economist subscriber,
visit economist.com slash espresso or visit our Espresso app to start listening.
Here's today's free edition.
This is the world in brief from The Economist.
Donald Trump said that America will lower its tariffs on Indian imports after Narendra Modi,
the Prime Minister, agreed to stop buying Russian oil and purchase more from America.
Last year, Mr Trump levied a 25% reciprocal tariff on the country,
plus a 25% tariff surcharge as punishment for funding the, quote, Russian war machine.
The surcharge will be scrapped and the reciprocal rate reduced to 18%.
American and Iranian officials are reportedly planning to meet in Istanbul on Friday,
seeking to avoid a military confrontation.
Expected attendees include Americans, Steve Whitcoff, Mr Trump's envoy, and Jared Kushner,
his son-in-law, as well as Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Arachi.
Mr Trump has sent naval forces to the Gulf and threatened Iran with attack
if it does not abandon its nuclear program.
France finally adopted a budget for 2026 after the centrist Prime Minister,
Sebastian Leconu, survived two no-confidence votes thanks to support from the socialists.