US tariff hikes continue to impact trade partners as industries see sharp revenue losses

The United States' sweeping tariffs are continuing to affect industries across the globe, causing serious economic woes among some of the country's key trading partners.

Battered by U.S tariffs, Germany's industrial output has fallen to its lowest level since May 2020.

Figures released in early August by the country's Federal Statistical Office show industrial output dropped 1.9 percent month-on-month in June and was down 3.6 percent year-on-year.

Data also showed exports to the United States, Germany's biggest single market, have declined for three consecutive months, reaching their weakest point since February 2022.

The auto sector, a pillar industry of the country, was hit hard in the process. Although the U.S. presidential administration recently trimmed the tariff on EU-built cars to 15 percent, German automakers still face "several billion euros" of extra annual costs, according to industry insiders.

According to reports, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen all reported steep profit declines in the first half of the year, while suppliers Bosch, Continental and ZF have announced sweeping cost-reduction plans. Porsche, meanwhile, is scaling back its battery-electric vehicle program.

Consultancy firm EY Germany estimates that the country's industrial workforce has shrunk by 2.1 percent -- about 114,000 jobs -- over the past twelve months. EY calculates that the auto industry alone has shed 51,500 jobs - almost seven percent of its workforce, in the past year, making it the most affected industrial sector.

On Wednesday, The United States began levying a 50 percent tariff on Indian products, sending shock waves through key export industries.

Leather and diamond-processing firms were hit first, as U.S. buyers began canceling orders and factories struggled to stay open.

The Federation of Indian Export Organizations warned on Tuesday that about 55 percent of India's exports to the United States will now suffer a "price disadvantage", eroding competitiveness across labor-intensive sectors such as leather, chemicals and handicrafts. The group urged the Indian government to roll out emergency financial support for exporters already drowning in canceled orders.

US tariff hikes continue to impact trade partners as industries see sharp revenue losses

A new robotic traffic officer began its duty on the streets of Wuhu City in east China's Anhui Province on Saturday.

This domestically developed robot is now undergoing on-the-job training, participating in front-line traffic management and order maintenance.

At the intersection of Chizhushan Road and Huizhou Road in Wuhu, the robotic officer, wearing a white police cap and a traffic vest, was seen directing traffic with standard hand gestures.

It reminded passing vehicles of traffic rules and coordinated with on-site human officers to promote civilized road behavior.

"It looks just like a real person at first sight, while radiating a strong sense of technological sophistication. It serves as a deterrent to both drivers and helmet-less riders alike," said Zhang Xiaoping, a local resident.

The robotic traffic officer is equipped with six cameras and one light detection and ranging system, enabling it to perceive road conditions, avoid obstacles autonomously while moving, and transmit collected data to a backend system.

Currently, the robot is primarily undergoing training for application scenarios such as disseminating traffic regulations, assisting with intersection command and control, and intelligently identifying and advising against uncivilized behavior.

Robotic traffic officer on duty in east China's Anhui