Trump's Tariffs and Cautious Brexit Bankers. Lino printing.

Trying out lino printing

Today, President Trump imposed the 25% tax on steel and 10% tax on aluminium from the EU, Mexico and Canada. The tariffs will come to effect at midnight, presumably US Washington time. The EU has already responded strongly that it will retaliate and I understand that Canada and Mexico intend to too. According to expert commentators, the idea of the imposed tariffs is to push the EU and others into renegotiating trade terms that are more favourable to the US. the strategy also shows the President's rust belt voters that he is keeping his 'America First' promise. POTUS and Kim Jong-un of North Korea may be meeting after all, though whether they will keep to the original timetable in June or later is not yet set.

Europe and the financial markets are also reeling in response to the sharp shift to the populists, both left and right, and the inability to form a government. Meanwhile in the UK, energy prices are finally on the rise as the correction to increased international market prices comes through.

Barclays Bank is reviewing its lending and taking a more cautious line due to the slower growth in the UK and the uncertainty re Brexit. Lloyds of London is also moving 40 of its 600 UK-based jobs to Brussels in order to maintain its place at the heart of Europe.

Meanwhile, I've continued conducting interviews in preparation for the COS history, and fascinating it is too. The July Cambridge Open Studios are looming on the horizon and it is getting to the stage to decide which pictures to exhibit this year, with Jane having a good selection too.

I've also begun trying out Lino printing. It has been a challenge but I'm gradually getting to grips with cutting the lino. The one think I constantly have to remember is to flip any image to its mirror image, so that I get the correct positive print. I'm hoping to have some of the prints ready for COS too.