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Footwear companies including Nike and Adidas claim increased tariffs could see some working American families pay nearly 100% duty on their shoes. Photo: Shutterstock 

Trade dispute has negative impact

US companies in China say increases in tariffs are having a negative impact on their business, CNBC reports. A survey conducted by chambers of commerce saw 74.9%, of almost 250 respondents say they were being hit by the trade dispute between the two countries. Meanwhile, the BBC reports on a letter sent to president Trump by 173 footwear companies, including Nike, Adidas, Clarks, Dr Martens and Converse, saying that raising import tariffs to 25% will disproportionately impact the working class. “Some working American families could pay a nearly 100% duty on their shoes,” the letter says.

MPs set to reject new May deal

MPs on both sides of the Brexit divide have dismissed new proposals put forward by Theresa May as hollow, The Guardian reports. In a speech on Tuesday at the London headquarters of PricewaterhouseCoopers, May laid out new promises in her withdrawal agreement bill, including an offer of a binding vote on a referendum if the deal passes. Politico cites Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn as saying the new deal is simply a “rehash” and the BBC says there are signs now that opposition in May’s own Conservative party to her leadership is hardening.

Hicks subpoenaed after McGahn no show

Former White House aide Hope Hicks has been called to testify before the Democratic-led House Judiciary Committee, Reuters reports. The subpoena is part of the committee’s investigation into whether president Donald Trump obstructed Robert Mueller’s inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 election. The move comes after former White House counsel Donald McGahn defied a subpoena to appear on Tuesday, The Guardian says.

Syria suspected of chemical weapons attack

The United States has said it and its allies would respond “quickly and appropriately” if new allegations that Syria has again used chemical weapons were proven. CNBC says the State Department is looking at reports of a chlorine attack in northwest Syria on the morning of May 19 that violated a ceasefire that has protected several million civilians.

Nuclear war risk

Renata Dwan, director of the U.N. Institute for Disarmament Research has said that “the risks of the use of nuclear weapons…are higher now than at any time since World War Two.” Reuters says Dwan’s warning comes amid a shift in the arms control landscape partly due to strategic competition between China and the United States.

Jamie’s restaurants go bust

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s restaurant group went into administration, with 1,000 jobs being lost, the BBC reports.

Trump to visit Ireland

The White House has confirmed that US president Donald Trump will include a trip to Ireland to meet with prime minister Leo Varadkar as part of his European tour next month. Trump and his wife Melania will be in Ireland on June 5, Reuters reports.

Later today

Business: Delano has been invited to interview PwC global boss Robert Moritz this morning. Tech: the last day of ICT Spring at Luxexpo The Box. Women’s rights: Princess Alexandria will attend a celebration of 100 years of women’s voting rights in Luxembourg. It will be broadcast live on www.gouvernement.lu.

Coming Up

Thursday: The UK goes to the polls in the European Parliament election that is likely to see Nigel Farage’s new Brexit party win the most votes. Friday: the government will present its vision for artificial intelligence as it develops policy to help the country's transformation to the digital economy.

Belgian monks brew again

Monks at Grimbergen Abbey have uncasked the first glass of a new beer based on original ingredients and methods found recently in their archives, The Guardian reports. But Father Karel Stautemas warned drinkers to go easy on the new beer, which is 10.8% alcohol by volume.

Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts