Business from Tuesday, March 31st, 2026

Wall Street ended sharply higher on Tuesday, lifted by speculation about a potential de-escalation in the Middle East conflict that has sent oil prices soaring and fuelled fears of global inflation in recent weeks.

The World Trade Organisation will play only a limited role in global trade policy after a failed ministerial meeting in Cameroon, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Monday, vowing to seek alternative arrangements with like-minded countries.