Articles in this Cluster
22-04-2025
China warned it will retaliate against countries that strike tariff deals with the US that undermine Beijing’s interests, amid escalating US-China trade tensions. The statement follows reports the Trump administration is pressuring nations to restrict trade with China in exchange for tariff exemptions, as talks proceed with Japan, South Korea, and potentially India and the UK. Since returning to office, Trump has imposed tariffs up to 145% on Chinese imports and a temporary 10% blanket tariff on others; combined levies on some Chinese goods could reach 245%. China has responded with a 125% tax on US goods. The standoff is unsettling global markets and putting allies—like Japan—under pressure to avoid choosing between the US and China. Critics argue reshoring manufacturing to the US will be slow and economically disruptive, and Trump has already paused many tariffs for 90 days for countries other than China.
Entities: China, United States, Donald Trump, tariffs, Japan • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
A Boeing 737 Max 8 destined for China’s Xiamen Airlines returned to the U.S., reflecting rising trade tensions as China reportedly told domestic airlines to halt Boeing deliveries. Several new 737 Max jets for Chinese carriers remain undelivered, with some possibly returning to the U.S. soon. China has raised retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods up to 125%, while U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports have also increased. Boeing declined comment; its shares fell about 2% on the news.
Entities: Boeing, 737 Max 8, Xiamen Airlines, China, United States • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
European earnings season is clouded by U.S. tariff uncertainty under President Trump, with the EU and U.K. facing blanket duties and broader levies on steel, aluminum, and autos. Early results from LVMH and ASML flagged demand uncertainty but couldn’t quantify the impact. Five key European stocks to watch:
Maersk: A global trade bellwether reporting May 8; volatility tied to shifting tariff signals. Q1 EBITDA expected at $2.3B (down from $3.6B in Q4 2024). Company warns impacts depend on global responses and potential counter-tariffs.
Shell: Reports May 2; focusing on efficiency, LNG, and shareholder returns, but exposed to oil price volatility. Q1 adjusted earnings expected at $5.14B (vs. $7.73B a year ago). Recently trimmed LNG output due to unplanned maintenance.
Volkswagen: Reports April 30; hit by a new 25% U.S. tariff on foreign cars despite U.S. operations in Tennessee. Q1 revenue seen at €77.6B (up), EBIT at €4.03B (down). German automakers face extra pressure due to reliance on EU-made parts.
Lufthansa: Reports April 29; travel demand under scrutiny amid geopolitical tensions and potential shifts in transatlantic flows. Q1 revenue expected at ~€8.07B with an EBIT loss (~$630M), improved vs. last year but down from Q4 profit; ongoing headwinds include strikes and aircraft delays.
Novo Nordisk: Faces significant policy risk as the U.S. probes drug imports for national security, seen as a precursor to potential pharma tariffs. Access and pricing in the critical U.S. market are uncertain.
Overall, tariff volatility and potential U.S.-China escalation are driving market swings and complicating outlooks across trade, energy, autos, travel, and pharma.
Entities: Donald Trump, European Union, United Kingdom, Maersk, Shell • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
Chinese freight vessel traffic to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach has plunged amid U.S.-China trade tensions and recession fears. For the week ending May 3, ships departing China for these ports fell 29% week-over-week and 44% year-over-year, with scheduled arrivals dropping from 22 to 12 and TEUs from 120,608 to 62,568. The slowdown is rippling into U.S. trucking, with over 700,000 loads disappearing nationally in a week, according to DAT. Ocean carriers are canceling more transpacific sailings to match weaker demand: the Maersk–Hapag Lloyd Gemini alliance leads with a 24% cancellation rate, followed by Ocean Alliance at 18% and Premier Alliance at 15%, while MSC and ZIM are at 10%. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled a potential near-term de-escalation of the trade war.
Entities: Ports of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, China, DAT, Maersk–Hapag Lloyd Gemini alliance • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
Jim Cramer says it’s increasingly difficult to hold Nvidia and Apple because the Trump administration’s aggressive trade stance toward China is pressuring both companies. With steep reciprocal tariffs (145% U.S. on Chinese imports; 125% China on U.S. goods) and tighter semiconductor controls, Cramer argues the White House prioritizes cutting off China over supporting U.S. tech leaders. Apple is especially vulnerable due to its China manufacturing and sales, while Nvidia faces scrutiny over chip access. Market uncertainty and policy volatility are driving tech declines, and while Cramer trimmed positions, he notes outcomes hinge on whether the administration softens its approach.
Entities: Jim Cramer, Donald Trump, Nvidia, Apple, China • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: analyze
22-04-2025
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told investors he expects a “very near” de-escalation in the U.S.-China tariff fight, calling current tariff levels unsustainable and signaling the goal isn’t decoupling. His comments, echoed by the White House, lifted markets and suggested momentum toward talks, though no negotiations are confirmed and he warned any process with Beijing will be a slog.
Entities: Scott Bessent, U.S.-China tariff fight, Treasury Department, White House, Beijing • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
The U.S. finalized steep anti-dumping and subsidy tariffs on most solar cells from Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam, targeting Chinese-owned manufacturers accused of selling below cost and benefiting from unfair subsidies. Duties range widely by company, from about 41.6% on Jinko Solar’s Malaysian products to 375.2% on Trina Solar’s Thai products, with non-cooperating Cambodian producers facing over 3,500%. Final implementation depends on a June vote by the International Trade Commission on industry harm. The move, driven by a petition from Hanwha Qcells, First Solar, and others, has already reshaped supply chains—imports from the four countries have plunged while shipments from places like Laos and Indonesia rise. Supporters say the tariffs protect U.S. manufacturing, while critics, including the Solar Energy Industries Association, warn they could raise costs for U.S. panel assembly that relies on imported cells.
Entities: United States, International Trade Commission, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
South Korea’s export data for the first 20 days of April show an early impact from President Trump’s new tariffs, with overall exports down 5.2% year over year and shipments to the US down 14.3%. Car and steel exports to the US fell 6.5% and 8.7%, respectively, after the US imposed 25% tariffs on aluminum, steel, and autos and a near-universal 10% tariff on other goods (with a delayed 25% “reciprocal” tariff). Semiconductor exports rose 10.2% and remain exempt for now, though Trump has floated tariffs up to 25% on chips. Economists say the data suggest US tariffs are disrupting global trade, though month-to-month volatility and policy uncertainty make firm conclusions premature. The IMF lowered its global growth forecast to 2.8% and US growth to 1.8%, citing trade tensions and policy uncertainty. Upcoming talks between US and South Korean officials could alter the outlook, while broader trade data from other US partners may soon reflect similar effects.
Entities: Donald Trump, South Korea, United States, tariffs, IMF • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: analyze
22-04-2025
US Vice President JD Vance arrived in New Delhi with his family for a four-day visit focused on advancing a US-India trade deal, tariff negotiations, and the TRUST strategic tech partnership spanning defense, critical minerals, AI, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, energy, and space. Vance met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who welcomed progress on a trade agreement and emphasized cooperation across strategic sectors, dialogue on regional/global issues, and greetings to President Trump ahead of his planned India visit. The trip follows Trump’s recently imposed then paused tariffs affecting India and his criticism of India’s trade policies. The US, India’s largest trading partner, aims to double bilateral trade from $190bn to $500bn by 2030. Strategically, the visit seeks to counter China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific amid ongoing India-China border tensions, while China warns of reciprocal measures. India also raised concerns over US visa revocations affecting many Indian students, which Washington denies targeting. Over the weekend, Vance met Pope Francis shortly before the pontiff’s death.
Entities: JD Vance, India, United States, Narendra Modi, Donald Trump • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
Nearly 100 days into Trump’s second term, his aggressive shifts on tariffs, immigration, and spending have sparked a mobilized opposition marked by large protests and heated town halls—even in deep-red districts. Republican lawmakers face boos, arrests at events, and threats of being voted out, while Democrats are urged to fight more aggressively. Despite the visible anger and organizing, analysts question whether this energy can translate into sustained, effective resistance capable of materially slowing Trump’s agenda.
Entities: Donald Trump, Republican Party, Democratic Party, tariffs, immigration policy • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: analyze
22-04-2025
China registered about 1.98 million new private firms in Q1 2025, up 7.1% year on year, with 40% in emerging sectors and new technologies, according to the State Administration for Market Regulation. Private enterprises now exceed 57 million, making up 92.3% of all companies. Despite rising US tariffs of up to 245% that particularly threaten private and small firms, private businesses’ trade remained resilient: their Q1 import-export value rose 5.8% to 5.85 trillion yuan, accounting for 56.8% of China’s total trade. Regulators highlighted private-sector resilience but did not disclose closure or bankruptcy figures.
Entities: China, State Administration for Market Regulation, private enterprises, emerging sectors and new technologies, US tariffs • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
The U.S. finalized sharply higher anti-dumping and countervailing tariffs on solar cells and modules made in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia, targeting Chinese-linked production routed through Southeast Asia. Some rates exceed 3,500% (Cambodia), near 1,000% (Thailand), over 800% (Vietnam), and up to 250% (Malaysia). In response, Chinese photovoltaic manufacturers are accelerating plans to build factories in other regions to maintain access to the U.S. market. However, unpredictable U.S. trade policy under President Trump is complicating long-term investment decisions. Southeast Asia had been a key hub for Chinese firms to circumvent earlier tariffs on direct imports from China.
Entities: United States, Southeast Asia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
Malaysia is accelerating efforts to expand trade with Africa as looming 24% US tariffs under the Trump administration threaten its exports. Facing pressure not to align with US demands that could disrupt Chinese supply chains, Malaysia is eyeing African markets for palm oil, petroleum, and infrastructure projects. An Uganda-led investment expo in Kuala Lumpur highlights opportunities in agriculture, tourism, energy, and minerals, offering Malaysian firms access to Uganda’s senior economic officials. Africa’s US$3 trillion economy and 1.3 billion population present a strategic alternative as Malaysia seeks to diversify export destinations amid global trade tensions.
Entities: Malaysia, Africa, United States tariffs, Donald Trump, China supply chains • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
Goldman Sachs says 27 US-listed Chinese companies, including PDD Holdings and Futu Holdings, could meet Hong Kong listing requirements and pursue dual-primary or secondary listings, while about 170 others face potential US delisting amid rising US-China tensions and tariff-driven decoupling risks. The eligible group, with a combined market cap of about US$191 billion, also includes Full Truck Alliance, Zeekr, Legend Biotech, RLX Technology and TAL Education. Firms that cannot list in Hong Kong may consider privatization or other capital-return strategies if forced off US exchanges. Since 2019, major Chinese firms like Alibaba, JD.com and Baidu have already secured Hong Kong listings as a hedge against US audit-access disputes.
Entities: Goldman Sachs, PDD Holdings, Futu Holdings, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, US-listed Chinese companies • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
22-04-2025
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told investors that the current high-tariff standoff between the US and China amounts to an unsustainable two-way “embargo” and is likely to de-escalate in the near term. He said negotiations with Beijing have not yet begun but believes a deal is possible, contrasting with President Trump’s recent claim that talks are already under way. Bessent cited the top-end tariff levels—around 145% on Chinese imports to the US and 125% on US goods to China—as evidence the status quo cannot hold.
Entities: US Treasury, Scott Bessent, China, tariffs, Donald Trump • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
