Articles in this Cluster
28-04-2025
Asia-Pacific stocks were mostly muted Monday as investors weighed China’s pledge of more proactive macroeconomic support and monitored U.S. trade talks in the region. China’s CSI 300 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng were flat ahead of a government press briefing. Japan’s Nikkei rose 0.37% and Topix 0.9%; South Korea’s Kospi inched up 0.13% while Kosdaq fell 1.04%. India’s Nifty 50 gained 0.74% and Sensex 0.34%; Australia’s ASX 200 added 0.65%. U.S. futures dipped ahead of a heavy earnings week after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq logged gains Friday. Toyota Motor shares jumped over 5% on reports it may invest in a potential $42 billion buyout of Toyota Industries. Bitcoin slipped to about $93,000 after briefly topping $95,000, and spot gold eased after last week’s record high as traders await clarity on U.S. tariff negotiations.
Entities: China, CSI 300, Hang Seng, Nikkei, S&P 500 • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
28-04-2025
European real estate investment is rebounding, with Q1 2025 volumes up 6% year over year to €45 billion and 12‑month volumes up 25% to €213 billion, per CBRE. Lower interest rates and improved sentiment are driving broad-based gains, led by living assets (+43% over the year), retail (+31%; +26% in Q1), hotels (+23%), industrial/logistics (+19%), and offices (+16%). Healthcare was the only sector to decline. The outlook is clouded by worsening global sentiment, including new U.S. tariffs, with the IMF cutting its 2025 global growth forecast to 2.8% and euro area growth to 0.8%, prompting expectations of more caution among buyers and sellers.
Entities: European real estate, CBRE, Q1 2025, IMF, U.S. tariffs • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
28-04-2025
The IMF cut its euro area growth forecasts to 0.8% in 2025 and 1.2% in 2026, citing U.S. tariff volatility as the main drag. Germany’s new €500 billion infrastructure and climate fund, alongside higher defense spending, will support growth but won’t offset tariff headwinds. IMF Europe chief Alfred Kammer said the ECB’s disinflation progress is strong and advised just one more 25-basis-point rate cut this summer, then holding, despite markets pricing in two cuts. Tariffs raise uncertainty even as they could further ease inflation.
Entities: International Monetary Fund (IMF), euro area, Germany, €500 billion infrastructure and climate fund, U.S. tariffs • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
28-04-2025
Major banks warn the U.S. dollar’s 8.3% year-to-date drop could mark the start of a structural downtrend, driven by aggressive U.S. tariffs, policy uncertainty, and potential unwinding of large foreign holdings in U.S. assets. Deutsche Bank, Barclays, Goldman Sachs, and BofA see further weakness, with forecasts including EUR/USD toward 1.19 by year-end and potentially 1.30 over five years, GBP/USD up to 1.50, and a stronger yen (USD/JPY 135 in 12 months, 115 by 2028). Hedging by foreign investors could accelerate dollar selling. However, Capital Economics argues the dollar may rebound near-term as rate differentials reassert and tariff-driven inflation delays Fed cuts, and notes the dollar’s reserve status remains intact due to a lack of credible alternatives.
Entities: U.S. dollar, Deutsche Bank, Barclays, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: analyze
28-04-2025
A new CNN/SSRS poll finds 59% of Americans say President Trump’s policies have worsened the economy, up from 51% in March, with 69% seeing a recession as likely. Most are unhappy with current conditions: only 28% call the economy good and 34% feel enthusiastic or optimistic. Six in ten say Trump’s policies have raised local living costs; just 12% think they’ve lowered prices.
Tariffs are broadly unpopular: 55% say Trump’s tariff actions are bad policy, 58% don’t see a clear strategy, and majorities expect short-term harm to the economy (72%), America’s global standing (60%), and their own finances (59%). Views are slightly less negative on China-specific tariffs. While Republicans remain confident in Trump (94% confidence), fewer (63%) think his policies improved conditions, and just 23% credit him with reducing costs; GOP voters are pessimistic short term on tariffs but largely expect long-term benefits. Democrats’ economic views have worsened, while Republicans’ have improved since March.
Top household concerns remain inflation and prices (59% citing inflation/cost of living/food), with rising mentions of tariffs, market volatility, and Trump’s policies. Half of workers expect tariffs to hurt their industry. Despite the administration’s manufacturing push, 73% would prefer an office job over manufacturing at equal pay. The poll surveyed 1,678 adults April 17–24.
Entities: CNN/SSRS poll, Donald Trump, tariffs, inflation and cost of living, Republicans • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
28-04-2025
CNN’s analysis argues that President Trump’s sweeping new tariffs—his primary economic initiative in his second term—function as a broad tax on Americans, isolating the U.S. in a global trade war and triggering investor flight from U.S. assets. While headline metrics like low unemployment and easing inflation persist, recession odds have risen, business planning is paralyzed, and consumer confidence has plunged. Polls show most Americans believe Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions and increased living costs. Early effects include falling China–U.S. shipments, airlines cutting flights, and companies scrapping guidance amid uncertainty. The piece contends that, in just 100 days, the tariff agenda has materially damaged economic sentiment and elevated recession risks without delivering promised price relief.
Entities: Donald Trump, CNN Business, U.S. tariffs, global trade war, U.S. economy • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: critique
28-04-2025
China announced measures to cushion its economy and labor market from an escalating US trade war while reaffirming its 2025 growth target of about 5%. Deputy NDRC chief Zhao Chenxin said Beijing has ample policy tools and will focus on “managing our own affairs well.” Planned steps include encouraging firms to keep hiring, expanding vocational training, creating jobs via public works and supportive projects, and strengthening public employment services to mitigate potential export-sector job losses if US tariffs persist. Officials said they remain fully confident in meeting economic and social development goals.
Entities: China, United States, trade war, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Zhao Chenxin • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
28-04-2025
Hong Kong is being urged to quickly deliver tailored financial and professional services to Zhejiang’s tech firms to help them navigate US-China trade tensions and supply chain disruptions. Following Chief Executive John Lee’s visit, Hong Kong and Zhejiang agreed on a new cooperation mechanism focused on supply chain support and international expansion for companies in Hangzhou, a major tech hub. Zhejiang’s long-running “digital Zhejiang” strategy has built a strong tech ecosystem, with 2023 digital economy core industries reaching 986.7 billion yuan in added value and advanced manufacturing surpassing 300 billion yuan. The challenge for Hong Kong is to rapidly operationalize bespoke solutions that meet the needs of Zhejiang’s leading tech companies.
Entities: Hong Kong, Zhejiang, Hangzhou, John Lee, US-China trade war • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
28-04-2025
Political scientist Scott Kennedy argues the latest sweeping U.S. tariffs reflect the Trump administration’s belief that the global trading system is unfair to the U.S. and that traditional forums like the WTO can’t fix it. By threatening market access and pushing reciprocal, country-by-country tariffs, Washington aims to force negotiations that could eventually lower barriers—but this is far from a final outcome. Kennedy sees the trade war as ongoing, with potential for a Trump–Xi deal but no quick resolution, and notes the U.S. dollar’s diminished appeal amid these shifts.
Entities: Scott Kennedy, United States, China, Donald Trump, Xi Jinping • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: analyze
28-04-2025
China is shifting soybean imports from the US to Brazil amid escalating tariffs in a deepening trade war. In April, about 40 Brazilian soybean ships—up 48% year on year—are expected at Ningbo Zhoushan Port, unloading roughly 700,000 tonnes (up 32%). The move follows China’s cancellation of over 12,000 tonnes of US pork orders and comes as the US raises effective tariffs on Chinese goods to about 156% (with some rates up to 245%), while China’s tariffs on US goods have risen to 125%. The American Soybean Association says the loss is significant given China is the top export market for US soy.
Entities: China, Brazil, United States, soybean imports, Ningbo Zhoushan Port • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
28-04-2025
Goldman Sachs warns that sustained, sharply higher US tariffs on Chinese goods could threaten up to 16 million export-related jobs in China, with nearly a quarter in wholesale and retail. Sectors most at risk include communication equipment, apparel, and chemicals due to their heavy exposure to US-bound exports. The analysis follows sweeping tariff hikes by the US—effective rates around 156% with some goods up to 245%—and China’s retaliatory 125% duties. Removal of US tariff exemptions on low-value packages further pressures China’s retail and wholesale employment. China’s Politburo has pledged measures to stabilize the economy and jobs in response.
Entities: Goldman Sachs, United States tariffs, China, export-related jobs, communication equipment sector • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: warn
