Former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on members of the BRICS group of nations on Friday, warning the alliance would quickly collapse if it ever becomes a significant economic force. "When I heard about this group from BRICS, six countries, basically, I hit them very, very hard. And if they ever really form in a meaningful way, it will end very quickly," Trump said without specifying which nations he was referring to. The BRICS group currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and has recently expanded to include other nations. In addition to...
Oil prices rose around 1% on Wednesday, as the market drew some strength from the possibility of trade talks between China and the United States and a report that Iraq will cut oil production in April Brent crude futures rose 70 cents, or 1.08%, to $65.37 a barrel by 1311 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was also up 70 cents, or 1.14%, at $62.03. Prices rose after a Bloomberg report quoted an anonymous source as saying that China wants more respect from the Trump administration before it will agree to talks, analysts said. The source was also quoted as saying China wanted the...
Gold prices extended their surge to cross $3,310 per ounce on Wednesday, another record high, as the increasing unpredictability regarding US trade policy and low demand for the US dollar and Treasury securities left gold as one of the main safe-haven assets in the market. US President Trump launched a probe to place new tariffs on critical minerals, escalating the trade war with China shortly after concessions on autos and electronics. The move extended ongoing probes on copper, pharmaceuticals, lumber, and semiconductors, increasing the range of tariffs on key goods that the US has...
The dollar index fell to the 99.5 mark on Wednesday, resuming its slide this month to the lowest in three years as aggressive tariffs by President Trump pressured the outlook on US growth. The President launched a probe into placing tariffs on critical minerals, potentially escalating the trade war with China shortly after concessions on autos and electronics had halted the selloff in dollar-denominated assets. Besides potential tariffs on critical minerals, the White House also maintained tariff threats on copper, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors. The unpredictability of trade...
Oil prices rose 1% on Wednesday, reversing early losses as the market took a bullish view on China's stance on potential trade talks with the United States, though gains were capped by continuing fears that the trade war will curb energy demand. Brent crude futures rose 64 cents to $65.31 a barrel by 0937 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 62 cents to $61.95. Prices declined in early trading but analysts said momentum shifted after a Bloomberg report quoted an anonymous source as saying that China wants more respect from the Trump administration before it will agree to...
Gold prices surpassed the $3,300 mark for the first time on Wednesday, as investors sought safe-haven assets after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a probe into potential new tariffs on U.S. critical mineral imports. Spot gold was up 2.3% to $3,301.78 an ounce as of 1018 GMT, after hitting a record high of $3,317.90 earlier in the session. U.S. gold futures gained 2.4% to $3,317.70. "Trump's trade war shows no signs of easing... sparking a fresh move towards safe havens and out of stocks," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank. Trump's probe, announced on Tuesday, is...
China's official NBS Manufacturing PMI increased to 49.7 in June 2025 from May's 49.5, matching market expectations while marking the third consecutive month of contraction in factory activity.
It...
Both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 hovered around the flatline on Friday, as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of further developments in trade talks between US President Trump and Chinese...
President Donald Trump said Wednesday he plans to send a single letter to over 150 countries outlining the tariff rate they will face, saying, "It's all going to be the same for everyone, for that...