US–China Trade Deal: Substantial Progress After Long Stalemate

The US and China have made “substantial progress” in their first trade negotiations since the start of the US–China trade war, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, following two days of high-level talks in Geneva.

Bessent stressed the spirit of “co-operation, shared interests, and mutual respect” that guided the discussions.

“These have been two very productive days,” added Greer, highlighting the swift consensus reached.

“This speed shows that our differences may not have been as large as previously assumed,” noted the US Trade Representative.

UK–US Trade Agreement: A Strategic Breakthrough for Both Economies

Trump Unveils First Trade Deal of Second Term

President Donald Trump announced the first UK–US trade agreement of his second term, marking a strategic shift in global trade alliances.

The deal allows UK customs to “fast-track” American exports, improving efficiency and market access.

“This agreement confirms that fairness and reciprocity are vital principles of international trade,” said Trump from the Oval Office.

Tariff Reductions on UK Cars, Steel, and Agriculture

UK exports stand to gain as the agreement will:
• Reduce tariffs on British cars from 27.5% to 10% for up to 100,000 vehicles annually.
• Remove tariffs on British steel and aluminium, cutting them to 0%.
• Provide unprecedented access for British farmers, maintaining high food standards.

According to industry figures, UK steel exports to the US totalled £370 million (US$492 million) last year, around 9% of Britain's total steel exports.

Alphabet (Google) Shares Tumble Amid AI Competition From Apple

Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) saw its stock price fall by over 6% following speculation that Apple is developing a Safari-integrated AI search engine, which could challenge Google's dominance.

Adding to investor concerns:
• iPhone traffic to Google Search dropped for the first time in 20 years, revealed Eddy Cue (Apple VP).
• The US government ruled against Google in a high-profile antitrust case, citing monopolistic practices.
• A recommendation was made to separate Google Chrome from its search business, possibly forcing a sell-off of Android.

Warren Buffett to Step Down as Berkshire CEO at Age 94

Legendary investor Warren Buffett announced plans to retire from Berkshire Hathaway at the end of 2025. During the annual meeting, Buffett criticised Trump’s protectionist trade policies:

“Trade should not be a form of warfare. We must do what we do best and let others do the same.”

Buffett will be succeeded by Canadian businessman Greg Abel, Berkshire’s current Vice Chairman.

Boeing Stock Surges on $10 Billion UK Aircraft Order

Boeing (NYSE: BA) shares jumped 3% after reports confirmed the UK is preparing a $10 billion order for new Boeing aircraft.

This deal forms part of the wider UK–US trade partnership, expected to generate jobs and stimulate US export growth.
US Commerce Secretary Lutnick confirmed the deal, reinforcing investor confidence.

TRON Leads Stablecoin Growth With $71 Billion in Circulation

TRON blockchain now supports over $71 billion in USDT stablecoins, demonstrating global trust in decentralised finance (DeFi) platforms.

With over 302 million active accounts and 10+ billion transactions, TRON is a leading network for stablecoin liquidity, especially in emerging markets.

SEC Leadership Shift: Paul Atkins Promises Pro-Crypto Regulations

New SEC Chairman Paul Atkins, who holds $6 million in crypto assets, vowed to establish “clear regulatory rules” for cryptoassets.

He emphasised benefits of blockchain technology, such as:
• Efficiency
• Cost reduction
• Transparency
• Risk mitigation

Atkins blamed prior SEC leadership for fostering regulatory uncertainty and promised collaboration with both the Trump administration and Congress.

Crypto Market Shake-Up: 94% of 2025 Tokens Have Already Failed

The crypto failure rate continues to climb:
• 1.8 million tokens collapsed in Q1 2025 alone (49.7% of all failures since 2021).
• Of nearly 7 million listed tokens since 2021, 3.7 million have failed.
• 94% of 2025 token launches are already inactive.

Much of this is attributed to low-effort memecoins and platforms like Pump.fun, where 98% of projects fail. The NFT market has also plunged, with trading volume down 93% and active traders down 96% from 2021 levels.

GENIUS Act: A Regulatory Framework for Stablecoins in the US

The GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins), introduced by Senator Bill Hagerty, aims to provide a clear legal framework for stablecoins like USDT and USDC.

Key provisions include:
• Tiered oversight: Federal Reserve regulates issuers with over $10B; states oversee smaller issuers.
• Stable backing: Only US dollars, Treasury bills, or approved financial instruments allowed.
• Monthly audits and criminal penalties for fraud.

Supervision by the OCC for non-bank issuers, encouraging innovation without sacrificing stability.

USD1: The Trump-Backed Stablecoin Announced in Dubai

At TOKEN2049 Dubai, Eric Trump unveiled USD1, a stablecoin backed by short-term US Treasury bonds, issued by World Liberty Financial (WLFI).

Highlights:
• Will be used in a $2 billion Binance investment from Abu Dhabi’s MGX.
• Will integrate with the TRON blockchain (Justin Sun).
• Aims for global usability, political backing, and financial transparency.