US Benefits From Current Tariffs

President Trump expressed his confidence that the United States will reach a trade agreement with China.
"We're going to make a deal... I believe we're going to make a very good deal with China," said Trump.

He also commented on tariffs and the revenue the US is currently receiving: "You have to understand, right now we’re getting 25% on cars, 25% on steel, 25% on aluminium," he stated. "We're getting a base of 10%. We lowered that because it was the right thing to do until we decide what the final number will be. And we're collecting a lot of money – something we've never done before. Frankly, with Biden, we would lose a fortune in trade."

Fed: No Changes On Interest Rates

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell confirmed on Wednesday that it is still "too early" to make a decision on interest rates, citing the high level of uncertainty introduced by President Trump's tariffs.

"We will continue to carefully monitor incoming data, evolving outlooks and the balance of risks. We are well positioned to wait for greater clarity before considering any adjustment to our policy stance. It is too early to say what the appropriate path for monetary policy will be," he said during his address at the Economic Club of Chicago.

Russia–Ukraine: Trump’s Ultimatum

On April 18th, US President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw from negotiations to end the war in Ukraine if he does not see progress, confirming comments previously made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

In Ukraine, Russian attacks continue. One person was killed and at least 98 injured, including six children, in a missile strike in Kharkiv.

In Sumy, where 35 people died in a Russian airstrike on Sunday, a new drone attack left one dead and one injured, according to local military authorities.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal will travel to Washington next week for negotiations and stated that both the US and Ukraine are aiming to conclude talks before April 26th.

European Union: Temporary Cooling

The European Union has suspended its countermeasures against the US over unjustified trade tariffs, allowing time and space for negotiations between both parties, according to the European Commission, the EU’s executive body.
"If the talks are not satisfactory, the EU's countermeasures will take effect."

The 27-nation bloc has delayed its retaliation for 90 days, until July 14th, after the US administration also postponed the enforcement of its so-called reciprocal tariffs.

Tesla’s New Model Faces Production Delays

Tesla's new low-cost vehicle, internally known as E41, was initially expected to begin production in the US during the first half of this year.

However, sources now indicate that the timeline has shifted, with production likely to start between Q3 and early 2025.
Initially, the most affordable Tesla model in history will only be available in China, with plans to launch in Europe and the US thereafter.

Google Faces Antitrust Lawsuit

Alphabet’s subsidiary Google, operator of the world’s largest search engine, has received a ruling in the US accusing it of maintaining a monopoly in the ad tech industry.
The lawsuit, filed by the Department of Justice and a coalition of states, argues that Google's dominance in advertising technology allows the company to charge higher prices and capture a larger share of each transaction.

Google may now be forced by US courts to divest assets or alter its business practices.

A judge in Washington is expected to begin hearings in April on the DOJ’s request for Google to sell Chrome and take further steps to dismantle its dominance in online search.

Combined, the two rulings and proposed remedies could curb Google's influence and lead to a major corporate restructuring.

Positive News For Apple

Apple shares surged after the US government announced that iPhones and other tech products would be exempt from higher tariffs.

The decision brought relief to both investors and consumers, as iPhone prices – which many feared would rise due to the trade war – will remain stable in the short term.

UBS Names Gold The Best Current Asset

UBS (Union Bank of Switzerland), a global financial services firm headquartered in Switzerland, shared its outlook on gold:
"A reserve currency earns its status not only due to economic size but through trust, liquidity, and institutional acceptance."
In a market dominated by uncertainty, gold remains the preferred asset. UBS notes that gold benefits from official sector backing – unlike silver, platinum, or palladium.

This support strengthens gold’s position as a reliable reserve asset, especially during geopolitical and economic tensions.
Investor behaviour confirms the trend: while gold ETFs have posted gains this year, silver ETFs have remained flat.

US Consumers Spend $1.5 Trillion Per Year

US consumers are spending over $1.5 trillion annually on packaged foods, beverages, and household essentials, with retailers like Walmart and Costco emerging as major beneficiaries, according to Bernstein.

The broker noted a long-term shift in power from consumer goods manufacturers to large-scale retailers, with the balance tilting increasingly in favour of the latter.

Among covered stocks, Bernstein highlighted Walmart and Costco as well-positioned to continue gaining market share, citing their pricing leadership and strong negotiating power.

First Humanoid Marathon Held In China

China has once again demonstrated its leadership in technological innovation by hosting the world’s first humanoid half-marathon.

Over 20 biped robots competed in the event on Saturday. While technologically impressive, the robots were far from outperforming their human creators over long distances.

Teams from various companies and universities participated in the race – a showcase of China’s rapid advancement in humanoid robotics.