Key Takeaways
- Trump Imposes 145% Tariffs on Chinese Goods, Markets React Sharply
President Trump confirmed new 145% tariffs on Chinese imports, sparking major market volatility. While a 90-day tariff pause was granted to the EU and 56 countries, the China-specific escalation has intensified fears of prolonged trade disruption. - 2. Markets Swing as Treasury Yields Spike and Confidence Wavers
U.S. 30-year bond yields briefly topped 5%, triggering global yield surges. Falling demand for U.S. Treasuries and a flight to international bonds reflect investor unease over U.S. asset stability amid shifting trade and fiscal policies. - 3. Wall Street Posts Biggest Rally Since 2008 After Tariff Pause
Markets soared midweek as Trump paused some tariffs, with the S&P 500 jumping 9.5% and the Nasdaq 100 rising 12%. The temporary relief boosted tech and consumer confidence, albeit against a backdrop of continued trade uncertainty. - 4. China Escalates Trade Spat With Hollywood Film Curbs
In response to U.S. tariffs, China announced restrictions on Hollywood film imports, opening a new front in the trade war. The move underscores rising tensions and the expanding economic battleground between the two powers. - 5. Trump’s Tariff Exemptions Offer Temporary Relief to Tech Giants
Smartphones, laptops, and key electronics were excluded from the latest tariff wave, giving firms like Apple and Nvidia short-term breathing room. However, a pending semiconductor probe suggests more sector-specific pressure may be coming.
IPO’s in the week
- Ruanyun Edai Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: RYET), an AI-driven edtech company transforming K–12 education in China, completed its IPO on April 8, 2025. The company raised $15 million by offering 3,750,000 shares at $4.00 each.
- FatPipe Inc. (Nasdaq: FATN), a pioneer in SD-WAN technology with multiple patents, raised approximately $4.26 million in its IPO on April 8, 2025, offering 740,740 shares at $5.75 to support its mission of improving WAN reliability and business continuity.
- Titan Acquisition Ltd / Titan Co-Borrower LLC (Nasdaq: TACHU), a dual-issuer special purpose entity, completed its IPO on April 9, 2025. The company offered 24,000,000 units at $10.00 each, raising $240 million to refinance debt and fund acquisitions.
- Tianci International, Inc. (Nasdaq: CIIT), a holding company offering sea freight and logistics software services, went public on April 10, 2025. The IPO raised approximately $8.68 million through the sale of 2,170,000 shares at $4.00 each.
- MasterBeef Group (Nasdaq: MB), a full-service Hong Kong-based restaurant operator specializing in Taiwanese hotpot and barbecue, raised $8 million through its IPO, offering 2,000,000 shares at $4.00 each.
- iOThree (Nasdaq: IOTR), a Singapore-based provider of maritime digitalization and satellite connectivity solutions, completed its IPO with 2,625,000 shares at $4.00, raising $10.5 million to support the maritime sector’s digital transformation.
- Cuprina Holdings (Cayman) Limited (Nasdaq: CUPR), a Singapore-based biomedical company focused on chronic wound care and health/beauty innovations, raised $15 million by offering 3,750,000 shares at $4.00.
- Aether Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATHR), a fintech firm aiming to innovate investor experience and market navigation, went public with 1,800,000 shares at $4.30 each, raising approximately $7.74 million.
Markets this week
- The S&P 500 Index fell 453.83 points or 8.21% this week.
- The Russell 1000 Index dropped 24.15 points or 8.01% during the week.
- The Russell 2000 Index lost 170.94 points or 8.56% this week.
- The Russell 3000 Index lost 269.77 points or 8.56% this week.
- The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) surged 21.20 points or 87.96% this week.
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 3067.66 points or 7.41% this week.
- The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 1,457.65 points or 8.55% this week.
- Bitcoin (USD) gained $1,007.74 or 1.22% during 5 trading days.
- Ethereum (USD) gained $9.02 or 0.50% during 5 trading days.
- XRP (USD) lost $0.0071 or 0.33% this week.
- Gold lost $55.40 or 1.79% this week.
- Silver lost $5.24 or 15.08% this week.
- WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude oil lost $7.11 or 10.24% this week.
- Brent Crude Oil lost $7.47 or 10.18% this week.
- Markets swung wildly this week as Trump’s shifting tariff stance triggered sharp moves across stocks, bonds, and crypto. Surging Treasury yields and shaken confidence in U.S. assets raised fears of financial instability rather than recession.
- Markets reacted cautiously as Trump confirmed new 145% tariffs on Chinese goods, acknowledging potential “transition problems” amid shifting trade policies.
- Amazon has abruptly canceled inventory orders from China and parts of Asia, aiming to reduce exposure to U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
- Investors are moving away from U.S. Treasuries as falling yields make European and Japanese bonds more attractive with hedged returns.
- Bond markets retreated as U.S. 30-year yields briefly topped 5%, triggering a global yield surge and adding pressure to an already strained world economy.
- Wall Street rallied Wednesday after Trump paused some tariffs, with the S&P 500 up 9.5% and Nasdaq 100 surging 12%—the biggest jump since 2008.
- The U.S. granted a 90-day tariff pause to the EU and 56 countries, easing trade tensions and lifting market sentiment as exemption talks began.
- Tariffs on imported cars and parts remain in place, set to raise insurance and repair costs. Even current car owners face higher expenses, making this a key issue for markets.
- The Trump administration has exempted smartphones, laptops, and other electronics from tariffs, offering temporary relief to tech giants like Apple and Nvidia.
Politics Weekly
- The Trump family is expanding its crypto footprint with ventures in NFTs, DeFi, stablecoins, and Bitcoin mining. Despite recent market swings, their holdings are approaching $1 billion in paper gains.
- Ukraine says a U.S. minerals deal won’t affect its EU goals, as Kyiv sends a team to Washington for talks on post-war investment and resource development.
- President Trump defended the tariff hike to 145% on Chinese imports, citing confidence in his strategy despite expected “transition problems.
- The U.S. paused tariffs for the EU and 56 countries, including Japan and India, signaling a diplomatic shift as trade negotiations move forward.
- The EU postponed counter tariffs on $21B of U.S. goods after Trump cut planned duties on EU exports to 10%. Negotiations are underway.
- Japan is actively seeking tariff relief during the U.S. 90-day pause, engaging in negotiations to secure exemptions from planned duties.
- U.S. and Russia held talks in Turkey after swapping American Ksenia Karelina for Russian Arthur Petrov.
- Hedge fund executive John Hurley is set to lead the U.S. Treasury’s sanctions unit, focusing on terrorist financing, money laundering, and national security—especially related to China.
- The UK and France will fast-track military planning for a Ukraine support coalition, focusing on air, sea, and land security, and rebuilding its armed forces.
- Economists say the UK is unlikely to benefit from President Donald Trump’s unexpected pause on tariffs, as any temporary advantage is offset by lost competitiveness and ongoing concerns over U.S. policy unpredictability deterring investment.
- UK Chief of the Defence Staff Tony Radakin visited China this week for talks with Chinese military leaders, marking the first visit by Britain’s top military official in ten years.
- The tariff break for Apple, Nvidia, and other tech firms marks a temporary softening in Trump’s China stance, though a pending semiconductor probe could lead to new chip tariffs.
- White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett stated that trade negotiations with certain U.S. counterparts are already well advanced, with some deals nearly finalized as of last week.
- China announced plans to restrict imports of Hollywood films, escalating its trade dispute with the U.S. just hours after President Donald Trump’s record-setting tariffs came into force.
- A senior aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Iran may expel international nuclear inspectors and move its enriched uranium to undisclosed locations if foreign military threats persist.
- China has pushed back against the U.S. following President Donald Trump’s abrupt escalation of tariff threats, which singled out Beijing and reduced hopes for a swift resolution to the trade dispute.
- African nations are growing increasingly concerned as President Donald Trump cuts foreign aid and imposes tariffs on some of the poorest countries, fearing that crucial U.S. military support in combating terrorism and insurgencies could be the next target.
- In a memo issued late Wednesday, the White House stated that federal agencies can bypass the usual rulemaking process when rescinding regulations deemed “unlawful” under certain circumstances.
Technology Advancements this week
- OpenAI has accused Elon Musk of leading a “relentless” year-long effort to undermine the company and is now asking the court to intervene and put an end to his actions.
- Dell Technologies Inc. has scaled back or removed many of its U.S. computer discounts, signaling that shifting tariff policies may soon lead to higher prices for consumers.
- According to Bank of America, shifting iPhone production to the U.S. could increase Apple’s manufacturing costs by as much as 90% and introduce significant logistical challenges.
- Meta is heading to trial with the FTC, facing the potential breakup of Instagram and WhatsApp—acquisitions that were key to expanding Mark Zuckerberg’s global social media reach since 2012.
- Japanese electronics firm Sourcenext Corp. announced plans to establish a manufacturing base in Vietnam, aiming to sidestep U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made goods.
- Binance founder Changpeng Zhao will serve as a strategic advisor to Pakistan’s Crypto Council, supporting efforts to expand crypto trading in the country, where digital assets remain popular despite regulatory warnings
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