Trump Issues Iran Ultimatum as Oil Prices Surge; Fed Sets Regulatory Review Meeting

Geopolitical Developments - President Trump has set a 10 to 15-day deadline for negotiations with Iran, warning of "Phase two" consequences if a deal is not reached, which may include military strikes or severe sanctions [2][10] - This geopolitical uncertainty has led to a significant rally in energy markets, with US Crude Oil Futures increasing by 1.90% to settle at $66.43 per barrel, raising concerns about potential disruptions to global supply chains and Middle Eastern crude flows [3][10] Domestic Regulatory Changes - The Federal Reserve announced a hybrid public outreach meeting scheduled for March 26, 2026, as part of a decennial review under the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act (EGRPRA) to identify outdated regulations [4][10] - The US Senate Banking Committee will hold a hearing on February 26, focusing on "rightsizing" financial oversight, with testimonies from Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman and FDIC Acting Chairman Travis Hill, discussing potential rollbacks of Basel III capital standards [5][10] Trade Relations - King Charles III is expected to visit the United States in April 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, which will also serve as a platform for trade negotiations [6][10] - The administration aims to revitalize a £31 billion ($39 billion) tech and trade deal that includes significant investments from major U.S. firms, such as a £22 billion pledge from Microsoft and £5 billion from Alphabet, as part of efforts to resolve trade barriers [7][10]