Trump Plans 'Major' Russia Statement, Vietnam Surprised by New Tariffs

Trade & Tariffs - The U S is considering tariffs on goods from various countries, including Vietnam (20%), Canada (35%), and Brazil, with numbers constantly changing and remaining under negotiation [2][3][4] - Concerns exist that President Trump might double the baseline universal tariff to 20% [5] - China opposes unilateral tariffs and accuses the U S of undermining the free-trade system [9][10] - Vietnam was surprised by the U S's announcement of a 20% tariff on its goods [1][43] - The EU is potentially willing to accept a 10%-15% tariff to avoid retaliation and maintain current import levels to the U S [19][20][32] - The U S is considering 50% tariffs on copper imports, potentially benefiting countries with long-term contracts if consumers pay the tariffs [52][53][56][58] Economic Impact & Market Trends - Tariffs are unlikely to bring manufacturing output or employment back to the U S and could harm the U S economy [6][8] - The U S economy is expected to slow down by about 1 percentage point, but a recession is not the base case unless additional shocks occur [34] - Emerging market currencies are experiencing a losing streak due to President Trump's tariffs [35] - Goldman Sachs suggests markets are complacent and see tariff deadlines being pushed back, with the range of tariffs shrinking to around 10% [36][37][39] Geopolitics & International Relations - China is seeking to strengthen ties with ASEAN countries, potentially vying for influence in Southeast Asia [11][12] - The U S is considering potential sanctions on Russia, possibly including secondary sanctions for buying oil and LNG [14][15] - Britain and France have agreed to exchange migrants as part of a plan to deter illegal crossings, requiring EU sign-off [78][79] Technology & AI - Tesla is expanding its robotaxi service into California and Arizona, with potential launches in the San Francisco Bay Area within a month or two [85] - Apple is planning a pipeline of new products for release in the first half of 2026, including a new iPhone [86] - SAP's recent growth has been powered by a pivot to the cloud and artificial intelligence [88] - SAP's CEO suggests Europe needs to focus on competitiveness and opportunities in AI before regulation, as there aren't many AI use cases in Europe [91][92]