Core Points - The U.S. Department of Commerce announced an expansion of tariffs on steel and aluminum products, affecting hundreds of items including children's car seats, cutlery, and heavy equipment [1] - A total of 407 product categories have been added to the list of "derivative products" subject to a 50% tariff, effective immediately [1] - The new list includes wind turbines and their components, mobile cranes, household appliances, bulldozers, railway vehicles, furniture, compressors, and pumps among other products [1] Industry Impact - The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Industrial and Security, Jeffrey Kessler, stated that this move aims to "close loopholes" in tariff evasion and reiterated the goal of boosting the U.S. steel and aluminum industries [1] - Economists warn that while the immediate impact of tariffs on consumer prices may be limited, the full effects have yet to be realized [1] - Some companies are preemptively purchasing products expected to be subject to tariffs, while others may pass on additional costs to consumers or absorb some of the new tariff burdens [1] - Analysts indicate that importers and retailers cannot indefinitely bear these costs, suggesting that consumer prices for more goods may eventually rise [1]

Group 1 - International silver prices rose to $37.89 per ounce, up 1.41%, with a daily high of $37.93 and a low of $36.95, indicating a volatile market influenced by rising consumer prices due to tariff measures [1] - As of August 20, 2025, silver ETF holdings decreased to 15,305.76 tons, down by 33.90 tons from the previous day, reflecting a bearish sentiment in the market [2] - The core Consumer Price Index (CPI) has risen to around 3%, with tariffs expected to further increase consumer prices, although the Federal Reserve views these tariff impacts as one-time adjustments [2][3] Group 2 - The current economic environment shows that inflation rates have exceeded the 2% target, with price pressures likely to increase in the coming months due to higher tariff costs being passed on by businesses [3] - The labor market is experiencing a slowdown in new population growth, which may limit the expected downward pressure on prices, despite a stable unemployment rate [3] - The silver market is currently in a weak downward trend, with support levels at $36.5 and resistance levels at $37.60 and $37.85, indicating potential future price movements [4]

Core Viewpoint - The company reported a decline in revenue due to extreme trade policies and tariffs implemented by the United States, which created significant uncertainty in the global business environment, leading to decreased consumer demand and subsequently affecting the company's product demand [1]. Financial Performance - The company achieved a revenue of HKD 50.446 million, representing a year-on-year decrease of 18.01% [1]. - The net profit was HKD 2.598 million, showing a year-on-year increase of 145.09% [1]. - The basic earnings per share were HKD 0.01 [1]. - The company proposed an interim dividend of HKD 0.01 per share [1]. Market Impact - The decline in revenue is attributed to the impact of U.S. trade policies and tariffs, which have led to a turbulent global business environment and reduced consumer demand [1].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights that U.S. President Trump has signed an executive order to extend the suspension of tariffs on China for an additional 90 days [1] Summary by Sections - **Tariff Suspension**: The executive order signed by President Trump indicates a continuation of the current tariff suspension measures against China, which may impact trade relations and economic conditions [1]

Core Viewpoint - The World Trade Organization (WTO) has downgraded the global goods trade growth forecast for 2026 from 2.5% to 1.8% due to recent tariff adjustments impacting global trade prospects [1] Summary by Sections Trade Growth Forecast - The WTO predicts a 0.9% growth in global goods trade for 2025, an improvement from the previous forecast of -0.2%, but still below the earlier estimate of 2.7% based on lower tariff levels [1] - The adjustment in the forecast is primarily attributed to U.S. importers stockpiling goods ahead of tariff increases, resulting in an 11% year-on-year increase in U.S. imports in the first half of this year [1] Regional Insights - Asian economies are expected to remain the largest engine for global goods trade growth in 2025 [1] - North America is projected to continue dragging down global trade growth over the next two years, while Europe is anticipated to have a slight negative impact on global trade growth this year [1] Tariff Impact - The WTO Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, highlighted that the comprehensive effects of recent tariff measures are becoming evident, with tariff uncertainty being one of the most destructive forces in the global trade environment, affecting business confidence, investment, and supply chains [1]

Core Points - The new tariff measures signed by President Trump have come into effect, imposing tariffs ranging from 10% to 50% on numerous trade partners, leading to widespread discontent and calls for collective responses from affected nations [1] - The average tariff on imported goods is projected to exceed 18%, marking the highest level since 1934 [1] - Brazil and India are among the countries facing the highest tariffs, with both nations expressing strong resistance to the measures [1] - Switzerland has been particularly affected, facing a 39% tariff, the highest among European countries, which has raised significant concerns for its export-driven economy [3] - Japan, despite having reached an agreement with the U.S., found that the promised tax reductions were not implemented, leading to demands for immediate corrective actions [4] Summary by Category Tariff Implementation - The U.S. Customs and Border Protection began collecting higher tariffs on imports starting at 12:01 AM Eastern Time on July 7 [1] - The tariffs are set between 10% and 50%, significantly impacting trade relationships [1] Affected Countries - Brazil and India are subjected to a 50% tariff, with both countries indicating they will not easily concede to U.S. demands [1] - Switzerland is facing a 39% tariff, which is significantly higher than previously threatened, causing alarm among its export sectors [3] - Japan is facing a 15% tariff, with ongoing negotiations to address discrepancies in previously agreed terms [4] Economic Impact - The tariffs are expected to create substantial pressure on Switzerland's economy, particularly affecting industries such as watchmaking, industrial machinery, chocolate, and cheese [3] - Indian officials have indicated that the tariffs could impact defense procurement plans, although the government later denied any changes to ongoing negotiations [1][3] - The U.S. government's announcement regarding tariffs on transshipped goods is anticipated to target Southeast Asian countries, with potential implications for trade practices [4]

Core Insights - The tariff measures implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump are significantly boosting international stock markets while potentially ending the dominance of the S&P 500 index globally, at least for the time being [1] - International stock markets are expected to outperform the U.S. stock market benchmark for the first time since 2022, and this is also the first occurrence in a bull market environment since 2009 [1] - Concerns regarding the impact of tariffs and trade uncertainties on U.S. corporate profit growth are the primary reasons for this shift [1] Performance Comparison - The MSCI All Country World Index (excluding the U.S.) has significantly outperformed the S&P 500 index, rising by 18% so far in 2025, while the S&P 500 index has only increased by 7.8% [1]

Core Insights - France's trade deficit reached €43 billion in the first half of the year, an increase of €4.4 billion compared to the second half of 2024 [1] - Imports grew by 1.9% year-on-year, while exports only increased by 0.7%, leading to an expanded trade deficit [1] - In Q2 alone, the trade deficit was €22.9 billion, up €2.8 billion from Q1, primarily due to declines in exports of electricity, aerospace products, and ships, alongside a record high in pharmaceutical imports [1] Trade Dynamics - The increase in trade deficit signals a warning for France, especially in light of a new trade agreement between the EU and the US [1] - The French Minister for Foreign Trade, Laurent Saint-Martin, emphasized the need for France and Europe to enhance competitiveness and accelerate efforts to avoid falling behind [1] - US tariff measures are expected to have multiple adverse effects, including rising prices for American consumers and potential global economic slowdown [1] Economic Implications - The new EU-US trade agreement poses a dual threat to France and Europe, with reduced exports to the US and the risk of a global economic slowdown [1]

Core Insights - France's trade deficit reached €43 billion in the first half of the year, an increase of €4.4 billion compared to the second half of 2024 [1] - Imports grew by 1.9% year-on-year, while exports only increased by 0.7%, leading to a widening trade deficit [1] - In the second quarter alone, the trade deficit was €22.9 billion, up €2.8 billion from the first quarter, primarily due to declines in exports of electricity, aerospace products, and ships, alongside record-high imports of pharmaceuticals [1] Trade Deficit Analysis - The increase in trade deficit signals a warning for France, especially in light of new trade agreements between the EU and the US [1] - The French Minister for Foreign Trade, Laurent Saint-Martin, emphasized the need for France and Europe to enhance competitiveness and accelerate efforts to avoid falling behind [1] - US tariff measures are expected to have multiple adverse effects, including rising prices for American consumers and potential global economic slowdown [1] Economic Implications - The trade agreement between the US and the EU poses a dual threat to France and Europe, with reduced exports to the US and the risk of a global economic slowdown [1]

Core Viewpoint - France's trade deficit reached 43 billion euros in the first half of the year, an increase of 4.4 billion euros compared to the second half of 2024, primarily due to higher import growth than export growth [1] Trade Data Summary - In the first half of the year, imports increased by 1.9% year-on-year, while exports grew by only 0.7%, leading to an expanded trade deficit [1] - In the second quarter alone, the trade deficit amounted to 22.9 billion euros, which is an increase of 2.8 billion euros from the first quarter [1] - The decline in exports of electricity, aerospace products, and ships, along with a record high in pharmaceutical imports, contributed to the trade deficit [1] Government Response - Laurent Saint-Martin, the French Minister responsible for foreign trade, indicated that the widening trade deficit serves as a warning signal for France, especially in light of a new trade agreement between the EU and the US [1] - He urged France and Europe to take action to enhance competitiveness and accelerate efforts to avoid falling behind [1] - Saint-Martin also highlighted the negative impacts of US tariff measures, which could lead to higher prices for American consumers and potentially slow global economic growth, posing a dual threat to France and Europe [1]