RT Zanny Minton Beddoes (@zannymb)I was in Ottawa this week to interview @MarkJCarney for the first episode of The Economist Insider.I’ll be joined by three colleagues for a debate about the winners and losers of Donald Trump’s trade war.Browse all of our coming episodes: https://t.co/BZzRavUFp0 https://t.co/IsMNaKZghj ...

Soybeans (ZSX25), a key component of animal and human food products, have emerged at the center of the U.S.-China trade war, uniting farmers, commodity futures traders, and even hobbyist market watchers in fresh panic. Essentially, a perfect storm is brewing for soybeans, which are the second-largest crop in the U.S., making them of key importance to farmers. Weather conditions in 2025 have set the stage for record crop outputs, but the demand side of the equation is falling worse-than-flat. More News fr ...

Key Points RH has rearranged its supply chain to adapt to existing tariffs. An additional 50% duty on imports of kitchen and bathroom furnishings, as well as 30% tariffs on upholstered furniture tariff will complicate its business further. CEO Gary Friedman thinks it will be harder for his competitors to deal with. 10 stocks we like better than RH › RH (NYSE: RH), the company formerly known as Restoration Hardware, is no stranger to the trade war, but things might be set to go from bad to worse. ...

Group 1: Boxed Beef Market - Boxed beef prices reported by USDA have been declining, with choice beef down nearly $40 and select beef off more than $30 since September 5, despite high retail prices [1] - The average cash price for cattle in the southern US has held near $240, recently slipping to $237, while the nearby October futures contract is priced at $232, indicating a bullish basis of $5 over [2] Group 2: Inflation and Trade Policy - Inflation remains a significant issue in the US, influenced by trade policy, regardless of government reassurances [4] - The soybean industry is not significantly affected by Argentina's export tax changes, as the demand for US soybeans remains stable despite claims of necessity from some industry members [6] Group 3: Federal Reserve and Market Reactions - Following a 25-basis point rate cut by the Federal Reserve, the US dollar index initially fell to 96.22 but closed higher, indicating market volatility in response to monetary policy [8] - Fed Chairman Powell's comments on inflation and job concerns were not surprising to the market, suggesting a cautious approach is expected [9] Group 4: Tyson Foods and Corn Market - Tyson Foods announced it would stop using high fructose corn syrup in its products, which is not expected to collapse demand for US corn, as indicated by the bullish May-July futures spread [10] - The May 2026 corn futures contract is priced near $4.5075, showing a similar market structure to the previous year when funds built a net-long position [11]

Core Insights - The US auto sector is experiencing reputational damage overseas due to President Trump's trade war, with a notable shift in European car buyers' preferences towards Chinese brands [1][2] - A study by Escalent indicates that 47% of European buyers would consider a vehicle from China, compared to 44% for US automakers, a reversal from 2024 when 31% considered Chinese vehicles and 51% considered American [1][2] Group 1: Buyer Sentiment and Trends - The study surveyed 1,692 respondents from May 21 to July 31, revealing that geopolitical factors are influencing European buyers' perceptions of US auto brands [2] - Trust levels in goods from various countries have increased for all except the US, which saw a decline from 31% to 24% [4] - European buyers are increasingly considering electric vehicles (EVs), which benefits Chinese brands that offer a wide range of EV options [5][7] Group 2: Sales Data and Market Performance - Tesla, the largest US EV maker, is facing demand issues in Europe, with EV registrations falling to 8,837 units in July, a 40.2% decrease year-over-year [8] - In contrast, total EV registrations in Europe rose by 33.6% in July, indicating a growing market for electric vehicles overall [8]

Core Insights - Seasonal hiring in the retail industry is expected to decline significantly, with projections indicating the addition of under 500,000 positions in Q4 2025, marking the smallest seasonal gain in 16 years and an 8% decrease from the previous year [2][4] Group 1: Hiring Trends - Retailers are facing multiple challenges including tariffs, inflation, and a shift towards automation, which is leading to fewer seasonal hires [3][4] - Major retailers like Target have not disclosed their seasonal hiring plans yet, contrasting with last year when they announced specific hiring numbers [5][6] - Companies such as Spirit Halloween and Bath & Body Works have released their hiring plans, with Spirit planning to hire 50,000 and Bath & Body Works planning to hire 32,000 workers [7][8] Group 2: Economic Indicators - The overall job market has shown signs of slowing, with nonfarm payrolls increasing by only 22,000 in August, significantly below expectations [9][10] - Consumers are under financial pressure due to persistent inflation and high interest rates, which may dampen demand during the holiday season [11] - Reports indicate that consumers plan to spend 5% less on holiday gifts and related expenses this year, marking the first significant drop since 2020 [12]

US-China Relations & Geopolitics - China anticipated potential challenges related to technology, export controls, and trade with the US, demonstrating preparedness for trade disputes and related issues [1] - The discussion suggests a shift in Beijing's perspective regarding the strategic value of TikTok over time [2][3] - Beijing's willingness to consider a deal regarding TikTok implies a perceived decrease in its value as a bargaining chip [3] TikTok Deal Implications - Initial opposition from Beijing to any forced sale of TikTok has evolved, indicating a change in strategy [2] - The evolving technology landscape over the past five years has potentially influenced Beijing's stance on TikTok [2]

Market Overview - Major indices including the Dow, Nasdaq, S&P 500, and Russell 2000 closed at all-time highs, with the Russell 2000 achieving its first record since 2021 [1][14] - The market is experiencing a pause after a significant rally, with modest gains expected at the open [4][5] Federal Reserve and Economic Indicators - The Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the first time this year, contributing to bullish market sentiment [2][15] - Expectations for further rate cuts have increased, with the S&P 500 up approximately 3% this month [15][16] - Minneapolis Fed President Neil Kashkari expressed concerns about the jobs market, suggesting three rate cuts this year, up from two previously anticipated [18][19] Trade Relations and Corporate Impact - Ongoing trade tensions with China are a focal point, with President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussing issues including TikTok and tariffs [2][8] - FedEx reported a surprise earnings beat but warned of a $1 billion impact from trade volatility, highlighting the challenges posed by US-China trade tensions [3][23][24] - FedEx's adjusted operating income is expected to be affected by trade dynamics, with a significant portion of the impact stemming from the China market [23][25] Sector-Specific Developments - Nvidia faced challenges in China due to accusations of violating anti-monopoly laws, impacting its business operations [9][10] - The agricultural sector is also under scrutiny, with China not purchasing US soybeans at the start of the export season, indicating potential leverage in trade negotiations [12] Upcoming Economic Data - The core PCE inflation data is anticipated, with estimates around 2.9%, which is not expected to significantly alter the Fed's approach [27][28][29] - The next jobs report, due on October 3rd, is expected to be a key focus for market participants [29] Corporate Earnings and Stock Performance - FedEx's stock saw a rise following its earnings report, despite the warning about trade impacts [36][37] - Clavio received an upgrade from Morgan Stanley, indicating a positive growth outlook [39] - Net Scope's IPO was successful, with shares jumping 18% on debut, reflecting strong demand in the cybersecurity sector [41]

Economic Resilience - The global economy has shown considerable resilience despite heightened policy and political uncertainty, attributed to supportive financial conditions, robust household and corporate balance sheets, and lower energy prices [3][4] - Early fears of a trade war with rising tariffs and a halt to global shipping have not materialized, contributing to ongoing economic growth [3][4] Market Reactions - Global equity and bond markets have reacted positively, with stock prices surging and inflation fears remaining muted, contrasting with early predictions of recession and market plummeting [2][3] - The yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury note has decreased from approximately 4.6% to around 4.1%, indicating that financial markets are currently overlooking potential risks associated with U.S. monetary policy [5][6] Federal Reserve Dynamics - Attempts by President Trump to influence the Federal Reserve, including efforts to oust the Fed chair and fire a governor, have so far been unsuccessful, allowing the Fed to maintain its independence [5][6] - The Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark rate by 25 basis points, reflecting confidence in meeting its inflation target despite political pressures [6]

Speaker Johnson, um the American agenda has had a way of having some backlash on some American companies and we're kind of seeing that play out with Nvidia this morning. We just gave a comment from Nvidia's CEO where there's an article out today in the Financial Times that says Chinese authorities have told Chinese companies that they are no longer to use any chips uh or buy any chips from Nvidia. They're to cancel the orders that they have.It's probably because of the trade talks that are taking place righ ...