eu

The European Union now admits it’s unlikely to finalize a comprehensive trade agreement with the United States by the critical July 9 deadline set by President Donald Trump. Despite some progress in recent days, Brussels believes that at best, a framework agreement on general principles could be reached—without firm commitments.
⏳ If no deal is reached, Washington plans to impose hefty 50% tariffs on European goods worth up to $434 billion. Meanwhile, the EU is preparing countermeasures that could target American exports totaling over $116 billion.

Talks Accelerate, But Results Are Limited
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič has intensified communications with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and lead negotiator Jamieson Greer. Despite this, the U.S. has not yet officially responded to the EU’s latest proposal. Negotiations cover sensitive areas like steel, aluminum, aircraft, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors—as well as tariff and non-tariff barriers.
The EU side fears the U.S. is pushing for terms that largely favor Washington. If talks collapse, Brussels has a retaliation package ready—not only tariffs, but also measures targeting strategic sectors where the U.S. depends on Europe.

Europe Readies a Tough Response
Brussels has already approved the first wave of tariffs worth €21 billion, targeting politically sensitive U.S. products such as soybeans from Louisiana, poultry, and motorcycles from key electoral states. A second, stronger wave is ready to hit American exports worth €95 billion, including Boeing aircraft and bourbon.
The European Commission has made it clear it will not back down on its “red lines,” such as tax sovereignty and regulatory autonomy of member states. These issues are non-negotiable—even under the threat of tariffs.

Lagarde Issues Warning Over Escalating Economic Conflict
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde issued a stark warning on Wednesday during a speech in Beijing: “The world is heading toward deeper economic trouble if countries continue weaponizing trade.” She noted that since 2014, the number of subsidy-related interventions distorting global trade has more than tripled.
Lagarde pointed out that it’s not just China—emerging markets and developed economies alike are taking similar steps. She highlighted how America’s share of global demand has surged in recent years, largely due to high public spending. “Coercive trade policy cannot solve fiscal imbalance,” she said. “It only causes economic damage.”

#TradeTensions , #TRUMP , #Tariffs , #Eu , #TradingCommunity

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,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

European stock markets remained largely unchanged on Tuesday as cautious investors monitored ongoing trade negotiations between the United States and China in London, amid growing concerns about critical mineral supplies.
🔹 The Stoxx 600 index remained flat with no significant movement.

🔹 The UK’s FTSE 100 rose slightly by 0.4%.

🔹 Germany’s DAX slipped by 0.2%.

🔹 France’s CAC 40 recorded a modest gain.
Despite these muted figures, investors adopted a clear wait-and-see approach. The atmosphere was clouded by trade tensions and uncertainty surrounding rare earth supplies essential for defense industries.

Defense Sector Under Pressure Due to China’s Restrictions
Shares in aerospace and defense fell for the third day in a row, with the Stoxx Aerospace and Defense index down 0.8%. The pressure follows China’s April decision to restrict exports of rare earths in retaliation to U.S. tariffs — a move that directly affects Europe’s manufacturing and military sectors.

UK Labor Market Weakens, Gilt Yields Fall
Investor anxiety wasn't limited to global trade. UK government bonds — known as gilts — saw a broad price increase following disappointing labor market data released Tuesday morning.
The Office for National Statistics reported average wage growth of 5.3%, below the 5.5% forecast by Reuters. Additionally, job vacancies fell by 7.9% over the three months ending in April compared to the previous quarter. This cooling job market supports speculation that the Bank of England may soon consider easing its monetary policy.
📉 Bond yields reacted swiftly:

🔹 10-year gilt yields dropped by 7 basis points.

🔹 5-year and 2-year yields also fell by 6–7 basis points.

🔹 30-year yields slipped by 6 points.
As bond prices rise, yields fall — a clear indication of growing investor demand for safer assets amid market caution.

Gold Edges Up, Industrial Metals and Japanese Yen Decline
In the commodities market, gold edged higher, reaching $3,333.89 per ounce by 08:18 GMT after briefly falling below $3,302. Futures for U.S. gold held firm at $3,354.70. Investors are turning to the safe haven asset ahead of key U.S. inflation data expected this week, which could influence the Federal Reserve’s next interest rate move.
⚠️ Other precious metals didn’t fare as well:

🔹 Silver dropped 0.6% to $36.51, though it remains near a 13-year high.

🔹 Platinum fell 1.1% to $1,206.42, after recently hitting a three-year peak.

🔹 Palladium declined by 1% to $1,063.22.
These moves reflected a broader sense of caution across equity and bond markets in Europe.

Japanese Yen Falls After Cautious BOJ Comments
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda signaled that the central bank is not yet ready to raise interest rates. “Our short-term rate is at 0.5%, and our room to stimulate the economy when facing strong downward pressures is very limited,” Ueda stated.
Markets reacted quickly — the yen weakened from 144.69 to 145.29 against the U.S. dollar before recovering slightly. Although Ueda downplayed the possibility of rate cuts, he hinted at potential economic support, which traders interpreted as a signal that rate hikes are off the table for now.
Despite having the highest inflation in the G7, Japan still maintains the lowest interest rate. Reports also surfaced suggesting the Japanese Ministry of Finance may limit issuance of super-long-term bonds — and even consider buying some back — further weighing on the yen.

Conclusion: Markets on Edge as Investors Await Clarity
Across Europe, Asia, and the U.S., caution rules the day. With geopolitical tensions, economic slowdowns, and central bank uncertainty all in play, investors are treading carefully. Markets await the next clear signal — whether from trade deals, political decisions, or macroeconomic data.

#stockmarket , #Eu , #market , #TradeTensions , #globaleconomy

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Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

Switzerland, one of the world's leading financial centers, is taking significant steps to enhance transparency in the cryptocurrency sector. The Swiss government (Federal Council) has just passed a bill requiring crypto companies to prepare to automatically share data related to digital assets with 74 countries, including the United Kingdom and the entire European Union (EU). This bill is currently being debated in parliament.

The fact that U.S. President Donald Trump officially imposed a 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum could spark a new trade war between the U.S. and the European Union (EU). In response to this move, the EU announced it would tax €26 billion worth of U.S. goods starting in April, escalating trade tensions.

Impact on the cryptocurrency market

Increased economic instability → Does cryptocurrency benefit?

On April 2, 2025, after the European Commission President's proposal of "0% to 0% tariff" was rejected, the EU imposed a 25% tariff on many products from the USA, including almonds, orange juice, soybeans, steel, aluminum, tobacco, and yachts, in response to President Trump's tariffs. This move, although defensive in nature, is causing negative impacts on the global financial market.

Analysis: Escalating Trade War

While many investors focus on Bitcoin, Ethereum, or 'memecoin' tokens, an important and increasingly influential part of the crypto world is quietly solidifying its position: Stablecoins.

Last week, the Italian Finance Minister – Mr. Giancarlo Giorgetti – issued a notable warning that the US's move towards legalizing stablecoins could threaten the euro more than President Trump's import tax increase. But this is a positive signal for the crypto market in general, especially for users worldwide – including the Binance community.

On March 25, BlackRock will list its iShares Bitcoin ETF on the European market. The instrument will be traded under the ticker IB1T on the Xetra and Euronext Paris platforms, and under the ticker BTCN in Amsterdam, Bloomberg writes.
This is the first time BlackRock's cryptocurrency funds have ventured outside the US.

“The launch of the product reflects what can truly be considered a game-changer in the industry – the combination of established demand from retail investors and the growth of the professional community,” said Manuela Sperandeo, head of iShares Product at BlackRock in Europe and the Middle East.