After a thaw in U.S.-China trade relations, the market’s focus is turning to price pressures.
Economists expect the consumer-price index, due at 8:30 a.m. ET, to show annual inflation held steady at 2.4% in the 12 months through April. But the outlook is clouded by substantial uncertainty over where tariffs will settle.
For investors, recent pacts with the U.K. and China offer welcome signs the White House is retreating from its harshest tariff threats. Still, markets remain on edge about U.S. trade policy. Import duties are expected to remain considerably higher than before President Trump’s return to office, and the back-and-forth over tariffs has already upended supply chains and businesses’ investment plans.
Futures edged lower early Tuesday, as tech shares and U.S.-listed Chinese stocks pulled back after big gains in the previous session. The president is in the Middle East looking to strike business deals.
