Key Takeaways
- Bitcoin fell to around $115,400 as long liquidations swept across crypto markets.
- Gold slipped 0.27% amid easing trade tensions and declining safe-haven demand.
- Wall Street showed mixed performance as Tesla plunged 8.2% on weak earnings.
- Trump expanded tariff deals with Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia, lifting risk appetite.
- EU–China talks ended without breakthroughs, while Powell faced public pressure over Fed policy and renovations.
Global Shifts & Market Sentiment
Global markets showed mixed performance on Friday, as optimism over U.S. trade deals clashed with renewed political pressure on the Federal Reserve and lingering tensions between the EU and China.
The S&P 500 inched up 0.07% to 6,363.36, the Nasdaq rose 0.18%, while the Dow slipped 0.70%, dragged by sharp losses in Tesla.
Gold edged lower and Bitcoin fell further as leveraged positions were wiped out amid fading momentum.
Investors continued to monitor cross-border negotiations, crypto volatility, and escalating pressure on Fed Chair Jerome Powell as key policy meetings approach.
U.S. Trade Deals Support Risk Sentiment
President Donald Trump announced a series of new trade measures this week, furthering his tariff diplomacy across Asia. A finalized deal with Japan will lower auto import tariffs from 27.5% to 15% in exchange for $550 billion in long-term Japanese investments targeting U.S. infrastructure, electric vehicles, and semiconductor production.
Trump also confirmed a new 19% tariff on goods from the Philippines, mirroring rates applied to Indonesia, while keeping U.S. exports to both countries tariff-free.
The calibrated moves were interpreted as efforts to consolidate influence across Southeast Asia and apply indirect pressure on China.
Trump–Powell Clash Intensifies Over Fed Renovation
Political tension escalated in Washington as President Trump clashed publicly with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell during a surprise visit to the central bank’s $2.5 billion renovation site.
Trump criticized the over-budget project, calling it the “Palace of Versailles”, and used the occasion to renew his calls for sharp interest rate cuts.
Powell defended the project as structur.ally necessary, citing decades of deferred maintenance, asbestos removal, and critical security upgrades.
While Trump backed off firing threats, he signaled Powell’s final eight months in office would be closely scrutinized. The Fed’s inspector general has been asked to re-review the project.
The exchange comes ahead of next week’s FOMC meeting, where rates are expected to remain unchanged. Analysts warned the public dispute may heighten market sensitivity to any deviation in tone.
EU–China Trade Talks Show Little Progress
In Europe, a one-day summit between EU leaders and Chinese President Xi Jinping ended with no major breakthroughs. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the current state of EU–China ties a “clear inflection point,” citing persistent imbalances and China’s industrial overcapacity.
President Xi urged Brussels to avoid restrictive trade tools and maintain open markets.
The Euronext 100 ticked up 0.03%, while the FTSE 100 was flat as investors digested the diplomatic tone.
Gold Slips as Trade Relief Cools Demand for Safe Havens
Gold declined 0.27% to $3,358.98 as appetite for riskier assets returned following tariff stabilization between the U.S. and key trading partners. Silver also dipped 0.16% to $38.99, while Brent crude rose 1.08% to $67.97, lifted by steady demand outlooks and a softer dollar.
Crypto Market Suffers Further Liquidations
Bitcoin slid 2.24% to $115,695, extending losses as a wave of liquidations wiped out long positions. Over $585 million in long positions were liquidated across the crypto market, with Bitcoin and Ethereum accounting for the majority.
Ethereum fell 2% to $3,632.94, while Solana lost 2.28% and Binance Coin dipped 1.09%. Analysts flagged continued fragility as leverage remains high and buyers struggle to regain momentum.
Global Indices
- S&P 500 (SPX): 6,363.36 (+0.07%)
- Dow Jones (DJI): 44,693.91 (−0.70%)
- Nasdaq Composite (IXIC): 21,057.96 (+0.18%)
- Nikkei 225 Futures: 41,450.0 (−1.00%)
- Euronext 100 (N100): 1,591.57 (+0.03%)
- FTSE 100 (FTSE): 9,139.8 (−0.01%)
Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin (BTC): 115,401 (−2.24%)
- Ethereum (ETH): 3,632.94 (−2.00%)
- Binance Coin (BNB): 762.31 (−1.09%)
- Solana (SOL): 178.76 (−2.28%)
Commodities
- Gold: 3,358.98 (−0.27%)
- Silver: 38.99 (−0.16%)
- WTI Crude: 66.24 (+0.22%)
- Brent Crude: 67.97 (+1.08%)
Major Stocks
- NVIDIA (NVDA): 173.74 (+1.73%)
- Tesla (TSLA): 305.30 (−8.20%)
- Microsoft (MSFT): 510.88 (+0.99%)
- Meta (META): 714.80 (+0.17%)
- Apple (AAPL): 213.76 (−0.18%)
- Amazon (AMZN): 232.23 (+1.73%)
Forex
- U.S. Dollar Index (DXY): 97.561 (+0.05%)
- EUR/USD: 1.17414 (−0.05%)
- GBP/USD: 1.34942 (−0.08%)
- USD/JPY: 146.135 (-0.10%)
Read More: This Trader says ETH below $3,400 Presents a “Big Buy Opportunity”
