Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh Signals Policy Overhaul as Hawkish Rate Outlook Rattles Markets 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Colombia Opens New Investigation Into Former President Álvaro Uribe Over Paramilitary Allegations 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Yen Near 40-Year Lows Despite BOJ Rate Hike, Markets Brace for Possible Intervention 
Trump Questions USMCA Renewal as Trade Talks Continue 
US Stock Futures Jump on Reports of Preliminary US-Iran Peace Deal Despite Fed’s Hawkish Outlook 
Trump Heads to Camp David for High-Stakes Iran Talks and Policy Meetings 
Meloni Slams Trump Over G7 Photo Claim as U.S.-Italy Relations Deteriorate 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Zelenskiy Backs Lula’s Peace Initiative as Ukraine Seeks New Diplomatic Path to End War 
Meloni Fires Back at Trump Over Popularity Jibe and Italy’s Sovereignty 
U.S.-Iran Talks in Switzerland Postponed as Questions Over Interim Deal Persist 
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will meet U.S. President Donald Trump for the second time in two months on Wednesday, marking a pivotal moment for the 72-year U.S.–South Korea alliance. The two leaders are expected to discuss key issues including trade, defense costs, nuclear cooperation, and North Korea ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, which Trump is unlikely to attend.
Trade negotiations remain at an impasse as Seoul and Washington struggle to finalize a deal to reduce U.S. import duties on South Korean goods. The stalemate centers on a $350 billion investment pledge from South Korea, with Trump demanding the amount be paid “up front” in cash or equity. Seoul has proposed offering the funds primarily through loans and guarantees to support South Korean firms expanding in the United States, warning that a full cash payment could destabilize its financial markets.
Defense spending is another pressing issue. Trump has called on allies to pay significantly more for U.S. military presence and to raise defense budgets to 3.5% of GDP. South Korea currently spends 2.3% but plans an 8.3% increase in 2026—more than double this year’s rise. U.S. officials are also considering expanding the role of the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea to address regional tensions involving China.
On nuclear energy, Seoul seeks revisions to a bilateral agreement allowing it to reprocess spent fuel and enrich uranium for civilian use. Meanwhile, discussions on North Korea remain complex. Although both nations agree on denuclearization, Trump’s remarks acknowledging Pyongyang as a “nuclear power” have raised concerns. President Lee remains committed to dialogue, viewing Trump as a potential bridge to Kim Jong Un, though North Korea has yet to respond.
Additionally, both sides aim to resolve issues surrounding U.S. work visas for South Korean employees after the recent arrests of hundreds of Hyundai workers, a move that shocked Seoul.
