U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
OCBC Raises Gold Price Forecast to $5,600 as Structural Demand and Uncertainty Persist 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Lower as Tech Earnings and Fed Decision Shape Market Sentiment 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Retreats After Fed Decision 
Oil Prices Surge Toward Biggest Monthly Gains in Years Amid Middle East Tensions 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
Oil Prices Hit Four-Month High as Geopolitical Risks and Supply Disruptions Intensify 
Trump to Announce New Federal Reserve Chair Pick as Powell Replacement Looms 
Starmer’s China Visit Signals New Era in UK–China Economic Relations 
Copper Prices Hit Record Highs as Metals Rally Gains Momentum on Geopolitical Tensions 
Strengthening Semiconductor Restrictions
The Trump administration is poised to strengthen semiconductor limits on China, expanding on prior actions by the Biden administration to constrain Beijing's technological capabilities. The steps entail aligning with allies like Japan and the Netherlands to block companies like Tokyo Electron Ltd. and ASML Holding NV from providing maintenance services for semiconductor gear in China.
Specific Restrictions and Company Impact
Such potential restrictions include tighter controls on Nvidia chips shipped to China, with licensing for a wider range of products and volumes. Additional restrictions on Chinese semiconductor companies like SMIC and CXMT are under consideration.
Strategic Goals and Trade Frictions
These actions aim to restrict China's technology drive and protect the US interest within the semiconductor market, similar to ongoing trade friction between the countries. The US intends to bring back its own semiconductor manufacturing, potentially by colluding through enterprises like TSMC and Intel
