Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
Oil Prices Fall as Markets Await U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Decision 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
The United States and China have signed on to a 90-day truce beginning Wednesday, May 14, 2025, which entails steep tariff cuts. The U.S. would reduce its tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while China would reduce its tariffs on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%. The move is to ease trade tensions and give a chance for further negotiations.
Apart from slashing tariffs, China will remove some non-tariff barriers, including restrictions on export of rare earth to America. The two countries have agreed to resume talks on more fundamental issues of trade. Nevertheless, analysts suggest that the agreement brings relief for only a limited period and does not deal with underlying conflicts.
Release of these tariff cuts has seen a surge in global stock markets as a sign that there is a chance of a reduction in trade tensions. Despite this positive market response, there is still doubt whether the long-term settlement of trade disputes will be realized.
