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Gold nears a one-week high following US-Iran Peace Deal
On Monday, gold prices reached a near-week-high as a tentative peace deal between the?U.S. Oil prices fell as a result of the Iran deal, which also eased concerns about a rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve. As of 0857 GMT spot gold was up 2.7% at $4,334.48 an ounce. This is its highest price since June 9. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery climbed 2.8%, to $4355.30. U.S. officials and Iranian officials announced that they had reached an agreement to end the war and reopen Strait of Hormuz. This preliminary pact sent oil prices down but left the fate of Tehran’s nuclear program up to future negotiations. Shehbaz sharif, the Pakistani prime minister, said on X that the pact would be officially'signed' on Friday in Switzerland. Giovanni Staunovo, a UBS analyst, said that "market participants are pricing in rate?hikes because of lower oil prices which is lifting yellow metal." "Near term, I'd expect some consolidation until we receive clarity from the Fed this week." The U.S. Dollar fell to its lowest level in 10 days, making bullion priced in greenbacks more affordable to other currency holders. Oil prices also dropped to their lowest point for over three months. Since the beginning of the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, in late February of this year, gold prices have been under stress as the rising inflation risks fueled by oil has heightened expectations for higher interest rates. Gold is often seen as an inflation hedge, but it can lose its appeal when interest rates are high. The markets have lowered their?expectations of a 'U.S. According to CME FedWatch, the interest rate increase in December will be 53%, down from 69% the week before. Investors will be watching the Federal Reserve policy meeting, which is being led by Kevin Warsh for the first time. Rates are expected to stay unchanged. Singapore, meanwhile, will introduce an over-the counter gold clearing system, and a central bank gold vaulting service, according to the deputy prime minister. The city-state is looking to establish itself as a hub for gold trading. Silver rose by 3.7% per ounce to $70.51, platinum gained 3.4% at $1,776.83, and palladium increased 4.4% at $1,339.76. (Reporting from Pablo Sinha, Bengaluru. Editing by Louise Heavens.)
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Gold gains continue after US and Iran peace agreement
Gold rose by more than 2% on Monday, after U.S. officials and Iranian officials announced that they had reached a preliminary agreement to end the war. This lowered oil prices and eased concerns about inflation and rising interest rates. Gold spot rose 2.3%, to $4,316.03 an ounce, by 0730 GMT. This was its highest level since the 9th of June and extended gains for a 3rd straight session. U.S. Gold Futures for August Delivery rose?2.3% at $4,337.20. U.S. officials and Iranian officials announced on Sunday that they had reached an agreement on a framework for ending their war, stopping the U.S.'s blockade of Iran, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Shehbaz sharif, the Pakistani prime minister, said on X that the pact would be signed in Switzerland on?Friday. The U.S. Dollar fell to its lowest level in 10 days, making bullion priced in greenbacks?cheaper' for holders of other currencies, while oil prices dropped more than 4%. Tim Waterer is the chief market analyst for KCM Trade. He said that lower oil prices and a softer currency, resulting from reduced geopolitical risks, as well as the reopening of Strait of Hormuz are helping to reduce inflation expectations. The combination of the two has provided the precious metals with the best tailwinds in recent weeks. However, the sustainability will depend on the durability of the peace agreement. Since the start of the U.S./Israeli war on Iran, in late February, gold prices have dropped by about 20%. Global oil prices have risen sharply since the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed. This has sparked inflation fears and raised expectations that interest rates will remain high for longer. Bullion is a non-yielding investment and therefore loses its appeal in a high interest rate environment. According to CME FedWatch, the market has reduced expectations of a U.S. interest rate increase in December from 69% to 51% following?the peace agreement. Investors are now awaiting the Federal Reserve's policy announcement and remarks on Wednesday. Rates are expected to remain the same. "Currency debasement fears, fiscal risks and the ongoing geopolitical fracture continue to support?long-term (demand for gold). OCBC stated in a report that a moderated energy-driven inflation could help these themes gain traction. Spot silver increased 3.3%, to $70.22 an ounce. Platinum gained 2.7%, to $1763.38. Palladium rose 2.7%, to $1317.22.
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WSJ reports that Australia's richest Rinehart has invested $1 billion in the SpaceX IPO.
The Wall Street Journal, citing an individual familiar with the situation, reported that Australia's richest person, mining baron Gina Rinehart has invested a total of more than $1 billion into the $75 billion SpaceX record-breaking IPO. Hancock Prospecting, Rinehart's company, did not confirm the size of their'stake' in Elon Musk SpaceX. She said, however, in a press release: "This investment is significant for Hancock and we are happy to have received a allocation in an IPO that has been extremely popular and well oversubscribed." She praised Musk because he built two of the top 10 companies in the world. "We view?SpaceX a rare business. It is led by an exceptional person and operates in sectors that are critical, with long-term prospects," said Rinehart. Her wealth was built from iron ore mined by her company, Hancock Prospecting. Hancock, an important investor in critical mineral projects, wants to supply SpaceX with its mineral needs. Hancock CEO Garry Korte stated that "we also see the potential of mutually-beneficial arrangements in the future between?SpaceX's critical investments and Hancock Prospecting’s significant critical minerals investments as demand increases for materials and infrastructure required to support advanced technologies." Hancock has a large stake in many rare earths firms, including MP Materials and Rare Earths Americas in the U.S., Australia's Lynas Rare Earths and lithium producer Liontown Resources, among others. Last month, it was revealed that the $3.3 billion U.S. Portfolio held by this company increased its gold, rare earths, and defence holdings. Rinehart’s investment in SpaceX proved to be a 'winner instantly. The shares soared 19% on their debut, sending the company's worth?past 2 trillion dollars, making it the 6th-largest U.S. firm. Investors were eager to own a piece in Musk's sprawling empire, which includes rockets, satellites, and AI. Rinehart praised Musk's entrepreneurial prowess while also calling him a patriot because he cut federal jobs in the United States through Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency. Rinehart stated that "SpaceX was a clear example?of?why we need more entrepreneurs, more builders and less bureaucracy in the world." Rinehart has also become more political. He encourages some of Australia's richest voters to switch their support from the opposition Liberal-National conservatives party to populist anti-migration One Nation.
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India's wholesale prices in May rose to 9.68% due to Middle East fuel price surge
Government data released 'Monday' showed that India’s wholesale price inflation increased to 9.68% compared to the previous year in May. The energy shock resulting from the Middle East conflict continued. The wholesale inflation rate, which is largely influenced by fuel prices, is significantly higher than India's May retail inflation of 3.93%. According to economists, however, the sudden rise in wholesale prices will not have an immediate impact on interest rates. Indian central bank kept rates the same at its June meeting, despite targeting 4% retail price inflation with a tolerance range of 2%-6%. It said it would wait to see if higher fuel prices have a second-round effect before tightening monetary policies. In a recent survey, economists predicted that wholesale inflation would rise to 9.05%. In April, the print was 8.26%. The first print of the revised series, with 2022-23 as the base year, shows that inflation has risen at its fastest rate in six months, compared to the comparable figures calculated by the government using the new series. Data showed that wholesale fuel and electricity prices rose by 30.33% on an annual basis in May, compared to a 24.89% increase in April. Prices of petroleum and natural gas rose by 61.51% in the month of May. Since the U.S. and Israel war against Iran began in late February, crude prices have risen by 27%. State-run oil marketing firms increased retail fuel prices in May four times. The U.S.-Iran agreement on a framework for ending their war, stopping the U.S. Blockade of Iran, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz - a preliminary agreement that sent global oil price falling - could provide some relief. The recent 'cooling' of global energy and commodity prices following the easing in tensions in West Asia will provide relief to the WPI inflation figure for June 2026, said Rahul Agrawal principal economist at ICRA. In May, wholesale food prices rose 3.60% compared to April's increase of 2.43%. Meanwhile, prices for manufactured goods increased 7.48% compared to April's rise of 6.68%. NEW INDEXES RELEASED The May release introduces new producer price indicators. These include an output PPI as well as a trial input PPI. There are also seven services PPIs covering banking, securities transactions and pension fund management. According to the calculation, producer prices rose by 9.38% in May. Reporting by Shubham Bátra and Shivangi Aarya from New Delhi, Editing by Janane Venkatraman
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Reports from Kommersant state that Russia has authorized refineries to reduce the environmental standards for gasoline to prevent fuel shortages.
Kommersant reported that the Russian government had authorized a few oil refineries to produce fuels at lower environmental standards for the domestic market. This is because the country has been experiencing fuel supply disruptions. According to data collected by, media reports and social media posts have indicated that there are supply disruptions in Russia in a dozen different regions. Only two regions of Siberia, besides the Russian-held Crimea have formally?confirmed these disruptions. Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak requested fuel market forecasts in order to avoid problems with fuel distribution and meet domestic demand. Ukraine has been targeting Russian refineries, fuel depots, and pipelines for several months in an attempt to curb Moscow's ability?to finance the war against its neighbor, which is now in its fifth-year. Kommersant reported Monday, citing an anonymous source, that in the fall, the government relaxed the rules allowing certain refineries to sell gasoline and Diesel fuel on the national market, even if it did not meet approved standards for sulphur and other indicators. Kommersant's?source? said that the measure was initially in place until May 1,?this year, but later extended. Separately on Monday, authorities in 'the Udmurtia Region east of Moscow announced that they had imposed a temporary 'limit on supplies of AI-92 or AI-95 gasoline to?petrol station operated by oil company Tatneft starting on June 12th. The regional authorities stated that "the restrictions are for passenger cars, and they are due to technical and logistical issues," adding that it is expected the problem to be resolved next week. (Reporting and Writing by Lucy Papachristou, Editing by Kirsten Doovan)
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Reports from Kommersant state that Russia has authorized refineries to reduce the environmental standards for gasoline to prevent fuel shortages.
Kommersant reported that the Russian government had authorized a few oil refineries to produce gasoline and diesel fuel with lower environmental specifications for the domestic market. According to data compiled by, fuel shortages have been reported in Russia by media and social media users?in about a dozen different regions. Only two regions in Siberia, besides the Russian-held Crimea have confirmed shortages. Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak called for fuel market forecasts to protect against difficulties in fuel distribution. Ukraine has been targeting Russian refineries, fuel depots, and pipelines for several months in order to limit Moscow's financial support of the war against its neighbor, which is now in its fifth-year. Kommersant reported citing "a source" that in the fall, the government loosened rules for certain refineries, allowing them the freedom to sell gasoline and Diesel fuel on the domestic market, which deviates from the approved regulations regarding sulphur and other indicators. Kommersant's sources said that the measure was in place until May 1 of this year but later extended.
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NY Post: Trump threatens to impose a 100% tariff on French wines over tech tax at G7 meeting
Donald Trump warned on Monday that the United States would be forced to impose 100% tariffs on French wine if Paris does not eliminate its digital tax on?American tech giants. The?U.S. will be forced to impose 100% tariffs on French wine, unless Paris removes its digital tax against?American tech companies. Trump claimed he had delivered a warning to Emmanuel Macron, the French President. Macron was told that he must remove the 3% tax from U.S. technology giants otherwise he will face tariffs on the American market. Trump said in an interview with the New York Post that he had asked Macron not to charge American firms, and that if they did, he would have to impose a 100% tax on all champagnes, all wines, and all other products originating from France. "All Macron has to do is eliminate the sales tax and he won't be under that pressure." White House and Elysee officials didn't immediately respond to our request for comment. Trump has previously threatened to impose a tariff of 200% on wine and other alcoholic drinks imported from France or the EU, both in January and March last year as tensions in transatlantic trade escalated. Trump will arrive in France’s Evian-les-Bains to attend a meeting of the Group of Seven wealthy countries, as global leaders become more wary of America. Macron will greet him, as this summit is a diplomatic culmination for his second and last term in office that ends next year. Eurostat data shows that alcohol is one of the EU's biggest exports to the U.S. and will be worth EUR9 billion by 2024. Certain products, such as?Remy Martin champagne and cognac, are required to be made in certain European regions. The U.S. currently charges a 15% duty on wines and spirits that are exported from the EU. Since Trump and Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, agreed to a U.S. EU trade agreement in 'Scotland this summer, the French have been working hard to get the rate reduced to zero. Since 2019, France has imposed a 3% tax on digital services revenue earned by companies in France with revenues exceeding EUR25 million and EUR750 millions worldwide.
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Trump's controversial plan to price minerals is met with skepticism from the G7 and a divided industry
According to diplomatic sources, and an analysis of corporate policy suggestions, the Trump administration's plan to boost vital minerals production through price regulation is being met with skepticism from G7 allies and a divided mining sector. Negotiations for a Western Trading bloc are also stumbling due to concerns over cost and governance. First proposed by the U.S. Vice President JDVance announced the trading bloc in February. It aims to wean the West off China. China became the largest mineral producer by operating on a loss, and lowering prices for building blocks used in semiconductors, computers servers, military equipment, and countless other products. Artificially low prices of cobalt and lithium have made it harder for Western mining competitors to compete. This has inhibited new development, and driven some companies out. Beijing has used this tactic repeatedly in other industries. As envisioned, the trade bloc would look at price supports, market standard, subsidies, and guaranteed purchases in order to financially support production across several countries. Vance stated that the measures could be enforced through "adjustable duties to maintain pricing integrity." Currently, many niche minerals that are critical to tech and defence are traded without transparency, and they're linked to Chinese prices. This is because China dominates the market. Three sources said that since Vance's announcement G7 members have been pushing back against U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer and have cooled their position on the idea the bloc would rely on a pricing scheme derived by a Pentagon AI model. According to European officials, the main concerns are who will pay for premiums on minerals, where these subsidies should be placed in the supply chain, and how governance will work. More than 230 submissions from miners, refiners, and customers to Greer's Office show that the U.S. Mining Industry is divided over what Greer should do to encourage allies. The concerns of both allied and corporate interests highlight the difficulty in reinventing how minerals are purchased and sold. More than a dozen consultants and analysts said that the final shape of the trade bloc could have a long-term impact on minerals markets. Ashley Zumwalt Forbes, an investor in minerals who managed the U.S. Department of Energy’s batteries and essential minerals portfolio under the former president Joe Biden, said: "It's a very difficult thing to do. I'm glad I'm not doing it." This topic will dominate the discussion when G7 members gather in France this week. Western countries are faced with the challenge of diversifying away from China by building up an entire supply chain, from mine to final product. A draft U.S. plan, created using an AI-based pricing program developed by the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, has been sent to the White House. The National Security Council, along with U.S. officials, will brief G7 allies in the near future on the contents of the proposal. European officials and representatives of the industry said that they would rather study the long-term impact of price support than make a quick deal, which is in contrast to the American's more rapid pace. Sources say that the Trump administration is hesitant to accept the French proposal for a permanent administrative secretary within the International Energy Agency or OECD, to track G7 initiatives regarding critical minerals, as the presidency rotates. The United States wants to avoid multilateral discussions and instead forge quick concrete bilateral agreements, then expand them. This is a source of confusion. Washington's push for a bi-lateral approach appears to be a change in strategy from Vance's plan, first presented earlier this year. Greer, who spoke to reporters at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Ministerial Meeting in Paris in early June, said: "We are trying to take some of these ideas and turn them into a deal." Greer stated that the United States would use price support "to protect production critical minerals and derivatives". We would like to introduce it gradually. ... If other countries wish to join us, they are welcome to do so." Washington wants to make a proposal to Japan and to the European Union for bilateral agreements that are legally binding before the end June, according to two sources who have been in touch with the issue. This proposal will be the first step in implementing the action plans that were announced earlier this summer, with Japan and with the EU. Sources said that the first binding agreement may cover five to ten minerals. Minerals under consideration include graphite, tungsten and antimony. All are subject to Chinese export restrictions or bans. PRICE SETTING According to the Trump administration, prices will be set using Open Price Exploration (OPEN) AI Metals, a program created by DARPA. This program uses DARPA's Open Prices Exploration for National Security (OPEN), which aims at calculating what metals should cost when labor, processing, and other costs are taken into account, and Chinese market manipulation is excluded. One source stated that European allies are against the idea of using a AI pricing system created by Washington. They cite concerns over the U.S. exerting too much influence on the pricing in the EU. One person said that Europeans are looking for a wide range of tools, and "agile governance", to determine the best way to implement these measures in any given mineral or value chain. "For Europe, a price index that is based on actual deals on the European market would be ideal." The question is how we can make these opaque price mechanisms more transparent, market-driven and less susceptible to manipulation, said Nicola Beer, who oversees mineral financing at the EU controlled European Investment Bank. Different?parts of the supply chain and products in different sectors are shaped differently by pricing mechanisms. This adds complexity." EIT RawMaterials, an EU-funded agency that works with the digital platform Metalshub in order to create indices independent of Chinese government pricing and give clearer signals to foreign investors about profitability. Indexes that go beyond Europe could include United States, Australia or Canada. The fact that few western nations import minerals in their raw form or with minimal processing could complicate the enforcement of any trading bloc. For example, Lithium Carbonate is not regularly imported into the U.S. but cell phones that contain it are. James Willoughby is a metals consultant at WoodMac. Greer said he would use the comments from miners and clients in a letter to "help guide policies for continued negotiations with Washington's Allies". The responses show that respondents are generally in agreement that the bloc should concentrate on niche minerals instead of copper or other widely traded metallics, and should also focus downstream products such as cell phones and laptops. They disagree, however, on the best way to regulate minerals prices. Several prominent mining companies and trade groups have recommended against setting prices. Blake Harden, managing director at EY focused on trade policies, said that there was a lot of nervousness among all parties about the different options and the impact they could have on different parts in the supply chain. General Motors, who is building North America’s largest lithium mine, with Lithium Americas; Umicore; platinum miner Sibanye Stillwater; the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and MP Materials, which was awarded the U.S. Government’s only price floor in July last year, all made different proposals. The National Mining Association (US industry trade group) advised Greer to avoid price-fixing, and instead focus on other incentives and tax credits. Rich Nolan, CEO of the trade group, said that while market interventions, such as pricing mechanisms, may play a part in certain circumstances. However, incentive-based methods are more suited to address challenges facing the mining industry. (Reporting from Julia Payne and Ernest Scheyder, in Evians les Bains and Houston respectively; additional reporting from Leigh Thomas and Jarrett Renshaw, in Washington and David Lawder in Paris; editing by Veronica Brown & Claudia Parsons).
USDA: Mexico will send water to Texas in order to compensate for the shortfall of the treaty.
U.S. agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins announced on Monday that Mexico will increase its water deliveries to Texas in order to make up for a shortfall in accordance with a 1944 agreement that defines water sharing between the two countries.
U.S. officials have claimed that Mexico has failed to fulfill its obligations under the Treaty, which is harming Texas' farmers.
Mexico claims that drought conditions have caused the country to strain its water resources.
After weeks of negotiations, the Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau and I reached an agreement that will give Texas farmers the water they require to flourish. "While this is an important step forward, Rollins stated that we are grateful for Mexico's continued support of American agriculture."
Reports from earlier this month indicated that water was a potential new front for trade negotiations between two countries.
According to the water treaty, Mexico must send 1,75 million acres-feet (or acre meters) of water from the Rio Grande to the U.S. every five years.
A USDA statement said that Mexico would "transfer water to international reservoirs" and increase U.S. flow in six tributaries of Mexico's Rio Grande through the end the current five-year cycle of water, which ends in October.
In a press release, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce thanked Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum for her "personal involvement" in facilitating collaboration across multiple levels of the Mexican government in order to establish a united path in addressing this continuing priority.
Mexico's own government issued its own statement on Monday, saying that it would implement "a number of measures to mitigate potential shortages in water delivery" including immediate transfers as well during the upcoming wet season.
The statement stated that "all of these actions are based on the fundamental principle of ensuring water supplies for human consumption to the Mexican population who depend on the waters from the Rio Grande." (Reporting from Leah Douglas, Washington; Additional reporting by Cassandra Garrison, Mexico City; Editing done by Leslie Adler Sandra Maler Bill Berkrot
(source: Reuters)