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Oil prices rise despite a gloomy economic outlook and a potential OPEC+ production hike
The oil prices rose slightly in the early trading on Monday, but remained under pressure from the uncertainty surrounding trade talks between China and the U.S. This clouded the outlook for the global economy and fuel demand. Meanwhile, the prospect of OPEC+ increasing its supply added to the gloom. Brent crude futures, and U.S. West Texas intermediate crude, both rose for a third day, gaining 9 cents each by 0025 GMT, to $63.11 and $66.96 a barrel. Michael McCarthy, CEO of Moomoo Australia's online trading platform, said that the lack of news was pushing the oil prices higher. Traders are positioned ahead of a potential increase in OPEC+ production from the May 5, 2015 meeting as well as a significant boost in US production. When they meet on 5 May, some members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) and their allies are expected to suggest the group increases oil production for a second month in a row. Brent and WTI fell by more than 1 percent last week due to fears of an oversupply, and the potential impact of tariffs. Markets have been rocked with conflicting signals coming from U.S. president Donald Trump and Beijing about the progress being made in de-escalating a trade dispute that threatens global growth. Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury secretary, did not support Trump's claim that talks with China are in progress. Beijing had earlier denied that any negotiations were underway. Participants at the International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings and World Bank Spring Meetings stated that Trump's Administration was still conflicted about its demands of trading partners who were hit by his tariffs. Investors will also be watching the nuclear talks that are taking place between Iran and United States this week in Oman. Abbas Araqchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, said that he was "extremely conservative" in his assessment of the outcome of the talks. State media reported that a powerful blast at Iran's largest port, Bandar Abbas, has left at least 40 dead and more than 1,200 injured. After a meeting between Trump, the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Vatican officials the day before, the top officials of the Trump administration demanded that Russia and Ukraine make progress on a deal. (Reporting and editing by SonaliPaul; Florence Tan)
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James Hardie's backlash prompts Australian stock exchange to review M&A regulations
ASX, the Australian stock exchange operator, announced on Sunday that they had begun a process to implement their rules for shareholder approvals of mergers and purchases. The ASX announced its decision to review the listing process a day before fibre-cement manufacturer James Hardie said it would conduct a shareholder vote prior to making any decisions to change its ASX listings status. Investors in Australia recently called for a review of the listing rules. They argued that it is unfair that companies are able to issue shares without shareholder approval. James Hardie proposed to acquire AZEK for $8.75 billion, and they said that the deal would dilute the interests of existing shareholders. They also claimed it would alter their rights with no vote. The bourse operator stated that the uproar surrounding James Hardie’s waiver request prompted increased investor interest to strengthen shareholder approval requirements for major transaction involving listed companies. This prompted them to launch a process of review. As of 0026 GMT, shares of James Hardie rose 4.7%.
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Saigo, a Japanese player, wins Chevron in the largest major LPGA playoff ever.
Mao Saigo, a Japanese player, won the Chevron Championship after beating four other players in a sudden-death playoff. The 23-year old won his first major after being tied with Ryu Haeran of South Korea after three rounds. However, a few late mistakes led to a score of two over par on Sunday. She sank a birdie on the par five 18th hole to keep herself in it. She joined China's Yin Ruoning and South Korean Kim Hyo Joo as well as Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn, and Lindy Duncan from the United States, in the playoff. In a televised statement, she said: "It was important that I made a birdie on 18, and it gave me more confidence for the playoff." After both Yin, and Jutanugarn missed their birdie attempts, she won the match with a birdie on the 18th hole in the lone playoff hole, causing gasps in The Woodlands. Saigo said, "This is a dream." It was one of my biggest dreams and goals for this year, so I can't quite believe it. The LPGA's second-largest ever playoff was a six-person match-up, which had previously been recorded in non-major competitions. (Reporting and editing by Himani Sarkar in New York, Amy Tennery is based in New York).
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Alkane, an Australian company, will acquire Mandalay Canada in a $358 million merger deal
The companies announced on Monday that Australia's Alkane Resources would acquire Canada's Mandalay Resources through an all-share transaction valued at A$559.1 millions ($357.8million). This will create a combined gold and antimony manufacturer. The implied market capitalization for the merged entity is A$1.01 Billion. The merger is part of a global wave of consolidation in the gold sector, as miners take advantage of bullion prices nearing record highs for their own portfolios and operations. Mandalay shareholders receive 7,875 Alkane Shares for every Mandalay Share, a 55% ownership in the combined entity. The combined company is expected to produce over 180,000 gold equivalent ounces by 2026. It currently operates three mines, two in Australia and Sweden. Current Alkane Managing Director Nic Earner will lead the Australian-headquartered company, which will combine Alkane's recently expanded Tomingley gold operation with Mandalay's Costerfield gold-antimony mine in Australia and Bjorkdal gold mine in Sweden. Reporting and editing by Sandra Maler, Will Dunham, and Roushni Nair in Bengaluru. $1 = 1.5623 Australian Dollars
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Bessent doesn't support Trump in China tariff talks
U.S. Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent said on Sunday that he didn't support President Donald Trump in his assertion that tariff negotiations with China are underway and he didn't know if Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, had spoken to him. Last week, the Trump administration showed a willingness to deescalate tense trade relations between China and the United States that have sparked fears of recession. Trump has confirmed that talks are taking place on tariffs with China, and he and Xi spoke. Beijing denies that trade talks have taken place. Bessent is a key player for the U.S. in trade negotiations with many countries. He said he interacted with his Chinese counterparts during meetings of the International Monetary Fund in Washington last week, but didn't mention tariffs. He said, "I had an interaction with my Chinese equivalent, but we focused more on traditional issues like financial stability and global economic early warnings," on ABC's This Week. Bessent said, "I do not know if Trump spoke with President Xi." "I'm sure they have a good relationship, and respect each other." Bessent was asked why the Chinese denied talks. "I think that they are playing to a completely different audience." Bessent did not provide a timeline for any possible agreement with China, despite his statement last week that the tariff negotiations with Beijing will be "slog". He said that a trade agreement can take several months to complete, but a deescalation of tensions and an agreement on principle can be reached sooner. This would prevent tariffs from increasing back up to their maximum levels. Trump's unpredictable and confusing tariff rollout has affected many countries, including the biggest U.S. trade partners like Canada, Mexico, and China. This has led to an unprecedented level of market volatility, and a serious erosion of investor confidence in U.S. assets. In an interview with a television station on Sunday, Agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins stated that the United States and China were in daily contact over tariffs. She did not provide any further details. Rollins stated on CNN's State of the Union that "every day we are having conversations with China and those other 99,100 countries who have come to the table." Reporting by Doina Hesson and Ted Hesson, Editing by Don Durfee Mark Porter Sandra Maler
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Lavrov: Russia will continue to attack sites used by Ukraine’s military
In an interview broadcast Sunday, Russia's Foreign Minister said that Russia would continue to target military sites in Ukraine, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reported 70 Russian attacks. Sergei Lavrov is the top diplomat in Moscow. He said that a deadly Russian phrase. Missile strike The attack on a Kyiv residential building last week did not target an "absolutely civil" target. Lavrov told CBS' "Face the Nation", in an interview taped Thursday, after the attack: "We will continue targeting the sites used either by the Ukrainian military or by mercenaries and instructors from other countries who are officially being sent by the Europeans to help target Russian civil sites." The strike that killed at least twelve people drew an audience of a rare rebuke The Russian President Vladimir Putin From the U.S. president Donald Trump On Friday, on social media "Vladimir STOP." Zelenskiy who? Trump met with his supporters On Saturday before, there was a big event in Rome Francis' Funerals On Telegram, he wrote that his top commander reported that Russia has already carried out nearly 70 attacks Sunday. He said that the situation was still difficult. The situation on the front line and the actual activity of the Russian Army proves that the current pressure from the rest of the world is not enough to stop this. ", he wrote Sunday. Lavrov said that Russia had never been offered to assist Ukraine in operating its Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant. He said that Russia was willing to store Iran’s enriched nuclear materials if both parties agreed. United States I think that's useful.
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Greenland and Denmark affirm their alliance amid Trump's desire for US control
After talks in Copenhagen, Greenland's and Denmark's leaders agreed to intensify their relationship in response to the desire of U.S. president Donald Trump to take control of a strategically located Arctic Island. Greenland’s new prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielson landed in Copenhagen on Saturday, for a 3-day visit. The trip was a show of unity between Denmark and the island rich in minerals, which is a semiautonomous Danish territory. Nielsen, at a press conference held with Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredericksen, said: "We're in a foreign-policy situation that means we need to work together." Nielsen's visit comes after months of tension sparked by Trump's repeated statements that Greenland should be part of the United States. Leaders of Denmark and Greenland said that only Greenlanders could decide the future of their territory. They have had to tread a fine line between rejecting the U.S.'s ambitions to annex Greenland and maintaining good relations with their traditional ally. Nielsen stated, "We want to be treated with respect and are open to a stronger partnership (with the U.S.). We won't be sold as a piece property by anyone." Greenlanders are anxious about the ongoing expansion of the U.S. Consulate in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. This agreement was made before Trump was elected. Nielsen didn't confirm or deny that he was in touch with the U.S. government since assuming office earlier this month. Nuuk and Copenhagen have a warmer relationship after Greenland’s former prime minister blamed Denmark in December for a "genocide" that occurred in Greenland. In January, he intensified his push for independence. Frederiksen stated that Denmark is ready to invest in Greenland more and support Greenland financial as Greenland takes on more responsibility for domestic affairs, taking it over from Copenhagen. This was part of a "modernisation", as she described their relationship. Nielsen and Frederiksen both said that they are committed to strengthening defense in the area. Denmark's King Frederik is set to travel to Greenland Monday as a show of solidarity. (Reporting and editing by Jacob GronholtPedersen, Louise Rasmussen, and Helen Popper.)
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US, Philippine troops shoot down drones in joint defence drills
U.S. soldiers and Philippine soldiers destroyed drones using Stinger missiles in live-fire drills Sunday. The exercises were part of an annual joint military exercise that took place during a time when tensions between Beijing and the Philippines over the South China Sea are simmering. More than 14,000 Filipino and U.S. troops are participating in this year's Balikatan, or "shoulder-to-shoulder", exercises, which run until May 9, focusing on a "full battle test" between the two defence treaty allies in response to regional security concerns. China has condemned the drills for being provocative. The drills took place in Zambales, a province located on the west coast of the Philippines. It faces the South China Sea - a hotspot between China and Southeast Asian countries. The relationship between Beijing and Manila is at its lowest point in many years, amid frequent clashes over the disputed waterway which have raised fears of a possible military conflict. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported last week that the country's Coastguard had conducted maritime controls operations at Sandy Cay - which China calls Tiexian reef - exercising sovereignty jurisdiction. The Philippines conducted a maritime mission in the area on Sunday, observing "illegal presences" of Chinese coastguard vessels and "maritime militia ships". The Philippine military described the drills this year as a practice for national defense, but said that the exercises were not aimed at any particular country. The Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) was used in the integrated air and missile defense exercise at Zambales. This was the second time the MADIS system had been deployed to the Philippines and the second time it had been tested live. After the exercise, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment officer John Lehane said to reporters: "This type training is absolutely invaluable for us." The NMESIS anti-ship missile was also unveiled at Balikatan this year. This system will be used during key terrain maritime security operations near Taiwan, in Northern Luzon, and on the Batanes Islands. (Written by Karen Lema, edited by Helen Popper).
What is Trump's new 25% tariff on US auto imports?
Donald Trump, who has been threatening new tariffs for weeks on imported vehicles, followed through with his threats on Wednesday. He said that a 25% tax would be imposed on cars not made in the U.S. next week.
Trump will add a 25% tariff to previous duties on imported finished vehicles, starting April 3 at 12:01 am EDT (0401 GMT). The U.S. base tariff rate on automotive imports is 2.5 percent.
The plan to disrupt the auto supply chain and trade sparked uncertainty among investors and customers, and retaliation threats were made. Global auto stocks fell from Asia to America.
What is known?
From the least to most HIT
GlobalData, a research firm, estimates that half of the vehicles sold in the U.S. were imported last year. General Motors imports almost half of its sales and Ford, a much lower 21%.
Ford and GM both source a large number of parts outside the U.S. A significant portion comes from Mexico. They may face pressure until April 2, when more clarity is revealed about finished vehicles and auto components.
Tesla would be less affected, as all of its production and assembling is done in the United States. Automakers may increase efforts to localize their production in order to offset tariff costs. This would benefit domestic suppliers on the long-term.
As companies restructure their sourcing strategies and manufacturing activities, they may disrupt global supply chains.
Canada, Mexico, and South Korea, all countries with free-trade agreements, will face the duties. The European Union, Japan, and German and Italian automakers, along with Britain, will also be hit hard.
DUTIES ARE DELAYED BY 25%
Trump's announcement also states that the 25% tariffs would apply to imports of major auto parts. These include "engines and parts for engines, transmissions and parts for powertrains, and electrical components." The Federal Register will announce a date for the start of parts duties, which could be up to one month later. But no later than May 3,
The notice will also include the specific tariff codes of components that are subject to duties. These codes were not disclosed in Trump's announcement.
USMCA EXEMPTION PARTIAL
The plan offers a partial exemption of tariffs on vehicles and parts that meet the USMCA rules of origin. However, this is only applicable to the value of the U.S. produced content. A truck made in Mexico that contains 45% U.S. material would still be subject to a 25% tax on the value of 55%.
Auto parts compliant with USMCA rules would be taxed on the non-U.S. component.
It will be difficult to determine these levels of content. USMCA compliant auto parts are duty-free until the Commerce Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency decide on a method to apply tariffs for their non-U.S. contents. The process was not given a deadline.
What about auto retailers and suppliers?
Imported vehicles and parts are becoming more expensive, which will increase the costs for auto retailers. This could result in higher sticker prices, a weaker demand and slowed sales.
It may be difficult for suppliers who rely on international markets to absorb tariffs, or pass costs onto automakers. This could squeeze profit margins.
J.P. Morgan analysts noted that franchise dealer's parts and services businesses could benefit from higher prices, as customers may hold onto their cars longer and increase demand for repair and maintenance.
LEGAL RATIONALE
Trump's new tariffs were based on a national security investigation conducted in 2019 into auto imports during his first term as president under Section 232 of Trade Expansion Act of 1964. Trump used the Cold War trade law in 2018 to impose 25% tariffs for steel and aluminum imports.
The Commerce Department concluded that the increasing market share of imported vehicles was negatively impacting U.S. National Security by eroding U.S. Industrial Base and the ability for domestic automakers develop advanced technologies to be used in military applications.
Trump chose to not impose tariffs at that time, instead opting for trade negotiations with trading partners in order to resolve these concerns.
He concluded on Wednesday that the talks had failed and that the USMCA, KORUS, and the revisions made to them had not improved U.S. trade in the automotive sector. Reporting by David Lawder and Andrea Shalal; Editing by Lincoln Feast, Sriraj Kalluvila and Nathan Gomes
(source: Reuters)