United States

U.S. president Donald 'Trump' said on Saturday that a large number of completely emptied?oil tanks?were headed to the United States for refueling with oil and natural gas. "The best and sweetest oil and gas in the World are being loaded into the United States by a large number of oil tankers that are completely empty. Trump stated in a Truth Social posting that "we have more oil and better quality than the next two largest oil economies combined." The post was made as senior U.S. officials and Iranian officials met on Saturday in Islamabad, Pakistan with Pakistani mediators as Tehran...

Brazilian pulp giant Suzano announced on Friday that toilet paper, tissue and diaper prices will increase globally as companies try to cover higher transportation and 'chemical' costs if the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran continues. Suzano is the largest producer of pulp in the world, with a market capitalization of more than $60 billion. This pulp is used to manufacture Kimberly-Clark Cottonelle toilet papers, Kleenex tissues and sanitary products, as well as diapers, cardboard packaging, and other everyday items. The Iran War has caused a spike in oil prices, which have increased Suzano’s costs for shipping, trucking and rail....

Donald Trump, the U.S. president, proclaimed in February that this year's refunds were "substantially higher than ever before" thanks to individual tax breaks approved by 2025. He told taxpayers they should think of him as soon as their funds reached their bank accounts. "Don't use all this money at once!" He wrote this on the Truth Social platform. The gasoline pump is eating up the tax refunds from last year's Republican tax-cut legislation. This includes tax breaks for tips, Social Security retirement, overtime pay and car loan interest. Oil prices remained close to $100 per barrel on Friday, despite a...

Chevron announced on Thursday that it expected to see a boost of $1.6 billion to $2.2 billion in its first-quarter earnings, compared to the fourth quarter?of 2025. This was due to a'surging' oil and gas prices from the volatility associated with the Iran War. Oil prices soared by up to 65% after the conflict began on 28 February. Some oil and gas fields shut down production in the Middle East - the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit that carried a fifth of global energy flows, was effectively closed. According to LSEG, Brent crude oil prices in the first quarter averaged...

Venezuela's acting president?Delcy Rod said on Wednesday that her government will make a'responsible' increase to workers' wages on 'May 1'. Her administration is looking to leverage the 'oil' and mining developments in order to improve workers' pay. She did not provide a number for the increase in wages. Venezuela's minimum wage is 130 bolivares a month, which is equivalent to a few cents. However, many public workers earn much more, thanks to bonuses and other payments, to the tune of $150 if they are lucky. The immediate, medium-term, and long-term goal of the government is to gradually and steadily restore...

?U.S. Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that all imports of military equipment from Iran will be subject to immediate 50% tariffs. There would be no exceptions. He made the announcement in a post on social media just hours after agreeing to a two-week ceasefire. Trump's Truth Social posting did not specify the legal authority that he would use to impose these tariffs. In February, the Supreme Court struck down Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act in order to impose global tariffs. A lower court ordered refunds for $166 billion collected during the course of one year. The...

Investors are putting together a "Trump trade' playbook to?navigate market uncertainty. This includes determining whether a U.S. - Iran ceasefire will last and whether oil prices will remain high for longer. As geopolitics continue to dominate the economy, it is difficult to move money based on long-term perspectives. During the Iran War, many?investors have placed shorter-term bets instead on assets which may have been?mispriced?. Here is a list of some new Trump trades. 1/OIL PRICE WILL STAY HIGHER FOR A LONGER TIME Oil prices fell almost 15% to $100 per barrel in the wake of the ceasefire on Wednesday, but...

U.S. president Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States and Iran are working closely together and discussing relief from tariffs and sanctions. This follows the announcement of the two-week ceasefire. Trump backed away from a full-on attack on Iran, which he had threatened to launch 'on Tuesday night. Two hours before the deadline that he set for Tehran in order to open up the Strait of Hormuz. He stated on social media that he had agreed to many of the 15 points in his plan for Iran, but did no elaborate. In a post on social media, Trump...

The physical oil market is still in a state of turmoil despite a planned two-week stopfire between Iran and the United States. Brent crude oil contracts plunged as much as 16% in the early Asian trade on Wednesday, after finishing at $109.27 on Monday. The sharp drop in prices reflects relief that President Donald Trump's alarming threats against Iran civilisation to be wiped out have been postponed. This also reflects the optimism that crude, refined products and liquefied gas (LNG), may be able to resume and continue through the Strait of Hormuz if negotiations are successful. There is a rule...

Three trade sources reported that independent Chinese refiners, with new import quotas issued by Beijing, began'seeking immediate cargoes of Iranian oil after the oil price slumped on Wednesday. Brent crude futures fell below $100 per barrel on Wednesday, the lowest since March 11 after a?U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he agreed to a ceasefire of two weeks with Iran, subject to an immediate and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Since the U.S. - Iran conflict erupted in late February, the Chinese refiners - known as teapots - have largely stayed out of the fray. This has caused...

The World Bank stated on Tuesday that Nigeria's economy will grow in the first half of 2026, despite the Iran War. However, rising fuel prices and persistently high inflation could squeeze incomes, slowing poverty reduction. Fiseha Haile, World Bank Nigeria's lead economist during a presentation held in Abuja said that business activity remains in growth territory. The conflict between the U.S./Israel and Iran has so far lifted prices while leaving output mostly intact. The impact of the growth shock has been contained, as the overall business activity has increased over the last few months. "But the shock is still felt...

JD Vance, the U.S. vice president, slammed the European Union on Tuesday for its "disgraceful interference" in an election held in?Hungary. He also praised Prime Minister Viktor Orban in his role as an ally to Donald?Trump when it comes to the defence of Western civilization. Here are some key quotes from the joint press conference in Budapest. VANCE ON HUNGARIAN ELSECTION "What happened in this country and what happened during this election campaign is one of worst examples of foreign interference in elections that I have ever read or seen ..." "The bureaucrats at Brussels have tried to destroy Hungary's...

Gold prices fell to a near-week-low on Monday due to a stronger 'dollar. As of 0620 GMT spot gold was down 0.4% to $4,726.64 an ounce after reaching its lowest level since April 7 earlier that day, $4,643. U.S. gold futures for delivery in June fell by 0.8% to $4 748.70. After the U.S. failed to reach an agreement with Iran to end the conflict, the dollar gained 0.3% and oil prices rose above $100 per barrel. The U.S. Navy was preparing a blockade of Strait of Hormuz to restrict Iranian oil shipments. Iran's Revolutionary Guards responded with a stern...

Gold?prices fell to a low of a week on Monday due to a?stronger?dollar. Meanwhile, a rise in oil prices after the failed U.S. Iran peace talks fueled inflation fears and dampened expectations that Federal Reserve rates would be cut this year. As of 0445 GMT spot gold fell 0.7% to $4,716.70 an ounce. This is its lowest level since the 7th of April. U.S. Gold futures for June delivery dropped 1% to $4 738.90. Oil prices rose above $100 per barrel as the dollar gained 0.4%. The U.S. Navy was preparing a blockade of Strait of Hormuz to restrict Iranian...

Gold prices dropped to a one-week-low on Monday, despite a stronger dollar. A surge in oil prices following the failure of U.S. Iran peace talks fueled inflation fears and dampened expectations that Federal Reserve rates would be cut this year. As of 0222 GMT spot gold was down 0.6% to $4,718.98 an ounce after reaching its lowest level since the 7th of April earlier in session. U.S. Gold Futures for June delivery dropped 1% to $4742. Oil prices rose above $100 per barrel as the U.S. Navy prepared to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, which could limit Iranian oil shipments...

Aluminium prices range-bound Monday as investors weighed renewed concerns about inflation and a global economic recession after the collapse of U.S.-Iran peace talks against lingering'supply jitters. As of 0222 GMT, the most traded aluminium 'contract' on the Shanghai Futures Exchange fell 0.24% to 24,565 Yuan ($3,594.74) a metric tonne. The benchmark three-month aluminum on the London Metal Exchange increased 0.2% to $3.505.5 per ton. U.S. president Donald Trump announced 'on Sunday that the U.S. Navy will start blockingading Strait of Hormuz after marathon talks failed to reach an agreement to end the war. This could jeopardize a fragile 2-week ceasefire....

Canberra announced 'on Sunday' that Australia and the U.S. had committed a total of more than A$5 Billion ($3.5 Billion) to a number of important mineral projects. This is nearly twice the amount pledged six months ago when the two countries signed a cooperation agreement. The funding is intended to?support Australian ventures that develop and refine metals vital to industries such as defence, advanced manufacturing, and energy transition. This market has been long dominated by China. The funding will help reindustrialise America's high tech manufacturing base while also helping to "counter China’s export dominance" and ensuring Western supply-chain reliability, the...

Bloomberg News, citing sources, reported that Rio Tinto’s U.S. assets, which?produce boron, the critical mineral, have attracted interest from more than 12 potential bidders. The assets could be valued as high as $2 billion. According to the report, WE Soda and Magris Resources are interested in purchasing Rio Tinto's boron assets in California. They are expected to make Rio Tinto binding offers by June. The report could not be verified immediately. Rio and the involved companies did not immediately respond to our request for comment. Mineral boron is used as an additive to oil and gas drilling, nuclear energy, windmills,...

CEO Barbara Humpton said that shareholders of 'USA Rare Earth' should not worry about the terms of a pending investment by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the company. The deal gives Washington equity even if the funding falls through, she added. The $1.58-billion debt-and equity funding package announced in January is the latest in the Trump administration's?string? of critical-minerals investment. It was part of an effort to boost U.S. production for the building blocks of electronics, weapons, and other products. Some lawmakers are concerned about the terms of the USA Rare Earth agreement and how it was negotiated. The...

A U.S. Trade?court considered Friday the legality of President Donald Trump's 10% global import -tax, which many states and small business claim circumvents a U.S. Supreme Court ruling invalidating most of his previous tariffs. Two small businesses and a group of 24 mostly Democratic-led states sued the Trump Administration to stop the new tariffs that went into effect February 24, 2019. The hearing will be conducted by a panel of three judges of the U.S. Court of International Trade. Oregon's attorney Brian Marshall said that the judges should block the tariffs of 10% rather than allow them to expire according...

Bloomberg News reported Friday that the European Union and Washington were close to a?agreement coordinating?on producing?and securing?critical minerals. Reports citing a "action plan" said that the potential deal could include incentives, such as price guarantees, which would favor non-Chinese vendors. Report: The EU and U.S. will also work together on standardization, joint projects, and investments, as well as a greater coordination of any disruptions in supply by countries such as China. The European Commission refused to comment on the report. The U.S. Trade Representative's office did not immediately respond to requests for comments. Maros Sefcovic, EU trade commissioner, said that...

Gold prices fell on Friday due to a stronger dollar and uncertainty over the U.S. Iran ceasefire, but they remained on course for a third weekly 'climb' as investors priced in more aggressive and earlier U.S. interest rate cuts. This supported non-yielding gold. By 0316 GMT, spot gold had fallen 0.1% to $4,759.54 an ounce. Metal has, however, gained 1.8% this week. U.S. Gold Futures for June Delivery fell by 0.7% to $4.782.70. Dollar index increased, causing greenback bullion to be more expensive for holders other currencies. Kyle Rodda is a senior financial analyst at Capital.com. He said, "There's not...

USA 'Rare Earth' is looking at building a magnet plant? in France, said its CEO?on Thursday? after agreeing to pay a 40 million euro ($47 million) stake in French rare-earth processing firm Carester. The United States, Europe, and other countries are working to secure domestic supplies of rare Earths. These are essential for green energy, electronics, and defence sectors, as well as reducing their dependency on China, the world's largest producer. USA Rare Earth, in its quest to create an integrated rare-earths operation that includes mining, processing and magnet manufacturing, will purchase a 12.5% stake from Carester. Carester is currently...

The National Assembly of Venezuela, controlled by the governing party, approved a law on mining that is expected to?open the sector to private and foreign investment. This follows the easing of restrictions in the U.S. economy to encourage foreign investment. Since the January raid in which President Nicolas Maduro was captured, the administration of U.S. president Donald Trump has supported the efforts of acting President Delcy Rodriguez. Trump has repeatedly praised Rodriguez's?cooperation with the U.S. The law allows domestic, foreign, state owned and private companies to exploit "strategic mineral" and gold. The concessions are for 30 years maximum, but they...