Syz the moment

Source: Charlie Bilello

Source: Justin Wolfers @JustinWolfers on X

State-backed funds have been pulling back from investing in the funds of US-headquartered private capital firms in recent weeks, according to seven private equity executives with knowledge of the matter. The moves come in response to pressure from the Chinese government, three of the people said. Some of the Chinese funds are also seeking to be excluded from private equity investments in US companies, even if those investments are made by buyout groups based elsewhere, some of the executives added. The change in approach to the US comes as China has borne the brunt of US tariffs announced in the past three weeks that threaten to significantly curtail trade between the world’s two biggest economies. Source: FT

The survey found that the boost in economic optimism that accompanied Trump’s reelection has disappeared, with more Americans now believing the economy will get worse than at any time since 2023 and with a sharp turn toward pessimism about the stock market. The survey of 1,000 Americans across the country showed 44% approving of Trump’s handling of the presidency and 51% disapproving, slightly better than CNBC’s final reading when the president left office in 2020. On the economy, however, the survey showed Trump with 43% approval and 55% disapproval, the first time in any CNBC poll that he has been net negative on the economy while president. Source: CNBC

Trump said he was “looking at something to help car companies” that were making vehicles in North America. “They’re switching to parts that were made in Canada, Mexico and other places, and they need a little bit of time, because they’re going to make them here,” Trump said from the Oval Office on Monday. His remarks came after the administration at the weekend exempted smartphones, laptops and other consumer electronic goods from steep “reciprocal” tariffs, although US officials later said those items could be caught in a later round of levies. Trump unveiled steep tariffs of 25 per cent on imports of cars and parts last month, in a move that threatens to push up costs for American consumers and upend global auto supply chains. Under the trading regime, cars and parts made in Canada and Mexico face lower levies and only attract the 25 per cent tariff on their non-US content if they otherwise comply with the rules of the 2020 USMCA trade agreement. Trump’s comments on Monday suggest he may offer carmakers more time to move supply chains to North America. Source: FT

Bessent’s ascent is the direct outcome of the market turmoil that followed Liberation Day. When reporters asked him where the tariff negotiations were headed, his response was he did not know because he was not part of the negotiating team Source: Forbes

Source: Michel A.Arouet, Bloomberg

Xi Jinping breaks silence, says Trump is bullying Europe and the entire world “There are no winners in tariff wars. Going against peace means isolating yourself,” Xi said during a meeting in Beijing with Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez — one of the hardest-hit in this trade war. The Chinese leader urged the EU to unite with Beijing against the U.S. president’s “unilateral intimidation.” Source: FT