International News 15 July 2025
-
China’s Exports Rebound in June Amid Looming U.S. Tariff Deadline
China’s exports rose 5.8% year-over-year in June 2025, exceeding economists’ expectations, while imports grew 1.1%, signaling a modest recovery in trade momentum. The spike in outbound shipments was largely driven by businesses accelerating orders ahead of the looming August 12 deadline for U.S.-China tariff negotiations. The rare earth sector saw a notable export increase of 32% from May, reflecting recent easing in strategic trade restrictions. However, risks persist as the U.S. imposes a 40% tariff on transshipped goods from Vietnam and threatens further duties on BRICS imports, including from China. Meanwhile, the EU has intensified scrutiny of China’s trade practices, citing overcapacity and geopolitical concerns. Despite these headwinds, China recorded a strong trade surplus of $114.7 billion in June, underlining the resilience of its export engine.
Morgan Stanley: Investor Fatigue Grows Amid Trump’s Tariff Drama
Mike Wilson, Chief U.S. Equity Strategist at Morgan Stanley, warned that investors are growing weary of President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war tactics, with the negative effects of the newly announced tariffs likely to emerge after Q3 2025. Despite Trump unveiling duties on over 20 countries—along with a separate 50% tariff on copper—markets have remained relatively calm for now. Wilson noted that while investors have become familiar with Trump’s aggressive “on-and-off” negotiation style, the lack of concrete trade deals could lead to increased market volatility and fatigue. “This back-and-forth won’t work forever,” Wilson told Bloomberg, predicting that traders will soon demand more certainty and resolution.