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Trump Declares National Emergency as U.S. Tightens Stance on Cuba

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order declaring a national emergency in respect with Cuba. President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency related to Cuba, marking a sharp escalation in Washington’s approach toward the island nation. The declaration frames Cuba’s government as a significant threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, opening the door for new economic and diplomatic measures. A key component of the order allows the United States to impose tariffs on any country that supplies oil to Cuba. The move is designed to pressure foreign governments and companies that help sustain the island’s energy sector, which has long relied on external support. The administration argues that Cuba’s close ties with adversarial governments and its alleged involvement in activities that undermine regional stability justify the emergency action. The decision signals a renewed effort to isolate Havana and reshape the geopolitical dynamics of ...
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Anticipation and Reaction to Fed’s Rate Decision

 


As investors braced for the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision, North American stock markets experienced a mixed close. The Fed maintained its key interest rate at 5.25%-5.50%, leaving the future of rate cuts uncertain. Despite this, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq dipped, while the Dow Jones and S&P/TSX Composite saw modest gains.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference offered a glimmer of hope as he dismissed the likelihood of an immediate rate hike, causing a surge in market optimism. He acknowledged the persistent issue of inflation but expressed confidence in the progress towards the 2% target.

The labor market showed signs of normalization, with job openings at a three-year low2. Meanwhile, the earnings season is more than halfway through, with a majority of S&P 500 companies surpassing consensus expectations.

In the corporate landscape, AMD’s AI chip sales forecast led to a 9% drop in its shares, while Amazon’s AI-driven cloud growth pushed its stock up by 2.2%. Johnson & Johnson plans to proceed with a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit settlement, and Starbucks faced a significant sales forecast cut.

The energy sector took a hit due to falling oil prices and a potential Middle East ceasefire, while uranium miners saw a boost from a U.S. ban on Russian imports. Canadian manufacturing activity continued to contract, reflecting ongoing economic challenges.

In summary, the market’s response to the Fed’s decision was a complex interplay of anticipation, relief, and sector-specific movements, highlighting the intricate dynamics of financial markets.

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