U.S. stocks edged lower as investors navigated a mix of rising oil prices, corporate earnings signals, and shifting expectations around Federal Reserve policy. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all turned down after early gains, reflecting a market grappling with geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns. Indexes Pull Back All three major indexes slipped roughly between 0.3% and 0.6%, giving back some of the previous session’s momentum. The downturn followed renewed volatility in energy markets and cautious sentiment around consumer spending. Oil Prices Add Fresh Pressure Crude prices extended their sharp rally, driven by heightened worries over a potential U.S.–Iran conflict. Brent crude climbed above $71 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered near $66 — its biggest daily jump since October. Rising energy costs revived inflation concerns and weighed on equities. Walmart Earnings in Focus Walmart posted stronger‑than‑expected results, but its cautious pro...
Trump Eases Auto Tariffs to Support U.S. Manufacturing
President Donald Trump has taken a significant step to alleviate concerns in the automotive industry by signing executive orders to relax his 25% tariffs on automobiles and auto parts. This move comes after warnings from automakers and analysts that the tariffs could raise prices, reduce sales, and make U.S. production less competitive globally.
The revised policy introduces temporary rebates for vehicles assembled in the U.S. with foreign parts, aiming to ease the financial burden on manufacturers. Trump described the changes as a "bridge" to encourage automakers to shift more production to the United States. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the goal is to create more domestic manufacturing jobs and strengthen the U.S. auto industry.
Automakers like General Motors and Ford have expressed gratitude for the relief measures, highlighting their commitment to investing in American manufacturing. Industry leaders also noted that the adjustments would provide time to reconfigure supply chains and ramp up domestic production.
This policy shift underscores the administration's focus on balancing trade policies with the need to support domestic industries and jobs.
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