U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
U.S. Lifts Sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Amid Shift in Brazil Relations 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Global Leaders Condemn Deadly Antisemitic Shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach During Hanukkah 
U.S. Intelligence Briefly Curtailed Information Sharing With Israel Amid Gaza War Concerns 
Colombia’s Clan del Golfo Peace Talks Signal Mandatory Prison Sentences for Top Leaders 
Thousands Protest in Brazil Against Efforts to Reduce Jair Bolsonaro’s Prison Sentence 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
International Outcry Grows Over Re-Arrest of Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi in Iran 
Air Force One Delivery Delayed to 2028 as Boeing Faces Rising Costs 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Judge Orders Return of Seized Evidence in Comey-Related Case, DOJ May Seek New Warrant 
Fed Rate Cut Signals Balance Between Inflation and Jobs, Says Mary Daly 
Russian Drone Attack Hits Turkish Cargo Ship Carrying Sunflower Oil to Egypt, Ukraine Says 
Trump Signals Two Final Candidates for Fed Chair, Calls for Presidential Input on Interest Rates 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Japan’s chief trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday in a bid to finalize a bilateral trade deal before a looming August 1 tariff deadline. According to the Asahi Shimbun, Akazawa is in Washington to avert Trump’s proposed 25% tariff on Japanese imports by securing an agreement that benefits both nations.
Earlier in the day, Akazawa engaged in over two hours of direct discussions with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The Japanese government described the exchange as “frank talks” aimed at reaching a mutually beneficial accord. Akazawa also met separately with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Bessent hinted on Fox Business Network that Japan could be part of a broader wave of pending U.S. trade agreements. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we aren’t able to iron out something with Japan pretty quickly,” he stated, despite ongoing political hurdles in Tokyo.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is reportedly planning a U.S. visit later this month if negotiations show signs of progress. However, Ishiba faces internal challenges, with growing opposition within his Liberal Democratic Party following a major election setback. Critics argue that the Prime Minister should step down amid the political fallout, complicating Japan’s negotiating posture.
The urgency surrounding the talks stems from Trump’s threat to impose steep tariffs on Japanese exports, which would impact key sectors such as automotive and agriculture. Both sides appear eager to finalize a deal before the deadline to avoid economic disruption.
The Japan-U.S. trade negotiations are being closely watched by global markets, especially as the Trump administration prepares to unveil a series of new trade pacts. A successful agreement with Japan could mark a key diplomatic and economic milestone ahead of further tariff implementations.
