Bank Of England Chief Cautions Against Focus On Long-Dated Gilts

Thailand’s House of Representatives will vote to select a new prime minister tomorrow, the body announced yesterday, a week after Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s was removed from office by the Constitutional Court.The announcement, which was published over the signature of the secretary-general of the Thai parliament, capped off an unusually hectic day of political maneuvering, even by the country’s recent standards. Earlier in the day, the opposition People’s Party announced that it would support the conservative Bhumjaithai party in forming a government, in return for a promise to dissolve parliament within four months.

In response, the ruling Pheu Thai party is attempting to block Anutin by petitioning the king to dissolve parliament immediately and approve a snap election. Pheu Thai has been struggling to shore up its shaky coalition since Bhumjaithai withdrew from its coalition in June, after the politically damaging leak of a recorded phone call between Paetongtarn and Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen. Paetongtarn’s conduct in the call led to her removal from office last weekBhumjaithai’s ambitious leader Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed yesterday that with the support of the People’s Party, his party had the votes to secure his selection as prime minister. “We know that the formation of this government that will proceed from now on, we know that the People’s Party has cooperated and made sacrifices in finding a solution for Thailand during a period of crises,” Anutin said, according to Reuters.

The two parties have reportedly agreed to five points. In addition to agreeing to dissolve parliament within four months, Bhumjaithai has pledged not take any action that will lead towards building a majority government. (Anutin stated that the Bhumjaithai-led coalition now has the support of 146 lawmakers, meaning that it will be unable to pass legislation without the support of the opposition.)Two other points referred to the drafting of a new constitution to replace the military-drafted 2017 Constitution. If the Constitutional Court rules that drafting a new constitution requires a referendum first, Bhumjaithai has agreed to organize this prior to the next general election. But if no such referendum is necessary, the two parties will begin amending the constitution and setting up an elected constitution drafting assembly before the election. According to the final point, the People’s Party has pledged that it will not join the government, remaining in opposition.

According to the Thai Constitution, the appointment of the next prime minister requires a simple majority in the 500-seat House of Representatives, but candidates are limited to those nominated by the parties ahead of the 2023 general election. This rules out the People’s Party, which despite holding 143 seats in the House, did not participate in the election. Its predecessor, the Move Forward Party (MFP), was dissolved by the Constitutional Court last year, after which the People’s Party inherited its seats.

Instead, the People’s Party and its leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut have attempted to use their leverage to attempt a more fundamental solution to Thailand’s perpetual political crises. After Paetongtarn’s removal from office, the party announced that it would support any government that promised to call a referendum on the drafting of a new constitution, and to dissolve parliament within four months.

Given the MFP’s strong showing in 2023, the party has good reason to be confident of prevailing in an early election, which, if everything goes according to plan, could take place in early 2026.Both Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai accepted the People’s Party’s conditions, and after two days of deliberation, the People’s Party announced its decision yesterday.

The party did not explain why it chose Bhumjaithai, a right-wing party that is in nearly every sense anathema to its own progressive politics, but it is likely that it did so in revenge for Pheu Thai’s betrayal of the MFP after the 2023 election. After the military-dominated Senate blocked the MFP from forming government with Pheu Thai’s support, Pheu Thai threw in its lot with conservative and military-backed parties, with which it formed the current coalition – an act that many in the progressive movement view as a betrayal.

“We do not trust any prime minister to run the country,” Natthaphong stated, as per The Nation. “We need a prime minister who will move forward with dissolving Parliament and drafting a new constitution. This is the People’s Party’s decision, focused on the country’s future rather than popularity and personal risk.”Sure enough, following Natthaphong’s announcement, Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told the press that he had submitted a royal decree to dissolve the House of Representatives, in a bid to prevent Anutin being selected as prime minister.

However, there is considerable legal uncertainty as to whether an acting prime minister has the power to make such a move, and there were reports that the Office of the Privy Council had returned Phumtham’s draft royal decree, citing legal deficiencies and procedural irregularities.

Even if Phumtham has the power to dissolve parliament, it is also unclear whether a new prime minister, if selected in time, has the power to rescind such a request. “These are uncharted waters,” Thai political observer Ken Lohatepanont wrote in his recap of yesterday’s events. “We’re in constitutional crisis territory here, because we truly do not know what will happen next – no acting government has ever tried to dissolve parliament.”In any event, unless King Vajiralongkorn agrees to dissolve parliament today, the prime ministerial vote seems set to go ahead and Anutin to become Thailand’s 32nd prime minister, although most likely a short-lived one.

Source: The Diplomat

New orders for U.S.-manufactured goods fell in July, pulled down by weakness in commercial aircraft bookings, but businesses appeared to have maintained a strong pace of spending on equipment early in the third quarter.

Factory orders decreased 1.3% after an unrevised 4.8% drop in June, the Commerce Department's Census Bureau said on Wednesday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast factory orders declining 1.4%. Orders advanced 3.5% on a year-on-year basis in July.

Manufacturing has been hobbled by tariffs on imports, with the Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing PMI contracting for the sixth consecutive month in August. A U.S. appeals court ruled last Friday that most of President Donald Trump's tariffs were illegal, creating more uncertainty for businesses.

Commercial aircraft orders dropped 32.7% in July. Orders for motor vehicles, parts and trailers rebounded 1.9%. Orders for computers and electronic products rose 0.5%, while those for electrical equipment, appliances and components surged 1.9%. Machinery orders advanced 1.9%.

The government also reported that orders for non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft, which are seen as a measure of business spending plans on equipment, jumped 1.1% in July as estimated last month.

Shipments of these so-called core capital goods gained 0.7% as reported last month. Business spending on equipment grew solidly in the second quarter, contributing to the economy's 3.3% annualized growth rate during that period.

Source: Yahoo Finance

The cryptocurrency world is buzzing with exciting news! Shares of American Bitcoin (ABTC), a prominent mining firm, recently made an impressive debut on the Nasdaq, capturing significant attention from investors and market watchers alike. This event marks a pivotal moment for the company, signaling strong market confidence in its operations and future prospects.

American Bitcoin’s Remarkable Nasdaq Debut: What Happened?

On its first day of trading, American Bitcoin saw its stock surge by approximately 17%, closing at a robust $8.04. This initial climb was quite dramatic, with the stock even touching an intraday high of $14 before settling. The successful listing, as reported by The Block, highlights a strong appetite for crypto-related ventures on mainstream financial platforms.What makes this debut particularly noteworthy is the high-profile backing the company enjoys. President Donald Trump’s sons, Donald Jr. and Eric Trump, are key figures associated with the firm. Their involvement undoubtedly adds a layer of intrigue and public interest to American Bitcoin‘s market performance.

Behind the Scenes: How Does American Bitcoin Achieve Efficiency?

Eric Trump provided valuable insights into the company’s operational strengths during an interview with Bloomberg. He emphasized American Bitcoin‘s commitment to efficiency and stability, crucial factors in the volatile crypto mining sector. Here are some key takeaways:

This strategic approach to mining and asset management positions American Bitcoin as a serious player in the digital asset space, moving beyond just speculative interest.

Understanding the Impact: What Does This Mean for the Market?

The successful Nasdaq listing of American Bitcoin sends a clear signal to the broader financial world. It demonstrates that traditional exchanges are increasingly open to embracing companies deeply rooted in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. This integration could pave the way for more crypto mining firms and blockchain-related businesses to seek public listings, offering new investment avenues for mainstream investors.Moreover, the valuation of Eric Trump’s stake in the company at approximately $500 million underscores the significant financial potential perceived within the firm. Such valuations can attract further institutional interest and capital into the crypto mining industry, fostering growth and innovation.

Investors looking into this space should consider the balance between high-growth potential and the inherent risks associated with cryptocurrency markets. However, the operational efficiency and asset backing of companies like American Bitcoin might offer a more stable investment proposition compared to direct crypto holdings.

Looking Ahead: The Future Trajectory of American Bitcoin

The debut of American Bitcoin on Nasdaq is more than just a stock market event; it’s a testament to the evolving landscape of digital finance. As the company continues its operations, its ability to maintain low mining costs and leverage its substantial asset base will be key to sustaining its growth. The ongoing interest from high-profile individuals and the financial community suggests a promising, albeit dynamic, future.This event serves as an exciting case study for how established financial markets are adapting to and integrating the burgeoning world of digital assets. For those tracking the intersection of traditional finance and cryptocurrency, American Bitcoin offers a compelling narrative of innovation and strategic execution.

In conclusion, American Bitcoin‘s impressive Nasdaq debut, fueled by strategic efficiency and significant backing, has firmly placed it in the spotlight. Its performance provides a fascinating glimpse into the growing maturity of the crypto mining industry and its increasing acceptance within mainstream financial circles. The company’s unique position, combining robust operations with high-profile association, makes it a noteworthy entity to watch in the coming months.

Frequently Asked Questions About American Bitcoin

Q1: What is American Bitcoin (ABTC)?A1: American Bitcoin (ABTC) is a cryptocurrency mining firm that recently debuted on the Nasdaq stock exchange. It focuses on mining Bitcoin efficiently and is backed by significant tangible assets, including data centers.

Q2: Who are the notable backers of American Bitcoin?A2: The company has received backing and association from President Donald Trump’s sons, Donald Jr. and Eric Trump, which has contributed to its public profile and market interest.

Q3: How does American Bitcoin achieve cost-effective mining?A3: According to Eric Trump, American Bitcoin mines Bitcoin at approximately half the current market cost. This efficiency is attributed to their operational strategies and the infrastructure of their data centers.

Q4: What was American Bitcoin’s performance like on its Nasdaq debut?A4: On its Nasdaq debut, shares of American Bitcoin surged around 17%, closing at $8.04. The stock even reached an intraday high of $14, indicating strong initial investor enthusiasm.

Q5: What does American Bitcoin’s Nasdaq listing signify for the crypto market?A5: The successful listing of American Bitcoin on Nasdaq suggests a growing acceptance and integration of cryptocurrency-related businesses within traditional financial markets. It could open doors for more digital asset firms to seek public listings.

Source: CryptoSlate

U.S. jobs data released Wednesday showed a weakening U.S. labor market. The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) report showed 7.18 million job openings in July.

The JOLTS report also came in lower than the expected 7.38 million and lower than the previous report of 7.36 million in June. The BLS jobs data reached the highest level since July 2021, roughly 3.8% higher since October 2021.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that healthcare and social assistance companies cut job openings by 181,000 and retailers by 110,000. Arts, entertainment, and recreation firms also cut jobs by 62,000, while the logging industry cut jobs by 13,000.

The data also suggests that layoffs in the U.S. rose slightly. According to the report, the number of U.S. citizens quitting their jobs remained unchanged from June at 3.2 million.

Job openings have remained healthy despite a lower report, having dropped from their highest level of 12.1 million in March 2022. Job openings were at their peak in the wake of the U.S. economy roaring back from COVID-19 lockdowns.

The year 2025 has seen a slower U.S. job market amid the lingering effects of 11 interest rate hikes by the inflation fighters at the Federal Reserve in 2022 and 2023. The job market has also lost momentum this year because of President Donald Trump’s heightened trade wars, which have caused uncertainty in the market and led to lower hiring rates by managers.

Markets are waiting for Friday’s Non-Farm Payrolls report for August, which will show the number of employed people during the previous month. July saw 73,000 employed people, with markets forecasting a slight increase to 75,000 for August. Data firm FactSet predicted businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits added 80,000 jobs last month.

July’s job report also suggests that the U.S. has returned to demand-constrained conditions, with 55K fewer job openings than unemployed workers. Compared to June’s report, which suggested that the labor market was still supply-constrained due to 342K more openings than jobs in the U.S., Data also showed more job openings than unemployed workers for the first time since April 2021.

Dan North, senior economist for North America at Allianz Trade, said he was looking for any revisions in the JOLTS data due to the previous revisions to the May and June jobs reports. He also argued that Friday’s job employment report will be crucial because the data for the last two months was shocking. He expects this month’s employment data to be light again, similar to last month’s.

Allison Shrivastava, an economist at Indeed, argued that the JOLTS data is important because it could help increase wages, create more job opportunities, and support innovation. According to her, the opposite has largely held true for the past few months.

Trump fires BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer

The BLS report came after Trump fired Dr. Erika McEntarfer, the agency commissioner, for allegedly manipulating the monthly jobs reports for political purposes. Trump said that the previous month’s jobs data was a mistake and was rigged to make him and the Republicans look bad.

The President also argued that McEntarfer had manipulated the jobs report in the first part of the year. He believes that the U.S. economy is booming under his administration.

“Similar things happened in the first part of the year, always to the negative. The Economy is BOOMING under ‘TRUMP.’”

Trump also believes the previous BLS commissioner had faked the jobs numbers before the election. He argued that she aimed to boost Vice President Kamala Hariss’ chances in last year’s presidential election.

The White House revealed that Deputy Commissioner William Wiatrowski stepped in as Acting Commissioner until the President finds a replacement for McEntarfer. Trump also said he wants people he can trust. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said last month that the economy had beat expectations for jobs in four straight BLS labor reports.

Source: CryptoSlate

On 22 July 2025, the White House issued the Joint Statement on Framework for US–Indonesia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, which provided additional detail about a trade deal announced earlier by US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social network.Under the agreement, Indonesia is expected to eliminate 99 per cent of tariff barriers for US goods entering the country and purchase US$15 billion in US oil and gas, US$4.5 billion in US cultural products and approximately US$3.2 billion in aircraft. US imports of all goods from Indonesia will be subject to a 19 per cent tariff.

Hasan Nasbi, a spokesperson for Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, stated that Indonesia has negotiated a better deal compared to other Asian countries, even surpassing Vietnam, which faced a 20 per cent tariff. But the headline tariff numbers do not tell the whole story.

Claiming that Indonesia secured a better deal than Vietnam is misleading, largely because it fails to consider the structural differences between the two economies, especially when it comes to the nature of their respective manufacturing sectors. In 2023, the top three categories of Vietnamese exports to the United States were electrical equipment (37 per cent), machinery, nuclear reactors and boilers (10 per cent), and furniture and prefabricated buildings (9 per cent). Indonesia’s top three exports to the United States were articles of apparel (19 per cent), electrical equipment (15 per cent) and animal, vegetable fats and oils (8 per cent).

Though electrical equipment is among the top three export commodities for both Vietnam and Indonesia, the value of Vietnam electrical equipment exports to the United States is seven times greater than that of Indonesia’s.‘High-intensity’ tech products accounted for 37.9 per cent of Vietnam’s exports to the United States in 2023, while 32 per cent of Indonesia’s exports to the United States were primary products. Unlike Indonesia, Vietnam’s focus on high-value manufactured goods allows it to be more integrated into global supply chains. Vietnam’s important position in the electronic global supply chain is also evidenced by large investments in the country by suppliers like Foxconn, Pegatron and Intel.

In 2024, Vietnam outshined Malaysia and Thailand as a manufacturing powerhouse, driven by strong demand for electronics, smartphones, clothing and agricultural commodities. The United States is likely to continue purchasing from Vietnam due to its emerging role as a hub for electronic manufacturing. The Trump administration imposed a 20 per cent tariff on Vietnamese goods to encourage US companies to consider Vietnam as an alternative to China for manufacturing and trade.A 40 per cent tariff was also imposed on goods transshipped through Vietnam, aiming to reduce US reliance on Chinese supply chains, particularly in strategic sectors such as electronics and semiconductors. This policy also seeks to reduce Vietnam’s dependence on Chinese upstream components. This strategy appears to be nascent, as Hanoi actively diversifies its electronic supply chain — for both intermediary and finished products — by welcoming significant contributions from South Korea (27 per cent), Taiwan (9 per cent) and Japan (7 per cent).

The zero-tariff status enjoyed by US goods imported to Indonesia also poses serious threats to Indonesia’s food and poultry sectors, primarily due to the country’s lack of competitiveness. The potential influx of US agricultural products into Indonesia, free of tariff barriers, will make it even harder for President Prabowo to achieve his signature policy objective of food self-sufficiency, and may also lead to increased unemployment and poverty among local farmers.Under the tariff deal ‘framework’ announced by the White House on 22 July, Indonesia is expected to lift its bans on raw mineral exports for the United States, which could potentially undermine its high-profile policy of downstream industrial development. To date, the Indonesian government has remained firm in ruling out raw mineral exports to the United States, but it remains to be seen whether Jakarta can uphold its downstreaming agenda in the face of US pressure.

There are clear indications that Washington is attempting to link the tariff discussions with geopolitical issues. Jakarta is committed to fostering strategic cooperation with Washington and enhancing maritime border surveillance in the South China Sea (SCS). The United States also urges Indonesia to expedite ratification of the Indonesia-Vietnam Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) agreement.

The Trump administration appears to be pressuring Indonesia to ensure its SCS policy aligns with US interests, diminishing China’s influence in the region. Ratification of the Indonesia–Vietnam EEZ agreement would signify Jakarta’s rejection of China’s claims in the SCS and the notion of ‘overlapping claims’. The term ‘overlapping claims’ was controversially mentioned in the November 2024 Joint Statement issued during Prabowo’s visit to China, which scholars perceive as an implicit recognition of Beijing’s SCS claim. In fact, the Joint Statement is primarily a political declaration focused on bilateral cooperation which does not carry any legal consequences for either party.

Yet it is misleading to assume that Indonesia is leaning towards China based on the November 2024 Joint Statement. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that the country does not recognise China’s SCS claims as they violate the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Officials and academics in Jakarta have privately indicated that the drafting process was not a collaborative effort based on mutual understanding. In reality, the November 2024 Joint Statement does not reflect Indonesia’s longstanding position on the SCS and does not imply that Indonesia has chosen to side with China.

The Trump administration’s renewed commitment to enhancing strategic cooperation with Indonesia is a positive development for the country. Jakarta welcomes both US and Chinese contributions to maintaining peace and stability in the region. Indonesia, along with other Southeast Asian nations, does not want to see any major power disengaging from the region. The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific aims to ensure that Southeast Asia remains inclusive, open and governed by international law.

The US–Indonesia Joint Statement that expresses a preliminary agreement on the bilateral trade relationship poses significant economic risks for Indonesia, though Jakarta can take hope from Washington’s renewed interest in strategic cooperation, particularly in military and maritime sectors. Overall, the Trump administration appears to project an old image of the United States as a provider of security — but less so as a provider of economic opportunity.

Source: East Asia Forum

President Donald Trump’s use of a 227-year-old wartime law to deport accused Venezuelan gang members to an El Salvador mega-prison without legal due process triggered lawsuits across the US. The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 allows a president to unilaterally detain or deport almost all citizens of an enemy nation during a war or invasion. Asserting the law in peacetime, as Trump did in a March proclamation, is unprecedented and tests the boundaries of executive power.

By and large the lawsuits have not gone well for Trump’s administration. Federal judges in New York, Colorado and Texas issued orders in recent months restricting the president’s use of the law. In a new setback, a federal appeals court ruled Sept. 2 that his use of it is not valid because the presence of Venezuelan gang members in the US does not amount to an invasion or “predatory incursion” of the US required under the statute.The Supreme Court has already weighed in twice on the law — first to rule that individuals must be given “reasonable time” to legally challenge their deportation, and then to issue an emergency block on the removal of detainees from northern Texas. But the justices haven’t answered the fundamental question of whether Trump’s use of the law is valid.

The law was enacted to prevent acts of sabotage and espionage during wartime, giving the president the authority to unilaterally detain or deport natives and citizens of “enemy” nations without the usual due process, such as a hearing before an immigration court.The act applies when there is a war between the US and any foreign nation, or when an “invasion or predatory incursion is perpetrated, attempted, or threatened against the territory of the United States by any foreign nation or government.” Under the act, citizens of the hostile nation who are at least 14 years old can be detained and “removed as alien enemies.”

By contrast, the government is typically permitted to remove noncitizens for three reasons: there is proof they have taken part in a criminal act; they are a threat to public safety; or they have violated their visa.It’s a violent criminal organization based in Venezuela whose operations have spread across Latin America and the US. Then-President Joe Biden designated the group a “significant transnational criminal organization” in July 2024. Trump took that a step further after winning reelection, declaring the gang a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said at the time that Tren de Aragua posed an “escalating threat” to US communities and that the group focused on human smuggling and other crimes targeting “desperate migrants.”

Trump’s beef with the gang culminated in his deployment in August of warships, aircraft and troops to the southern Caribbean and a strike on a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela. Trump said the strike killed what he called “positively identified Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists.”Trump argues that his use of the law is necessary to rapidly remove individuals who are threats to US communities. In his March proclamation, Trump said that many Tren de Aragua members “have unlawfully infiltrated the United States and are conducting irregular warfare and undertaking hostile actions” against the country.

The president says his move is justified because migration of Tren de Aragua members to the US amounts to a coordinated invasion by a hostile group that is “closely aligned” with the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Using the law allows Trump to bypass conventional deportation procedures such as hearings in immigration court.Trump defended his use of the wartime law in a discussion with reporters on March 16 aboard Air Force One. “This is war,” Trump said. “In many respects, it’s more dangerous than war because, you know, in war, they have uniforms. You know who you’re shooting at.”

Prior to Trump invoking the law, it had only been used three times: the War of 1812 and both World Wars. Civil rights groups criticized Trump’s use of the law in peacetime, calling it a power grab that resulted in innocent men being sent to a prison in a foreign country without any legal recourse to regain their freedom.The law also has a checkered history. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt used it to justify the internment of 120,000 people of Japanese descent, including 70,000 US citizens, two months after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. The internment has since been condemned as among the most shameful episodes in US history, illustrating how the statute can be abused.

On May 1, a federal judge in Texas ruled that Trump improperly invoked the Alien Enemies Act to deport accused Venezuelan gang members. US District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr., a Trump appointee, ruled Trump’s actions weren’t legal because the US isn’t being invaded or experiencing a “predatory incursion” as required by the law. The ruling only applied to Rodriguez’s district in southern Texas.

Just days later, federal judges in New York and Colorado also barred Trump from using the law to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members from their courts’ jurisdictions, agreeing with plaintiffs that the gang activity didn’t qualify under the act. None of the judges blocked the administration from deporting individuals under other immigration laws that are typically used in such cases.

“There is nothing in the AEA that justifies a finding that refugees migrating from Venezuela, or TdA gangsters who infiltrate the migrants, are engaged in an ‘invasion’ or ‘predatory incursion,’” US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein wrote in Manhattan.The courts also rejected Trump’s argument that judges can’t review his invocation of the act. US District Judge Charlotte Sweeney in Colorado called that contention “nonsense.”“Courts — including this one — have rejected this meritless argument, and the court declines to indulge it further,” the judge wrote.

The highest court to rule against Trump so far is the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled 2-1 on Sept. 2 that Trump cannot use the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged Tren de Aragua members. The ruling applies to the conservative-leaning court’s jurisdiction, which covers Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The judges said that a country encouraging its citizens to enter the US illegally “is not the modern-day equivalent of sending an armed, organized force to occupy, to disrupt, or to otherwise harm” the US.

Source: Bloomberg Europe