China Faces Trade Showdown As Tariff Truce Masks Deepening Strains

Winkelmann

Stocks

Forex

Political

China–U.S. Trade War

Economic

Summary:

The US-China trade truce extension removed a 145% tariff threat but left tensions unresolved.

Key Points:

● The US-China trade truce extension removed a 145% tariff threat but left tensions unresolved.

● US tariffs hit China’s economy hard, with exports to the US plunging 33% in August.

● Mainland equities remain firm, with the Hang Seng up 30.6% YTD despite trade headwinds.

China Faces Trade Showdown As Tariff Truce Masks Deepening Strains_1

US-China Trade War Truce

The US-China trade truce may have bought 90 days of calm, but beneath the surface, tensions are hardening. With tariffs, supply chains, and rare earths in play, the path to a balanced trade deal looks more fragile than ever.The US and China agreed to extend the trade war truce by a further 90 days in August. The agreement removed the threat of a 145% levy on Chinese shipments until October. However, since the extension, the two sides have made little to no progress toward a trade deal.

Despite the truce extension, tensions have escalated since two days of negotiations resulted in a pledge to uphold the Geneva Trade Agreement. Crucially, China committed to lifting restrictions on rare earth minerals, while the US would remove controls on semiconductor chip shipments.Since the Geneva agreement, the London talks, and the second 90-day truce extension, several events have dampened hopes for a balanced US-China trade deal.

Geopolitical Pressures: US, EU, and India

In recent months, the US administration expanded its tariff policies to target transshipments. Notably, Vietnam agreed to a 40% US levy on transshipments bound for the US, while Indonesian shipments face a 19% tariff.Vietnamese exports to the US declined by 2% month-on-month in August, reflecting the effects of a 20% direct tariff and 40% transshipment levy on trade terms. Coincidentally, Vietnamese imports from China also declined 2%.Rumors suggest the US may introduce a rules-of-origin trade policy, which could further impact China’s trade terms.

The administration may also be using bilateral trade talks to weaken global demand for Chinese goods. This week, reports emerged that Trump pressured Europe to hit China and India with 100% tariffs to dissuade Russian oil purchases and increase pressure on Moscow to reach a peace deal with Ukraine. According to news outlets, the US administration will mirror the EU’s tariff.Notably, Trump’s request followed China-Russia-backed Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the summit.While targeting China through the EU, the US has also resumed trade talks with India. President Trump announced progress toward a deal, stating:

“I am pleased to announce that India, and the United States of America, are continuing negotiations to address the Trade Barriers between our two Nations. […[ I feel certain that there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our Great Countries!”Trump could pressure India to stop purchasing Russian oil and to step back from China. Could the US President be looking to tilt the balance in his favor ahead of renewed trade talks with China?

China’s Economy Under Strain

US tariffs have started to affect the Chinese economy. Exports to the US fell 33% year-on-year in August, slowing total export growth to 4.4% compared with 7.2% in July. Unemployment has risen from 5% to 5.2%, with youth unemployment soaring to 17.8% in August, up from 14.5% in July. The sharper increase in youth unemployment highlighted structural labor market challenges. Rising unemployment also weighed on retail sales, raising doubts about Beijing’s 5% GDP growth target.Beijing responded to the slowing economic momentum, pledging fresh stimulus measures. On Wednesday, September 10, China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee held a plenary meeting, vowing to utilize fiscal policy to support stable employment and trade.

Robin Brooks, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, commented on China’s trade data and economic outlook, stating:“China is in a tough spot. Its exports to the US are down 24% q/q in Jun ’25. Exporters have only 2 options: (i) transship to the US; (ii) export goods to other countries at a discount to generate demand. Either way, a big hit to profitability and a deflationary shock for China.”

Mainland Stock Markets Hold Firm

Mainland China equity markets have avoided a sharp reversal of year-to-date (YTD) gains despite cracks forming in the economy and margin squeezes.The CSI 300 and the Shanghai Composite Index have risen 12.97% and 13.74% YTD, tracking the Nasdaq Composite Index (13.34%). However, the Hang Seng Index leads the way, rallying 30.61% YTD, benefiting from Mainland China and overseas investor inflows.Beijing’s pledges to support the economy have bolstered demand for Mainland and Hong Kong-listed stocks. However, trade developments, China’s housing crisis, and domestic demand will be key market forces in the near term.

Weakening external demand could impact the labor market. Rising unemployment may weigh on consumer sentiment and spending, undermining Beijing’s efforts to boost consumption.However, addressing the housing sector crisis and reaching a trade deal with the US could change the narrative. Crucially, a trade deal would likely boost external demand, easing margin pressures. Rising margins could spur job creation and lift domestic consumption.

China CSI 300 – Nasdaq Composite Index – Daily Chart – 110925

The Road Ahead: Consumption, Tariffs, and Stimulus

For investors, China’s bid to boost domestic consumption and soften trade shocks will influence sentiment. Beijing’s stimulus efforts and trade developments will determine whether the markets can maintain their bullish momentum.However, traders should continue assessing Chinese economic data for clues on the effectiveness of Beijing’s policy measures. Retail sales and industrial production on September 15 will reveal whether July’s softer data was isolated or part of a deteriorating trend.

Softer retail sales and industrial production, alongside deflationary pressures, could bring Beijing’s 5% GDP growth target into question. Conversely, a rebound in retail sales and industrial production could send Mainland China’s equity markets to fresh 2025 highs.

Why are Mainland China’s equity market performances crucial for Beijing?

Leading economist Hao Hong recently remarked on Mainland China’s market trends and consumer confidence, stating:“There’s no quick fix to boosting household confidence except for a stock market rebound.”

Source: FX Empire

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

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You understand and acknowledge that there is a high degree of risk involved in trading. Following any strategies or investment methods may lead to potential losses. The content on the site is provided by our contributors and analysts for information purposes only. You are solely responsible for determining whether any trading assets, securities, strategy, or any other product is suitable for investing based on your own investment objectives and financial situation.

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Winkelmann

Cryptocurrency

Forex

Stocks

Key Points:

● Sol Strategies lists on Nasdaq, enhancing market access.

● $94M in Solana held at inception.

● Support from Multicoin Capital and Jump Crypto.

SOL Strategies began trading on the Nasdaq on September 9, 2025, with $94 million in Solana holdings under the ticker symbol 'STKE.'This uplisting enhances Solana's institutional credibility and market access, significantly impacting the cryptocurrency's U.S. exposure and liquidity.Sol Strategies has commenced trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, under ticker symbol 'STKE', marking a significant milestone with $94 million in Solana holdings. This uplisting from the Canadian Securities Exchange occurred on September 9, 2025.

Leah Wald, the CEO, leads SOL Strategies alongside Kyle Samani, chairing the $1 billion Solana treasury. Samani, co-founder of Multicoin Capital, is pivotal for the institutional endorsement of the Solana ecosystem.The launch brings increased liquidity and regulatory oversight for Solana-focused investments, providing greater access for U.S. investors. The support from notable crypto venture funds enhances the institutional confidence in Solana's potential.Given the backing from Multicoin Capital, Galaxy Digital, and Jump Crypto, Sol Strategies is poised to strengthen the Solana ecosystem's foundation. "The uplisting to Nasdaq marks a significant milestone for our company and underscores our commitment to enhancing the Solana ecosystem." - Leah Wald, CEO, Sol Strategies

This event holds potential implications for financial markets and regulatory landscapes, serving as a landmark for Solana-focused trading on major exchanges. The commitment indicates future opportunities for expanding Solana’s influence and infrastructure.Historical precedents, such as the listing of Coinbase on Nasdaq, suggest possible surges in market interest and funding. The focus remains on regulatory adaptations and the broader acceptance of blockchain-based financial instruments.

Source: CryptoSlate

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IC Markets

Economic

Political

Forex

Stocks

US Markets Mixed After Inflation Drop – Dow Down 0.5%

US stock indices had a mixed trading day yesterday after key PPI data came in well under expectations, pushing the market to lock in more Fed rate cuts in the coming months. The Dow dropped 0.48% to 45,490, while the S&P and Nasdaq again notched up fresh record closes as AI stocks powered higher (Oracle up 36%), finishing at 6,532 and 21,886 respectively. Treasury yields pulled back after the data, the 2-year down 1.2 basis points to 3.544% and the 10-year down 3.9 basis points to 4.045%. However, the dollar remained relatively steady, with the DXY up 0.02% to 97.81. Oil prices jumped higher as geopolitical tensions increased in both the Middle East and Eastern Europe, Brent up 1.66% to $67.49 and WTI up 1.64% to $63.66 a barrel. Gold also gained ground on haven flows, although it stopped just short of another record close, up 0.39% to $3,640.38 an ounce.

CPI Data in Focus Today

Yesterday’s PPI data all but locked in 75 basis points worth of Fed rate cuts by the year-end for many in the market. However, tonight’s CPI data could have a lot more to say about those odds by the end of today’s trading. The market is now 92% pricing in a 25-basis-point Fed rate cut next week, with the odds for 75 basis points by December now sitting at 64%. Tonight’s month-on-month CPI and Core CPI numbers are expected to come in at +0.3%, with the year-on-year number at +2.9%. Anything significantly off these prints will see big moves in Fed rate cut expectations—although probably not for next week—and substantial moves in the market. A lower print will see odds for the three rate cuts increase hugely and put pressure on yields and the dollar, whereas anything “sticky” could see some unwinding of those bets and consequent moves in the opposite direction.

Busy Calendar Day with a Huge Hour of Power Ahead for Traders

It is a busy calendar day ahead for traders today, with big central bank updates coming alongside key data releases, with the cross-over time between London and New York having the potential to really hit markets. Asian markets will see the initial focus on the land of the long white cloud, with Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Christian Hawkesby due to speak in Auckland. The big updates for the day will come later, with the European Central Bank due to update the market on its latest interest rate call just 15 minutes ahead of the key US CPI (exp. +0.3% m/m, +2.9% y/y) and Core CPI (exp. +0.3% m/m) data releases. The US Weekly Unemployment Claims numbers are due out at the same time as the CPI data, but expect the inflation numbers to dominate. Just to add a bit more spice to the mix, the ECB press conference is scheduled just 15 minutes after the US data, with traders expecting the EURUSD to be particularly lively in that “Hour of Power.”

Source: IC Markets

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

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MarketPulse by OANDA Group

Forex

Technical Analysis

Economic

This week, some data dampened the economic outlook for both the US and Canada. The past four months didn’t show much in that aspect, and participants started to believe that tariffs wouldn’t influence activity that much.However, it seems that the markets were too optimistic for North America. August gave a first warning sign, with the US Non-Farm Payrolls showing the first crack in the labor market, which was confirmed by last Friday’s report.

Canada is also struggling with a regressing GDP in the second quarter, undoubtedly due to downbeat employment figures (-60K in August) and pressure from tariffs on key exports such as metals (aluminum, steel) and lumber.The degrading economic outlook and slowdown in hiring are essentially bringing back hopes for cuts with a 90% priced-in Bank of Canada reduction (from 2.75% to 2.50%) at the upcoming meeting on the same day as the FOMC, September 17th.For the Federal Reserve, a much-anticipated cut should also finally take place (Rates are currently at 4.50%), and the question from which we will get an answer tomorrow is:

Will Consumer Prices take a significant bump, barring the way for a 50 bps cut?

Any release below the expected 0.30% raise should flush the US Dollar, and markets would heavily lean towards a 50 bps (currently at 10% pricing).On the other hand, a beat should leave the 25 bps in check but reduce odds for cuts at subsequent meetings (2 meetings after this one: October and December).Let’s dive right into a few charts to get an overview on North American Markets, from US and Canadian equity Markets performance, USD and CAD performance to USDCAD and DXY charts.

North-American Indices Performance

Bringing Back The Cuts To US And Canada_1

North American Top Indices performance since last Monday – September 10, 2025 – Source: TradingView

Same as in previous weeks, the TSX just seems to absolutely disregard the downbeat economic data.Never forget that equities are forward looking and cut expectations in an economy that is still far from in shambles and expected to grow in the decades to come attract buying.US Markets are still holding resiliently against the streak of downbeat employment data also lifted by hopes for increased rate cuts.All indices have marked new record highs in today’s session actually but have since seen some profit-taking flows ahead of tomorrow’s inflation report.

Dollar Index 8H Chart

Bringing Back The Cuts To US And Canada_2

Dollar Index 8H Chart, September 10, 2025 – Source: TradingView

The US Dollar is holding its range as neither the NFP or this morning’s PPI have changed the outlook for future rate cuts.This puts that much emphasis on tomorrow’s CPI report which should be one of the most important one in years. Get ready!With the range still holding, I invite you to check out our most recent Dollar Index analysis to spot your levels of interest for the USD.

US Dollar Mid-Week Performance vs Majors

Bringing Back The Cuts To US And Canada_3

USD vs other Majors, September 10, 2025 – Source: TradingView.

The action in the US Dollar has stayed stubbornly rangebound.

The latest downward revisions to the US Labor data since March 2025 (you can check out the report right here) had initially hurt the USD, but as can be seen in the latest rebound, buyers have held its bid at new range extremes.War headlines around the world still maintain somewhat of a US Dollar demand which slightly reduced after this morning’s welcomed PPI report (are tariff-related price hikes really just a one-off??)Expect high swings for the USD tomorrow as markets will look to confirm the outcome of next week’s FOMC.

Canadian Dollar Mid-Week Performance vs Majors

Bringing Back The Cuts To US And Canada_4

CAD vs other Majors, September 10, 2025 – Source: TradingView.

The Loonie couldn’t hold its past week’s strength with the aggressively low employment figures released last Friday. This week has been atrocious for the Maple Dollar.With more cuts expected ahead, it will be very interesting to see what the Bank of Canada will have to say at next week’s meeting. The BoC would also love a higher rate cut from the USD to help with the CAD’s current downfall.

Intraday Technical Levels for the USD/CAD

Bringing Back The Cuts To US And Canada_5

USDCAD 4H Chart, September 10, 2025 – Source: TradingView

USDCAD has freshly marked some highs at similar levels as the August 26th top, but seems to be consolidating at the current daily peak.It will be very interesting to spot the reactions for the US Dollar and if an eventually stronger USD would also assist the CAD on its perpetual descent.

Levels to place on your USDCAD charts:

Resistance Levels:

● 1.3925 August 22 highs (most recent peak)

● 1.3850 to 1.3860 Main resistance (1.38670 daily highs)

● May Highs 1.40185

Support Levels:

● immediate Pivot 1.38 Handle +/- 150 pips

● Key longer-term pivot Zone 1.3750

● Main Support Zone 1.3675 to 1.3686

US and Canada Economic Calendar for the Rest of the Week

Bringing Back The Cuts To US And Canada_6

US and Canadian Data for the rest of the week

With Markets not budging much from the consequent NFP and PPI reports, everything will depend on tomorrow’s US CPI release (8:30 A.M. ET).With 0.3% expected for both the Headline and Core, reactions will have to be monitored closely as Markets will jump around in all directions.To guide you with tomorrow’s volatility, track the Dollar Index, the FEDWatch Tool (for Interest rate expectations) and the 2-year yield.

Except for tomorrow’s US CPI, some other less-relevant data may still move markets with the Weekly jobless claims tomorrow, Canadian capacity utilization on Friday (8:30) and the following University-of-Michigan Consumer Sentiment at 10:00 A.M.

Source: MarketPulse by OANDA Group

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

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FastBull Featured

Daily News

[Quick Facts]

1. Qatar's Prime Minister: Qatar is reassessing its role as mediator in the Gaza Conflict.

2. Mexico seeks to raise tariffs on Asian-Made cars by up to 50%.

3. Europe's third-largest Parliamentary Group submits No-Confidence motion against von der Leyen.

4. Swiss National Bank Governor: Negative interest rates could return if necessary.

5. Tariff war triggers backlash as Canada-to-US road trips decline for eighth straight month.

6. U.S. PPI inflation cools more than expected.

[News Details]

Qatar's Prime Minister: Qatar is reassessing its role as mediator in the Gaza Conflict

On September 10th, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed stated that Qatar is reassessing its role as a mediator in the Gaza conflict. Mohammed said that during Qatar's mediation efforts in the Gaza conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's involvement has been a complete waste of Qatar's time. He accused Netanyahu of pushing the Middle East toward chaos and putting the entire Gulf region at risk. He also revealed that Qatar is reevaluating the presence of senior Hamas leaders in the country.

Mexico seeks to raise tariffs on Asian-Made cars by up to 50%

Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said the country is seeking to raise tariffs on cars made in Asia to as high as 50%. He said Mexico will increase tariffs because the price of cars arriving in Mexico is below the reference price. The main goal is to protect jobs — it is estimated that about 320,000 jobs are directly related to the trade flow of these products. Earlier, President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that as part of the "Mexico Plan" to revitalize domestic manufacturing, the government is seeking to impose tariffs on countries with which Mexico has not signed trade agreements.

Europe's third-largest Parliamentary Group submits No-Confidence motion against von der Leyen

On September 10th, the third-largest political group in the European Parliament, the "Patriots for Europe," announced in Strasbourg, France, that it would submit a no-confidence motion against the European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen. It is reported that the motion has garnered signatures from 85 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), surpassing the minimum threshold of 72 signatures required to initiate the procedure. The "Patriots for Europe" group accused the current European Commission of comprehensive failure in trade, transparency, and accountability. Kinga Gál, the group's First Vice-President, stated during the plenary session of the European Parliament that the Commission had failed to address the most pressing challenges facing Europe and had fallen short in areas such as peace, trade, and migration. She said it is time for Ursula von der Leyen to step down.

Swiss National Bank Governor: Negative interest rates could return if necessary

Swiss National Bank (SNB) Governor Schlegel stated that the central bank would not shy away from pushing borrowing costs below zero if absolutely necessary. With just two weeks remaining until the quarterly interest rate decision, Schlegel emphasized that he and his colleagues are prepared to revert to the policy stance abandoned three years ago, if needed. The policymakers will then decide whether to maintain the current 0% interest rate level. SNB won't hesitate if it really becomes necessary. Several officials, including Schlegel, have previously noted that the threshold for cutting interest rates is higher than for other policy adjustments, due to the potential adverse effects of negative rates on pensions and the financial system. Most economists expect policymakers to keep rates unchanged at their meeting on September 25, though a minority predict a 25-basis-point cut to -0.25%.

Tariff war triggers backlash as Canada-to-US road trips decline for eighth straight month

Last month, the number of Canadians driving to the U.S. fell for the eighth consecutive month year-on-year, signaling growing resistance among travelers. Data released by Statistics Canada on Wednesday showed that the number of Canadian residents returning from the U.S. by car in August dropped by 33.9% compared to the same period last year. The number of Canadians flying to and from the U.S. also declined by 25.4%, while arrivals from other countries rose by 6.6%. Meanwhile, the number of U.S. residents driving into Canada fell by 4.5% year-on-year last month, the seventh consecutive monthly decline, while U.S. air arrivals dropped by 3.6%. However, visitors from other overseas countries increased by 4.6%. U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies, along with his controversial remark that Canada should become the 51st state of the U.S., have angered many Canadians. Additionally, his strict immigration measures have raised concerns among some travelers about cross-border trips.

U.S. PPI inflation cools more than expected

U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) inflation unexpectedly cooled significantly in August, with prices falling 0.1% month-on-month and rising 2.6% year-on-year, the first decline in four months. Core PPI (excluding food and energy) decreased 0.1% month-on-month and increased 2.8% year-on-year.

Among the components, food prices rose 0.1% month-on-month, while energy prices fell 0.4%. Trade services prices dropped sharply by 1.7% month-on-month, the largest decline since 2009 (matching the previous record), which was the primary driver of the overall PPI cooling.

Trade services prices have shown significant monthly volatility this year, highlighting uncertainty over the impact of the Trump administration’s trade policies on prices and demand.

The data suggests that despite higher costs stemming from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, businesses have refrained from significantly raising prices. Many companies may be concerned that excessive price hikes could scare away customers amid economic uncertainty and subdued consumer spending.

Following the release, traders increased bets on a 50-basis-point interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve in September. According to CME's FedWatch tool, the probability of a 50-basis-point cut rose to 10%, while the likelihood of a 25-basis-point cut stands at 90%.

[Today's Focus]

UTC+8 16:00 IEA Releases Monthly Oil Market Report

UTC+8 20:15 ECB Announces September Interest Rate Decision

UTC+8 20:45 ECB President Lagarde Holds Monetary Policy Press Conference

UTC+8 20:30 U.S. August CPI

Pending OPEC to Release Monthly Oil Market Report

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Gerik

Economic

Tech-Led Rally Pushes Asian Markets to Records

On Thursday, Japan’s Nikkei rose 0.8% to a record high, while Taiwan’s benchmark gained 1%, also setting new records. Leading technology firms fueled much of the momentum. Notably, chipmaker TSMC advanced 2.5%, while SoftBank surged nearly 9% following a 36% jump in Oracle shares on Wall Street, reflecting anticipated demand for cloud computing services from AI companies. The rally underscores the growing influence of tech-driven growth in Asian markets, mirroring global trends where innovation-focused sectors are outperforming broader indices.

Investor optimism is rooted in expectations that U.S. inflation will remain manageable, giving the Federal Reserve leeway to enact a rate-cut cycle. Producer price data overnight indicated subdued inflationary pressures, supporting market speculation that the Fed could implement up to three quarter-point cuts this year, starting with the upcoming meeting. Markets are particularly attentive to the August consumer price index, projected to show a 2.9% year-over-year increase in headline CPI and a 3.1% core reading. Analysts suggest that absent a significant upside surprise, markets will maintain a dovish view on interest rates, reinforcing the bullish sentiment in equities.

Global Market Context: Commodities and Currencies

While Asian stocks advanced, other regional indices showed mixed performance, with MSCI’s broad Asia-Pacific index outside Japan down 0.1%, partly dragged by Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index. In commodities, oil prices held recent gains, supported by geopolitical tensions and drone activity over Polish airspace, while gold inched higher to $3,644 an ounce, remaining near all-time highs. Currency markets were relatively stable, with the U.S. dollar index flat at 97.81 and the Australian dollar holding near a 10-month peak. Bond yields showed modest moves, with 10-year Treasuries edging up 2 basis points to 4.0531% and 30-year yields rising slightly amid a $22 billion debt sale.

The confluence of technology sector strength, Fed rate-cut expectations, and stable commodity prices reflects an environment where investors are willing to take calculated risks while hedging against uncertainty. Markets are positioning themselves for a potentially stimulative U.S. monetary policy environment while keeping an eye on inflation dynamics and global geopolitical developments that could affect both growth and safe-haven assets.

The Asian market surge demonstrates the interplay between domestic corporate performance, particularly in tech, and external macroeconomic policies, emphasizing that while growth optimism persists, it is tempered by broader global economic considerations.

Source: Reuters

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Samantha Luan

Political

Economic

A search is underway for the killer of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump who was fatally shot Wednesday at a Utah university.Kirk, executive director of the Turning Point USA advocacy group, was speaking at an outdoor event before a crowd at Utah Valley University when a single shot was fired from a nearby building, according to local police. Governor Spencer Cox described it as a “political assassination.”A person of interest was taken into custody and was later released, FBI director Kash Patel said in a social media post.

The shooting, the latest in a spate of political violence in the US, drew an outpouring of shock and condemnation from Republicans and Democrats alike. Kirk, 31, started Turning Point USA more than a decade ago and had turned it into one of the most influential groups helping to rally young voters to conservative causes. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.“Charlie was a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loved so much,” Trump said in a video Wednesday evening in which he blamed rhetoric from the “radical left” for contributing to the violence.

“It’s long past time for all Americans, and the media, to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree day after day, year after year, in the most hateful and despicable way possible,” he said.Former Democratic presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama denounced the violence and offered sympathies to his family. The Republican National Committee praised Kirk as a “dedicated patriot who spent his life defending conservative values and inspiring young Americans.”

WATCH: Republican activist Charlie Kirk has been shot and killed in Utah.Source: Bloomberg

Kirk was at UVU for his group’s American Comeback Tour, and was scheduled to set up a table called Prove Me Wrong, where the audience attempts to stump the pundit. There were more than 3,000 people in attendance, said Jeff Long, the university’s police chief, as well as six local police and Kirk’s personal security detail.

At approximately 12:20 pm Mountain time, about 20 minutes after Kirk began speaking, a single shot was fired from a building about 200 yards away. A supporter of gun rights, he had just began answering a question on the number of mass shooters in America over the last decade.

Social media videos show attendees running from the area while Kirk’s personal security team appeared to carry him out and into a waiting sport utility vehicle. He was driven to a local hospital where he later died, police said.Closed circuit surveillance video shows a person dressed in dark clothing believed to be the suspect and the shot may have been fired from a rooftop, officials said. No other details were released, including information about what type of weapon may have been used or if it was recovered.“I want to be very clear, this was a political assassination,” Cox said. “Charlie Kirk was first and foremost a husband and a dad to young children. He was also very much politically involved, and that’s why he was here on campus.”

The murder represents an escalation in political violence in an increasingly polarized American society. Trump was the subject of two assassination attempts last year while he was campaigning for his second term. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, was forced to flee his house in April after an arson attempt. In June, a gunman killed Minnesota legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband at their home.“Political violence has become all too common in American society and this is not who we are,” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday. “We need everyone who has the platform to say this loudly and clearly: we can settle disagreements and disputes in a civil way.”

Young Advocate

Originally from a Chicago suburb, Kirk began his conservative advocacy in high school. After graduating, he briefly attended nearby Harper College before dropping out to start Turning Point USA, where he raised money from prominent conservatives. His 2012 essay for Breitbart News about liberal bias in economics textbooks earned him invitations to interview on Fox Business and a speaking engagement at a local college.Over the next decade, Kirk grew Turning Point USA into a powerful advocacy group, that welcomed conservative students eager to prove liberal bias on college campuses. The organization had more than 800 college chapters, according to its website.

Kirk would often publicly debate college students and personalities across the political spectrum. He was the first guest on California Governor Gavin Newsom’s podcast earlier this year, and was scheduled to debate progressive influencer Hasan Piker at a sold-out event at Dartmouth College later this month. Newsom, a Democrat and Trump critic, called Kirk’s killing “sick and reprehensible.”