US Treasury's Bessent Believes Good Japan Tariff Deal Is Possible, PM Ishiba Says

From crypto coins to bibles, overseas development deals to an upcoming line of cellphones, President Donald Trump's family businesses have raked in hundreds of millions of dollars since his election.

That flood of money — from billionaires, foreign governments and cryptocurrency tycoons, often with interests before the federal government — has permitted the president to leverage the power of his office for personal gain unlike any of his predecessors.

The sums collected are far greater than those made by the family during Trump's first term, when patronage of his hotels and other properties was de rigueur to curry favor with the famously transactional commander-in-chief.

Here are some takeaways from The Associated Press' reporting on the Trump family's latest money-making ventures:

By the numbers

Trump made money during his first term by turning his hotels and resort properties into destinations for his MAGA allies — and those who sought to curry favor with him.

This time around, the family's ambitions are grander. One of Trump’s cryptocurrencies is conservatively estimated to have pulled in at least $320 million since January, while another received a $2 billion investment from a foreign government wealth fund. A third has sold at least $550 million in tokens.

His sons have jetted across the Middle East to line up new development deals, while his daughter and son-in-law are working with the Albanian government to build a Mediterranean island resort. Even first lady Melania Trump has inked a $40 million documentary deal with Amazon, whose founder, Jeff Bezos, was a frequent target of Trump during his first presidency and whose companies contract extensively with the federal government.

He’s also touted a line of Trump shoes, a Bible that is made in China, and Trump guitars, one of which is a Gibson Les Paul knockoff, featuring “Make America Great Again” fret inlays, that sells for $1,500.

He’s continued to make money from political spending at his hotels, resorts and golf courses, as he has done for over a decade. Conservative groups and Republican committees have spent at least $25 million at Trump properties since 2015, with most of it coming from Trump’s own political organization, campaign finance disclosures show

Is this normal?

Since Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace, presidents have gone to great lengths to avoid the appearance of such conflicts.

Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan kept assets in a “blind trust,” while George H.W. Bush used a “diversified trust,” which blocked him from knowing what was in his portfolio. His son, George W. Bush, used a similar arrangement.

Source: Yahoo Finance

The Group of 20 finance ministers are expected to agree on a communique at their meeting on Friday, achieving a rare consensus despite strains caused by US President Donald Trump’s trade war.

The statement will likely include language on economic uncertainties and trade issues that have been sticking points in the past, said several officials who requested anonymity to discuss the talks.

“At a time when the world is more uncertain, we need more engagement not less, we need more robust and resilient and reliable markets for our exports,” said Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers. “That’s the spirit which has guided people’s contribution here – probably the main reason we’ve been able to get a communique,” he told Bloomberg at the event in South Africa’s eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Trump’s trade war, which is poised to escalate with new tariffs on Aug. 1, has strained the G-20’s multilateral foundations and complicated South Africa’s efforts — as this year’s rotating president — to keep the group’s agenda on course.

By imposing trade levies, scorning South Africa’s G-20 motto of “solidarity, equality and sustainability” and pulling billions of dollars in funding for climate finance and international aid, the US is testing a world order that’s dominated since the end of World War II.

That makes achieving a joint communique — rather than a chairman’s summary, achieved at a previous G-20 finance meeting in the country — even more significant.

“We are very optimistic that a final communique will be issued today, sending a strong signal in favor of multilateralism,” German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil told reporters at the event. “This is a major achievement for the G-20 presidency, which has conducted these negotiations with prudence and skill.”

The gathering, at a lush resort on the Indian Ocean near the port city of Durban, was able to make progress despite the absence of several finance ministers including US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is traveling to Japan.

South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana had voiced confidence on Thursday that a communique would be signed, despite the lack of Washington’s top finance official.

While the US didn’t send Bessent, those who came had “a clear mandate” to speak on behalf of their government, he said.

Source: Bloomberg Europe

Major Wall Street brokerages have withdrawn their expectations for a September interest rate cut by the Bank of England, as inflation remains sticky and the labour market resilient.

Britain's annual rate of consumer price inflation unexpectedly rose to its highest in over a year at 3.6% in June, data showed on Wednesday. A Reuters poll of economists had expected inflation to remain unchanged at May's reading of 3.4%.

Pay growth slowed and employee numbers dropped further in May, but the cooling in the labour market which had alarmed some policymakers appeared less acute than previous data had suggested, official figures showed this week.

This led to BofA Global Research, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs pulling back their expectations for a September rate cut on Thursday.

"The data is not weakening enough for the BoE to accelerate cuts," BofA said.

Morgan Stanley said that the BoE's "path beyond remains cautious and data-dependent."

Both BofA and Morgan Stanley forecast the central bank to reduce policy rates twice each in August and November this year, while Goldman Sachs expects sequential cuts from November through March 2026 to a 3% level.

The UK's benchmark bank rate currently stands at 4.25%.

Citigroup expects BoE to cut rates thrice this year, in August, November and December.

Money markets are pricing in a total of 48.6 basis points of BoE rate cuts by the year-end, with a 77.3% probability of a 25 basis point move in August, according to LSEG data.

BoE is set to meet next on August 7.

Source: Yahoo Finance

US Treasuries pared some of their weekly losses on Friday while the dollar fell at the end of a week dominated by debate about the trajectory and leadership of the Federal Reserve.

Yields on 10-year US government bonds inched lower to 4.45% — just three basis points higher on the week — while 30-year yields were on track to finish below 5% for the first time since Monday. A gauge of the dollar dropped 0.2% after a Fed policymaker publicly pushed to cut interest rates later this month.

It’s been a volatile week for Treasuries. The 30-year yield breached 5% for the first time since May as enduring inflation pressures prompted traders to pare odds of a September rate cut, while speculation that President Donald Trump might fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell also unnerved markets.

“Even with President Trump denying any near-term plans to remove Powell, uncertainty remains elevated, likely contributing to a lingering discount in long-term Treasuries,” wrote JPMorgan Chase & Co. strategists led by Jay Barry.

Meanwhile, this week saw option traders increasingly hedge the possibility of faster rate reductions than the market has priced in, as they wagered the next Fed chair — whenever they take up the mantle — will be more inclined to lower interest rates.

Indeed, the Fed’s Christopher Waller, who has been touted as a potential successor to Powell, said policymakers should cut interest rates this month to support a labor market that is showing signs of weakness.

Data on housebuilding and PMIs are on the slate next week, adding to the picture of the US economy.

Source: Bloomberg Europe

Tariffs Are Shaking the Economy, Not Stabilizing It

The U.S. economy is entering a turbulent chapter. Trump’s latest wave of tariffs is more than just a political headline — it’s starting to show up in real prices. Goods from Canada, China, Mexico, and the EU are now facing duties as high as 50%. That means everyday items, from phones to coffee, are suddenly more expensive.

These tariffs are a tax on imports. While the administration says foreign exporters will carry the burden, U.S. businesses pay upfront — and guess what? They pass the cost on to consumers. For months, companies avoided price hikes by hoarding inventory. But now, that buffer is drying up. Sticker shock is next.

How the Economy Is Feeling the Heat

The economy isn’t collapsing, but it’s definitely sweating. In June, inflation hit 2.7% — the highest in four months. That’s no coincidence. Prices are moving up on items with heavy tariff exposure. Appliances rose nearly 2% last month. Toys, tools, and tech? Also climbing.

Gas and food are bouncing too. Tariff-related costs are mixing with global supply disruptions and climate issues — creating a perfect storm. Some goods, like copper-powered electronics or imported coffee, are now double-punched by material costs and taxes. Economists warn: this is just the beginning. Businesses have held the line on prices as long as they could. But now, the line is breaking.

Inflation Pressures Are Spooking Markets

Stocks are still climbing — for now. But inflation jitters are starting to creep in. Wall Street knows that price hikes cut into profits and demand. When appliances, tech, or produce get more expensive, consumers pull back. That hurts corporate earnings, especially for retailers and manufacturers.

Investors have seen CPI ticking up. That makes the Fed’s next move harder. Rate cuts might still come later this year, but rising inflation puts pressure on policymakers to wait. The result? Uncertainty. And markets hate that. While the S&P and Nasdaq hit new records, some analysts think we’re in the eye of the storm. When August 1 hits, and new tariffs kick in, stocks could wobble.

Prices Climb, but Consumers Can’t Look Away

For consumers, the effects are already visible. Cheap clothing is no longer cheap. Basic apparel now carries tariffs up to 48%. Washing machines? Their prices surged. And while you don’t buy a washing machine every week, you do buy fruit, vegetables, and coffee. Produce from Mexico and Brazil could get way more expensive, and that’s bad news for family budgets.

Electronics also got pricier. Copper tariffs affect everything from TVs to iPhones. Even domestically made devices are costlier, since imported components are still taxed. And let’s not forget alcohol. Beer and wine from the EU and Mexico are under threat. Meanwhile, retaliatory tariffs from Europe could raise prices on U.S. spirits. Consumers are caught in the middle of a global trade war they never asked for.

The Economy Is Resilient, but for How Long?

Yes, the economy still shows strength. Retail sales surprised to the upside. Jobless claims are low. Earnings season started strong. But none of that means we’re safe from what’s coming. Economic data always lags reality. What we’re seeing now is the result of past stability — not future conditions.

As inventories run dry and new tariffs stack up, the cost pressures will only grow. And while inflation has been tame so far, the cracks are forming. If tariffs expand, and if retaliations spread, both prices and uncertainty will rise. The U.S. economy may be strong, but it’s not invincible. It’s time to pay attention — because the impact of these tariffs is no longer just political noise. It’s economic reality.

Source: CryptoSlate

Bank of America Enters Stablecoin Market Officially

Bank of America, led by CEO Brian Moynihan, officially announced its entrance into the stablecoin arena during a July 16, 2025 earnings call in New York.

The action reflects the evolving landscape of traditional banking engaging with digital currencies, emphasizing Bank of America's intention to integrate stablecoins once market infrastructure and demand mature.

Bank of America is spearheading its official entry into the stablecoin market. CEO Brian Moynihan indicated significant progress in developing dollar-pegged tokens, without a definite launch timeline. The bank plans to collaborate with established industry players for effective implementation.

Leading the initiative, Brian Moynihan highlighted the need for banks to adapt to crypto's impact on payment systems. "We’ve done a lot of work. We’re still trying to figure out how big or small it is because of some of the places are not big amounts of money movement. So you’d expect us all to move," he stated. Drawing from past experiences like Zelle, BoA aims to respond proactively. Several major U.S. banks explore stablecoin possibilities, setting a collaborative tone for the industry.

The stablecoin push could transform client money flows, according to Moynihan's statements. While no immediate impact on ETH, BTC, or traditional cryptocurrencies is visible, trillions in client payments might leverage these digital tokens upon launch.

The potential stablecoin use reflects the banking industry's strategy to combat fintech disruption. Historically, banks have developed consortium models to contend with emerging challengers. The anticipation of the GENIUS Act plays a pivotal role in shaping timing and participation strategies.

A focus on regulatory frameworks and market demand will dictate Bank of America's pace. The stablecoin initiative might coexist alongside private blockchains, incorporating elements from the Zelle consortium, highlighting a distinct tendency toward controlled digital asset ecosystems.

Source: CryptoSlate