US Vice President Vance Meets Indian PM Modi For Trade Talks

Political

Summary:

The meeting between JD Vance and India's Narendra Modi comes as New Delhi is trying to avoid Trump's trade tariffs. Vance's office reported "significant progress" in the talks.

JD Vance and Narendra Modi also discussed enhancing cooperation in energy, defense and strategic technologies.

US Vice President JD Vance, who is on a four-day trip to India, met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for talks over trade and said they made progress in reaching a trade deal between the two countries.

The meeting between Vance and Modi comes at a crucial time when India is trying to seal an early trade deal before the expiry of a 90-day pause on tariffs announced by Donald Trump's administration.

Vance is visiting India on a mostly personal trip to India with his wife Usha and children.

JD Vance is visiting India with his familyImage: India's Press Information Bureau/Handout via REUTERS.

Vance's visit is also being viewed as an opportunity for India to host Trump later this year for the summit of leaders of the Quad grouping that includes India, Australia, Japan and the US.

What do we know about the meeting between Vance and Modi?

Modi's office said that there had been "significant progress in the negotiations" with the two countries negotiating the first tranche of a trade deal.

Vance's office also reported "significant progress" in the talks and said the two leaders outlined a plan to take economic discussions forward.

The talks present "an opportunity to negotiate a new and modern trade agreement focused on promoting job creation and citizen well-being in both countries," the statement from Vance's office added.

After Vance's meetings Monday, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said he was "pleased to confirm" that Washington and India's Ministry of Commerce "have finalized the Terms of Reference to lay down a roadmap for the negotiations on reciprocal trade".

During their meeting, the two leaders also discussed enhancing cooperation in energy, defense and strategic technologies, among others, a statement from Modi's office said.

Source: DW

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

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.

Add to Favorites

Catherine Richards

Commodity

China–U.S. Trade War

Key Takeaways:

● Gold prices soar amid renewed US-China tariffs.

● Central banks increase gold purchases for diversification.

● Crypto markets exhibit resilience but remain subdued.

Gold Reaches New Highs Amid US-China Trade Tensions.

Gold has surged to new all-time highs as escalating US-China trade tensions and a weakening US dollar affect markets globally in April 2025.

The latest spike in gold prices highlights significant market anxiety tied to geopolitical tensions and currency weaknesses, leading to potential shifts in investor behaviors.

Trade tensions between the US and China have intensified, with President Trump announcing substantial tariffs on imports. Gold prices have reacted sharply, fueled by fear of economic instability. Central banks, including China's, have increased gold holdings, highlighting a strategic diversification away from potentially risky assets. As tariffs become a critical factor, the direction of gold and related markets is under the spotlight.

The broader market has reacted strongly, with gold investments seeing historic inflows. This surge has occurred as economic players seek shelter from the storm of a weakened US dollar and geopolitical uncertainties. Trade policies enacted by global leaders have significantly impacted investor sentiment. Donald Trump has taken a firm stance on trade protectionism, causing ripple effects through gold and equity markets.

Central banks' increased gold purchases reflect a growing hedge against Western asset freezes, underscoring a cautious market approach. Government tensions have led to movements in both traditional and crypto markets, expanding the volatility range. However, Bitcoin and Ethereum remain range-bound amid these dynamics, suggesting a potential shift in asset favorability towards traditional safety nets.

The political climate surrounding these economic decisions continues to influence both monetary policy and market stability. The Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions may come under further pressure as risks from tariffs mount, shaping the narrative for future economic policy.

We're seeing a broad market reaction to steeper-than-expected tariffs with typical flight to safety behavior among investors. — Brett Elliott, Director of Content, APMEX.

Experts suggest a prolonged effect on global markets, impacting future investment flows as the situation unfolds.

Source: CryptoSlate

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Natalie Gordon

Political

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest point since his return to the White House, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released Tuesday..

The survey found that just 42% of Americans approve of his job performance, down from 43% earlier this month and 47% immediately after his January 20 inauguration.

The drop comes as Trump faces growing public concern over his attempts to consolidate power.

The poll, which surveyed 4,306 adults over six days, highlighted deep unease over his use of executive orders to expand influence over both government and private institutions, including universities and cultural landmarks.

Around 57% of respondents — including one-third of Republicans — opposed cutting funding to universities for political reasons, and 66% rejected presidential control over national cultural institutions like museums and theaters, according to the poll.

Additionally, 83% said the president must follow federal court rulings, a rebuke to Trump’s recent immigration actions that potentially violate a judge’s order. On nearly every policy issue, including inflation, immigration, and the rule of law, more Americans disapproved than approved of Trump' s handling.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll also found that 59% believe the U.S. is losing credibility internationally, and 75% oppose Trump running for a third term — a prospect he has floated despite constitutional limits.

Source: Investing

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Devin

Central Bank

Jerome Powell, current Federal Reserve Chair, publicly dismissed the prospect of interest rate cuts in June, contradicting market expectations. This announcement, articulated last week, sparked substantial interest in financial sectors.

These developments matter as Powell's stance, aligned with persistent inflation and macroeconomic uncertainty, influences both traditional and crypto markets. Market volatility has intensified due to contrasting views on future rate policies.

Powell's Rate Decision Contradicts Optimistic Market Predictions

Jerome Powell recently dismissed market expectations for aggressive rate cuts at the Federal Reserve's June meeting, emphasizing major risks like rising tariffs and unstable inflation. Bill Dudley, former New York Fed President, noted that the optimistic market pricing could be prematurely elevated:

Market adjustments have occurred as participants react to the Fed rejecting rate cut prospects this year. Powell's comments triggered recalibration in futures pricing as investors reevaluate earlier assumptions.

Markets are overly optimistic regarding imminent Fed rate cuts, despite futures suggesting significant easing by year-end.

Responses within financial circles have varied, with notable figures emphasizing potential consequences. No direct reactions from prominent crypto leaders have emerged, but discussions intensify around the impact of monetary policies on digital assets.

Bitcoin's Historical Sensitivity to Fed Rate Announcements

Did you know? In 2020, amid emergency rate cuts, Bitcoin soared following a 150-basis-point reduction, signaling its sensitivity to monetary policy shifts.

As of April 21, 2025, CoinMarketCap reports Bitcoin's price at $87,993.05, with a market cap of $1.75 trillion and 24-hour trading volume at $32.73 billion, reflecting a 4.16% price increase over the past day. Such fluctuations show Bitcoin's responsiveness to policy environments.

Bitcoin(BTC), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 15:09 UTC on April 21, 2025. Source: CoinMarketCap

According to insights from Coincu's research team, Bitcoin's future may hinge on Fed policies. Historically, crypto markets respond dynamically to interest rate news. A shift to lower rates in the future could potentially enhance Bitcoin's appeal as an alternative asset, contrasting with traditional market performances.

Source: CryptoSlate

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

ING

Economic

Central Bank

Fresh food prices eased, yet inflationary pressures broadened in March

Consumer inflation in Japan edged down to 3.6% year on year in March (vs 3.7% in February and market consensus) as fresh food prices stabilized modestly. Yet core inflation, excluding fresh food, accelerated to 3.2% (vs 3.0% in February) and core-core inflation, excluding fresh food and energy, also accelerated to a 2.9% pace (vs 2.6% in February). Both were in line with market consensus.

On a monthly basis, inflation rebounded 0.3% month on month, seasonally adjusted, in March (vs -0.1% in February) with both goods and services rising 0.2% each. Fresh food prices declined for a second month, yet the earlier pickup in costs is now passing on to other manufactured food prices and services, such as eating out.

April Tokyo CPI inflation data will be released on Friday. Prices are set to accelerate even faster than in March. This will also complicate the BoJ’s rate decision in the near term as trade war risks increase.

Core inflation picked up in March

Japanese inflation accelerates, complicating BoJ’s rate decision amid global uncertainty_1

BoJ watch

Downside risks to GDP are growing significantly even as inflation is accelerating. Also, Japanese yen trends are being closely watched by the US administration. We dropped our long-held May rate hike call last week, pushing it to July. We expect the BoJ to keep its policy rate unchanged at its May meeting even though inflation is still the key concern. The BoJ is likely to focus on economic uncertainty for now, just like many other central banks. The BoJ will base rate decisions on what happens with concessions made between the US and Japan and where the US tariffs policies go from here. We believe that by July, things will be clearer. Trade concessions will likely take shape by then, giving the BoJ more confidence to raise its policy rate in July. The BoJ's rate hike pace will be quite gradual. For now, we still pencil in two hikes next year -- in April and October 2026.

Source:ING

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

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Thomas

Cryptocurrency

Trump's Return Initiates Crypto Market Shakeup

Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025 has coincided with a $760 billion loss in crypto market value, with significant strategic policy shifts announced from Washington.

Trump's return marks a pivotal moment for cryptocurrency markets, driven by strategic policy implementations resulting in immediate market volatility. Investors are reacting to the significant economic and regulatory shifts.

Policy Shifts and Market Reactions

Trump's return to power in early 2025 brought substantial changes in U.S. crypto policy. The government announced the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, managed by the Treasury, aiming to facilitate a federal digital asset stockpile.

"The working group will move forward on facilitating the strategic federal purchases of Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and ADA." — Donald J. Trump, President of the United States

With the establishment of a digital asset stockpile, led by David Sacks, the U.S. is navigating new regulatory landscapes. The Treasury's role has expanded to include managing cryptocurrencies seized in criminal activities, marking a policy shift.

Impact on Crypto Markets

The policy changes have triggered a sharp decline in crypto market capitalization, wiping out $760 billion. Bitcoin prices experienced notable fluctuations with a decline from an all-time high to substantial lows. Regulatory actions led to the dissolution of certain enforcement activities, creating further market uncertainty.

The financial landscape is experiencing turbulence, impacting crypto holders and markets globally. The number of Bitcoin millionaire addresses fell, indicative of a shift in investor confidence post-policy implementation. Volatile market conditions continue to pose challenges.

Strategic Changes and Future Considerations

Trump's policy actions reflect a significant departure from his earlier anti-crypto stance, focusing on national strategic reserves. Despite the optimistic economic assertions, markets responded negatively. Further analysis considers potential long-term regulatory impacts on market stability.

In response to reduced enforcement, the crypto market has yet to stabilize fully, suggesting potential challenges for governmental regulation and market resilience. The evolution of these strategic initiatives remains a focal point for economists and investors alike.

The content on The CCPress is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry inherent risks. Please consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Source: CryptoSlate

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Damon

Economic

Trump's Economic Policies and Their Impact on Cryptocurrency Markets

In recent months, President Trump's economic strategies have garnered significant attention, particularly concerning their implications for inflation and the broader financial markets. As traders and investors navigate these turbulent waters, the cryptocurrency market has not remained untouched.

Trump's declaration of a national emergency aimed at increasing the U.S.'s competitive edge has sparked discussions about the future of economic policies and their direct impact on inflation. With inflation rates being a pivotal concern for both traditional and digital asset investors, the relationship between Trump's policies and cryptocurrency valuations is becoming increasingly relevant.

Moreover, Trump's advocacy for preemptive rate cuts amidst claims of low inflation has raised eyebrows among crypto traders. These rate cuts could potentially lead to a more favorable environment for cryptocurrencies, as lower interest rates often drive investors towards riskier assets.

As the economic landscape evolves, trader sentiment is heavily influenced by the news emanating from the White House. Understanding the interplay between Trump's economic decisions and the cryptocurrency market is crucial for investors looking to navigate this complex environment.