Trump: We will reach an agreement with China and everyone else.

On the 17th local time, President Trump of the USA stated that he is confident in reaching an agreement with China.

I believe we will reach an agreement with China, and we will reach agreements with everyone. If we do not reach an agreement, then we can set a goal and just stick to it, which is also quite good. I think that within the next three to four weeks, everything should be resolved.

Trump: "100%" confident that a trade agreement can be reached with the EU.

On the same day, Trump also met with visiting Italian Prime Minister Meloni at the White House, stating that he is '100%' confident in reaching a trade agreement with the European Union before the end of the 90-day suspension period for 'reciprocal tariffs.'

U.S. media: Italy bypassing the EU for direct talks with the USA may lead to a split in the EU.

Bloomberg points out that Italian Prime Minister Meloni's separate talks with the USA, bypassing the EU, may result in a division of the EU. This meeting may just be a "superficially harmonious" dialogue, as everything seems to depend on Trump's mood, which is completely unpredictable.

U.S. tariff policies hinder growth prospects, and the European Central Bank announces another interest rate cut.

On the 17th, the European Central Bank cut interest rates again, marking the seventh cut since it began lowering rates in June 2024.

Trump: "Not in a hurry" to announce agreements with specific countries.

As the USA continues negotiations with various parties on tariff issues, Trump stated that the U.S. government is "not in a hurry" to announce agreements with specific countries, but will do so "at some point."

The first round of tariff negotiations between the USA and Japan has ended with no breakthroughs.

On the 16th local time, negotiations between USA and Japanese government officials regarding tariff issues were held in Washington. "USA President Trump suddenly announced his participation" "The negotiation location was moved from the US Treasury to the White House" "Trump raised the issue of burden-sharing for US troops in Japan", adding drama to the negotiations. After the talks, Trump posted on social media claiming significant progress had been made, but public opinion generally believes that the first round of negotiations between the USA and Japan on tariff issues did not achieve substantial progress.

Japanese media: Trump's rare personal participation in negotiations reveals his urgent willingness.

The Kyodo News commented that Trump's personal appearance at the negotiations is rare and reveals his eagerness to reach an agreement.

(Reaching an agreement) can be seen as a "victory declaration" or a political performance that Trump needs. From the script’s perspective, Japan seems to have been assigned the role of helping Trump achieve success quickly.

Foreign media: Japan has become the "guinea pig" for negotiations with the USA.

According to AFP, Japan failed to obtain any tariff exemptions from the USA, and the negotiations clearly did not achieve an immediate breakthrough. Reuters reported that both the USA and Japan expressed goodwill, but there was hardly any progress made aside from agreeing to meet again.

Shinzo Abe: Future negotiations between Japan and the USA "will not be easy".

On the 17th, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated that future negotiations "will not be easy."

There are still gaps between Japan and the USA's positions; I am considering visiting the USA at an appropriate time to have direct talks with President Trump.

The Chairman of the Federal Reserve issued the "sternest warning" regarding the USA's tariff policy.

On 16th local time, Federal Reserve Chairman Powell issued the "harshest warning" regarding USA's tariff policy, stating that the new government's trade policy could put the Federal Reserve in a predicament not seen in half a century, with tariff increases far exceeding expectations and the economic impact possibly surpassing expectations.

Powell's remarks triggered panic among investors as Trump threatened to "fire" him again.

Powell's comments sparked panic among investors. The US stock market closed significantly down on the 16th, with the Nasdaq Composite Index falling 3.07%, the S&P 500 Index down 2.24%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing down nearly 700 points. The Guardian of the United Kingdom reported that before Powell's remarks, the US stock market had already been impacted by new trade restrictions against NVIDIA, and the sell-off intensified after he spoke.

On the 17th, Trump launched another fierce attack on Powell. Powell's term will end next year, and he previously stated that the president does not have the authority to dismiss him.

The independence of the Federal Reserve is a legal issue; Congress has explicitly stated in law that we cannot be dismissed unless there are special reasons.

Editor/lambor