U.S.-UK Trade Deal Announcement Boosts Global Markets

U.S. stock futures surged ahead of market openings following President Trump's announcement of a new trade deal with the United Kingdom, signaling easing trade tensions and boosting investor sentiment. The deal is expected to roll back some recent tariffs and ease duties on British steel and autos, marking Trump's first trade agreement since his 'Liberation Day' tariffs. Concurrently, the Trump administration plans to rescind Biden-era restrictions on AI chip exports, benefiting major tech stocks like Apple, Nvidia, Meta, Tesla, and Amazon. The Federal Reserve adopted a wait-and-see approach, holding interest rates steady amid economic uncertainty caused by tariffs, while central banks abroad are cutting rates. Meanwhile, Alphabet shares fell after reports that Apple may integrate AI tools into Safari, potentially challenging Google's search dominance. Overall, global markets responded positively with gains in U.S. and Asian equities, higher oil prices, and a stronger dollar.