The Latest Breaking News from Ryosei Akazawa

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride in the world of business and finance. From trade negotiations to aviation incidents, autonomous vehicle launches to electric vehicle sales, and massive vehicle recalls, the news cycle has been anything but dull.

September S&P 500 E-Mini futures (ESU25) are up +0.33%, and September Nasdaq 100 E-Mini futures (NQU25) are up +0.41% this morning amid speculation that U.S. interest rate cuts could arrive earlier than expected, following a report that U.S. President Donald Trump may nominate the next Federal Reserve chair early.

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Friday that he had again pressed US President Donald Trump on tariffs, in a phone call ahead of fresh talks on easing the levies.

June S&P 500 E-Mini futures (ESM25) are trending up +0.32% this morning as investors pin their hopes on trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing.

Green shoots are at last appearing in trade negotiations between the U.S. and major economic partners, after a frosty reception showed no signs of quick deals.

Tokyo's envoy for US tariff talks in Washington said Thursday that the second round of negotiations between the two countries had been "frank and constructive."

Tokyo's tariffs envoy departed Wednesday for a second round of negotiations in Washington, where Japan could offer concessions such as tweaking vehicle import procedures to secure relief from Donald Trump's trade levies.

Package includes support for corporate financing, and subsidies for petrol prices and electricity bills.

Investors are also eyeing developments at the Federal Reserve as Trump hit out at boss Jerome Powell, who warned the sweeping tariffs were "highly likely to generate at least a temporary rise in inflation".