Key Takeaways
- Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba is reportedly considering resigning by the end of August, a development that has left the Dollar/Yen exchange rate largely flat at 146.66.
- Japan's lead trade negotiator, Akazawa, confirmed that steel and aluminum tariffs were not part of a recent agreement, and the deal will not impact Japan's existing tariff rates.
- China's Commerce Ministry held "candid and in-depth" talks with the European Union, discussing EU sanctions on Chinese companies and filing a formal protest.
- Microsoft (MSFT) has issued an urgent advisory regarding Chinese state-linked hacking groups actively exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities in on-premises SharePoint servers, targeting critical sectors.
- Apple (AAPL) is reportedly set to avoid daily fines from the EU, with the bloc expected to accept its proposed App Store changes.
Japanese politics are in focus as reports emerge that Prime Minister Ishiba may announce his resignation by the end of August. While Mainichi reported an announcement of resignation, Sankei indicated Ishiba would decide whether to remain in post during August. The news had a muted impact on currency markets, with the Dollar/Yen exchange rate remaining flat at 146.66 following the reports.
Concurrently, Japan's Chief Trade Negotiator Akazawa clarified that steel and aluminum were not included in a recent tariff deal. Akazawa emphasized that the agreement does not affect Japan's existing tariff rates, stating that negotiators successfully "safeguarded what was essential."
In other international trade news, China's Commerce Ministry confirmed a video call between its Commerce Minister and the EU Trade Chief. Chinese trade officials described the discussions as "candid and in-depth," particularly regarding EU sanctions on Chinese companies. The Ministry also stated it had filed a formal protest over these sanctions.
Meanwhile, a significant cybersecurity alert has been issued by Microsoft (MSFT). The tech giant warned that Chinese state-linked hacking groups are actively exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities in on-premises SharePoint servers. The advisory highlights that these groups are targeting governments, strategic industries, and global institutions.
In corporate news, Apple (AAPL) appears poised to avoid daily fines from the European Union. Sources indicate that the EU is set to accept Apple's proposed changes to its App Store, averting potential penalties.
Broader market movements included Philippine stocks climbing 0.6% to 6,395.21. Additionally, Japan Post Insurance suggested that super-long bond yields are nearing their peak, according to Bloomberg. In the United States, the White House announced that President Trump is scheduled to sign executive orders at an AI summit on Wednesday.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.