{"id":61020,"date":"2026-04-17T12:38:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T16:38:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/trump-signals-imminent-iran-nuclear-deal-as-imf-warns-of-global-inflation-risks\/61020\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T12:38:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T16:38:15","slug":"trump-signals-imminent-iran-nuclear-deal-as-imf-warns-of-global-inflation-risks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/trump-signals-imminent-iran-nuclear-deal-as-imf-warns-of-global-inflation-risks\/61020\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump Signals Imminent Iran Nuclear Deal as IMF Warns of Global Inflation Risks"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>President <a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/live\/trump-stock-market\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Trump\">Trump<\/a> expects a deal with Iran within &quot;a day or two,&quot;<\/strong> claiming Tehran has agreed to an <strong>unlimited suspension of its nuclear program<\/strong> without the release of frozen funds.<\/li>\n<li><strong>IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warns of an &quot;adverse scenario&quot;<\/strong> where rising Middle East risks could lead to <strong>lower global growth and higher inflation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Shipping giants Maersk (<a href=\"\/stock\/AMKBY\">AMKBY<\/a>) and Hapag-Lloyd (<a href=\"\/stock\/HPGLY\">HPGLY<\/a>)<\/strong> are cautiously evaluating the reopening of the <strong>Strait of Hormuz<\/strong>, despite Iran\u2019s intention to continue collecting transit tolls.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Sony (<a href=\"\/stock\/SONY\">SONY<\/a>) and Honda (<a href=\"\/stock\/HMC\">HMC<\/a>) joint venture has reportedly canceled its first EV<\/strong>, pivoting the 50-50 partnership toward AI assistants and audio technologies.<\/li>\n<li><strong>San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly remains in &quot;wait and see&quot; mode<\/strong>, noting that while rates are currently restrictive, an oil price surge could necessitate further hikes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Geopolitical Shifts and the Strait of Hormuz<\/h2>\n<p>President <a href=\"https:\/\/thestockmarketwatch.com\/live\/trump-stock-market\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Trump\">Trump<\/a> announced on Friday that a significant breakthrough with Iran is imminent, stating he expects a formal deal <strong>&quot;in a day or two.&quot;<\/strong> According to reports from <em>Axios<\/em> and <em>Bloomberg<\/em>, the agreement involves an <strong>unlimited suspension of Iran&#39;s nuclear program<\/strong>. Crucially, Trump emphasized that the U.S. will <strong>not release frozen Iranian funds<\/strong> as part of the negotiations.<\/p>\n<p>While diplomatic tensions show signs of easing, the maritime situation remains complex. Iran has announced it will continue to <strong>collect tolls on ships<\/strong> passing through the <strong>Strait of Hormuz<\/strong>. Shipping leader Maersk (<a href=\"\/stock\/AMKBY\">AMKBY<\/a>) stated it is closely observing the security situation and will rely on <strong>rigorous risk evaluations<\/strong> before resuming transit. Hapag-Lloyd (<a href=\"\/stock\/HPGLY\">HPGLY<\/a>) expressed a desire to transit the route quickly once insurance and government orders are resolved, potentially as early as tomorrow.<\/p>\n<h2>IMF and SNB Warn of Economic Toll<\/h2>\n<p>IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva delivered a sobering outlook, noting that membership agrees the <strong>price shocks from the Middle East conflict<\/strong> will inflict a toll for some time. She warned that the global economy faces a rising risk of an <strong>adverse scenario<\/strong> characterized by <strong>stagnant growth and accelerating inflation<\/strong>. Georgieva expressed hope that recent ceasefire discussions would transition into a &quot;durable peace.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>Echoing these concerns, Swiss National Bank (SNB) Vice Chairman Martin Schlegel identified <strong>high energy prices<\/strong> as the primary threat to the global economy. While Schlegel anticipates <strong>modest economic growth for Switzerland<\/strong> this year, he warned that Swiss inflation may see a short-term spike. The SNB remains prepared to intervene in the <strong>foreign exchange market<\/strong> to maintain price stability amid the volatility.<\/p>\n<h2>Fed Policy and the &quot;Wait and See&quot; Approach<\/h2>\n<p>San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly indicated that the Federal Reserve is currently in a comfortable <strong>&quot;wait and see&quot; position<\/strong>. Daly noted that the federal funds rate is <strong>slightly restrictive, sitting just above the 3% neutral rate<\/strong>. Prior to the recent oil price shocks, Daly felt <strong>one or two rate cuts<\/strong> might be necessary in 2026, but that outlook is now contingent on whether energy costs spill over into broader goods and services.<\/p>\n<p>Daly emphasized that the Fed&#39;s independence is critical, though she acknowledged the evolving relationship between the <strong>Treasury and the central bank<\/strong>. She suggested that if the conflict ends quickly, <strong>rate cuts remain on the table<\/strong>; however, if inflation re-accelerates due to energy costs, the Fed may be forced to <strong>raise rates further<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2>Corporate Pivot: Sony-Honda Venture Shifts Focus<\/h2>\n<p>In a surprising strategic shift, the Sony (<a href=\"\/stock\/SONY\">SONY<\/a>) and Honda (<a href=\"\/stock\/HMC\">HMC<\/a>) joint mobility venture has reportedly <strong>canceled its first jointly developed electric vehicle<\/strong>, according to <em>Nikkei<\/em>. The venture, which employs roughly <strong>400 people<\/strong>, is now discussing alternative &quot;non-EV products and services.&quot; The companies are expected to finalize the new direction of the business by the end of April.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of a passenger car, the partnership will likely focus on applying <strong>Afeela 1 technologies<\/strong> to other sectors, such as <strong>AI assistants and premium audio systems<\/strong>. While <em>Nikkei<\/em> reports that a passenger car could still be considered in the distant future, the immediate priority has shifted to <strong>leveraging software and entertainment assets<\/strong> rather than automotive hardware.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways President Trump expects a deal with Iran within &quot;a day or two,&quot; claiming Tehran has agreed to an 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