{"id":66491,"date":"2026-08-13T17:08:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T21:08:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/fitch-affirms-u-s-rating-at-aa-as-trump-orders-multi-billion-navy-tech-shift\/66491\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T17:08:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T21:08:16","slug":"fitch-affirms-u-s-rating-at-aa-as-trump-orders-multi-billion-navy-tech-shift","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/fitch-affirms-u-s-rating-at-aa-as-trump-orders-multi-billion-navy-tech-shift\/66491\/","title":{"rendered":"Fitch Affirms U.S. Rating at &#8216;AA+&#8217; as Trump Orders Multi-Billion Navy Tech Shift"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/fitch-affirms-u-s-rating-at-aa-as-trump-orders-multi-billion-navy-tech-shift\/66491\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/fitch-affirms-u-s-rating-at-aa-as-trump-orders-multi-billion-navy-tech-shift\/66491\/#Fitch_Affirms_US_Rating_Amid_Long-Term_Fiscal_Risks\" >Fitch Affirms U.S. Rating Amid Long-Term Fiscal Risks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/fitch-affirms-u-s-rating-at-aa-as-trump-orders-multi-billion-navy-tech-shift\/66491\/#Trump_Directs_Costly_Navy_Tech_Reversal\" >Trump Directs Costly Navy Tech Reversal<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/fitch-affirms-u-s-rating-at-aa-as-trump-orders-multi-billion-navy-tech-shift\/66491\/#Apple_Navigates_Tariffs_via_Intel_Partnership\" >Apple Navigates Tariffs via Intel Partnership<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/fitch-affirms-u-s-rating-at-aa-as-trump-orders-multi-billion-navy-tech-shift\/66491\/#Kushner_to_Lead_Gaza_Peace_Talks_in_Israel\" >Kushner to Lead Gaza Peace Talks in Israel<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/fitch-affirms-u-s-rating-at-aa-as-trump-orders-multi-billion-navy-tech-shift\/66491\/#Market_Reaction_eBay_Rallies_as_Retail_Peers_Slip\" >Market Reaction: eBay Rallies as Retail Peers Slip<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Fitch Ratings affirmed the United States&#39; sovereign credit rating at &#39;AA+&#39; with a stable outlook<\/strong>, citing a resilient economy despite rising debt and fiscal deficits.<\/li>\n<li><strong>President Trump has reportedly ordered the U.S. Navy to restore &quot;old tech&quot; on aircraft carriers<\/strong>, a multi-billion dollar move expected to be formalized via a memorandum as early as today.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Apple (<a href=\"\/stock\/AAPL\">AAPL<\/a>) is navigating new tariff pressures<\/strong> by expanding U.S. manufacturing through a deal with Intel (<a href=\"\/stock\/INTC\">INTC<\/a>), though its primary supply chain remains overseas.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jared Kushner is scheduled to visit Israel next week<\/strong> to advance the administration&#39;s &quot;Board of Peace&quot; plan for the transition and disarmament of Hamas in Gaza.<\/li>\n<li><strong>eBay (<a href=\"\/stock\/EBAY\">EBAY<\/a>) shares rallied 2.22% to $104.58<\/strong>, snapping a three-day losing streak and outperforming retail competitors Amazon (<a href=\"\/stock\/AMZN\">AMZN<\/a>) and Walmart (<a href=\"\/stock\/WMT\">WMT<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fitch_Affirms_US_Rating_Amid_Long-Term_Fiscal_Risks\"><\/span>Fitch Affirms U.S. Rating Amid Long-Term Fiscal Risks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Fitch Ratings confirmed the <strong>United States&#39; Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating at &#39;AA+&#39;<\/strong> on Thursday, maintaining a <strong>stable outlook<\/strong>. The agency noted that the rating is underpinned by the country&#39;s <strong>large economy, high per-capita income, and the U.S. dollar&#39;s role<\/strong> as the preeminent global reserve currency. However, Fitch warned that <strong>high fiscal deficits and a rising government debt burden<\/strong>\u2014forecast to reach 123% of GDP by 2028\u2014continue to constrain the sovereign&#39;s credit profile.<\/p>\n<p>The agency projects <strong>U.S. economic growth to remain resilient at 1.9% for 2026-2027<\/strong>, a deceleration from the 2.8% growth recorded in 2025. This slowdown is attributed to <strong>higher tariffs, government spending cuts, and weakened labor demand<\/strong> observed throughout 2026. Fitch also highlighted that <strong>Medicare and Social Security spending<\/strong> are expected to rise by nearly 1 percentage point of GDP by 2032, increasing long-term fiscal pressure.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Trump_Directs_Costly_Navy_Tech_Reversal\"><\/span>Trump Directs Costly Navy Tech Reversal<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>President Trump has directed the U.S. Navy to <strong>revert to older technology on its aircraft carriers<\/strong>, a transition expected to cost <strong>billions of dollars<\/strong>. According to sources cited by <em>The Wall Street Journal<\/em>, the President is slated to sign a memorandum today formalizing the change. This move follows previous criticisms by the administration regarding the complexity and reliability of newer electromagnetic launch systems compared to traditional steam-powered alternatives.<\/p>\n<p>The directive comes as the administration intensifies its focus on <strong>military readiness and domestic defense manufacturing<\/strong>. While the shift aims to simplify carrier operations, critics point to the <strong>substantial financial burden<\/strong> and potential delays in naval modernization. The White House has framed such moves as necessary to ensure the U.S. military remains &quot;rugged and reliable&quot; in contested environments.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Apple_Navigates_Tariffs_via_Intel_Partnership\"><\/span>Apple Navigates Tariffs via Intel Partnership<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Apple (<a href=\"\/stock\/AAPL\">AAPL<\/a>) CEO Tim Cook continues to manage the impact of <strong>Trump\u2019s tariff demands<\/strong> by shifting some production to U.S. soil. Reports indicate that Apple avoided 100% semiconductor tariffs by committing to a deal with Intel (<a href=\"\/stock\/INTC\">INTC<\/a>) to manufacture certain chips domestically. Despite these efforts, the bulk of Apple&#39;s <strong>complex supply chain remains overseas<\/strong>, as the company balances political pressure in Washington with the logistical realities of global electronics manufacturing.<\/p>\n<p>The &quot;American Manufacturing Program&quot; has recently expanded to include partners like <strong>Bosch and TDK<\/strong>, with Apple allocating <strong>$400 million<\/strong> to new domestic programs. However, the company has also faced rising costs; Cook previously described a <strong>&quot;once-in-a-century flood&quot;<\/strong> of component price hikes, leading to price increases for MacBooks and iPads earlier this year.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Kushner_to_Lead_Gaza_Peace_Talks_in_Israel\"><\/span>Kushner to Lead Gaza Peace Talks in Israel<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Jared Kushner, acting as President Trump\u2019s envoy, is set to <strong>visit Israel next week<\/strong> for high-level discussions regarding the future of Gaza. The visit aims to coordinate the <strong>&quot;Board of Peace&quot; transition plan<\/strong> with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s government. The plan reportedly centers on the <strong>demilitarization of Hamas<\/strong> and the transfer of authority to a technocratic Palestinian government, a proposal that has met with skepticism from some Israeli officials.<\/p>\n<p>The diplomatic mission follows a reported arrangement where <strong>Hamas agreed to lay down weapons<\/strong> two weeks ago. Kushner\u2019s trip is seen as a critical step in maintaining the current ceasefire and addressing the <strong>humanitarian and security framework<\/strong> required for a potential Israeli military withdrawal from the region.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Market_Reaction_eBay_Rallies_as_Retail_Peers_Slip\"><\/span>Market Reaction: eBay Rallies as Retail Peers Slip<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In equity markets, <strong>eBay (<a href=\"\/stock\/EBAY\">EBAY<\/a>) shares rose 2.22% to close at $104.58<\/strong>, marking a recovery after a three-day slump. The gain came during a generally positive session where the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/indices\/sp500\/today\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"snp500 today\">S&amp;P 500<\/a> rose 0.65%<\/strong> and the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/indices\/dowjones\/today\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Dow Jones Today\">Dow Jones<\/a> Industrial Average gained 0.13%<\/strong>. eBay&#39;s performance was particularly notable as it <strong>outperformed major competitors<\/strong>: Amazon (<a href=\"\/stock\/AMZN\">AMZN<\/a>) fell 0.80% to $265.13, and Walmart (<a href=\"\/stock\/WMT\">WMT<\/a>) declined 0.25% to $115.72.<\/p>\n<p>Market analysts suggest eBay is benefiting from a <strong>shift in consumer behavior<\/strong> toward resale and value-based shopping as inflation continues to pressure household budgets. Despite the daily gain, eBay remains approximately <strong>12.35% below its 52-week high<\/strong> of $119.31, which it reached in May. Target (<a href=\"\/stock\/TGT\">TGT<\/a>) also saw positive movement, rising 0.98% to finish at $155.51.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways Fitch Ratings affirmed the United States&#39; sovereign credit rating at &#39;AA+&#39; with a stable outlook, citing a resilient 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