Global Tensions and Market Moves: China’s Tariffs, Netanyahu-Trump Talks, and Palantir’s Surge

Good Morning,

China announced counter tariffs on U.S. goods, including coal, LNG, crude oil, and automobiles, while launching an antitrust investigation into Google in response to US tariffs imposed by President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with U.S. President Donald Trump as the first foreign leader of Trump's second term to discuss the Gaza ceasefire, Iran, and Israel-Saudi normalization, and Palantir's stock surged 22% after surpassing Q4 earnings and revenue estimates, driven by strong AI-driven growth in commercial and government sectors.

Top Stories

● China counters with tariffs on US products. It will also investigate Google (AP)

● Trump and Netanyahu set for pivotal talks on Middle East agenda (Reuters)

● People flee Santorini after multiple earthquakes rattle the Greek island (AP)

● Palantir shares rocket 22% after company posts strong earnings and outlook (CNBC)

● Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform Party leads in UK poll for first time (AJ)

United States and Canada

● Jury seated for trial of alleged ringleader of $250M pandemic fraud scheme in Minnesota (AP)

● OpenAI chief Altman inks deal with S Korea’s Kakao after DeepSeek upset (AJ)

● Elon Musk targets closure of US humanitarian aid agency (Reuters)

● Trump delays Canada tariffs, but anger and calls to rethink US ties persist (AJ)

● Senate confirms fossil fuel CEO Chris Wright as energy secretary (CBS News)

● State Farm Seeks an Urgent Increase in California Rates After Fires (NYT)

Latin America

● Brazil's tax revenue service strike threatens government's fiscal plans, union says (Reuters)

● Venezuela frees 6 Americans after meeting between President Maduro and Trump’s envoy (AP)

● Echoing Trump, Ecuador announces 27-percent tariffs on Mexican goods (AJ)

● Ecuador to shutter borders over weekend, militarize ports (Reuters)

Africa

● Senior ISIL Somalia commander captured in Puntland (AJ)

● Coast Guard rescues 130 migrants in Mediterranean sea (AN)

● Paramilitary group attacks an open market in Sudan, killing 54 people and wounding scores (AP)

● Eastern Congo rebel alliance declares ceasefire starting on Feb. 4 (Reuters)

● Southern and East African leaders to hold joint summit on Congo conflict (Reuters)

● Ugandan activists demand release of an opposition leader facing military trial (AN)

Middle East

● Trump’s aid freeze shocks a Syria camp holding families linked to the Islamic State group (AP)

● Syria's Sharaa says it will take 4-5 years to hold presidential election (Reuters)

● Oil tanker attacked last year crosses Red Sea as Houthi ceasefire holds (Reuters)

● Ex-UK soldier Daniel Khalife sentenced to 14 years for spying for Iran (AJ)

● ACLU sues University of Michigan over campus bans for pro-Palestinian protesters (AP)

● Swedish government says Stockholm mosque used by Iran for spying (Reuters)

Indo-Pacific

● Dozens of soldiers, fighters killed in Baloch separatist attack in Pakistan (AJ)

● Southeast Asia looks to nuclear power to supercharge its energy transition (AP)

● Taiwan to help companies relocate to US following Trump tariffs (Reuters)

● Philippines, U.S. joint air patrol exercises underway over South China Sea (Reuters)

Europe

● NATO chief says European defence without US ‘will not work’ (AJ)

● EU leaders agree to step up defence efforts (Reuters)

● Protesters rally against German party leader who pushed migration proposal backed by far-right (AP)

● French film director Ruggia found guilty of sexually abusing actress Adele Haenel (Reuters)

● Italy sees tax burden unchanged through 2027 despite govt pledges to reduce it (Reuters)

● EU leaders scramble to avoid friction with the US under Trump and avoid a ‘stupid tariff war’ (AP)

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