Key Trade Agreements: The U.S. secured recent trade frameworks with the Philippines and Japan ahead of the August 1 deadline for potential retaliatory tariffs. The Philippines agreement allows U.S. exports to enter duty-free, while Japan caps tariffs on imports at 15% and commits $550 billion to U.S. investment and market access in agriculture and autos.
European Union Response: The EU announced plans for 30% tariffs on over $100 billion of U.S. goods if no deal is reached by the August deadline. Progress with India and Canada is reportedly slowing.
AI Advancements: Neuromorphic computing, which mimics biological neural networks and significantly reduces power consumption, could revolutionize various sectors. Prototypes like Intel’s Loihi 2 chip show potential for up to 100x efficiency improvements. Investment opportunities include companies like BrainChip Holdings, Analog Devices, and Intel, which are exploring this technology.
Investment Strategies: Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is highlighted as a strong long-term investment in AI technologies, particularly in the competitive GPU market. The company is experiencing significant growth, particularly in its data center segment which grew 69% year-over-year.
