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Trump's 30% Tariff Threat fails to rattle Tech Surge & EU's "Nuclear Option"

Washington's tariff tango keeps investors on their toes.

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Earnings Momentum Meets Policy Ripples

As stocks hit fresh highs, corporate strength signals resilience—yet Washington's tariff tango keeps investors on their toes. July 22, 2025
Morning Bullets is the fastest way to catch up on the market and political news that matter most to your money. Quick takes, sharp insight, and curated opportunities—served fresh every weekday morning.
A bustling Wall Street scene with traders monitoring screens showing rising stock charts, overlaid with subtle American flags and pharmaceutical symbols, evoking optimism mixed with cautious vigilance.
Wall Street's pulse: Earnings drive gains while policy uncertainties loom.

Good morning, MorningBullets Crew—Frederick Frost here. Today's subject line tells the story: Trump's weekend threat of 30% tariffs on EU and Mexican imports barely put a dent in the tech rally (because nothing says "resilient megacaps" like shrugging off a trade bombshell). Meanwhile, Brussels is quietly dusting off its "nuclear option" of massive counter‑tariffs—so buckle up for a game of geopolitical chicken where everyone's last move could be the one that breaks the market.

AstraZeneca's billion-dollar bet on U.S. manufacturing shows that innovation still finds a home here, even as Washington can't resist fiddling with the knobs. Let's dig into what matters. Here are your Morning Bullets.

– Truly yours, Fred Frost


📈 Yesterday's Market Recap

Markets notched gains yesterday as upbeat earnings overshadowed tariff concerns, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hitting record closes while the Dow dipped slightly. Investor sentiment leaned optimistic on corporate resilience, though Fed probes added a layer of skepticism.


  • S&P 500 and Nasdaq Set Records: Strong earnings from Verizon and banks propelled indices higher, defying political noise. → Fortune

  • Treasury Secretary Escalates Fed Criticism: Calls for a probe into the Federal Reserve highlight ongoing tensions over interest rates and renovations. → Fortune

  • Dollar Tree Shares Rise on Upgrades: Analysts turn bullish amid consumer shifts to budget options in inflationary times. → Stocktwits

  • Medpace Surges 45% Post-Earnings: CRO beats estimates and raises guidance, boosting healthcare sector confidence. → Seeking Alpha


📉 Daily Performance Snapshot

Index/Asset Closing Value Change
S&P 500 6,305.60 +0.14%
Nasdaq 20,974.17 +0.38%
Dow Jones 44,323.07 -0.04%
Gold $3403.20 -0.09%
Crude Oil $66.51 -1.03%
Bitcoin $116,948 -1.15%
10-yr Treasury Yield 4.372% -1.35%

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🔭 What to Watch Today

Today's earnings and policy moves could sway sentiment—keep an eye on corporate health versus government overreach.

  • Fed Reform vs. Powell Ouster: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's weekend comments that overhauling the Fed's structure could matter more than firing Chair Powell have traders parsing any policy-impact signals—watch for follow-up on Capitol Hill. → Reuters
  • House Steering Committee Votes on Homeland Security Chair: Key congressional vote could impact U.S. immigration policy outlook. → Daily Signal
  • Asian Oil Demand & Currency Pressures: Weakening crude demand in Asia could pressure global prices—watch for ripple effects in energy-linked currencies. → Reuters
  • Q2 Earnings Kickoff: Coca-Cola & GM: The first blue-chips report today: Coca-Cola and General Motors. Beats or misses on revenue and margin forecasts will set the tone for the broader consumer and industrial complex. → Investopedia

💡 Opportunity Watch

Amid tariff talks and economic probes, savvy investors spot plays in resilient sectors like pharma and budget retail—proof that free-market innovation trumps intervention.

  • AstraZeneca (AZN): $50B US investment signals growth in biopharma, creating jobs and bolstering supply chains. → Fox Business
  • Equinix (EQIX): Activist buying by Elliott sparks a bounce in EQIX—data‑center demand remains strong, and a takeover premium is possible. A long EQIX position or buy-write strategy could capture upside. → Investopedia
  • Energy Dip as Entry: Oil & Gas Producers Brent and WTI pulled back ~0.75% amid trade‑war fears—short‑term oversold conditions could offer a buying opportunity in names like XOM or CVX ahead of inventory data. → Reuters

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🔥 The Big Bullet

Record Highs in Tech-Driven Rally

What happened: The S&P 500 breezed past 6,300 yesterday, and the Nasdaq once again notched a record close—driven by burst of buying in mega‑cap tech names. Softer June inflation and cooling Treasury yields helped grease the wheels. AI optimism continues to dominate market sentiment, even as broader participation lags. Meanwhile, the Fed stayed silent, effectively playing referee in the background. APNews Reuters


Why it matters: We’re looking at a market driven by a few big players, not broad strength. That bubbles up risk—especially when valuations now eclipse dot‑com peaks. With the Fed idle and regulators offstage, leverage can run unchecked. In this environment, a misstep in earnings or macro data could trigger a swift reversal. Savvy investors should remain on alert.

What’s next: Tech earnings are the critical test—cloud and AI margin softness would sting. The Fed’s next words matter too: even a hint of intervention could prompt rotation away from speculative holdings. Consider trimming momentum bets, adding hedges, and shifting into deeply valued cyclicals if signs of fatigue emerge.


🧭 Policy & Market Ripples

  • Trump's 30% Tariff Threat & EU "Nuclear Option": Over the weekend, President Trump threatened 30% duties on most EU and Mexican imports and sent tariff‑term letters to 150 countries - yet markets held up. EU openly discussing invoking it's ACI as a "nuclear option" to retaliate, targeting U.S. services, investment access, and more → Reuters
  • Japan's Upper House Shock & BOJ Headwinds: Sunday's election saw Prime Minister Ishiba's coalition lose its upper‑house majority, raising the specter of fiscal stimulus and tax cuts—and muddying the BOJ's path forward just as it weighs a first rate hike in years. → Reuters
  • House Clears First Federal Stablecoin Law: In a landmark move, the U.S. House passed the "Genius Act," establishing the first-ever federal framework for stablecoins—reserve backing, audits, AML compliance—pending President Trump's signature. Markets dubbed it "Crypto Week," and Bitcoin pushed higher on the news. → Nasdaq

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The great virtue of a free market system is that it does not care what color people are; it does not care what their religion is; it only cares whether they can produce something you want to buy.
— Milton Friedman
That's your briefing—stay vigilant, invest wisely, and remember, self-reliance beats subsidy every time.

Stay sharp,
Fredrick Frost
Editor, MorningBullets

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