India and the USA want to resolve trade disputes and negotiate a trade agreement. India plans to buy more US oil, gas and military equipment and to cooperate in the fight against illegal immigration. The first parts of the agreement should be in place by fall 2025.
In the USA, thousands of federal employees have been made redundant as President Trump and Elon Musk want to significantly reduce the size of the bureaucracy. Employees on probation at various authorities, including the Department of Education and the Forest Service, are particularly affected. Musk is leading the cost-cutting measures via the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). 14 US states have filed lawsuits over the layoffs.
Chinese exporters are increasingly looking for alternatives to the US market due to new tariffs. They are focusing on Asia, Africa and Latin America, which is leading to an intense price war and falling profit margins. Experts are warning of political backlash in the target countries. Increased competition could also exacerbate deflation and job losses in China. Experts advise strengthening domestic demand in order to defuse trade conflicts.
BYD has acquired mining rights for two properties in Brazil's “Lithium Valley”, expanding its presence in its largest market outside China. The sites are close to BYD's planned electric car factory and adjacent to land owned by Atlas Lithium. With this move, BYD secures access to strategic minerals in Latin America. The company is still in the research phase and could further diversify its battery supply chains in the future.
US President Donald Trump has ordered a suspension of foreign aid, temporarily halting US-funded anti-drug programs in Mexico. These programs were intended to combat fentanyl smuggling. Critics fear negative consequences for the fight against the opioid crisis in the USA.
China's President Xi Jinping will chair a symposium on strengthening the private sector next week, which will be attended by leading businessmen such as Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma. Xi wants to encourage tech companies to expand despite the intensified technology war with the US.
In Munich, a 24-year-old Afghan rammed into a crowd of people with a car, injuring at least 30 people. Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder spoke of a possible attack. The incident occurred shortly before the Munich Security Conference and one week before the federal elections, in which security and migration are key issues. The suspect has been arrested, the motive is still unclear.
Pakistan hopes that hosting the Champions Trophy will give the country a positive image despite security problems and political instability. India is not taking part due to concerns.
The USA has warned the UN organizations UNICEF and UN Women not to focus on diversity, equality, inclusion (DEI) and gender ideology. In response to this instruction, some UN representatives attempted to tone down the language. The U.S. supports recognition of only two genders and opposes programs that are seen as promoting “gender ideology.”
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called on the German Bundestag to immediately declare a state of emergency in the Federal Republic of Germany. Scholz cites “the events of the last 24 hours and the statements made by the US government” as justification. In addition, the debt brake should be suspended in order to be able to continue supporting Ukraine. A state of emergency has very serious consequences: Restriction of fundamental rights such as privacy, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and movement, etc. The Bundestag can decide on the state of emergency at its next session on February 17. It will then apply immediately.
Hamas has signaled that it is still prepared to implement the agreed ceasefire agreement in Gaza, despite mutual accusations of violations. The ceasefire, which has been in place for 42 days, was threatened by recent announcements by Hamas and Israel, but both sides reaffirmed their willingness to continue the agreement. Hamas is demanding that Israel massively increase the delivery of aid, while Israel is insisting that three hostages be released by Saturday.
Elon Musk's companies have already received billions of dollars from US government agencies - most notably SpaceX. Now the US State Department is said to have ordered a large number of Tesla's Cybertruck - “armored tesla”. And the dispute over Musk's political influence is getting louder. (MM)
Despite a huge highway network, traffic jams are part of everyday life in Dubai. Together with the local authorities, Elon Musk wants to build a tunnel system under the streets of the metropolis of millions - similar to the one in Las Vegas.
- DAX: Rises and rises and rises (TAG)
- Thyssenkrupp: Cuts sales forecast - but holds out the prospect of high cash inflows (MM)
- Porsche: Plans to cut around 1,900 jobs (HB)
- SAP: Introduces AI “super agents” (HB)
- Cum-Ex loot mystery: Is the key witness playing a game of confusion? (SUED)
- World US markets: Stocks rise, oil prices fall (FT)
- China 30Y yield: Falls 10 bps below overnight repo rate - biggest discount since 2013 (FT)
- NYSE: Plans for a Texas exchange (BBG)
- Robinhood: +14% after record Q4 profit on 700% surge in crypto revenue that outpaced options trading, plus stock trading after Trump's election win (WSJ)
- Blue Origin: Jeff Bezos' space company lays off up to 1,000 employees (BBG)
- The election manifestos for the 2025 federal elections cover many different topics that the parties emphasize. The focus is particularly on migration and economic policy, but also issues relating to family policy, climate protection, social security and internal security. The parties each have different priorities:
- SPD emphasizes social policy projects with the motto “More for you. Better for Germany”.
- The CDU/CSU is calling for a “policy change for Germany” with a focus on internal security.
- The Greens are strongly committed to climate protection and participation under the motto “Growing together”.
- FDP emphasizes education and self-determination under the slogan “Everything can be changed”.
- AfD focuses on security and migration with the slogan “Time for Germany”.
- The Left emphasizes redistribution and justice and strives for change under the slogan “Everyone wants to govern. We want to change.”
- BSW calls for peace and a fair meritocracy under the slogan “Our country deserves more”.
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