Show Notes – Daily U.S. Opening Briefing (26 Aug 2025)
Today’s episode covers the latest in FX, commodities, trade, and geopolitics:
- FX: Dollar steady after Trump’s attempt to remove Fed Governor Cook; euro holds despite French political turmoil; yen modestly firmer near 147; sterling edges higher as UK traders return; antipodeans softer.
- Commodities: Oil eases after Ukraine strikes on Russian facilities show limited supply impact; Canada in talks to fund Japanese refining upgrades; Pakistan seeks LNG deferrals; gold jumps above $3,370 on Fed independence concerns; copper steadies, Chile tightens rules at El Teniente mine.
- Trade/Tariffs: Trump threatens major new tariffs on countries with digital taxes and weighs visa sanctions on EU officials. U.S.–China trade talks resume this week. Canada and the U.S. restart tariff negotiations. Mercosur–Canada deal set for October. Indonesia says U.S. agreed to exempt palm oil, cocoa, and rubber from tariffs.
- Geopolitics:
- Middle East: Australia expels Iran’s ambassador and will list the IRGC as a terror group.
- Russia–Ukraine: Zelensky meets U.S. envoy Kellogg, presses for “real talks”; U.S. and Russian officials reportedly discuss energy deals on sidelines; Trump pushes Putin–Zelensky meeting.
- Koreas: South Korea’s Lee highlights North Korea’s expanding nuclear capacity and invites Trump to APEC to pursue a meeting with Kim. North Korea denounces U.S.–ROK drills.
What is The Financial Source Podcast?
Your daily dose of sentiment updates in the European and US sessions and critical risk event previews so you stay up to date with what's moving the market right now.