From Crisis to Clarity: EIT Raw Materials 2025, China-US Tariff Truce, 90-Day Countdown to a New Supply Chain Era

Featured Article this week:

• Europe’s Critical Minerals Crisis in Focus: The EIT Raw Materials Summit 2025 is convening 1,000+ global leaders in Brussels to tackle the EU’s heavy reliance on foreign critical raw materials like lithium and antimony, with demand set to double by 2040. The event supports the EU Green Deal and Critical Raw Materials Act to drive domestic production, recycling, and innovation.

• Military Metals Corp Joins the Strategic Push: Military Metals Corp (OTCQB: MILIF) is participating in the summit to showcase its antimony projects, aligning with the EU’s €800B ReArm Europe defense initiative. The company aims to secure funding and partnerships to support European strategic autonomy and defense readiness.

• Action-Packed Agenda for Innovation and Investment: With 60+ sessions and 25+ startup pitches on Investor Day, the summit blends policy, capital, and cutting-edge tech. High-profile speakers, media coverage, and real-time announcements (like offtake deals) make it a launchpad for Europe’s raw materials transformation.

Global Supply Chain at a Crossroads - Tariff Truce Explained

Tariff Truce Eases Pressure, But the Shift Away from China Is Already Underway

🌐 U.S.-China Tariff Truce Brings Temporary Relief
Manufacturers in both countries are breathing easier after a 90-day tariff pause—but GEP’s Supply Chain Volatility Index shows U.S. firms are aggressively stockpiling and Chinese manufacturing demand is falling fast.

📉 Long-Term Uncertainty Clouds Outlook
Despite the pause, U.S. companies are still de-risking from China. Supply chain anxiety is slowing capital investment and weakening demand across Asia—purchasing activity in April hit its lowest since December 2023.

📦 Trade Shifts Already Underway
As China trade plateaus, U.S. ports like Virginia are seeing surging growth from India, Vietnam, and Europe—signalling a long-term shift away from China as the primary supply chain hub.

Market Snapshot This Week:

📈 1. Tech Giants Surge on Trade Optimism and Earnings Strength

• Companies: Amazon (AMZN), Nvidia (NVDA), Tesla (TSLA), Microsoft (MSFT), Alphabet (GOOGL), Meta Platforms (META).

• News Drivers: The surge was fuelled by President Trump's announcement of eased tariffs with China, reducing U.S. levies from 145% to 30% and China's from 125% to 10%, alongside strong first-quarter earnings reports.

📉 2. UnitedHealth Plummets, Dragging Down the Dow

• Company: UnitedHealth Group (UNH)

• Stock Movement: Shares plunged over 15%, significantly impacting the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

• News Drivers: The decline followed the CEO's resignation for personal reasons and the suspension of the company's full-year guidance due to unexpectedly high healthcare costs.

🟢 3. Chinese Stocks Rally Amid Trade Developments

• Companies: Alibaba (BABA), JD.com (JD), XPeng (XPEV)

• Stock Movement: These stocks saw strong gains, with JD.com climbing 2.8% after reporting a 16% revenue increase.

• News Drivers: The rally was driven by the easing of U.S.-China trade tensions and positive earnings reports, particularly in the e-commerce sector.

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