Wednesday☕️

05 Mar 2025 — 5 min read

Economics & Markets:

Yesterday, March 4, 2025, the United States implemented new tariffs under President Donald Trump’s administration, affecting trade with Canada, Mexico, and China. A 25% tariff has been placed on all imports from Canada and Mexico, with Canadian energy products subject to a 10% tariff. Additionally, tariffs on Chinese imports have been increased by 10%, bringing the total rate to 20%. These measures have been introduced with the stated goal of addressing trade imbalances, drug trafficking, and immigration-related concerns.
Canada has responded with a 25% tariff on $30 billion worth of U.S. goods and plans to extend similar measures to an additional $125 billion. Mexico has indicated that it will implement countermeasures, with details expected to be announced on March 9. China has introduced tariffs of up to 15% on U.S. agricultural products and expanded export restrictions affecting 15 American companies. These developments have led to heightened trade tensions, with further actions and negotiations anticipated in the coming weeks.
Yesterday’s U.S. stock market:

Geopolitics & Military Activity:

Yesterday, March 4, 2025, the United States formally re-designated the Houthi movement, also known as Ansarallah, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This decision follows months of military action against the group, including near-daily airstrikes carried out by the U.S. and its allies in response to Houthi attacks on commercial and naval vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis have claimed these attacks are part of their broader support for Palestine, vowing to continue targeting shipping routes until military operations in Gaza cease. The group, one of the most heavily armed factions backing Hamas, has received extensive military support from Iran, enabling it to carry out long-range missile and drone strikes beyond Yemen’s borders. The U.S. designation reinstates sanctions aimed at disrupting the Houthis’ funding and supply networks.

The Houthis originated in Yemen’s Saada province in the 1990s, initially advocating for the Zaidi Shia minority’s rights. The group expanded militarily and captured the capital, Sanaa, in 2014, forcing the internationally recognized government into exile. This led to a prolonged civil war involving multiple factions, including the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which has received support from the UAE. The U.S. first designated the Houthis as an FTO in January 2021 under the Trump administration, but the Biden administration revoked this status a month later, citing humanitarian concerns. With the renewed designation in 2025, the group now faces further international isolation. As of early 2024, the Houthis controlled approximately 22.8% of Yemen, including Sanaa and other northern territories, while the Yemeni government controlled about 60.4%, and the STC held key areas in the south, including Aden.

Environment & Weather:

Tropical Cyclone Alfred, a Category 2 storm, is expected to make landfall near Brisbane, Queensland (Australia), late Thursday night or early Friday morning. The cyclone is bringing sustained winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour (93 miles per hour), along with heavy rain and potential storm surges. Authorities have issued warnings for areas from Sandy Cape to Grafton, including Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast. Officials estimate that around 20,000 properties could be at risk of flooding due to rising waters and intense rainfall.

In preparation, local governments have announced school closures, suspended public transportation, and advised residents in low-lying areas to evacuate. Emergency services have set up evacuation centers, and the Australian Defence Force is on standby to assist. Residents have been urged to secure their homes, prepare emergency supplies, and stay updated on weather alerts. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of life-threatening flash floods, with rainfall in some areas possibly reaching 400 millimeters (15.7 inches).

Privacy & Security:

On February 29, 2025, Indian stockbroker Angel One announced a security breach in its Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure. The breach was first detected on February 27 after a dark-web monitoring service alerted the company to a potential data leak. In response, Angel One updated all AWS-related credentials and launched an investigation with an external cybersecurity firm to assess the impact and determine the cause.
The company stated that client funds, securities, and login credentials were not compromised. As a precaution, Angel One strengthened security measures and continued monitoring for further threats. The investigation is ongoing, and the company has committed to addressing any vulnerabilities to prevent future incidents.

Business:

Yesterday, March 4, 2025, a group led by BlackRock, including Global Infrastructure Partners and Terminal Investment Limited, acquired a 90% stake in two major ports on the Panama Canal from Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings. The $22.8 billion deal includes the ports of Balboa on the Pacific side and Cristobal on the Atlantic side of the canal. The timing aligns with broader policy efforts by the United States to reassert influence over key global trade routes, as discussions have intensified over foreign involvement in critical infrastructure, particularly regarding Chinese-owned assets. The canal has long been considered one of the world’s most strategically significant waterways, serving as a crucial link for global trade and military logistics.
Originally constructed by the United States in the early 20th century, the Panama Canal was designed primarily to facilitate military and commercial movement between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, significantly reducing travel time for naval and merchant vessels. It remained under U.S. control until 1999, when it was handed over to Panama as part of a treaty agreement signed decades earlier. Since then, management of its operations has included both local and international entities. The sale of these ports to a group backed by Western investors reflects broader shifts in global infrastructure investment, as ownership of strategic assets continues to change in response to economic and geopolitical factors.

Statistic: