Global stocks advanced on Thursday, underpinned by optimism around artificial intelligence and the prospect of upcoming interest rate cuts, while investors kept a cautious eye on U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff actions and their impact on global trade.

President Donald Trump has sent letters to a handful of countries this week outlining higher tariffs they'll face if they don't make trade deals with the U.S. by Aug. 1. Some of these import taxes mirror the same,

Manufacturers and construction companies — as well as consumers — would face higher prices if the U.S. jacks up tariffs on copper, analysts said.

President Donald Trump threatened new tariffs on more than 20 countries this week, but his justification for raising import taxes on Brazil stands out.

Trans-Pacific spot rates from Asia to the U.S. West Coast saw a marked reduction, falling 8% during the week ending July 4 to $3,124 per forty foot equivalent unit (FEU), and further dropping to $2,390 per FEU. This represents a decline of 60% from just three weeks prior when rates were as high as $6,000 per FEU.

The new tariffs [threatened in letters](

Economists, researchers and analysts have warned that President Donald Trump’s sweeping trade policy of tacking steep tariffs on most goods that come in to America will deliver a taxing blow to consumers via higher prices.

Live updates and the latest news as the Trump administration is expected to announce new trade actions and Pete Hegseth and Benjamin Netanyahu meet