📈 Trade War Delayed (for now)

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Good Morning & Happy Friday!

Trump has moved forward with his plan for reciprocal tariffs, however a delayed implementation has given room for negotiations. Over in the crypto world, GameStop is sparking excitement with rumors of a Bitcoin pivot, while Coinbase’s latest earnings reveal booming transaction revenues.

Grab your flat white and let's get into it! ☕️👇️

Markets

🇺🇸 Donald Trump signs his plan for reciprocal tariffs (with a delay)
President Donald Trump signed off on a plan for reciprocal tariffs Thursday but delayed implementation to allow for one-on-one negotiations with affected nations. The administration aims to ensure "fairness and balance" in global trade, with studies on each country expected by April 1, according to incoming Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Trump dismissed concerns about price increases, emphasizing that "reciprocal makes tariffs really fair." Negotiations for exemptions are likely to heat up despite his tough stance.

🤖 AI: The Next Frontier for Smart Investors
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😖 GameStop Stock Takes Off on Possible Pivot to Bitcoin
GameStop ($GME) surged 8% in pre-market trading Friday, fueled by buzz about the company exploring Bitcoin and crypto investments. Rumors suggest the retailer is eyeing crypto to diversify its business. This speculation comes after CEO Ryan Cohen reportedly met with Bitcoin advocate Michael Saylor, sparking excitement among investors - however there is so far no substance behind any rumors.

📈 Coinbase fourth-quarter profit beats estimates
Coinbase ($COIN) dropped over 1% in pre-market trading Friday, despite surpassing Q4 profit expectations on Thursday. The strong results were driven by a surge in trading volumes as Bitcoin skyrocketed past $100,000, fueled by post-election crypto optimism. Transaction revenue soared 172% to $1.6 billion, while subscription and services revenue climbed 15% to $641 million. Coinbase also recorded $476 million in pre-tax gains from its crypto investments.

🔝 Ranking The Best Passive Income Investments
Achieving financial freedom before 60 means building passive income streams, and this post breaks down the best investments for today's economy. Passive income is the key to living life on your terms, yet many people fall short because they rely solely on traditional retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, which aren't accessible until age 59.5. To break free earlier, focus on a taxable investment portfolio too. Here are the best passive income investments.

Quick News

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Chinese Tech Stocks

Alibaba ($BABA) stock surged over 5% on Wednesday to $118.52, marking a 12% rise this week and a 37% gain in 2025. The rally comes amid a reported partnership with Apple to bring AI services to iPhones in China. This collaboration, reported by The Information, signals a significant move as both companies seek regulatory approval for their AI tools. Apple reportedly chose Alibaba over rivals like Baidu and Tencent, further boosting confidence in Alibaba's AI strategy.

However, Chinese tech stocks still carry significant risks, especially given Beijing’s history of regulatory crackdowns. In 2020, Alibaba was at the center of the government’s campaign to tighten control over the private sector. Authorities halted the IPO of Ant Group, Alibaba’s affiliate, in a shocking move that sent waves through global markets. The crackdown led to a $344 billion loss in Alibaba’s market value and forced its founder, Jack Ma, out of the spotlight for years. The episode served as a stark reminder of how quickly Chinese policies can shift, threatening even the country’s largest corporations.

Although Beijing’s tone has softened recently, with leaders signaling renewed support for private businesses as the economy slows, uncertainty remains. 

A potential meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and tech leaders next week, including Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma, has fueled optimism about a more supportive stance toward the private sector.

The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index has turned into a global leader this year. Fueled by Deepseek and Alibaba’s latest AI models, but it’s far from free of the risks that have plagued Chinese tech stocks in the past.