Quick Peek:

1. Sovereign Wealth Fund or Financial Gamble? – Trump’s bold economic experiment sparks controversy.

2. China Strikes Back – Retaliatory tariffs, Google investigations, and strategic supply chain disruptions.

3. USAID Shutdown – Why Elon Musk and Trump are dismantling America’s foreign aid agency.

4. Ozempic 2.0? – The next generation of weight-loss drugs is here, but are they worth the hype?

Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: Economic Game-Changer or Political Stunt?

President Trump wants to create a U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), claiming it could help finance national investments like acquiring TikTok. But there’s a catch the U.S. doesn’t have surplus wealth like Norway or Saudi Arabia.

Unlike other nations with SWFs, the U.S. runs a $1.5 trillion deficit. Trump suggests funding it via tariffs, which could raise consumer costs.

• Government Intervention in Private Markets – Would this fund operate independently or become a political tool?

• Geopolitical Concerns – If the U.S. buys TikTok, does it set a precedent for nationalizing private businesses?

Meanwhile, Trump’s trade war is escalating, and China isn’t backing down…

China’s Retaliation: Trade War 2.0 Begins

After Trump’s 10% tariff on Chinese imports, China has hit back with a series of countermeasures:

China’s Response

• Higher Tariffs on U.S. Energy & Machinery – 15% tariff on coal and LNG, 10% on crude oil and agricultural machinery.

• Antitrust Investigation into Apple & Google – Targeting its Android dominance in China and Apple's App Store practices, particularly focusing on the fees it charges developers.

• Export Controls on Critical Minerals – Restricting supplies of tungsten, crucial for electronics and military equipment.

If you think trade tensions are high, wait until you hear about Trump and Musk dismantling USAID…

The End of USAID? Trump and Musk’s Radical Shift in Foreign Policy

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provides humanitarian relief, economic aid, and democracy-building programs worldwide. However, in a stunning and unprecedented move, the Trump administration, with strong backing from Elon Musk, has shut down the agency, a decision that could fundamentally alter America’s role in global affairs.

Why Is USAID Being Shut Down?

The administration argues that USAID:

• Is inefficient and corrupt – Critics claim billions in aid have been wasted on bureaucratic inefficiencies and unaccountable programs.

• Doesn’t serve America First – The Trump administration contends that U.S. taxpayer dollars should be spent domestically rather than funding international projects.

• Could be privatized – Musk, who called USAID a “criminal organization,” has floated the idea of replacing government-run aid with private sector-driven humanitarian efforts led by corporations. If the U.S. stops funding international development projects, countries reliant on American aid may turn to China and Russia, who offer economic assistance with fewer political strings attached.

While the U.S. withdraws from global aid, Taiwan is looking to strengthen its economic ties with America…

Beyond Ozempic: The Future of Weight-Loss Drugs

The weight-loss drug industry has exploded in popularity, with medications like Ozempic (semaglutide) becoming household names. But now, a new generation of weight-loss drugs promises even greater effectiveness, potentially changing the way obesity is treated forever.

While Ozempic and Wegovy (both made by Novo Nordisk) have been hugely successful in helping patients lose weight, they have drawbacks:

• High cost – Monthly treatments can run into hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

• Side effects – Many users report nausea, digestive issues, and fatigue.

The Next Wave of Weight-Loss Medications

•  CagriSema (Novo Nordisk): A combo drug mixing semaglutide (Ozempic) with cagrilintide (an amylin analog). Patients lost 15.6% of body weight in 32 weeks.

•  Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Eli Lilly): A dual-action drug targeting GLP-1 and GIP receptors. Patients saw a 20.9% weight loss over 72 weeks. Tirzepatide is already approved for diabetes, and awaiting approval for weight loss.

• Orforglipron (Eli Lilly): This is the First-ever oral GLP-1 drug, eliminating the need for injections. Which will make easier to access and provides a lower cost. Early studies show weight loss comparable to injectable drugs.

• Amycretin (Novo Nordisk): A GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist, offering a new mechanism of action. It targets both appetite reduction and fat-to-lean mass ratio improvement. Patients lost up to 13% of body weight in just 3 months.

Fill the French Press