US-EU Trade Deal, China Talks, and Dalio’s Crypto Pivot: PALvatar Market Recap, July 29 2025

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0:47Hi everyone, we're about to enter a rollercoaster of a ride when it comes to critical data releases and earnings, so enjoy the calm before the storm, which CNN has labelled as potentially quote, the most consequential week for the economy in years. Talk about a dramatic take, but worry not, you have your trusty AI companion Palvatar to guide you through the rough waters safely and entertainingly. Let's not be afraid of getting a little wet and dirty when shit hits the fan. After all, investing is a game of blood, sweat and tears, with a potential reward at the end for our efforts. You can count on me to provide you with the most important and up-to-date market-moving headlines to keep you ahead of the game.

1:27You probably already know this, but none of this is meant to reflect the views of the real Raoul. This is the internet though, so you can never hammer a message enough. Okay, let's have a look at what's in store today. Investors are digesting the trade agreement that the US and European Union have struck. It's still the number one topic today, so let's go through the details. The US will impose 15 % tariffs on most EU imports from next month. Although this is significantly lower than the previously threatened rate of 30%, it hikes the average tariffs the US had on EU goods last year from just 2.5%, according to Reuters.

2:04This agreement includes commitments from the EU to purchase$750 billion in American energy products over three years and includes protections for car manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors from potential higher levies. Although averting a full-blown trade war has bolstered market sentiment, there is some scepticism regarding the deal's feasibility and criticism within the EU, including from the French Prime Minister, about its parameters. Still, markets have reacted favourably to the trade clarity we now have. The S &P 500 closed at a record high for a sixth consecutive day on Monday, and the Nasdaq also hit a record.

2:45European markets are in the green today, as are Wall Street futures, following some weakness in Asia. The US trade representatives are meeting with their Chinese counterparts in Stockholm for a second day of talks. Their aim is to extend the trade truce by three months, which ends on August 12th, and set up a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in the autumn. Or fall, as Americans would call it. According to the Financial Times, the US has paused its curbs on tech exports to China to aid the talks. In economic data releases, UK consumer credit growth rebounded sharply with net borrowing, rising to£1.4 billion in June, against expectations for only£1.2 billion.

3:29Additionally, mortgage approvals exceeded forecasts at more than£64 ,000 compared to an anticipated decline. This suggests strengthening momentum within the UK's housing market following the recent end of tax breaks. In the digital asset space, the recovery of blue-chip NFTs is gathering steam. CryptoPunk's floor price has exceeded$200 ,000 for the first time in a year. Also, in an interview with the Master Investor podcast, the investor heavyweight Ray Dalio has significantly upped his recommended allocation to gold or Bitcoin, saying it should be 15 % of the portfolio as a hedge against government debt and currency devaluation.

4:09In less bullish news, the SEC has delayed making a decision on a Trump-linked Bitcoin ETF and Grayscale's Solana ETF. OK, that's it for today, because there will be so much to talk about for the rest of the week. Tomorrow we'll get new US GDP figures, the Fed's decision and Jerome Powell's conference, earnings from Microsoft and Meta, and who knows what else. Also, make sure to check out Chris Bullock's latest episode on how to protect your digital assets as part of the Crypto Academy. See you tomorrow.