Market Talk Roundup: Latest on U.S. Politics

Market Talks covering the impact of U.S. Politics and White House policies on companies and markets. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires throughout the day.

0754 ET - A proposal by the EU to make Canada the bloc's first associate member reflects an attempt to revive long-dormant hopes for a transatlantic trade partnership, says Claus Vistesen at Pantheon Macroeconomics. After talks between the EU and U.S. to implement the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership effectively died following Donald Trump's victory in the 2016 election, the new Canada initiative shows Europe attempting to revive this vision with individual North American states, Vistesen says. "Now, with the North American Free Trade Agreement up in the air, there's a way for Europe to start to try to pick off deals," he says. And the maneuver might not stop in Ottawa. "I wouldn't be surprised if Europe and Mexico try to do something next." (don.forbes@wsj.com)

0727 ET - Cryptocurrency companies are facing a more volatile regulatory environment as a result of the Clarity Act's failure to pass a procedural Senate vote, Bitget Chief Executive Gracy Chen says. The crypto-friendly legislation fell 11 votes short of progressing through the upper house Tuesday. Though the Securities and Exchange Commission is moving to establish market structure rules regulating crypto exchanges, decisions by government agencies are vulnerable to administration changes, Chen says. "Building against rules that could change under a future administration is a very different investment decision from building against legislation," Chen says. "Firms will still invest in the U.S., but will do it more cautiously." Coinbase and Robinhood rise around 0.5% premarket, while Hyperliquid Strategies adds 1% after shares in the exchanges fell sharply Tuesday. (josephmichael.stonor@wsj.com)

0207 ET - The U.S. dollar trades in a tight range in Asia ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy decision. Interest‑rate markets imply roughly a 90% probability of a 0.25 percentage point increase to a range of 3.75% to 4.00%. Most U.S. economists expect a 0.25 percentage point increase, although a few expect a 0.50 percentage point increase. Fed Chair Warsh will need to match his tough rhetoric on bringing down inflation with policy action or risk undermining his credibility about controlling inflation, says Joe Capurso, economist at CBA. In the event the Fed does not increase rates, expect a steep fall of 1% or more in the U.S. dollar, he adds. (james.glynn@wsj.com; @JamesGlynnWSJ)

2104 ET - RBC's positive view on South32 is reaffirmed by a business update and strategy presentation that highlights the miner's rising exposure to base metals, planned production growth and simplified operating model. "Historically some perceived S32 as overly complicated with too many commodities and assets in different countries," says RBC. The stock was weighed by relatively short mine lives and low margins, as well as significant rehabilitation needs and high emissions intensity. "We believe the recently agreed aluminum transaction and S32's increasing earnings contribution from base metals driven by Hermosa, Sierra Gorda and Cannington life extension significantly transforms S32 and warrants a higher valuation multiple," RBC says. The broker reiterates its outperform rating and A$5.50/share price target on South32. The stock is up 1.2% at A$4.92. (rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com; @RhiannonHoyle)

1534 ET - The prospect of slowing or pausing AI development doesn't herald any change to the fundamentals of the AI infrastructure buildout, Morgan Stanley co-president Dan Simkowitz says in a CNBC interview. "I think the pause or the slowing of release on the frontier really doesn't change the core dynamics," Simkowitz says, adding that spending on computing power and semiconductors doesn't show any signs of stopping. "The pacing at the frontier doesn't change the build, it doesn't change the demand, and it doesn't change the financing of that demand." He adds that capital markets remain ready for large M&A activity and IPOs. (elias.schisgall@wsj.com)

1526 ET - Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D., NY) voted no on a measure to advance the Clarity Act, a piece of legislation backed by President Trump that would boost the cryptocurrency industry. The measure was ultimately defeated 49 to 50. Gillibrand was the Democrat that Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis (Wyo.) has been leaning on in her arguments that the bill had bipartisan support. The senators introduced legislation together in 2022 to try to establish a framework for digital assets. Lummis praised Gillibrand at a conference on Friday for her work in pushing the Clarity Act forward. Ahead of Gillibrand's no vote, her Democratic colleague Sen. Elizabeth Warren voiced concerns that the bill lacked adequate safeguards against corruption in the light of President Trump's deep financial ties to the crypto industry. (dean.seal@wsj.com)

1243 ET - The U.S. exported a record 2.2 billion gallons of ethanol in 2025 worth $4.7 billion, and exports of the biofuel were up 12% in the first half of this year by volume and 21% by value, the USDA says in a report, noting growing global demand and reduced competition from Brazil. A number of wildcards--both positive and negative for U.S. exports--could have an impact the rest of the year, the USDA adds. Brazil could recover export market share if its production outpaces domestic consumption growth. In the U.S., producers can benefit from a tax break they couldn't previously use, although policy changes to increase consumption such as a nationwide E15 mandate could limit exportable supply and push up prices. Demand could rise further as countries respond to higher energy prices caused by the Middle East conflict. "Ethanol prices have not spiked like oil and gasoline, giving ethanol an advantage and encouraging higher blending as a method to reduce prices at the pump." (anthony.harrup@wsj.com)

0905 ET - While on stage at a tech summit, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang puts President Trump on speakerphone, giving the president a chance to push back on recent safety concerns over AI. "It's all a hoax," Trump says. Trump defends AI and data centers as an economic driver for the U.S., forecasting that AI will be "the oil of the next 20-25 years--it's bigger than the internet." Huang, who has said that the AI warnings are aimed at boosting business for cybersecurity firms, tells Trump he agrees with his views. (kelly.cloonan@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 16, 2026 07:56 ET (11:56 GMT)