European markets opened the week on the back foot after Donald Trump reignited transatlantic tension with fresh tariff threats tied to a renewed push for “control” of Greenland.

The shock move jolted London and major continental indices, while EU capitals rushed to draft retaliation plans.

Beyond the immediate volatility, the episode is amplifying longer-term economic stress, fueling German capital flight, reshaping defence sector momentum, and deepening political fragility in France as Macron’s government leans on constitutional force to pass its 2026 budget.

Greenland tariff drama hits London markets

Trump’s latest Greenland power play rattled London investors on Monday, sending both the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 lower after he threatened fresh tariffs on eight European allies, including Britain, unless the US gets a shot at buying Greenland.

The shock move, announced over the weekend, promises a 10% levy from February 1, escalating to 25% by June 1, on goods from the UK, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Finland.

European markets quickly priced in the uncertainty, with the CAC 40 down 1.4% and the DAX falling 1.2%.

London’s blue chips proved relatively resilient, dropping just 0.6%, cushioned by defensive sectors and precious metals miners riding gold’s record highs.

Meanwhile, EU capitals scrambled to organise retaliatory tariffs worth roughly €93 billion on American goods.

Defence stocks surged on heightened geopolitical tension, while traders braced for further volatility ahead of Trump’s scheduled Davos appearance this week.

Trump’s Nobel grudge match

Trump’s personal beef with the Nobel Peace Prize committee just went geopolitical.

In a letter to Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre, exposed by PBS on Monday, Trump claimed he no longer feels obligated “to think purely of Peace” because Norway’s Nobel Committee snubbed him, despite allegedly stopping “eight wars plus.”

The timing is seething: Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb had just appealed for de-escalation and a phone call to discuss the Greenland tariff threats.

Trump’s response weaponised his Nobel frustration, pivoting instantly to reasserting his demands for “complete and total control of Greenland,” arguing Denmark can’t defend it against Russia or China.

Støre calmly reminded Trump (again) that the Nobel Committee operates independently from his government.

The message reads less like diplomacy and more like a wounded ego unleashed on NATO allies, mixing personal grievance with territorial ambitions in a way that deepens transatlantic tension.

German capital flight: A 45% plunge in US investments

Germany’s investment exodus from the US just hit a new low.

Between February and November 2025, German firms sank just €10.2 billion ($11.1 billion) into the US, a staggering 45% collapse from nearly €19 billion the year prior, according to data from the German Economic Institute.

Even against the decade-long average of €13.4 billion, current flows are down 24%, researcher Samina Sultan noted.

The damage extends beyond greenfield projects: German exports to America fell 8.6% year-over-year (February–October 2025), marking the steepest decline since 2010 outside the pandemic.

Tariff threats and unpredictable trade policy are the culprits, leaving German multinationals, from automotive to machinery, in a holding pattern.

At Davos, German business chambers openly described Trump’s tariff regime as one of their “greatest burdens.”

Germany ranks third globally in US foreign direct investment, employing nearly 1 million Americans.

Yet Trump’s erratic negotiation tactics and escalating threats are forcing capital reallocation toward Europe and Asia.

France bribes socialists to avoid government collapse

France’s budget gridlock just became clearer: Macron’s government will ram through the 2026 budget using Article 49.3, a constitutional power-play that bypasses parliament, after Socialist support made a no-confidence vote less likely.

PM Sebastien Lecornu capitulated on Friday, announcing €8 billion in corporate surtaxes, a 50-euro monthly raise for low-income workers, and scrapped pension tax cuts to secure the left’s abstention.

The Socialists initially extracted their pound of flesh: €8 billion in extended corporate taxes (not the halved €4 billion he proposed), retained at full strength instead of being eliminated.

Lecornu also abandoned his “pro-business” agenda, refusing cuts to production taxes, a cornerstone of Macron’s second-term economic strategy.

Boris Vallaud, Socialist leader, signalled cautious approval, saying “the Minister’s announcements allow us to imagine that we will not need to vote no-confidence.”

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Barclays raised its 12-month price target on Micron stock (NASDAQ: MU) to $450 from $275 on January 15, 2026, while Wells Fargo simultaneously lifted its target to $410.

The aggressive dual upgrades have reignited optimism around the memory chip maker, but the real question is whether a forward P/E of 12 times already prices in the upside.​

Micron stock: What triggered the analyst surge

The upgrades came after Micron reported blowout Q1 results: $13.64 billion in revenue (up 57% year-over-year) and non-GAAP earnings per share of $4.78, beating consensus by 27%.

More importantly, management’s Q2 guidance was stunning.

The company projected revenue around $18.7 billion with gross margins expanding to roughly 68%, an 11-percentage-point sequential jump.

That acceleration signals peak scarcity. Micron explicitly stated its high-bandwidth memory production is completely sold out through 2026 with locked multi-year pricing agreements.

On news of the Barclays upgrade, Micron stock jumped over 7% to $362.75 on heavy volume, signaling institutional conviction.

Director Teyin Liu’s insider purchase of 23,200 shares at roughly $337 per share further validated the bullish thesis.​

Barclays’ Thomas O’Malley and Wells Fargo’s Aaron Rakers weren’t alone.

KeyBanc, Cantor Fitzgerald, and RBC Capital all raised targets to $425–$450 within 24 hours, creating consensus around structural supply tightness rather than cyclical optimism.​

The valuation math: What $450 really implies

Micron stock currently trades at a forward P/E of 12 times, above its five-year average of 20 times.

Wall Street consensus averages $360–$379, well below Barclays’ $450 call.

That disconnect reveals the real debate, not about earnings growth (consensus expects 100% EPS growth for fiscal 2026), but about whether the market should expand valuation multiples while Micron approaches peak profitability.​

The bull case is straightforward. High-bandwidth memory capacity is genuinely sold out.

SK Hynix, which controls 60% of global HBM shipments, has warned that DRAM shortages could extend through 2028.

Even with Micron’s aggressive capex expansion to $20 billion in fiscal 2026, new fab capacity won’t meaningfully arrive before 2027–2028.

Until then, Micron can harvest premium pricing as AI demand absorbs all incremental capacity.​

The risks most analysts minimize

The memory cycle has a brutal history. Peak-margin periods typically precede 30–50% earnings contractions within 12 months as supply catches up.

Samsung and SK Hynix are building capacity. If either accelerates ramps faster than Micron, pricing power erodes quickly.

Additionally, execution risk is real, fab buildouts face lengthening lead times, and clean-room expansions can slip.​

Valuation also leaves no cushion for disappointment. At 12 times forward earnings, Micron is priced for perfection.

If macro conditions deteriorate or AI spending softens, HBM demand could normalize faster than consensus expects, compressing multiples while earnings decelerate.

The $450 target assumes sustained supply tightness, continued AI acceleration, and 55–60% gross margins through 2027. If that materializes, $450 is reasonable.

The $360–$380 consensus assumes more conservative margin normalization and multiple compression.

For momentum traders, the analyst upgrades cleared technical resistance. For value investors, elevated valuation and memory-cycle risk suggest waiting for a pullback.

Micron’s fundamentals are improving, but the stock prices in much of the story already.

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Gold stocks are inching “meaningfully” higher this week as the underlying commodity (gold) itself climbed to a fresh all-time high of nearly $4,700.

Spot gold prices have staged a dramatic rebound from their recent low of “$4,200” as geopolitical tensions continue to cross borders.

The recent rally underscores gold’s enduring role as the ultimate “safe-haven” – the asset investors instinctively turn to when geopolitical uncertainty rattles financial markets.

With political tensions escalating and global risks multiplying, the price action is a reminder that gold remains the anchor of stability in turbulent times – and gold stocks are riding the wave higher.  

What’s driving gold stocks higher this week?

The primary catalyst for gold’s ongoing surge has been the “Greenland” dispute, which erupted after President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on EU nations unless the US was allowed to pursue its strategic ambitions in the Arctic territory.

The remarks unsettled global markets, sparking fears of a transatlantic trade clash. Investors, wary of unpredictable policy moves, rushed into safe-haven assets, sending gold to record highs.

As the metal soared, gold miners and related stocks followed suit, magnifying the gains thanks to their leveraged exposure.

In recent weeks, the Greenland situation has become a symbol of escalating geopolitical instability, and gold stocks are benefiting from investors’ flight to safety.

What if the Greenland situation deteriorates in coming weeks?

Gold and the related equities appear strongly positioned to retain their recent gains, even if the Greenland situation cools off in the weeks ahead.

Why? Primarily because Trump’s push for the Arctic territory has made one thing abundantly clear to investors: the current US government is highly unpredictable, capable of dramatic policy shifts at any moment.

That uncertainty alone can sustain gold demand.

Moreover, geopolitical risks extend far beyond the rising transatlantic clash.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to grind on, the Palestine-Israel crisis remains unresolved, and Iran’s escalating rhetoric adds another layer of instability.

With multiple flashpoints simmering globally, investors have ample reason to maintain exposure to gold. The Greenland issue may fade, but the broader climate of uncertainty ensures gold’s safe-haven appeal endures.

Why gold stocks are a better investment than gold itself

While physical gold offers stability, gold stocks often deliver “amplified returns” when the metal rallies.

Miners benefit from fixed extraction costs, meaning every uptick in gold prices expands margins disproportionately. This leverage makes equities more “volatile”, but also more rewarding in bull markets.

Additionally, many gold companies pay dividends, providing income streams that bullion cannot.

Investors also gain exposure to exploration success and operational efficiency – factors that often drive performance beyond gold price.

In short, gold stocks combine the defensive qualities of the commodity with the growth potential of equities, making them a compelling choice for those seeking both safety and upside.

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Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will attend Supreme Court oral arguments on Wednesday, a rare public show of institutional support as justices decide whether President Trump can fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook.

The case tests whether the president’s removal power overrides decades of Fed independence protections or whether Cook’s “for cause” defense holds water.

Powell’s appearance underscores the stakes for Fed independence

Powell’s attendance marks a symbolic escalation.

The Fed chair almost never appears at Supreme Court hearings, making his decision to sit in the courtroom a deliberate message: the institution views this case as existential.

His presence comes days after Powell disclosed that the Trump administration issued subpoenas to the Fed, threatening an unprecedented criminal investigation into Powell himself on allegations tied to a controversial headquarters renovation.​

That timing amplifies the institutional tension.

Experts warn that if the Court permits Cook’s removal, Powell’s own vulnerability increases substantially.​

Cook was appointed to her 14-year Fed term by President Biden in 2023.

In August 2025, Trump cited alleged mortgage fraud, in which Cook designated two homes as her primary residence on loan documents to secure better terms.

She has denied wrongdoing and faces no criminal charges.

Trump fired her on August 25, but Judge Jia Cobb blocked the removal on September 9, ruling Cook had a “substantial likelihood” of winning on the merits.

Justices face a fundamental question

The legal question is deceptively simple: can a president remove a Fed governor for alleged conduct before taking office, or only for actions during service?

Trump’s lawyers argue pre-office conduct is fair game, claiming mortgage fraud demonstrates unfitness for a financial regulator role.

Cook’s team counters that accepting pre-office conduct as grounds for removal guts the entire “for cause” protection, transforming Fed governors into at-will employees.​

Cook hasn’t been charged with any crime. Her lawyers describe the allegations as “manufactured” pretexts for policy disagreements, pointing out that Trump has repeatedly clashed with Fed decisions on interest rates.

The Supreme Court blocked lower-court rulings temporarily, but permitted Cook to remain in office while litigation proceeds.

That decision itself signals skepticism toward Trump’s removal effort. Yet the Court has shown sympathy for presidential removal authority in recent cases, leaving the outcome uncertain.​

112 years of unbroken independence

No president has ever removed a sitting Fed governor in the institution’s 112-year history.

A ruling for Trump would set a precedent that could reshape the Fed’s relationship with the White House permanently.

Former Fed and Treasury officials have warned the Court that permitting removal could trigger economic instability and erode public trust in central banking.​

For Powell, attending sends a clear signal: the Federal Reserve intends to defend its independence. Wednesday’s arguments will determine whether that defense holds.

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European capitals are weighing their response to President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threat, this time tied to his controversial push to acquire Greenland.

While the White House has signaled duties of about 10% on eight NATO allies beginning February 1st, analysts warn the real battle may not be fought at the ports but in the financial markets.

According to Deutsche Bank, the EU collectively holds an estimated $8 trillion in US assets, making it Washington’s largest foreign creditor.

That immense exposure gives the bloc a “powerful lever” should tensions escalate into a full-blown trade confrontation, raising the prospect of capital flight and dollar rebalancing.

EU’s financial firepower in the Greenland dispute

In his latest report, Deutsche Bank’s senior strategist George Saravelos highlighted that the EU’s role as America’s biggest lender is often overlooked in trade debates.

With holdings in US bonds and equities nearly double those of the rest of the world combined, the continent has the ability to inflict real pain if it chooses to unwind positions.

“For all its military and economic strength, the US has one key weakness: it relies on others to pay its bills via large external deficits,” he told clients.

That reliance makes Washington vulnerable to shifts in European capital allocation. A Greenland-driven tariff war could accelerate withdrawals – echoing moves already seen from Danish pension funds last year.

Weaponizing capital markets, not trade flows

What makes this confrontation especially dangerous is the possibility that Europe could “shift” the battlefield from tariffs to finance.

Experts warn the bloc has the capacity to weaponize capital markets by restricting US companies’ access to EU liquidity or by rebalancing away from dollar-denominated assets.

Such moves would strike at the heart of America’s funding needs – disrupting treasury yields and undermining investor confidence.

Saravelos argued that “it is a weaponization of capital rather than trade flows that would by far be the most disruptive to markets.”

If Europe chooses this path, the fallout could extend well beyond Greenland, shaking Wall Street and global capital alike.

Capital markets brace for transatlantic turbulence

The wider concern isn’t simply tariffs on steel or autos but the ripple effects across global finance.

With the US net international investment position at record negative levels, the interdependence between European and American markets has never been greater.

Any significant rebalancing of dollar exposure could trigger volatility in currencies, equities, and bonds worldwide.

Saravelos cautioned that while the euro may not suffer as much as feared, investors should prepare for heightened uncertainty.

If the EU starts to weaponize its financial clout, the consequences may reverberate far beyond Greenland.

For Wall Street, the risk is clear: it would be capital, not trade, that becomes the frontline in this geopolitical standoff – should there be one.

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The Nikkei 225 Index retreated by over 1.2% on Tuesday, continuing a downtrend that has been going on in the past few days. It retreated to a low of ¥52,930, down from the year-to-date high of ¥54,515. This retreat may continue if the Bank of Japan (BoJ) maintains a highly hawkish tone as Citi expects.

Citi expects three BoJ rate hikes this year

The Nikkei 225 Index dropped by over 1.2%, mirroring the performance of other top global indices that slipped amid the rising geopolitical issues between the United States and Europe.

It also retreated after a report by Citigroup predicted that the BoJ would maintain a highly hawkish tone this year. The bank expects that the bank will deliver three rate hikes this year, a move that would push the benchmark rate from 0.75% to 1.50%.

Citi sees the bank hiking rates this high because of the deteriorating Japanese yen, which has been in a freefall in the past few months. The USD/JPY exchange rate rose to a multi-year high of 159.47, up by nearly 14% from its lowest level in 2025. A Citi analyst said:

“Put simply, the yen’s weakness is being driven by negative real interest rates. The BOJ has no choice other than to address this if it wants to reverse the exchange rate’s direction.”

The hawkish BoJ view has led to a surge in Japan bond yields. Data shows that the ten-year yield jumped to 2.32%, its highest level in decades and much higher than the pandemic low of minus 0.27%. The five-year yield has jumped to 1.70%, its highest point in years, while the 40-year soared to 4%

In most cases, the stock market tends to underperform when a central bank is highly hawkish and when bond yields are on a strong upward trajectory. Indeed, there are chances that Japanese institutions will start owning investments from abroad into fixed-income assets at home. This view will accelerate if the five-year and ten-year yield moves above inflation. 

Japanese election ahead

Meanwhile, there is still uncertainty ahead of the upcoming Japanese election scheduled for February. Sanae Takaichi called the election so that she can get a proper mandate. 

At the same time, her election pledges, including suspending a 8% food levy risks widening the fiscal gap and leading to higher bond yields. Indeed, yields have jumped sharply since she unveiled her $135 billion stimulus package.

On the positive side, Japan stocks may benefit from the upcoming Supreme Court decision on Donald Trump’s tariffs. Most analysts believe that the court will decide to end these tariffs, a move that will benefit Japanese companies that sell to the United States.

Nikkei 225 Index technical analysis

The daily timeframe chart shows that the Nikkei 225 Index has rebounded in the past few weeks, moving from a low of ¥48,160 in November to the current ¥52,990. 

It is now aiming to retest the key support level at ¥52,656, its highest swing on November 4. A break-and-retest is one of the most common continuation signs in technical analysis.

Therefore, the index will likely remain in a tight range in the coming days and then resume the upward trend.

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Pop Mart’s share price jumped by over 8% on Tuesday, its best performance in five months, as investors cheered its new share buyback program. It rose to an intraday high of H$ 198, up substantially from this month’s low of H$174. It remains 42% below its highest point this year.

Pop Mart share price jumps on a new buyback

The main reason why the Pop Mart stock price rose is that the company announced a big share buyback. It repurchased shares worth $32 million, its first buyback since February 2024.

The share buyback is a sign that the management believes that the company is undervalued. It is also meant to boost the stock performance after it crashed by over 40% from its highest point in 2025.

Analysts believe that the company has more resources to deploy to boost its shareholder returns this year, thanks to the robust Labubu sales in 2025.

Labubu challenges remain 

Pop Mart, a popular toy manufacturer, made headlines because of Labubu, a stuffed toy that went viral globally, leading to a surge in sales and its stock price.

The most recent results showed that its revenue surged by 205% in the last financial year to over RMB 13 billion. Its gross profit rose by 234% to RMB 9.76 billion, while the net profit jumped to RMB 4.5 billion, with its net profit margin rising to 33.7% from the previous 21.2%.

The strong revenue growth helped to boost its balance sheet, with the total assets rising to RMB 21.3 billion.

However, the main challenge that the company faces is that there are signs that the Labubu craze is fading. One of these signs is that its sales were disappointing during last year’s Black Friday event in the United States.

Another report by YipitData showed that Labubu’s North American revenue growth slowed to 424% in the quarter to December, much lower than in the previous quarters.

As such, there is a likelihood that Labubu will prove to be a fad similar to Beanie Babies, which became popular in the 1990s only for its popularity to crash.

At the same time, there are lingering concerns on whether its push to the entertainment industry will pay off over time. It opened Pop Land, a large theme park in Shanghai, and is reportedly working with Sony on a Labubu movie.

Also, the company is working on developing other characters and expanding its business abroad. Some analysts believe that all these initiatives will help the stock to bounce back this year. Morgan Stanley analysts wrote that:

“Some profit-taking and short-term correction are normal, but pushing the stock down to trough valuation appears ‘overly preemptive’ — and unjustified.”

Pop Mart stock price technical analysis 

Pop-Mart stock chart | Source: TradingView

The daily timeframe chart shows that the Pop Mart stock price has been in a strong downward trend in the past few months.

It formed a giant head-and-shoulders pattern whose neckline was at $233. A H&S is one of the most popular bearish patterns.

The index has formed a descending channel, and the current jump was meant to retest the upper side. It has remained below the 50-day and 100-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMA).

Therefore, the most likely scenario is where the stock continues falling in the near term and then rebound later this year. If this happens, it may drop to the key support level at $150.

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Asian markets opened weaker on Tuesday as renewed trade-war concerns weighed on risk sentiment, while government bond markets in Japan and the United States signaled rising investor unease over fiscal and geopolitical uncertainty.

Developments in China’s consumption policy outlook and fresh remarks from US President Donald Trump on Greenland added to global market jitters.

Asian markets hit by trade-war concerns

Asian stocks fell broadly as investors reacted to escalating trade tensions linked to US policy signals.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.24%, moving further away from the record highs reached last week.

Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.9%, while Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures dropped around 1% in early Asian trading.

The dollar remained under pressure, while US Treasury yields climbed, with the 10-year yield rising to 4.265%, its highest level since early September.

Investors sought safe-haven assets such as the Swiss franc and gold as concerns resurfaced about a potential “Sell America” trade, which involves selling US stocks, the dollar, and Treasuries.

The latest bout of volatility was triggered by President Trump’s renewed threats tied to trade and his push to take control of Greenland, raising fears of further tensions with Europe.

MUFG’s Europe economist Henry Cook cautioned against overreaction, saying last year had “taught us not to overreact to Trump’s threats,” but added that uncertainty around tariffs is likely to persist.

“Even if there is de-escalation this episode will still cause many to doubt the credibility of any deal with Trump, and so tariff uncertainty will remain elevated,” Cook said.

Citi downgraded European equities, noting that heightened tariff uncertainty weakens the near-term investment case and clouds prospects for earnings growth in 2026. European futures pointed to a slightly weaker open.

China planning new measures to spur consumption

China’s state planner said the government is preparing new policies for the 2026–2030 period aimed at boosting domestic consumption and addressing what officials described as “prominent” supply-demand imbalances.

“The issue of having strong supply, but weak demand in the current economic operation is indeed a prominent problem,” Wang Changlin, vice head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), told a press conference.

While officials did not provide detailed measures, they said the services sector would become a central focus.

China’s economy grew 5% last year, meeting the government’s target, supported largely by strong exports that offset weak domestic consumption.

Industrial output rose 5.9% in 2025, compared with 3.7% growth in retail sales, highlighting the imbalance.

“The services sector has now become a key focus in efforts to expand domestic demand,” said Zhou Chen, an NDRC official, adding that sectors such as elderly care, healthcare, and leisure offer significant growth potential.

China has also deployed 62.5 billion yuan ($8.98 billion) in special treasury bond funds to support its consumer trade-in scheme for appliances and new-energy vehicles.

Japan bond yields surge on fiscal concerns

Japanese government bonds sold off sharply as investors reacted to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s proposal to suspend the sales tax on food for two years.

The plan is estimated to cost about ¥5 trillion ($31.6 billion) per year, raising concerns about how it would be funded.

Japan’s 40-year government bond yield rose to 4%, the highest since the maturity was introduced in 2007, while the 10-year yield climbed above 2.3%, its highest level since 1999.

“It remains highly uncertain whether the consumption tax cut can be implemented without relying on government bond issuance,” said Ataru Okumura, a senior interest-rate strategist at SMBC Nikko Securities.

“Markets are becoming more conscious of fiscal expansion,” said Takuya Hoshino, chief economist at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute.

“They are finding it harder to buy when they worry about a possible acceleration of expansionary fiscal policy going forward.”

Masahiko Loo of State Street Investment Management said, “Ultra-long JGB yields are being pushed higher not only by the structural supply–demand imbalance but also by a fresh re-pricing of term and risk premium as markets absorb a more expansionary fiscal stance and persistent inflation.”

Trump continues Greenland rhetoric

President Trump renewed his push to take control of Greenland, dismissing opposition from European leaders and adding to geopolitical unease ahead of his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos.

“We have to have it. They have to have this done. They can’t protect us,” Trump told reporters, adding of European resistance, “I don’t think they’re going to push back too much.”

President Donald Trump unsettled NATO allies over the weekend after threatening to levy tariffs on several European members of the alliance if he fails to secure control over Greenland.

The remarks drew sharp criticism from European Union leaders, with French President Emmanuel Macron urging the bloc to consider deploying its strongest retaliatory trade mechanism.

Trump also criticized Macron for declining an invitation to participate in a proposed “Board of Peace” and floated the possibility of imposing tariffs of up to 200% on champagne and wine imports.

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US President Donald Trump has warned of a 200% tariff on French wines and champagnes in a sharp escalation linked to his proposed global peace initiative.

The move comes after reports said France might not join Trump’s newly announced Board of Peace, a platform aimed at resolving international conflicts through coordinated diplomacy.

The president tied the tariff threat directly to French President Emmanuel Macron’s position.

Trump suggested that imposing steep duties would compel France to cooperate. He said Macron would end up joining the board but insisted the choice was entirely his.

France is currently expected to decline the invitation. According to a Reuters report, the country has no intention of participating at this time, despite receiving formal outreach from the US administration.

Trump expands peace plan beyond Gaza

Trump first introduced the Board of Peace in September during his remarks on ending the Gaza war.

But recent invitations sent to about 60 nations show a wider ambition. The board would now address global conflict resolution, not just the Middle East or any one specific region.

A draft charter circulated by the US administration to roughly 60 countries would require members to contribute $1 billion in cash to secure membership lasting longer than three years, according to a document reviewed by Reuters.

This condition appears to have caused hesitation among invited states and policymakers.

Global response cautious

Reactions over the weekend reflected concern from diplomats.

Some expressed worry that the initiative could interfere with or duplicate the work of the United Nations, which already oversees international peacekeeping efforts and conflict mediation in critical zones.

Governments are assessing the proposal carefully.

While some may consider joining, the financial and political implications of the membership terms have slowed momentum among key allies and neutral states alike.

Putin also receives invitation

On Monday, Trump confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to take part in the initiative.

No response has been announced, but the invitation adds a new dimension to the proposed board’s potential makeup and influence.

Meanwhile, Trump dismissed concerns over Macron’s refusal, suggesting the French leader may not remain in office for long.

He brushed off the rejection, stating that Macron did not have to join, but would do so once the tariffs took effect and pressure mounted.

The tariff threat targets one of France’s key exports.

French wines and champagnes enjoy strong sales in the US market, and a steep increase in duties could have a wide economic impact.

It also raises the stakes in what is shaping up to be a geopolitical standoff over Trump’s international proposal.

It remains unclear how the board would operate alongside existing diplomatic bodies, or whether it would gain enough support to formally launch in the coming months.

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Wise share price rose sharply on Tuesday after the British fintech giant published encouraging financial results and maintained its focus on executing a dual-listing. It rose by nearly 13%, reaching its highest level since November 25.

Wise business is doing well despite rising competition 

Wise, formerly known as TransferWise, is a top British company that helps users to send money abroad. It also runs a platform that enables customers to have multi-currency bank accounts, making it popular among companies with international workers.

The financial results published today showed that its business continued doing well in the third quarter of 2026, even as it reduced its costs. It also continued adding thousands of companies during the quarter, with its business account users rising by 25% to 542,000.

Wise served over 11 million customers during the quarter, with its newly launched travel card in India having over 75,000 customers within a month. Additionally, Wise account deposits jumped by 34% to over £27.5 billion.

Wise’s underlying income rose by 21% to £424 million, a trend that the management expects will accelerate in the future. Additionally, the management expects to complete the dual-listing in the United States in the second half of this year. The CEO said:

“We expect to complete our dual listing in the first half of 2026, which will further increase our profile in the US as we remain focused on accelerating global growth and becoming the network for the world’s money.”

Wise expects to hit the profit-before-tax margin of between 13% and 16% this year. Additionally, the company is aiming to receive a national banking charter in the United States as it seeks to partner with over 4,000 banks in the country.

Still, the Wise share price remains much lower than last year’s high of 1,223p. This retreat happened because of the rising costs as the company continues hiring, with its US employees rising to over 700.

The company is also facing substantial competition from other fintech companies like Remitly, Revolut, TransferGo, OFX, and PayPal.

Most importantly, the biggest competition will likely come from the stablecoin industry, which is seeing strong growth. Stablecoins are widely known for their low costs, with most transactions costing cents to complete.

Wise share price technical analysis 

Wise stock price chart | Source: TradingView

The daily timeframe chart shows that the Wise stock price has been in a strong downward trend in the past few months, moving from a high of 1,223p in June last year to a low of 794p. 

The decline mirrored the performance of other fintech companies like PayPal, Block, and Fiserv.

Wise then bounced back and moved to a high of 943p, its highest level since November 13. It moved above the important resistance level at 904p, its highest swing in December last year.

The stock has moved above the 23.6% Fibonacci Retracement level at 898p and the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA).

Therefore, the most likely scenario is where the stock continues to rise, with the next key target being at 1,011p, the 50% Fibonacci Retracement level.

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