Stock Market Update

[BRIEFING.COM] The indices have taken a turn lower in what many might consider a sell-the-news response. That response wasn't immediate, but with President Trump, Treasury Secretary Bessent, and Commerce Secretary Lutnick all commenting on the framework agreement today, there has been some finality to this latest negotiation stage.

What isn't final yet is President Xi's official response to the framework agreement. Accordingly, the deal isn't fully done yet, but participants are of the mindset that the approval will be forthcoming.

Also, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that China will temporarily resume rare earth exports to the U.S., but with a six-month limit for automakers and manufacturers, so there is some carrot-and-stick action hanging over the agreement, just as there is on the U.S. side of things in working with China.

In other words, there is a framework agreement that both sides sound intent on implementing but that both sides can renege on if they so choose.