U.S. stock futures mostly gained on Tuesday as investors absorbed President Donald Trump’s latest tariff announcements. Trump formally notified more than a dozen countries about upcoming tariff increases but postponed the deadline to implement these duties. Meanwhile, China cautioned the U.S. against reigniting trade disputes.

Futures Show Modest Uptick

By early Tuesday, Dow futures held steady, while S&P 500 futures inched up 0.1%, and Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.2%. Markets had retreated slightly Monday after Trump’s tariff letters, as traders booked profits amid lingering uncertainty. However, optimism remains, with some investors hopeful that Trump will keep channels open for negotiation, buoyed by steady economic growth and easing inflation.

Analysts at Vital Knowledge commented, “Despite Monday’s pullback and tariff jitters, bullish sentiment continues to underpin the market.”

Tariff Notifications Announced, Deadline Extended

On Monday, Trump sent tariff notices to 14 nations, warning that duties could exceed the current baseline 10%, though the increases are somewhat less aggressive than earlier projections. The new enforcement deadline was pushed to August 1, giving countries—including key exporters like Japan and South Korea—extra time to seek negotiations.

Asked about the firmness of the deadline, Trump described it as “firm, but not set in stone,” signaling willingness to consider alternatives if trading partners request them.

These new tariffs will not overlap with existing levies on sectors such as automobiles, steel, and aluminum. India and the European Union were notably absent from the latest notices, sparking speculation about potential trade agreements with those parties.

Japan expressed continued readiness for dialogue, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba confirming ongoing discussions. South Korea’s Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo also met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to explore possible tariff exemptions or reductions in key industries.

China Urges Restraint to Avoid Trade Escalation

In a related development, China warned the U.S. against reigniting tariff battles that could jeopardize the fragile trade truce established after lengthy negotiations. Although a trade framework was reaffirmed in June, many details remain unresolved, casting doubt on the deal’s longevity.

China faces an August 12 deadline to finalize a deal or risk tariffs exceeding 100% on certain goods. The official Communist Party newspaper, People’s Daily, called for ongoing dialogue and cooperation, condemned Trump’s tariffs as “bullying,” and cautioned smaller countries against striking exclusive deals with the U.S. without including China, threatening retaliatory actions.

Oil Prices Dip on Trade and Supply Concerns

Crude oil prices slipped slightly as investors weighed tariff-driven demand risks against rising production from OPEC+. Brent crude futures dropped 0.1% to $69.54 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures fell 0.2% to $67.76.

OPEC+ recently announced an August production increase of 548,000 barrels per day—surpassing the monthly boosts seen in May through July—adding supply-side pressure amid trade-related demand uncertainty.

Amazon Extends Prime Day Sales to Four Days

Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) kicked off its Prime Day event on Tuesday, extending the shopping extravaganza to four days this year, longer than the usual two. Analysts forecast U.S. online spending during Prime Day will reach $23.8 billion, a 28.4% rise over last year’s total.

Amazon attributes the extended event to member feedback requesting more time to shop. In 2024, Prime Day sales hit $14.2 billion in the U.S., up 11% from the previous year.

The event faces stiff competition from Walmart, Target, and TikTok Shop, who are also targeting younger shoppers seeking back-to-school deals. Amazon has responded with special discounts and reduced Prime subscription prices aimed at younger consumers.

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