Donald Trump · China · Saudi Arabia · White House · Iran · Israel · Associated Press Technology
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Major developments Associated Press is following: China’s exports grew 2.5% in March from a year ago, significantly slowing from the previous two months as uncertainties rose from the Iran war and its impact on energy prices and global demand.
Key facts
- U.S. oil prices were $98 a barrel in afternoon trading, after topping $100 earlier Monday
- The S&P 500 rallied 1% Monday and is back to within 1.3% of its record
- Birol spoke at IMF headquarters after meeting with Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the IMF, and Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank
- Aside from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. Navy has 11 destroyers, three amphibious assault ships, and a littoral combat ship, all in the waters of the Middle East, a defense
Summary
President Donald Trump confirmed Monday a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports is underway, saying “we can’t let a country blackmail” the world. The March export data released by China’s customs agency Tuesday missed analysts’ estimates and was sharply down from the 21.8% export growth recorded for January and February. Technology-related exports including a jump in shipments of semiconductors from China on the global artificial intelligence boom have powered its robust exports in early 2026, but economists say impacts from the prolonged Iran war could affect overall global demand for Chinese exports this year. Israel’s military said a reserve soldier was killed and three others wounded in fighting in southern Lebanon.