Trump in talks with Iran; oil prices fluctuate; Tesla's Terafab project announced; Nvidia GTC upcoming.

Trump Engages in Dialogue with Iran and Discusses Strait of Hormuz with Seven Nations

The situation in the Middle East remains tense, with the U.S. and Israel continuing airstrikes on Iranian oil export hubs, while Iran retaliates against U.S. military bases and Israeli targets.

Trump’s Statements

Former President Trump has indicated that he is in discussions with seven countries regarding the Strait of Hormuz and is engaging in dialogue with Iran, although he believes they are not yet ready for an agreement. Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif stated that the end of the conflict depends on two conditions: ensuring that war does not recur and compensation payments.

Iran's Position

Iran is open to dialogue with countries willing to discuss the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that the final decision lies with its military forces.

U.S.-China Trade Talks in Paris

On March 15, U.S. and Chinese trade teams began negotiations in Paris, led by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. The discussions are guided by previous agreements made during meetings between the two nations' leaders.

U.S. Trade Investigation

The U.S. Trade Representative's Office has initiated a 301 investigation against 60 economies, including China, citing concerns over forced labor products. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce criticized this move as unilateral and discriminatory, urging the U.S. to correct its actions.

Powell's Warning to Trump Administration

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has signaled that he will remain on the board until January 2028 if the criminal investigation into his spending continues. This situation has stalled the nomination of his successor, intensifying the debate over the Fed's independence.

U.S. Plans to Form a Strait of Hormuz "Escort Alliance"

Reports suggest that the Trump administration may announce the formation of an alliance to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, with discussions ongoing about the timing of these actions.

Oil Prices Fluctuate Amid Tensions

International oil prices have seen volatility, with Brent crude futures rising over 3% before falling back to $103 per barrel. The International Energy Agency (IEA) announced that record oil reserves will be released to Asian markets immediately, while Europe and the Americas will have to wait until the end of March.

AI Chip Export Regulation Changes

The U.S. Department of Commerce has withdrawn a proposed regulation for AI chip export licenses, creating uncertainty in the market for major chip manufacturers like NVIDIA and AMD.

Market Volatility and Investment Themes

Goldman Sachs reported a historic level of selling and shorting in U.S. stocks last week, driven by geopolitical tensions. Morgan Stanley highlighted energy security as a key investment theme emerging from the Middle East conflict.

Gold Price Dynamics

Despite a recent drop in gold prices, Morgan Stanley maintains a bullish outlook, predicting prices could challenge $6,300 per ounce by year-end.

Upcoming AI Conferences

NVIDIA's GTC conference and the OFC conference are set to showcase advancements in GPU technology and optical interconnects, respectively.

Market Reactions

The U.S. stock market experienced declines, with major indices falling for the third consecutive week. Notable tech stocks like Apple and NVIDIA also saw losses.

Tesla's AI Chip Factory Announcement

Tesla's CEO Elon Musk announced the launch of an AI chip factory project named "Terafab" within a week, aiming for vertical integration in chip production.

Summary of Key Financial Events

• China's Economic Data: Upcoming release of housing prices and industrial output data.
• Earnings Reports: Companies like Sinopec Oilfield Services and others are set to announce their financial results soon.