The main events by the morning: February 11

• US President Donald Trump has approved duties of 25% on steel and aluminum imports, including shipments from Canada and Mexico. The new tariffs will take effect on March 12 and will cover all imports of these metals. According to Trump, the measures are designed to stimulate domestic production and increase employment in the country, and duty rates may be increased in the future.

  
  

• Gold prices set a new record, reaching $2,942 per ounce, amid the imposition of US tariffs. Futures rose to $2,949, briefly rising to $2,968. Trump's measures increased concerns about inflation and trade conflicts. Investors are waiting for CPI and PPI data in the United States, as well as a speech by Fed Chairman Powell.

  
  

• Elon Musk and a consortium of investors have offered $97.4 billion to buy the non-profit organization that runs OpenAI. Musk, through a lawyer, stated the need to return OpenAI to the original idea of open source. Sam Altman, the head of OpenAI, replied on the social network X: «No thanks, but we can buy Twitter for $9.74 billion.» In 2022, Musk acquired Twitter, renamed X, for $44 billion.

  
  

• The volume of Ethereum shorts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), increased by 40% in a week, and by 500% since November 2024. This is no longer similar to classic hedging through futures. There are two possible scenarios: either the market is waiting for a powerful short squeeze, or the funds are preparing in advance for a serious fall. The data is provided by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

  
  

• Shares of China's largest steel companies, including Baoshan Iron and Steel, HBIS Co and Angang Steel, fell amid new U.S. tariffs that increased uncertainty in steel exports. On the Shanghai Futures Exchange, steel prices also declined by more than 1%. Despite the limited impact on exports to the United States, overall trade tensions continue to rise.

  
  

• According to the results of 2024, Russia turned out to be the country with the lowest unemployment among the G20. The figure was only 2.3%. The unemployment rate rose the most in Canada, and decreased in Brazil.