U.S. Futures Rally on Trade Deal, Tariff Cuts & Ceasefire News

U.S. stock futures jumped sharply on Monday after Washington and Beijing agreed to a 90-day pause and significant cuts in their reciprocal tariffs—alongside a surprise India-Pakistan ceasefire—bringing a wave of relief buying into risk assets.

Futures Gains at a Glance

At 06:30 ET (10:30 GMT)

• Dow Futures: +975 points (+2.4%)

• S&P 500 Futures: +170 points (+3.0%)

• Nasdaq 100 Futures: +785 points (+3.9%)

These moves extend last week's positive momentum, fueled by hopes that tariff de-escalation will stabilize corporate profit margins and spur fresh growth.

U.S.-China Tariffs Slashed

In Geneva negotiations over the weekend, both sides agreed to:

• U.S. Tariffs on China: Cut from up to 145% down to 30%

• China's Duties on U.S.: Reduced from 125% to 10%

• 90-Day Truce: A temporary halt to new levies to allow detailed working-level talks

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stressed that neither country seeks “decoupling,” signaling a renewed spirit of cooperation. Markets will be watching follow-up consultations in the coming weeks for details on tariff rollbacks and sector exemptions.

Geopolitical Relief: India-Pakistan Ceasefire

A parallel boost came as India and Pakistan agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire, brokered by U.S. mediation. While violations have been reported, the announcement removed another layer of geopolitical risk, particularly for defense and energy sectors.

Pharma Price Cuts & Sector Watch

President Trump also plans an executive order on Monday to lower U.S. drug prices by 30-80%, a move set to reverberate across pharmaceutical stocks. Separately, Eli Lilly claimed its Zepbound outperformed Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, adding further headlines in the biotech space.

Tracking Key Events

To stay ahead of upcoming policy announcements and trade talks that could sway markets, leverage the Economics Calendar API for real-time dates on central bank meetings, tariff deadlines, and major macro releases:
View upcoming economic events

What to Watch Today

1. Detailed Trade Terms: Look for joint statements or regulatory filings clarifying which products and sectors benefit from the rate cuts.

2. Ceasefire Stability: Any flare-ups across the India-Pakistan border could trigger defensive rotations in energy and defense plays.

3. Pharma Reactions: Monitor premarket movers in drugmakers once the executive order details emerge.

By combining these real-time event feeds with market performance metrics, investors can navigate the rapid shifts driven by trade diplomacy and geopolitical developments.