The Ibovespa plunged 1.6% to close at 133,355 on Friday, amid mounting trade-war fears and domestic political turmoil. Petrobras shares led losses, shedding 1.7% after international oil benchmarks slid, while simultaneously, the prospect of “double-dosed” tariffs, from both Washington and Brussels, intensified after a Federal Police operation against former president Bolsonaro gave President Trump fresh ammunition to cite “persecution” as justification for his threatened 50% levy, while the Financial Times reported that EU auto duties will remain at 25%. Export-dependent sectors felt the squeeze with Embraer losing 3.2%. Additionally, Banco Santander plunged 4.5% as the bank’s exposure to trade-linked corporate lending and currency-sensitive consumer credit raised concerns amid the escalating tariff rhetoric and a weaker macro outlook, while B3 tumbled 4.2%. Over the week, the Sao Paulo exchange tumbled 2.1%.

Ibovespa Tumbles on Political Turmoil and Tariff Threats

Stocks in the US closed near the flatline on Friday as investors weighed President Trump’s push for higher tariffs on the European Union against strong economic data and corporate earnings. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 finished mostly muted near their records, while the Dow Jones dropped 142 points, pressured by a 2.2% decline in American Express shares. Trump reportedly demands a minimum 15-20% tariff in any deal with the EU, which is working to finalize an agreement before his August 1 deadline. On the corporate front, Netflix shares fell 5.1% despite beating revenue and earnings estimates, while Charles Schwab rose 3% on strong results and Chevron gained 1% after completing its $53 billion acquisition of Hess. The University of Michigan’s July survey showed rising consumer confidence and a drop in one-year inflation expectations to 4.4%, the lowest since February. For the week, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose 0.5% and 1.4%, respectively, while the Dow ended slightly lower.

US Stocks Mostly Flat as Trump Pushes EU Tariffs

The S&P/TSX Composite slipped 0.3% to close at 27?314 on Friday, retreating from record highs as heavy losses among railways and air carriers outweighed strength in energy and utilities. Canadian Pacific Kansas City plunged 3.6% and Canadian National tumbled 2.4%, leading the decline after both warned that softer US manufacturing activity, flat intermodal volumes and weaker phosphate and potash exports will shave freight tonnage into year-end, an assessment confirmed by Transport Canada’s data showing year-on-year declines in grain-handling traffic. On the trade front, Prime Minister Mark Carney has dispatched envoys to Washington for final talks with President Trump ahead of the August?1st steel and aluminum-tariff deadline, and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu signaled progress in Mercosur negotiations, moves seen as crucial to insulating Canada’s industrial backbone from looming duties. Despite Friday’s dip, the index still notched a 1.1% gain over the week.

TSX Dips From Record High

Brent crude oil futures fell 0.3% to settle at $69.3 per barrel on Friday, booking a 1% weekly loss, as mixed US economic data offset concerns about new EU sanctions on Russian energy exports. Weak US housing data pointed to softer residential investment, but improved consumer sentiment and easing inflation raised hopes for future rate cuts and stronger energy demand. Meanwhile, the EU approved its 18th sanctions package targeting Russia’s oil industry, including a new floating price cap and a ban on petroleum products made from Russian crude. The refined product ban boosted US and European diesel futures, lifting refining margins to multi-month highs. Separately, Chevron finalized its $55 billion acquisition of Hess, securing a stake in a major oil discovery off the coast of Guyana.

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Ibovespa Tumbles on Political Turmoil and Tariff Threats

US Stocks Mostly Flat as Trump Pushes EU Tariffs

TSX Dips From Record High

Brent Ends Week Lower Amid Demand, Sanctions Jitters