Key Points - The report highlights that the US trade deficit in goods expanded to a record 162billioninMarch[3]−TheUSTreasurySecretaryindicatedthatdiscussionswilltakeplacewithatleast17partnersinthecomingweeks[3]−Concernsovertariffsarenegativelyimpactingeconomicoutlook,withUSconsumerconfidencedroppingtoanearfive−yearlowinApril[3]−Thereportnotessignificantlayoffs,withUPSbecomingthefirstmajorcompanytoconductmasslayoffsduetothetradewar,affecting20,000employees[3]−Amazonwasforcedtohaltplanstodisplaytariffimpactsonproductpages,whileWalmarthasnotifiedChinesesupplierstoresumeshipments[3]−ThereportalsomentionsthatSouthKorea′screditcarddefaultratereachedaten−yearhighinthefirstquarterofthisyear[3]EconomicDataSummary−TheBalticDryIndexclosedat1403.00,up2.1864.05, down 2.75% [4] - The USD/CNY exchange rate was 7.27, down 0.47% [4] - The Hang Seng Index closed at 22,008.11, up 0.16% [4] - The Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3,286.65, down 0.05% [4]