Market Voices: Tariff rates, Lula blasts Trump, Sunak rejoins Goldman

Seeking Alpha’s daily roundup of remarks and statements that could impact markets, sectors and individual stocks.

• President Trump announced new tariff rates for several countries, including a 25% rate for Japan and South Korea, 36% for Thailand and Cambodia, and 30% for South Africa.

Trump posted letters to foreign officials informing them of the new rates on Truth Social.

• Trump also reiterated that the new tariff rates take effect on Aug. 1.

“There has been no change to this date, and there will be no change. In other words, all money will be due and payable starting AUGUST 1, 2025 – No extensions will be granted,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

• Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva blasted Trump’s warning that the U.S. will slap additional tariffs on any country aligning with certain policies of BRICS, of which Brazil is a founding member.

“The world has changed. We don’t want an emperor,” Lula told reporters at the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, adding that he also believes global trade needs an alternative to the U.S. dollar.

“Obviously, we have to be responsible about doing that carefully. Our central banks have to discuss it with central banks from other countries,” Lula said, according to Reuters. “That’s something that happens gradually until it’s consolidated.”

• Trump also said the U.S. is planning to deliver more weapons to Ukraine.

“We’re going to send some more weapons. We have to, they have to be able to defend themselves,” Trump said Monday evening, according to CNN. “Defensive weapons, primarily, but they’re getting hit very, very hard.”

• Former U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has rejoined Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) as a senior advisor.

“I am excited to welcome Rishi back to Goldman Sachs,” Goldman CEO David Solomon said in a statement, according to Reuters. “In his role, he will work with leaders across the firm to advise our clients globally on a range of important topics, sharing his unique perspectives and insights on the macroeconomic and geopolitical landscape.”

Sunak remains a Conservative member of parliament. According to the Guardian, Sunak will be restricted from lobbying the U.K. government on behalf of Goldman Sachs and will donate his salary to charity.