Investor Insights and Geopolitical Developments

European and Asian investors have pumped record sums into global equity funds that exclude the US market, and shares in Chinese battery maker CATL surged 16 per cent on their debut in Hong Kong. The EU plans to levy a flat fee on billions of small packages entering the bloc, mainly from China. Plus, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing calls to scale back his military operation in Gaza and let more aid into the enclave.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Investors flock to equity funds that exclude US after Trump’s return to power

Chinese battery maker CATL surges 16% in biggest listing of 2025

EU to impose €2 tax on low-cost items in blow to Temu and Shein

UK halts trade talks with Israel over Gaza offensive

Israel’s Gaza aid plan could lead to ‘war crime’, UN agency chief says

Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel plans to take over all of Gaza

Today’s FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Lulu Smyth, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Sam Giovinco, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s acting co-head of audio. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. 

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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