International News 18 February 2026
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Aluminum Hits One-Week Low on U.S. Tariff Easing Reports and Risk-Off Sentiment
Aluminum prices fell to a one-week low on Friday (February 13, 2026) after reports suggested the United States may ease some of its metal import tariffs, adding pressure alongside profit-taking and broader risk-off sentiment. Three-month aluminum on the London Metal Exchange (LME) dropped as much as 2.7% before trimming losses to close down 0.8% at US$3,075 per ton, its weakest level since February 6. The decline followed a Financial Times report that President Donald Trump is considering scaling back part of the steel and aluminum tariffs—previously raised to as high as 50% last June—potentially reshaping U.S. supply flows and price dynamics. The premium paid by U.S. physical buyers over LME prices also fell 6.8% to 93 cents per pound, reflecting easing supply concerns. In China, the most-active aluminum contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) slid 1.8% to 23,195 yuan (US$3,355.27) per ton, with trading activity slowing ahead of the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday starting February 15. Other industrial metals also weakened on the LME: copper fell 0.3% to US$12,837.50 per ton as physical demand softened, zinc dropped 1.1%, nickel declined 2.5%, lead eased 0.7%, and tin tumbled 3.9%. The broad-based pullback reflects uncertainty over U.S. trade policy and reduced market activity in Asia ahead of the holiday period.
Trump and Netanyahu Agree to Intensify Efforts to Curb Iran’s Oil Exports to China
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed during a White House meeting on Wednesday that the United States would seek to reduce Iran’s oil exports to China, according to a report by Axios citing two U.S. officials briefed on the matter. A senior U.S. official said the two leaders committed to applying “maximum pressure” on Iran, particularly targeting its oil sales to China, which accounts for more than 80% of Iran’s crude exports. Any significant reduction in that trade would substantially cut Tehran’s oil revenue. The move comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts and rising regional tensions. U.S. and Iranian diplomats held indirect nuclear talks last week through Omani mediation in an attempt to revive diplomacy. However, the situation remains fragile after the U.S. deployed naval forces to the region, with the military reportedly preparing for the possibility of sustained operations against Iran. The dual track of diplomatic engagement and heightened military readiness underscores the increasing geopolitical stakes surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and energy exports.
U.S. Household Debt Hits Record US$18.8 Trillion as Credit Cards Become a Lifeline
U.S. household debt climbed to a record US$18.8 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2025, rising by US$191 billion in just three months, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. While the quarterly increase of about 1% appears modest on paper, it reflects persistent cost-of-living pressures that have yet to fully ease. Credit card balances surged to an all-time high of US$1.28 trillion, underscoring how many Americans now rely on revolving credit not for luxury spending, but for everyday essentials such as groceries and utility bills. Mortgage debt remains the largest component at over US$13 trillion, with auto and student loans continuing to add to the burden. Although some indicators show relative stability—such as average balances per account and signs of moderating delinquencies—nearly half of U.S. credit card holders now carry month-to-month balances, often facing interest rates above 20%. About 4.8% of total household debt is currently delinquent, with student loans posing particular risks. The data highlights a widening “K-shaped” economy: while some households benefit from asset gains and economic recovery, others—especially Gen Z and younger millennials—struggle with rising housing, vehicle, and living costs that outpace income growth. Financial strategies such as balance transfers, debt consolidation, or targeted repayment methods may offer temporary relief, but the broader issue remains structural: a growing imbalance between wages and the cost of living that leaves credit cards serving as both a financial cushion and a mounting burden.
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