IIR's March 17 Market Scorecard Brings You Breaking Geopolitical News

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Stay current with the latest geopolitical events, and more importantly, instantly connect to how these events may impact you and your business strategies.

Event	MarCon*	IIR Comment	Outlet	IIR News
Houthis and US both vow escalation after wave of deadly American airstrikes in Yemen		The US and Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen are both vowing escalation after the US launched a wave of deadly airstrikes on Saturday with the stated aim of deterring the rebel group from attacking Red Sea shipping. The airstrikes hit in the capital of Sanaa and other provinces, including Saada, the Houthi rebels' stronghold on the border with Saudi Arabia. Houthi rebels claimed on Monday to have twice attacked an American aircraft carrier group within 24 hours, calling it retaliation for the deadly US airstrikes.	The Guardian	Could Coal's Comeback Be Accelerated by Trump's 'National Energy Dominance' Agenda?
Putin and Trump will speak on Tuesday about the war in Ukraine		U.S. President Donald Trump will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday as efforts continue to end to the war in Ukraine, a move that could represent a possible pivot point in the conflict and an opportunity for Trump to continue reorienting American foreign policy. Trump said land and power plants are part of the conversation around bringing the war to a close.	AP News	On a Diet: As Data Centers Strain the Grid, Can They Curb Their Power Appetite?
Oil prices rise on US attack on Houthis and China economic hopes		Oil traded higher on Monday after the United States vowed to keep attacking Yemen's Houthis until the Iran-aligned group ends its assaults on shipping while Chinese economic data fuelled hopes for higher demand. Chinese economic data also supported prices. Retail sales growth quickened over January-February in a welcome sign for policymakers seeking to boost domestic consumption, though unemployment rose and factory output eased.	Reuters	Weak Economic Outlook Means Relief at the Pump
European markets rise ahead of German debt reform vote Asia-Pacific markets mostly climb; 40-year JGB yield hits record high		European stocks started the new trading week in positive territory, although investors will be looking to see if global market volatility continues. European markets ended the week higher Friday after German lawmakers reportedly came closer to agreeing on reforming the country's so-called debt brake rule. Media reports said Germany's likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz had won support from the Greens party to hike public borrowing to allow an increase in defense spending. Asia-Pacific markets mostly climbed on Monday, with investors keeping a close watch on Chinese equities. The Chinese government on Sunday announced a "Special Action Plan to Boost Consumption" to revive consumption by boosting people's incomes. Other measures include plans to stabilize the stock and real estate market and raising the country's birth rate.	CNBC	Alberta Looks to Japan for Energy Trade
Natural Gas Weekly Price Outlook - Natural Gas Has a Tough Week		The natural gas market initially surged this week, breaking fairly strong above the $4.50 level, but as we are closing out the week we have turned around quite significantly. It does look like we are in the midst of some type of topping pattern, which makes perfect sense considering the time of year. After all, demand should start dropping rather significantly. Breaking it cleanly below the $4 level would be a significant step in shorting this market. But I also recognize that there is a lot of noise between here and what could be the longer term target of about $2.50.	FX Empire	U.S. LNG Exports up 20% Year-Over-Year
China is 'laughing' at the U.S. trade wars and has the most to gain from Trump's ongoing European tariffs, top diplomat says		The only country benefiting from a trade war between the U.S. and the European Union is China, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Kallas, who until last year served as the first female prime minister of Estonia, said in an interview with Bloomberg that China is "laughing" at the tariff squabble. A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, Mao Ning, said during a press conference Friday that she would not comment "on how the U.S. and Europe get along," but China was not at issue. "There will be no winner from a trade war or tech war," she added.	Fortune	How Trade Wars with China, Others, Are Affecting U.S. Industry
Trump Energy Policies Reshape Renewables Sector		Since taking power in January, the Trump administration has reshaped the U.S. renewable energy landscape by introducing some significant policy changes. So far, the White House has declared a national energy emergency, imposed tariffs on critical metals and rolled back environmental regulations. The administration also implemented a 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum to protect domestic producers. While the policy aims to boost U.S. manufacturing, it has raised some costs for industries that rely on these metals, including the renewable energy sector. For instance, wind turbine and solar panel manufacturers now face higher material expenses, which could slow renewable energy expansion.	OilPrice	EPA Will Reconsider 31 Energy and Environmental Rules from Trump's Predecessors
Week 03/10/25 - 03/17/25		Possible escalation of tensions in the Middle East as the U.S. strikes out at Houthi targets in Yemen in an attempt to lessen Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping. In Eastern Europe, Trump and Putin are set to speak as Ukraine is ready to accept the pause in fighting offer on the proverbial table; though Putin says Russia has "...additional conditions..." yet to be met. The economic markets still wrestle with the volatility of uncertain tariffs and escalating trade wars; although, China announced their "Special Action Plan" to improve their economy--which has Mr. Oil Market singing a positive refrain as more APAC demand could enter these energy commodity markets.
*MarCon (Market Condition 1-5, with 5 being the highest impact) indicates directional bias or price effect for the relevant commodity (Oil, Natural Gas, Chemicals, etc.) and is graded by our team of experts here at IIR.

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