Major Global Financial Headlines Overnight
The major stories drawing attention across global financial media from last night into this morning include:
1. U.S. Commerce Secretary Lutnick admits visiting Epstein’s private island
2. After adding a new clause, the European Parliament moves closer to approving the U.S.–EU trade agreement
3. Alphabet issues nearly $32 billion in bonds within 24 hours; 100-year sterling bond oversubscribed nearly 10 times
4. Tesla leadership reshuffle: European executive appointed to lead global EV sales
5. Abu Dhabi’s MGX nears participation in Anthropic’s $20B+ funding round
6. U.S. considers seizing Iranian oil tankers to pressure Tehran
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## **U.S. Commerce Secretary Lutnick Admits Visiting Epstein’s Private Island**
Howard Lutnick, U.S. Commerce Secretary under the Trump administration, acknowledged on Tuesday that several years ago he had lunch on Jeffrey Epstein’s private island with his family.
“During a family vacation in 2012, we took a boat over and had lunch with him,” Lutnick said while testifying before the Senate Budget Committee.
“My wife, my four children, and their nanny were there, along with another couple and their children.”
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## **European Parliament Moves Closer to Approving U.S.–EU Trade Deal**
With senior lawmakers expressing willingness to make adjustments ahead of a planned vote this month, the European Parliament is moving closer to approving a trade agreement with the United States.
Members of the Parliament’s Trade Committee confirmed Tuesday that a vote will take place on February 24. They also agreed to add a sunset clause—meaning the agreement would expire in March 2028 unless extended—and to grant the U.S. six months to reduce its current 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum-based products.
If the U.S. fails to lower tariffs on such products to 15%, the EU may consider reinstating tariffs on certain U.S. industrial goods and agricultural imports.
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## **Alphabet Issues Nearly $32 Billion in Bonds Within 24 Hours**
Alphabet Inc. is expected to issue nearly $32 billion in bonds in less than 24 hours, highlighting the significant funding needs of tech giants racing to expand artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, as well as strong demand from credit markets.
On Monday, Alphabet issued $20 billion in U.S. dollar-denominated bonds across seven tranches. It later issued bonds denominated in British pounds and Swiss francs, setting records in both markets.
The sterling issuance included a rare 100-year bond, marking the first time since the dot-com bubble era that a technology company has issued debt with such an extreme maturity.
Each tranche reportedly received strong demand. The dollar bonds saw more than $100 billion in orders. The £1 billion ($1.4 billion) 100-year sterling bond was nearly 10 times oversubscribed.
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## **Tesla Leadership Reshuffle: European Executive to Lead Global EV Sales**
Tesla has appointed one of its European business leaders to oversee global electric vehicle sales, marking the latest leadership change within its automotive division amid ongoing challenges.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Joe Ward, Tesla’s Vice President for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), will lead the company’s global sales, service, and delivery operations.
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## **Abu Dhabi’s MGX Nears Participation in $20B+ Anthropic Funding Round**
Sources indicate that Abu Dhabi’s MGX is close to reaching an agreement to participate in Anthropic’s latest funding round, increasing its investment in the AI startup.
MGX is reportedly negotiating to invest hundreds of millions of dollars, with the total funding round expected to exceed $20 billion.
An announcement regarding the proposed investment could come within days, though final decisions have not yet been made and the size and structure of the investment remain subject to change.
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## **U.S. Considers Seizing Iranian Oil Tankers**
U.S. officials revealed that the Trump administration previously discussed the possibility of seizing additional tankers transporting Iranian oil in an effort to pressure Tehran. However, concerns about likely retaliation and potential disruption to global oil markets have so far prevented further action.
As part of a two-month enforcement operation targeting tankers serving Venezuela under sanctions, the U.S. has already seized vessels carrying Iranian oil, claiming they are part of a so-called “shadow fleet” that helps sanctioned nations export crude.
If the U.S. moves to block additional sanctioned vessels from loading oil in Iran, it could significantly impact Tehran’s primary revenue source and expand the White House’s aggressive strategy intro
duced in December in the Caribbean region.
Editor artikel : Li Tong