Trump Teases End to Iran War; 'Historic' Israel-Lebanon Talks

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Good morning, I'm Nathan Hager and I'm Karen Moscow. Here
are the stories we're following today.
Karen hopes are building that the US could be close
to winding down its war with Iran. Both sides are
looking to arrange a second round of peace talks before
the two weeks ceasefire ends next week. President Trump told
The New York Post it could happen in the next
two days. He had this to say about the conflict
in an interview with Fox Business.
I view it as very close to over. You know what,
if I pulled up stakes right now, it would take
them twenty years to rebuild that country.
And in another interview with ABC News, President Trump predicted
the next two days will be amazing. We get more
from Bloomberg's Jumana Borsecci in Dubai.
This is just.
President Trump himself. And I will also remind everybody that
the Iranian side haven't actually confirmed anything. They haven't said
anything new updates since the Iranian President of Pasesh Khan
yesterday said that they were inclined to continue with negotiations
so long as it's done within quote unquote the International
Framework of Law.
Bloomberg's Jomana Barsecci reports. In the meantime, the US is
enforcing a blockade of the Strait of Hormos with a
dozen ships samed to curbing Iran's oil exports. Iran's semi
official Fars News agency reports as sanctioned Irani and Supertanker
broke through the blockade this morning, and an Iraq bound
Supertanker sailed into the Gulf through the strait on its
second attempt this morning, making it the first crude carrier
to make the passage since the blockade went into effect Nathan.
While the US and Iran are seeking another round of talks,
Israel and Lebanon met for the first time in more
than thirty years for high level talks in Washington. Paul
Wallace is Bloomberg's managing editor for the Middle East.
These were the first direct talks between Israel and Lebanon
since nineteen ninety three, in more than three decades, So
that itself is important. These two countries don't formally erect
recognize each other. Rubio called it historic. That's probably a
bit too strong at least at this stage. But you know,
although not much came out of the talks. There wasn't
too much that was negative. They didn't sort of break down.
He didn't have the Israelis or the Lebanese saying they
were waste of time or anything like that. So in
that sense, it's a baby step.
And Bloomberg's Paul Wallace says Hezbollah, a key player in
the conflict, was and has not been invited to the discussions.
Well kerr In.
European Central Bank President Christine Laguard says the economic crisis
brought on by the Iran war means an early exit
from her role is not an option. Laguard spoke with
Bloomberg's Frans Laqua in Washington, where she's attending the IMF
Spring meetings.
When there is big clouds on the horizon, the captain
does not leave the ship, and this captain is not
going to leave the ship because I see clouds.
European Central bankrupt President Christine Laguard spoke to Bloomberg as
traders bet on two full quarter point rate hikes by
the ECB this year. Catch the full conversation on our
new video experience on the Bloomberg Business app.
Meanwhile, Nathan former Treasury Secretary and ex FED chair Jenny
Yellen says she still sees prospects for a rate cut
here in the US later this year. Speaking at the
HSBC Global Investment Summit in Hong Kong, Yellen did warrant
that the oil show caused by the war and iron
clouds the outlook. Yellen express concerns over the FED independence
under President Trump, saying his calls for lower rates risk
undermining the credibility of the nation.
Karin The current Treasury Secretary, Scott Besson, says President Trump's
tariffs could be restored by July. Speaking at a Wall
Street Journal event, best and indicated levies could return to
levels that were in place before the Supreme Court struck
down many of them.
We just setback at the Supreme Court in terms of
the tariff policy, but we will be implementing or conducting
Section three oh one studies so that the tariffs could
be back in place at the previous level by beginning.
Of I was a Treasury Secretary, Scott Besson speaking yesterday.
After the Supreme Court struck down many of his global tariffs,
President Trump imposed a temporary ten percent levy that covers
many imports That tariff is due to expire in July
well Nathan.
Vice President jd Vance is adding to President Trump's criticism
of Pope Leo the fourteenth over his opposition to the
war with Iran. The American born pontiff posted on social
media last weekend that anyone who follows Christ is quote,
never on the side of those who once wielded the
sword and today drop bombs. Van says he doesn't think
those comments are based on theological truth.
I think that it's important in the same way that
it's important for the Vice President of the United States
to be careful when I talk about matters of public policy,
I think it's very very important for the Pope to
be careful when he talks about matters of theology.
Vice President jd Vance is one of the most prominent
Catholics in the US. He spoke at a Turning Point
USA event in Athens, Georgia.
Certain of markets now Karen futures are little change following
another day of gains on Wall Street. In fact, the
S and P five hundreds now trading near all time
highs and the tech heavy Nasdaq one hundred rows one
point eight percent for a tenth straight gate day of gains.
That's its longest such streak since twenty twenty one.
Well, in Europe, Nathan Aermez shares they're following the most
on record. The luxury goods firm reported first quarter sales
that missed analyst estimates. It blamed the Middle East War
for disrupting sales. Currently, shares of air Mez are down
nine percent. Time now for a look at some of
the other stories making news in New York and around
the world. And for that we're joined by Bloomberg's Michael Barr. Michael,
good Morning, Good morning, Karen.
California billionaires are stepping up their efforts to boost San
Jose Mayor Matt Mayon in the race for state governor.
They're rushing to fill the vacuum left mind Democrat Eric
Swalwell's abrupt exit. It comes as the sudden resignations of
Swalwell and Texas Republican Tony Gonzalez from Congress received bipartisan
support on Capitol Hill. The two congressmen are accused of
sexual misconduct and we're expected to face expulsion votes. House
Democrat Alexandria Ocassio Cortes of New.
York I think the most important thing right now is
to center these women and their bravery in coming forward.
I'm glad that Eric Swallall is leaving.
Meanwhile, another woman has come forward with allegations against Walwell.
Former model Lana Drews says she believes he drugged her
drink in twenty eighteen and raped her while she was unconscious.
Drew's explained in a news conference why she didn't speak
up sooner.
My delay in taking action against Eric was driven by fear,
not doubt, fear of his political power.
Swalwell has denied, but he calls serious false allegations made
against him. New York Mayor Zorin Mamdani unveiled more about
his plan to open a city run grocery store in
each of the five boroughs. Mayer says the stores would
sell discounted food to New Yorkers.
Between twenty thirteen and twenty twenty three, grocery prices increased
in New York City by nearly sixty six percent, significantly
higher than the national average.
Ma'm donnie says the first location, in East Harlem, is
scheduled to open in twenty twenty nine. New York Governor
Kathy Hokel is backing a new tax on second homes
in New York City worth at least five million dollars
to raise cash for the city's struggling budget. The goal
is to raise five hundred million dollars a year to
help New York City's deficit. Global News twenty four hours
a day and whenever you want it with Bloomberg News Now.
I'm Michael Barr, and this is Bloomberg Carrot.
Thanks Michael. All time now for our Bloomberg Sports updating.
For that, we bring in John stash.
Hour Nice her wild start for the NBA way in
a game between Miami and Charlotte when the Hornets Kobe
White had a turnaround three with eleven seconds left. The
game went to overtime and the Hornets got a five
point lead in the final minute. Then my Miami went
up by one with eight seconds to go. LaMelo Ball
hit a layup with four seconds remaining, Charlotte one by one.
Portland won in Phoenix to advanced to the first round.
The Washington Capitals finished their season with the win at Columbus.
The question now is was this the last game of
alex Obestin's career. He may retire. That's a Bloomberg Sports Update.
Stay with us.
More from Bloomberg Daybreak coming up after.
This Coast to coast on Bloomberg Radio, nationwide on Sirius XM,
and around the world on Bloomberg dot Com and the
Bloomberg Business Appum. This is Bloomberg Daybreak.
Good morning on Nathan Hager. The war is close to over.
That's what President Donald Trump is indicating. In a series
of interviews ahead of the expiration of the two weeks
ceasefire with Iran early next week. Vice President Jady Vance
says the President's holding out for the Grand Bargain.
He really wants a deal where Ran doesn't have a
nuclear weapon, Iran is not state sponsoring terrorism, but also
the people of Iran can thrive and prosper and join
the world economy.
Vice President jd Vance spoken Athens, Georgia, last night, and
joining us this morning from Dubai is Bloomberg Middle East
correspondent Jumana Bursecci, the anchor of Bloomberg Horizons. Jumana, it's
great to speak with you once again. What is the
prospect for another round of talks. It does sound as
though the President is pretty optimistic.
Good morning, Yeah, good morning, and you're right it's almost
as though the president, President Trump is willing this to happen,
and he's had several interviews the last twenty four hours
indicating that he does think another round of talks is
going to take place. He suggested to a New York
Post journalist that it could happen in Islamabad. I will
just tell you some detail here. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry
put out a statement this morning saying that they're Prime
minister and their foreign minister actually embarking on a trip
around the region in the next couple of days. So
they'll be visiting Turkey, Cutar in Saudi Arabia. That's going
to take place between April fifteen and April eighteen. You've
got to assume that if the talks are going to
go ahead in Islamabad, it's unlikely that it's going to
happen that they're going to happen before April the eighteenth.
Now there is of course another option, which is that
another country mediates and hosts these talks. I know Switzerlands
have put their hat into the ring. And then the
final point to consider is the Iranians have been very quiet.
We have not had any confirmation yet from their side
that they are signing on or subscribing to another round
of talks. All we have is comments from the President
yesterday suggesting that they are open to further negotiations as
long as they're conducted within the framework quote of international law.
In the meantime, Jumana, we just had this report crossing
from the Washington Post that the Pentagon is sending thousands
more troops to the Middle East in coming days. What
impact could that have?
You will recall, I think the last time we spoke
about this about a week ago, that the US were
looking to beef up their military presence in the region.
We reported that another aircraft carrier, the USS George HW Bush,
had departed from the US was making its way to
the region. From what we understand, it's days away from
arriving to the region, but Washington Posts are saying that
alongside that aircraft carrier, there will also be about six
thousand troops aboard. And remember there's another aircraftft carrier also
making its way, the Boxer, which is estimated to have
more than four thousand troops on board as well. That
is in addition to the estimated fifty thousand personnel that
are already being deployed in the region, and so you
have to think of this as perhaps a two pronged
approach that the US are applying to Iran right now.
They've got the economic approach, which is the blockade of
the blockade, so to speak, on the street, they're trying
to cut off Iran's oil lifeline. And then you've got
the military pressure coming through with this extra deployment and
the real threat once more, of a further military intensification
if Iran doesn't come back to then table.
Is there a sense then that on top of this
blockaded the Strait of Hormus and these reports that more
troops could be coming in, that that could pressure Iran
back to the table. We have just about a minute left.
Yeah, Well, so far, as I said, Iranians have been
pretty quiet. Typically they would be quite defiant, and we
reported our colleagues at Bloomberg reported that they were actually
considering pausing any shipments going through the Strait of Hormas
in anticipation of those next round discussions. From what we
understand and from various experts we've spoken to, I think
Iran's consideration now is how can they get the best
deal possible. So not just on the nuclear enrichment, but
also in terms of lifting sanctions. At the end of
the day, what this regime has cared about the most
is their survival. It has been an existential war for them.
They've sustained and absorbed the cost, but as long as
they come out the other sides having survived, they will
paint that as a victory.
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