BlockBeats News, May 16th. This week, the global market faced a double impact of "Inflation + Geopolitics." The U.S. April CPI and PPI both exceeded expectations, leading to a rapid adjustment in market interest rate cut expectations. The U.S. bond yields soared across the board, with the 30-year bond yield surpassing 5.1%, hitting a new high since 2007. With Kevin Warsh formally approved to succeed as the Federal Reserve Chairman, the market has begun to reevaluate the "higher rates for longer" scenario, even betting on future rate hikes.

The Middle East remains highly tense. The U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations have been postponed, but both sides continue to send out tough signals. There were incidents of ship attacks and shipping route alterations in the Strait of Hormuz, keeping international oil prices high this week, with WTI crude oil briefly surpassing $103.

A crisis has also erupted in the UK political scene. Following a dismal performance in local elections, UK Prime Minister Stamer faces internal pressure from the Labour Party, with over 90 MPs demanding his resignation. The UK stock, bond, and currency markets came under pressure simultaneously, with the pound experiencing one of its largest monthly declines in recent months.

In the asset markets, the U.S. Dollar Index posted five consecutive gains and achieved its largest weekly surge in two months. Gold and silver surged on risk aversion but then experienced a sharp pullback, while U.S. stocks faced significant selling on Friday after hitting historic highs.

In addition, India announced an increase in gold import tariffs and restrictions on gold imports to ease foreign exchange pressures, while South Korea's Samsung Electronics is facing the risk of a large-scale strike involving over 50,000 employees, prompting emergency government intervention and coordination.