Tariffs and expensive coffee

Hi ZipLawyer! Today’s Memo:

🇺🇸 Tariffs are coming
💸 Saudi Aramco cuts dividend
☕ Coffee gets expensive
🍿 CMS leads on Cinema claim
💻 HSF leads on software deal
🙋 What is Arbitration?

Tariffs are coming

Donald Trump has unleashed a fresh trade war salvo, imposing 25% tariffs on most Canadian and Mexican importsand hiking duties on Chinese goods to 20%, impacting $1.5 trillion in trade. The backlash was swift—Canada and China retaliated with their own levies, rattling markets as stocks tumbled and global trade ties frayed. Trump isn’t done yet, hinting at more tariffs on Europe, cars, and semiconductors, raising fears of higher consumer costs, supply chain chaos, and renewed inflation. Buckle up—the tariff battle is far from over.

Low on Cash

Saudi Aramco is cutting its 2025 dividend to $85 billion, down from $124 billion last year,easing financial strain but squeezing a key funding source for Saudi Arabia’s budget. The move follows weaker earnings amid lower oil pricesand production near a three-year low, while Riyadh grapples with a $27 billion budget deficit. Aramco’s stock took a hit, and with revenues declining, the company plans further debt sales to plug the gap—raising questions about how Saudi Arabia balances fiscal stability with economic transformation plans.

Expensive Espresso

You might wanna top up on coffee. European supermarkets are running low on major coffee brands as retailers push back against price hikes from roasters like JDE Peet’s. Dutch chains Albert Heijn and Jumbo, along with Germany’s Aldi Nord and Edeka, have temporarily pulled products amid tough negotiations. Bad harvests in Brazil and Vietnam have driven up coffee costs by 70%, forcing brands to either raise prices or shrink product sizes. With retail prices expected to jump 20-25%, shoppers may soon be paying a premium for their morning brew.

CMS leads on Cinema claim