Tuesday's News Links

[Reuters] Stocks flat, oil cools as anxiety over Mideast recedes

[CNBC] US trade deficit falls more than expected to hit lowest level in three years

[CNBC] How the world’s most important oil chokepoint could factor into escalating US-Iran tensions

[Global Times] China, US could possibly sign phase one trade deal next week: sources

[Reuters] Japan December services sector shrinks at fastest pace in over three years: PMI

[CNBC] China keeps grain import quotas steady despite promise to buy more American, report says

[AP] Eurozone inflation hits 6-month high before oil price spike

[Reuters] Saudi deputy defence minister met Esper, discussed ongoing military cooperation - tweet

[Reuters] Australia readies as renewed bushfire threat looms, economic costs soar

[Bloomberg] China’s Inflation May Hit 5% in January on Oil Spike, Citi Says

[Bloomberg] China’s Next Crisis Brews in Taiwan’s Upcoming Election

[Bloomberg] Risks Loom for Indian State Banks Binging on Sovereign Bonds

[FT] Why top-tier bonds are not as safe as they might seem

[FT] Economists fear US is approaching limit of monetary policy

Monday Evening Links

[Reuters] Wall St. brushes off Middle East tensions as tech-related shares gain

[MarketWatch] Gold closes at nearly 7-year high

[Reuters] Oil steadies as market ponders Iran's next move

[AP] Another major US dairy, Borden, seeks bankruptcy protection

[Bloomberg] China Needs More Than Just Rules to Tackle Rising Bond Defaults

[NYT] Awash in Disinformation Before Vote, Taiwan Points Finger at China

[WSJ] Iranians Rally in Display of Unity as Calls for Revenge on U.S. Deepen

[WSJ] Boeing Considers Raising Debt as MAX Crisis Takes Toll

[FT] US-Iran tensions bring risk back to markets

[FT] US influence in Iraq wanes as Iran strengthens grip