US President Donald Trump, who has long claimed he has never consumed alcohol in his life, may have briefly broken his sobriety during his visit to China. A video from the trip has gone viral online, appearing to show Trump raising a glass of wine during a toast and taking a sip.

“Trump has never had alcohol in his life. China gave him a beverage to toast, and Trump drank it. This is a very subtle, but STRONG statement on who’s really in charge,” claimed one viral social media post.

According to the Asian Business Daily, “During the proceedings, President Trump was seen raising his glass containing the toasting wine and bringing it to his lips, appearing to take a sip. He then handed the glass to a staff member, and cameras caught him seemingly holding the wine in his mouth for a moment before swallowing.”

Trump has repeatedly said he has never consumed alcohol — a rare claim among modern US presidents.

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“I’ve never had a drink,” Trump told Fox News after his election victory in 2017.
According to the BBC, Trump’s decision to avoid alcohol stems from the death of his older brother, Freddie Trump, who died at the age of 42 from complications related to alcoholism.
Trump has also reportedly advised his children to stay away from drugs, alcohol and cigarettes.
However, Bruce LeVell, a former Trump adviser and former White House small business advocate, dismissed the viral speculation in a post on X, saying, “It’s not alcohol, and I speak for the President.”

In another post, he added, “President Trump does not drink or do drugs. You want a president like that.”

Trump was on an official visit to China on an invitation from Chinese president Xi Jinping. It was the first visit to China by a US president in nine years.

What happened during Trump’s China visit

Trump departed China on Friday while highlighting several business agreements reached during the trip, even as Beijing warned Washington against mishandling the sensitive Taiwan issue and criticised the Iran war.

“We’ve settled a lot of different problems that other people wouldn’t have been able to solve,” Trump said after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on the second day of talks.

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The discussions reportedly covered the Iran conflict, Taiwan, trade ties and other major geopolitical issues. While Xi did not publicly comment on his talks with Trump regarding Iran, China’s foreign ministry later issued a strong statement expressing frustration over the conflict.

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SEOUL — Investors weighing Samsung Electronics against SK Hynix for 2026 portfolios face a classic choice between diversified stability and pure-play AI growth as the global memory-chip supercycle intensifies. SK Hynix has surged ahead in high-bandwidth memory leadership and profitability, while Samsung leverages its vast resources to close the gap and offers broader exposure across semiconductors, smartphones and consumer electronics.

Both South Korean giants posted record first-quarter 2026 results driven by explosive demand for AI servers, but analysts give SK Hynix a slight edge for investors seeking maximum upside from the HBM boom. SK Hynix commands roughly 54 percent of the global HBM market and secured about 70 percent of NVIDIA’s HBM4 orders for the Vera Rubin platform, with its entire 2026 chip supply already sold out in key categories. Samsung, traditionally the larger player in conventional DRAM and NAND, is pouring more than $73 billion into chip expansion this year to regain ground.

The memory supercycle shows no signs of slowing. Surging AI infrastructure spending has pushed DRAM and NAND prices higher, with some server memory categories up more than 60 percent since late 2025. SK Hynix reported operating margins near 72 percent in Q1, while Samsung’s memory division approached similar levels despite broader business losses in foundry and system LSI.

SK Hynix: Pure AI Play with Explosive Momentum

SK Hynix stands out as the clearer beneficiary of the AI tailwind. Its focus on high-margin HBM products, critical for training and running large language models, has translated into record profits. The company’s operating profit in recent quarters has outpaced Samsung’s memory segment, with analysts forecasting continued dominance through 2027 as HBM4 shipments ramp.

Investors benefit from SK Hynix’s tight alignment with NVIDIA and other hyperscalers. The firm’s technological edge in stacking and thermal management gives it pricing power and near-term market share gains. Shares have responded with strong year-to-date gains, though valuations reflect the premium for leadership.

Risks remain. SK Hynix’s heavy concentration in memory leaves it more exposed to any slowdown in AI spending. Geopolitical tensions around its China facilities and potential U.S. export restrictions on advanced chips could also weigh on operations.

Samsung: Diversified Giant with Catch-Up Potential

Samsung offers a more balanced risk-reward profile. While lagging in HBM, the company is accelerating investments and has already raised prices on key chips by up to 60 percent. Its foundry, mobile and consumer electronics businesses provide natural hedges against memory cyclicality.

The conglomerate’s scale allows it to fund aggressive R&D and capacity expansion without the same financing constraints faced by pure-play competitors. Samsung’s upcoming HBM4 products and planned early deliveries could narrow the gap with SK Hynix by late 2026. Analysts highlight its long-term ability to leverage synergies across the value chain.

However, near-term challenges persist. Labor union tensions at Samsung’s key Pyeongtaek campus — which produces half of global DRAM and vital HBM — threaten production if strikes materialize in May and June. The company also carries higher exposure to cyclical consumer markets compared with SK Hynix.

Analyst Consensus and Valuation Comparison

Wall Street remains bullish on both. Samsung carries a Strong Buy consensus from 37 analysts with an average 12-month price target around KRW 274,000. SK Hynix earns similar enthusiasm, with many firms citing its HBM leadership as justification for a premium multiple.

Valuations reflect differing stories: SK Hynix trades at a higher forward price-to-earnings multiple justified by faster growth, while Samsung appears relatively cheaper on a diversified basis. Both offer attractive dividends relative to global tech peers, though SK Hynix’s payout is more modest given reinvestment needs.

Currency movements also matter. The Korean won’s fluctuations against the dollar can amplify or mute returns for international investors. South Korea’s export-driven economy ties both stocks closely to global trade and tech spending.

Broader Market and Economic Context

The AI memory boom forms part of a larger semiconductor upcycle. Data-center buildouts by hyperscalers continue at record pace, with HBM demand outstripping supply through at least 2027. Traditional DRAM and NAND markets benefit indirectly as customers stockpile ahead of shortages.

South Korea’s semiconductor sector, which both companies dominate, accounts for a massive portion of the KOSPI index. The iShares MSCI South Korea ETF provides convenient bundled exposure, with the pair comprising more than 25 percent of the fund.

Global risks include U.S.-China trade tensions, potential AI spending pauses and commodity price swings. On the positive side, any resolution in Middle East conflicts could ease energy costs and support broader economic growth.

Investment Recommendation for 2026

For growth-oriented investors chasing the purest AI memory exposure, SK Hynix edges out as the stronger 2026 pick. Its technological lead, sold-out capacity and sky-high margins position it to capture disproportionate upside from continued HBM demand.

Conservative or diversified investors may prefer Samsung for its scale, multiple business lines and potential to close the HBM gap. The stock offers a margin of safety through non-memory revenue streams and remains undervalued relative to growth prospects.

A balanced approach — owning both or using the MSCI South Korea ETF — mitigates single-company risk while capturing the sector tailwind. Dollar-cost averaging and monitoring quarterly results, especially HBM shipment updates and Samsung’s labor situation, will be key.

Neither stock is without volatility. Memory cycles have historically been dramatic, and AI hype could moderate if economic conditions shift. Yet current fundamentals — tight supply, strong pricing and multi-year demand visibility — support an upbeat outlook for both through 2026 and into 2027.

As the AI infrastructure buildout accelerates, the Samsung-SK Hynix duel will remain one of the most watched battles in global tech. Investors who correctly time entry into the memory supercycle could see substantial returns, but thorough research and risk management remain essential in this fast-moving sector.

By Ivan Castano

The Iran war has sent aluminum prices higher this year, unnerving a slew of global industries that rely on the base metal to manufacture cars, canned goods and aircraft.

Before the conflict began in late February, prices were hovering at $3,200 per metric ton (tonne) but rose to a four-year high of $3,500 per tonne a fortnight later as fears of supply shocks hit the market.

Wood Mackenzie had already predicted a 200,000-tonne deficit for this year, possibly rising to 800,000 tonnes by 2028. This was sharply higher than the roughly 50,000-tonne shortage expected as of late 2025, when electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy (mainly solar panels) and AI data centers were taking demand to new heights.

Crucially, the war triggered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which Middle East output – which accounts for 9% of the world’s total – reaches ports in Europe and the United States. Simultaneously, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), which operates the globe’s largest smelter, announced it would cut output by 19% due to the maritime disruption.

“The closure of ports and plants is likely to cause significant turbulence in the aluminum market,” according to a Wood Mackenzie report, which also noted that the loss of the Gulf States’ outflows “would significantly tighten the balance over the next 6-12 months.” There are no viable ways of offsetting the loss from interrupted shipping or prolonged shutdowns.

Some carmakers, particularly EV manufacturers who use around 25% more aluminum than combustion models, have also announced they will cut production until there is greater clarity about the supply chain’s future.

Regional Disparities in Aluminum Pricing

While the rising flat price of aluminum is in focus, current events are further widening regional price differentials.

So-called physical premiums (a markup to the global price that reflects the regional fundamentals, cost of shipping and tariffs) are sharply above their pre-war baselines. The spreads – commonly called the Midwest Premium for the U.S.; the Rotterdam Duty-Paid, or European Premium Duty-Unpaid, for Europe; and the Japanese Premium for Asia – were trading around $2,529, $612, $507 and $302, respectively, as of early May. To help investors manage related price risks, CME Group offers futures on these regional premiums, in addition to futures on aluminum itself. Traders can either trade the regional premium as a standalone or the all-in price, covering the global price plus the premium.

With a historically high Midwest Premium, U.S.-bound aluminum is fetching over $6,000 per tonne, squeezing manufacturers in a country that imports the vast majority of supplies. Roughly 12% of these imports come from the Middle East, where American buyers have increasingly turned to with tariffs and sanctions significantly limiting the import and producer origins to choose from.

“Our contracts provide a key risk management tool for U.S. aluminum consumers and have become a critical piece to mitigate price risk and help protect margins,” said Ian Caton, Senior Director of Metals Products at CME Group.

The conflict in Iran expedited the expansion of an already-growing regional premium, he added. The introduction of Section 232 tariffs in 2018 first kicked off this increase for U.S. consumers, a trend further exaggerated as tariff policies broadened over the past year.

In contrast, European and Japanese markets face considerably smaller regional spreads, as they lack comparable tariff structures, though they have also jumped in the wake of the war.

Europe’s premium is now roughly at $612 per tonne, while Japan’s is at $302 per tonne, both up around 70% from their pre-war levels.

Interestingly, however, Europe’s Rotterdam premium surged over 50% in 2025 as a shutdown at Iceland’s key supplier, Aluminum Iceland, a carbon tax for non-EU importers and an output slump in Mozambique strangled supply.

In Japan, opposite forces were at play. The Asian country faced an aluminum oversupply as the automotive industry slashed production and stocks were already abundant. This brought prices lower, hitting a $58 per tonne bottom late last year. Then, as demand began to pick up and the trade blockade started, prices surged to $181 a tonne in February before settling even higher as of late April.

“The impact depends on the region,” Caton noted. “The global price plays a role, but regional considerations have become an increasing proportion of the notional value of the all-in cost of aluminum. The U.S. Midwest premium, for example, now accounts for over 40% of the all-in transaction price for aluminum in the U.S.”

Recycling to the Fore

Amid supply headwinds, U.S. buyers are bolstering their recycling capacity to ensure they have sufficient aluminum stocks.

Subodh Das, CEO and founder of industry consultancy Phinix, said the United States has invested $10 billion in the process and has the capacity to increase repurposed output to 4 million tonnes this year, up from 3 million tonnes in 2025.

Beyond ramping up old facilities or installing new ones, there must be a bigger effort to leverage landfilled capacity, according to Das.

“One and a half million tons of scrap are landfilled every year, while 1.5 million are exported,” he said. “We need to stop landfilling, and we need to export less.”

The U.S. could also benefit from raising production, Das added, an effort that recently got a boost after Emirates Global Aluminium and Century Aluminum struck a joint venture to make 750,000 tonnes of the metal in Oklahoma, nearly doubling current capacity from a plant it claimed will be the nation’s largest.

Despite the war’s uncertainty, Das said the U.S. has a 120-million ton aluminum reserve in landfills, largely derived from used beverage cans, that could be put to work if the conflict further impacts global stocks.

Alan Taub, an engineering professor at the University of Michigan’s Electric Vehicle Center, agreed more must be done to buoy recycling, especially as automobile prices continue to skyrocket.

“The aluminum price impact is the most concerning coming from the war,” he said. “We are having an automotive affordability problem with average sales prices north of $50,000. While the industry tends to know how to cope by adding extra capacity, or using materials in different ways, after adding value [like turning the metal into an automotive casting], component prices have risen dramatically.”

By adding secondary or ‘scrap’ aluminum into the manufacturing mix, industries can reap huge cost savings from lower energy usage while cutting emissions, said Taub.

But this isn’t always easy.

“One of the challenges in shredding [a car dismantling process] is that you get secondary aluminum that can be contaminated with iron (from steel bolts or brackets),” which can undermine the structural integrity of the resulting material, Taub said. Consequently, the industry is developing more iron-tolerant variants such as aluminum alloys blended with manganese and/or magnesium.

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Even Trump, an enthusiastic supporter of both the World Cup and Fifa president Gianni Infantino, has said he “wouldn’t pay it either” when asked about the prices. Tickets for sale for the final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium were officially offered at up to $32,970 (£24,540), while resale tickets have been listed for more than $2m.