Evening digest: Trump’s Asia tour ends, Netanyahu warns Hamas, Novo challenges Pfizer

US President Trump wraps up his Asia tour with major trade and security announcements, while Israel’s Netanyahu issues a stern warning to Hamas over Gaza’s demilitarization.

In business, Novo Nordisk escalates its bidding war with Pfizer for Metsera, shaking up the weight-loss drug market.

Meanwhile, gold prices climb as the Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady, signaling investor caution amid economic uncertainty.

A glance at the major developments on Thursday.

Trump wraps up his Asia trip

President Donald Trump called his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping a “truly great” one, saying it marked a real breakthrough in US-China relations.

He shared that China agreed to start buying large amounts of American farm products again, like soybeans and sorghum, something he said would give a strong boost to US farmers.

Trump also mentioned that China plans to purchase American energy, possibly from Alaska, and that both countries’ energy teams will soon get together to work out the details.

On top of that, China committed to helping the US tackle the fentanyl crisis.

Wrapping up his Asia trip, Trump called it “historic” and said he’s confident these new agreements will lead to more prosperity and security for Americans.

Netanyahu's sharp warning to Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubled down on his vow to disarm Hamas and demilitarize Gaza, saying this goal will be met “the easy way or the hard way.”

During his visits to joint US-Israeli ceasefire coordination centers, Netanyahu pointed out that Israel’s allies, including the United States, fully recognize its security responsibility in Gaza.

He made it clear that getting rid of Hamas’s weapons remains a key part of the ceasefire plan put together with help from President Donald Trump.

Netanyahu also issued a firm warning: if Hamas breaks the ceasefire, Israel will strike back hard.

He emphasized that for Israel, Gaza’s demilitarization isn’t up for debate; it’s essential for the country’s long-term safety.

Novo Nordisk races against Pfizer for Metsera

Novo Nordisk has made a higher unsolicited bid to acquire obesity-focused biotech Metsera, offering $56.50 per share upfront, valuing the company at $6.5 billion, with potential contingent payments adding up to $2.5 billion.

This move challenges Pfizer's earlier agreed deal for Metsera, intensifying competition in the weight-loss medication market. Metsera's board has deemed Novo's offer superior, triggering a four-day window for Pfizer to counter.

Pfizer criticized Novo's bid as "reckless" and an attempt to suppress competition.

The bid reflects the high stakes in the growing obesity therapeutics sector, with Metsera's innovative drug pipeline attracting strong interest.

Gold prices surge

Gold prices jumped nearly 2% after the Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates unchanged.

The move sparked fresh optimism among investors, especially those looking at non-yielding assets like gold. Many see the Fed’s pause as a possible hint that monetary policy could be shifting, particularly given the current economic uncertainty.

Analysts say the decision has made gold even more appealing as a safe-haven investment, and they expect prices could stay strong in the weeks ahead.

The Fed also struck a cautious tone about future rate changes, which has taken some of the shine off the US dollar. That, in turn, has made gold even more attractive to buyers around the world.