U.S. major indices opened lower on Friday, July 17: the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 197.40 points (-0.38%) to 52,355.57 at the open; the S&P 500 declined 89.23 points (-1.18%) to 7,444.54; the Nasdaq Composite dropped 621.17 points (-2.40%) to 25,260.77.

The NDRC Price Monitoring Center said international oil prices rose over the current pricing cycle (24:00 July 3–24:00 July 17). Effective 24:00 on July 17, domestic retail caps for gasoline and diesel are increased by 300 yuan/ton and 290 yuan/ton, respectively. Nationwide average retail adjustments: 92 gasoline +0.24 yuan/L, 95 gasoline +0.25 yuan/L, 0 diesel +0.25 yuan/L. A 50L fill of 92 gasoline will cost an extra 12 yuan.

Cuban foreign minister Rodríguez said on the 16th that some US media have repeatedly joined a US government effort to hype threats of force against Cuba. He said the government is using information "fed to" the media to test "public opinion" ahead of an unjustified military adventure, and stressed Cuba is not a threat, a fact US intelligence agencies know.